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Members of the PRSA Travel and Tourism 2014 Executive CommitteeMembers of the PRSA Travel and Tourism 2014 Executive CommitteeMembers of the PRSA Travel and Tourism 2014 Executive CommitteeMembers of the PRSA Travel and Tourism 2014 Executive Committee

ChairChairChairChair

Mary Cracchiolo Spain Mary Cracchiolo Spain Mary Cracchiolo Spain Mary Cracchiolo Spain

Regional Director, Public Relations MGM Resorts International - Mississippi

Operations

A 19-year veteran of the Mississippi tourism industry, Mary Cracchiolo Spain serves as the Regional Director of Public Relations for MGM Resorts International Mississippi Operations and is responsible for overseeing internal and external communications for Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi and Gold Strike Casino Resorts in Tunica. This includes developing and managing public relations programs; employee communications; crisis communications and serving as a company spokesperson. In addition, she spearheads national, regional and local media relations for MGM Resorts International’s Mississippi Operations and is responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies in support of entertainment, food and beverage, hotel and retail, golf course and other amenities. Prior to joining MGM Resorts in 2001, Cracchiolo Spain managed the Mississippi Development Authority South Mississippi Tourism Office for three years. Before accepting the state tourism position, she served as the Director of Communications for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. Cracchiolo Spain is the 2014 Chair for the PRSA Travel & Tourism Section. She has been a Travel & Tourism Section member since 1998, and has served on its board since 2007.

ChairChairChairChair————ElectElectElectElect

Jeffrey Ory, ABC, APRJeffrey Ory, ABC, APRJeffrey Ory, ABC, APRJeffrey Ory, ABC, APR

President il Stratega

Jeffrey Ory has earned more than 100 awards including all three of the highest recognitions in the communication profession: The Gold Quill Award from the International Association of Business Communicators, the Jake Wittmer Research Award plus the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil. He is a communication professional with extensive experience in creating and implementing integrated marketing and communication strategies to solve problems and advance business goals for a diverse group of clients, including national leaders in tourism/hospitality, food/beverage, retail, healthcare, banking, education, technology, as well as nonprofit organizations. Jeffrey is one of only two professionals dually accredited in communication and public relations by the PRSA and IABC in Louisiana. He is the past president of both organizations on the local level—the first and youngest person to ever be president of both local professional organizations. His professional volunteer efforts also have included regional, national and international positions with both organizations.

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SecretarySecretarySecretarySecretary

Lauren Jarrell Lauren Jarrell Lauren Jarrell Lauren Jarrell Owner

LJ Communications, LLC

Lauren Jarrell is the owner of LJ Communications, a PR agency based in Atlanta, Georgia specializing in strategic communications. Jarrell has nearly 15 years of experience helping companies build their brands and elevate their position in the marketplace. She spent eleven years at the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau creating momentum around Atlanta as a top destination for business and leisure travel and major conventions. Her time there included PR support for All-Star Games of every professional sport and two NCAA Men’s Final Four tournaments as well as experience with crisis communications on issues ranging from political to natural disaster. She honed her expertise with executive positioning and creating communications strategies, whether grassroots or global media relations, that cn directly support a company’s business plan. Prior to ACVB, Jarrell worked at the founding office for the global PR firm Cohn & Wolfe where she supported consumer brands such as The Coca-Cola Company, The PGA Tour, Chick-fil-A and the Consumer Electronics Show.

Immediate Past ChairImmediate Past ChairImmediate Past ChairImmediate Past Chair

Wendy HaaseWendy HaaseWendy HaaseWendy Haase

Director of Tourism Marketing Destination Irvine

Wendy Haase has over 19 years of public relations, marketing and special event experience. Her career in the travel and tourism industry has included representing Milwaukee, Sonoma County, Huntington Beach, a luxury resort and currently Irvine, Calif. where she is the Director of Tourism Marketing. Wendy has served on the Travel & Tourism Section Board of Directors since 2006, most recently as the Chair of the 2013 Conference. She is also an Associate member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

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Partnership DevelopmentPartnership DevelopmentPartnership DevelopmentPartnership Development

Heather Dolan Heather Dolan Heather Dolan Heather Dolan

Contractor Brand USA

Heather Dolan has served as PR/Marketing consultant and contractor for the past year with National Tourism Organizations such as media management and public relations expertise included creating brand visibility and recognition through the appropriate public and media relations vehicle or event. She has worked with a variety of print, online and broadcast media; coordinated annual national media conferences; and leveraged media opportunities at international events including the 2010 Winter Games and Canada's Royal Tour. Prior to joining the CTC, Heather gained expertise and practice in other tourism and hospitality industry organizations including CVB and State tourism offices, major attractions and airport posts. Heather also has knowledge and experience in destination marketing research and measurement in ROI on PR and media placement. Her professional interests include media measurement, strengthening media relationships, evaluating online media, and exploring new digital tools and social media platforms. Heather holds a degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. A lover of the outdoors, Heather can be found hiking and running the trails, playing in various soccer leagues, and cheering on her team mates at SEAL Team Physical Fitness. Heather resides in central Virginia with her husband, David, and dog, Tobie. They are expecting a new addition, a baby boy, to their home this fall.

Members AtMembers AtMembers AtMembers At----LargeLargeLargeLarge

Kelly EarnestKelly EarnestKelly EarnestKelly Earnest

Director of Public Relations The Peabody Memphis

Kelly Earnest is the director of public relations for The Peabody Memphis, where she acts as the hotel’s primary media contact. In addition to generating publicity for the hotel, its ducks, restaurants, and events, Earnest established the social media strategy and online reputation management for the “South’s Grand Hotel” and plays a key role in its popular Rooftop Party series. Earnest began her PR career within the Peabody family, as public relations coordinator for The Peabody Orlando. She later moved to Tampa and spent six years elevating Tampa Bay’s image as a leisure and meetings destination as the public relations manager for the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau. In addition to her role with PRSA’s Travel & Tourism Section, she serves on PR committees for Historic Hotels of America and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, and is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

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Meghann GibbonsMeghann GibbonsMeghann GibbonsMeghann Gibbons

Director, Communications Georgia Aquarium

As the Director of Communications, Meghann Gibbons is responsible for the communications strategy that drives attendance for the Aquarium and builds its reputation as the largest and most engaging aquarium experience in the world. After graduating from Florida State University with bachelor’s degrees in marketing and multinational business operations, Gibbons joined the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau as Marketing Coordinator. In 2005, Gibbons joined Georgia Aquarium as Public Relations Manager, playing a key part in the strategy and execution of media surrounding the grand opening of the world’s largest aquarium. In 2008, Gibbons was promoted to Communications Director and now oversees the development and implementation of the strategic publicity, media and communications plans for three facilities that highlight revenue-generating priorities and position the organization’s conservation platform. Gibbons also manages the Georgia Aquarium’s story development and production team for ABC’s Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin from Georgia Aquarium, which airs nationally in over 200 ABC affiliates.

Malcolm GriffithsMalcolm GriffithsMalcolm GriffithsMalcolm Griffiths

Vice President Development Counsellors International

Before joining Development Counsellors International in December 2003, Malcolm worked within the news bureau of Tourism Australia’s Los Angeles office for three and a half years. Now a Vice President within the agency’s Tourism Practice, Malcolm has overseen the successful public relations campaigns for signature travel destinations including California, Greater Miami and the Beaches, Namibia and Tasmania, Australia. Today he is the Director of DCI’s public relations/marketing division where he leads multiple teams in implementing HSMAI award-winning travel marketing campaigns for destinations worldwide. Malcolm often speaks at industry conferences such as DMAI and trade shows including the Los Angeles Times Travel Show on travel marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management from Sydney’s University of Technology and is certified in public relations by University of California, Los Angeles. Malcolm likes to keep active too – snow skiing, spinning, swimming and working out. He has also been studying Portuguese for seven years.

Nathan KamNathan KamNathan KamNathan Kam

Vice President, Travel & Tourism McNeil Wilson Communications/Anthology

Marketing Group

Nathan has been immersed in public relations in Hawaii’s travel and tourism industry for more than 14 years and has worked on some of the state’s top leisure destination marketing campaigns. As executive vice president at McNeil Wilson Communications (MWC) – a division of Anthology Marketing Group (AMG), Hawaii’s largest full-service integrated marketing company – he is responsible for the management of the group and a lead strategist serving clients that include the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Big Island Visitors Bureau, and Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. Nathan’s two-year term on the PRSA Travel and Tourism Section Board of Directors began on January 2013 and has taken on the role of Education Chair. He is also a past president of the PRSA Hawaii Chapter (2010) and has been an active member since 1999.

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Derek KlausDerek KlausDerek KlausDerek Klaus

Senior Communications Manager Kansas City Convention & Visitors

Association

Derek Klaus is a senior communications manager with the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association, where he leads the destination’s communications team and is responsible for positioning KC as a top-of-mind business and leisure destination through media relations, publications and social media. Since joining the KCCVA, Klaus has earned publicity for Kansas City in national media outlets such as The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and the Today Show. A Kansas native, Derek holds a degree in strategic communications from The University of Kansas. He serves on boards and steering committees for the Society of American Travel Writers, Kansas Alumni Association and Kansas City Restaurant Week. He has also been active on host committees for sporting events such as the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, 2013 MLS All-Star Game, NCAA basketball and the Big 12 Conference. In 2012, he was the recipient of PRSA’s Bill DeLay Award for Distinguished Service.

Alison Collins LuAlison Collins LuAlison Collins LuAlison Collins Lundbergndbergndbergndberg

Director of Publicity J Public Relations

With a strong background in hospitality and tourism and more than 12 years of experience in public relations and marketing communications, Alison is the Vice President of J Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s west coast travel and hospitality accounts. She current manages the media relations strategies for several accounts, including Rancho Valencia, Rancho La Puerta, L’Auberge de Sedona, The Modern Honolulu, Royal Palms Resort & Spa, and Tanque Verde Ranch, as well as the entire MetWest Terra Hospitality collection. Prior to joining the J Public Relations team, she was the Director of Communications for Enchantment Group Spas & Resorts for several years where she managed the media relations, public relations, corporate positioning, social media, reputation management and online communications efforts for the company’s award-winning properties. Prior to joining Enchantment Group, Alison was the Associate Public Relations Director for the Martz Agency and oversaw its hospitality, tourism and real estate accounts.

Matt OwenMatt OwenMatt OwenMatt Owen Corporate Director of Public Relations

Salamander Hotels & Resorts

Matt Owen is the corporate director of public relations for Salamander Hotels & Resorts, an entrepreneurial hotel company that manages Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, FL; Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL; Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, FL; and the new Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA. A 13-year veteran of the PR Travel and Tourism industry, Owen spent over eight years working as the public relations director for a collection of three southern hotels and resorts: Kiawah Island Golf Resort near Charleston; The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA; and The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, TN. A former award-winning newspaper reporter and features writer, Owen is a five-term member of the PRSA Travel & Tourism Section Board and lives in Charleston with his wife, Kelly, and their two white boxers: Huxley and Lyra.

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Scott PeacockScott PeacockScott PeacockScott Peacock Public Relations Manager

Experience Columbus

As public relations manager, Scott is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring aspects of local, leisure travel and meeting/convention trade media relations programs for Experience Columbus. His goal is to generate positive exposure for the work and value of the organization and for the Greater Columbus area as a destination for travel, conventions and meetings. Before joining Experience Columbus in 2008, Scott was an account executive at central Ohio based advertising and marketing firm Emerging Marketing. His background in Columbus includes more than four years of communications/marketing work for several Central Ohio advertising and public relations firms. Scott is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and minors in marketing and tourism. He currently serves as a member of the Create Columbus Commission and is also enrolled in the 2014 Class of Leadership Columbus.

Michelle Michelle Michelle Michelle RodriguezRodriguezRodriguezRodriguez

Director of Communications Visit Santa Barbara

A 19-year PR veteran, Michelle Rodriguez spent the first 15 years of her career in entertainment PR before making the leap to travel, first as a Travel Editor, and now as Director of Communications for Visit Santa Barbara (VSB). Under her leadership, the PR department of VSB has grown from a reactive department of one to an extremely proactive department of three. In her first year she was able to triple the coverage for Santa Barbara and instituted a popular monthly education series to empower VSB members with PR skills. Michelle is trilingual, enjoys getting lost in exotic locals and still maintains her own travel blog. She is also an associate member of SATW.