Convention Sales & Services Committee

The Convention Sales & Services Committee actively reviews and develops strategies and best practices that will support the CVB Convention Sales and Services teams as they navigate the ever-evolving needs of the Business Events Strategist and their corresponding organization. Through the committees' efforts, CVBs become better equipped to deliver a value proposition that makes them critical in the meeting and event planning and actualization process. We encourage Destination Organization Sales and Convention Services professionals at varying levels and representing varying markets to participate. Additionally, all Business Members and Partners who have direct integration in or impact on the Business Events Sales and Services cycle are welcome to participate.

2023 Committee Members​

  • Adrienne Siemers, Chief Sales Officer, Nashville CVC
  • Aly Fernandez, AVP Destination Services and VICs, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Amanda Fox, Director of Event Services, Visit Rochester
  • Amy Zientek, Director of Sales, Visit Lubbock
  • Aurelia Welsh, Senior Director of Sales & Special Events, Visit Baltimore
  • Brandon Hall, Director of Meeting & Convention Sales, Florida, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Carolyn Martin, Destination Experience Sr. Manager, Visit Orlando
  • Cathy Keller, VP of Sales & Services, Visit Omaha
  • Chelsea Kendall (Whitman), Account Manager, Destination Marketing, Cvent
  • Christine "Shimo" Shimasaki, Managing Director, 2Synergize, a Simpleview consulting company
  • Dana Maugans, Director of Sales, Springfield, MO Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • David Buckenberger, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Deb Goedeke, Destination Services Manager, Discover Albany, Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Desiree Everett, Vice President of Convention Sales, Travel Portland
  • Dustin Arnheim, Choose Chicago (Co-Chair)
  • Fig Wirkler, Director of Sales, Visit Boulder, The Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Jason Lusk, Associate Vice President, Convention Sales, VISIT DENVER
  • Jennifer Vacek, Director, Convention Sales, VisitPITTSBURGH
  • Jon Hixon, Managing Director of Sales, Visit Indy
  • Joyce Russell, Managing Director of Sales, Visit Indy
  • Kelli Blubaum, VP of Convention Sales & Services, Experience Scottsdale
  • Kylie Leslie, Destination Services Manager, Visit Phoenix 
  • Lauren Hyps, Associate Director of Sales, VISITMilwaukee
  • Leslie Johnson, Vice President of Sales & Event Experiences, VISIT Milwaukee
  • Lisa Chamberlain, Group Sales Manager / Tourism Sales Specialist III, Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB
  • Liz Dane, Regional Director Mid Atlantic, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
  • Lora Stanley, Vice President of Convention Sales, Visit Anaheim
  • Marci Krueger‑Sidebottom, Vice President of Sales and Services, VisitLex
  • Maria Herring, Vice President of Sales and Services, VisitNorfolk
  • Marianne Schmidhofer, Director, Meetings, & Convention Services, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Mario Bass, Chief Sales Officer, Visit San Antonio
  • Mariya Baker, Director of Sales, Explore Branson
  • Mark Lynch, Chief Client Officer, Tempest
  • Michelle Moore, Experience Kissimmee (Co-Chair)
  • Mya Surrency, Co-Founder, Digital Edge
  • Natalie Jamieson, Insights Group Team Lead, Zartico
  • Nathan Hermiston, SVP Sales & Services, Visit KC 
  • Olivia Puglisi, Director of Customer Experience, Visit Baltimore
  • Richard Allchild, Head of Sales, North America, IMEX Group
  • Roberta Tisdul, Director of Convention Services, Visit Indy
  • Rosanna McNeal, Convention Services Manager, VisitNorfolk
  • Scott Craighead, Vice President, Sales, Services, and Sports, Visit Albuquerque
  • Sonia  Fong, Senior Vice President, Convention Development, Louisville Tourism
  • Thomas Riel, Senior Vice President, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Tony Snell Rodriguez, Visitor Experience Manager, Visit Milwaukee
  • Trina Flack, VP of Sales, Catch Des Moines
  • Zac Craig, President, Visit Oklahoma City

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Emily Scheiderer, Director of Education, Sales and Services

     

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