Community Connection Professional Task Force

The Community Connection Professionals Task Force is comprised of destination organization leaders within the Visitor Services, Group Tour, Special Events, Neighborhood Engagement disciplines. Focus on the sharing of knowledge, identification of issues and the development of solutions as they relate to community engagement and destination development. The task force will work with Destinations International to advance relevant content and professional development.  

2024 Task Force Members

  • Alex Sullivan, Visitor Services and Community Engagement Manager, Visit Howard County
  • Anne Klenke, VP - Destination Development/Community Engagement, Visit Lake Charles
  • Brandy Hastings, Client Success Specialist, Bandwango
  • Briana McLaughlin, Convention Services Manager, Visit Spokane
  • Cameron Caldwell, Digital Marketing Manager, Visit Dallas
  • Carrie Tomlinson, Sr. Account Director, Miles Partnership
  • Cassandra Klein, Account Director - Media Sales & Destination Partnerships, Tripscout, part of the @hotel network
  • Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director, Visit Charlottesville
  • Denise Burrell, Executive Director, River Parishes Tourist Commission
  • Greg Oates, SVP, Innovation, MMGY NextFactor
  • Helen Marano, Senior Vice-President, Longwoods International
  • Jennifer Christie, Director of Marketing and Industry Relations, Visit Loudoun, Task Force Co-Chair
  • John Sutherland, Director of Community Impact, Tourism Cares
  • Julie Gilbert, President & CEO, Destination Door County
  • Karen Mitchell, Sr. Destination Project Manager, Regional Tourism Organization 4 Inc. 
  • Katie Reichard, Operations Director, Visit Frederick
  • Kelli West, Tourism Communications Officer, Chickasaw Country
  • Kelly Bass Seibel, VP, Community Engagement, Sonoma County Tourism
  • Lionel Kernerman, Manager of Destination Development, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
  • Mary Quinn Ramer, President, VisitLEX
  • Matt Stiker, SVP, Brand Strategy, Madden Media
  • Matthew Ozuna, Destination Development Manager, State of Washington Tourism
  • Michael Cavanaugh, Director of Community Engagement & Visitor Services, Travel Portland
  • Mickey Schaefer, President & Founder, Certified Tourism Ambassador - CTA Network LLC
  • Nicole Bradin, Community Engagement Director, Explore Tualatin Valley (Washington County Visitors Association)
  • Nicole Brownell, Chief Experience Officer, Zartico
  • Oliver Kugler, Community Relations Manager, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
  • Phil Bruno, President, Treat 'em Right
  • Rhonica Stuart, Business Operations Specialist, Port Aransas, Tourism Bureau & Chamber Of Commerce
  • Rosanna McNeal, Destination Services Manager, VisitNorfolk
  • Sarai Case, Visitor Experience Manager, Visit Phoenix
  • Stacey Segal, Director of Operations, Dallas Sports Commission
  • Terry Natwick, Global Sales and Marketing Manager, Discover Crystal River FL
  • Tiffany Ahalt, Director of Sales & Community Engagement, Visit Hagerstown & Washington County CVB
  • Tony Snell Rodriguez, Visitor Experience Manager, VISIT Milwaukee
  • Tyler Bailey, Director, DTN, Destination Travel Network, a Simpleview company
  • Vanessa Bechtol, CDME, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Visit Tucson
  • Whitney Waara, COO, Traverse City Tourism, Task Force Co-Chair
  • Yuliana Ruiz Velasquez, Meetings Industry Executive, Greater Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Alyssa Poulin, Director of Content Development

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