Global Summit Speakers

Zeek Coleman is Vice President, Americas at Tourism Economics; an Oxford Economics company dedicated to understanding the relationship between travel and the economy. Zeek spearheads the delivery of economic solutions to DMO, association, and corporate clients and has built a reputation for his ability to translate complex data into meaningful insights. Zeek loves to play basketball and once competed against Alonzo Mourning, Robert Horry & Antoine Walker on a reality TV show called, “Pros vs. Joes.”

As Destination Analysts’ Vice President of Research, Myha thoughtfully designs and manages the implementation of Destination Analysts’ suite of research services. With nearly a decade of experience deeply analyzing quantitative and qualitative data on leisure travelers, meeting planners, DMO stakeholders and tour operators, she is incredibly effective at distilling actionable insights and marketing intelligence that support our clients’ missions. Myha holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Todd currently serves as Sojern's Senior Sales Director, working with destinations throughout the Southeast.  This is Todd's second stint with Sojern as he spent 4 years with the company pre-COVID working with clients across the air, hotel, car rental space and more.  Todd has worked in digital marketing in the travel space since 2004, and has extensive experience helping travel brands grow their marketing footprint through effective digital advertising campaigns.  Todd received his B.A. from Georgia State University and resides in Atlanta, GA.

Prior to joining the Department for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Bourgeois worked for Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge as the Director of the Conference Services Department where he planned and managed academic meetings and conferences in Louisiana and throughout the U.S.  Bourgeois has held positions on numerous boards and commissions which include the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Louisiana Folklife Commission, Louisiana Board of International Commerce and Louisiana Tax Free Shopping Commission.

Gabi Duarte is in her 10th year as the Global Sales Program Manager with Travel Oregon, working to inspire travel that uplifts Oregon communities. Her current role supports travel trade sales and tourism marketing around the globe while connecting the dots with tourism partners and suppliers in Oregon through education, consultation, and partnership support.
 
In 2021, Gabi developed Travel Oregon’s Why Guides program as an agency-wide effort to recognize and promote tourism industry operators, guides, and outfitters as one of the state’s top tourism assets. As a community of mostly small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, this valuable segment of the industry offers visitors access to local experts who help travelers discover unique experiences, follow destination management principles, and provide land stewardship throughout the state, creating memorable and sustainable experiences for visitors.
 
Now in its third year, the Why Guides program has registered 126 tour companies who receive education, development, and priority marketing and promotion in the U.S. and around the globe through thoughtful promotions, ad campaigns, news segments, sales collateral, tradeshows and media events. 

Tristan is the North American Regional Director for Vacaay, a world-leading, performance-based Destination Marketing platform. Harnessing the power of high-intent travel data, Vacaay has developed a multi-channel travel media ecosystem, with the functionality of some of the world's strongest digital and social media brands. The smart-tech allows DMOs and partners to connect their destination and brand with a global community of active and engaged travellers, reducing 'buying waste' from traditional and mainstream platforms. 
 
Tristan helps lead the strategy with the head office team, working with tourism boards on digital marketing solutions that navigate the complexity of an ever-changing awareness/inspiration/conversion funnel.
 
Prior to joining Vacaay, Tristan was the General Manager for Australian and New Zealand marketing and PR agency Gate 7. Gate 7 represents both Travel South and Brand USA, as well as a broad depth of other global tourism clients. Across his 12+ year tenure at the agency, for a time Tristan headed up Travel South's trade program, and led the strategic direction for many other DMO and tourism partners including Visit California and Universal Parks & Resorts.
 

Mike Mangeot serves as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism for Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration bringing to the office extensive experience in both tourism and economic development. Prior to returning to the office of Commissioner Mr. Mangeot was the Executive Director of the Bardstown Nelson County Tourism Commission, previously served as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism, was President & CEO of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development and Deputy Commissioner & Director of Marketing & Advertising for the Kentucky Department of Travel. Mr. Mangeot has also served on numerous state and national boards including Travel South USA (Chair), the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, Southeast Tourism Society, US Travel Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Kentucky Derby Festival, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Frankfort, Inc., the Main Street Program for Kentucky’s Capital City.

Martin Stoll is the founder and CEO of Sparkloft Media, a social-first creative agency that has worked with more than 100 travel and tourism clients around the world by providing them with insights and solutions on how to connect with audiences in the most effective ways. This includes traditional marketing but also cutting-edge tools and tactics like social sentiment analysis, NFTs or metaverse solutions.

Before starting Sparkloft, Martin worked as a travel writer and 15 years for Lufthansa German Airlines in various sales and marketing roles in Europe, North and South America.

A thought leader with over 20 years of experience in marketing, technology and consumer trends, Martin speaks on a regular basis at leading industry conferences around the world. When he is not traveling Martin spends time with his family cooking the national dish from every country in the world – in alphabetical order.

A lifelong Missourian, Stephen Foutes was born in Mark Twain’s hometown, Hannibal, and grew up in the nearby town of Bowling Green. After graduating from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo., Foutes worked in the newspaper industry for more than 10 years, eight of which were spent as a reporter and editor at the Jefferson City News Tribune, located in Missouri’s capital. In 2009, Foutes joined the Missouri Division of Tourism as the Travel Guide editor. Over the next eight-plus years, he held varying roles – website editor, communications team manager, communications coordinator – before joining the Missouri State Medical Association as its director of marketing in 2017. Foutes returned to the Missouri tourism family in March 2020, when he was appointed the Division’s director.

Mathu Premaruban is head of global communications at Brand USA, the nation's public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts. 
 
With over 15 years of experience, Mathu has represented a number of iconic travel brands and destinations including Visit England, NYC & Company and Dorchester Collection.
 
At Brand USA, she is responsible for creating a global communication strategy focused on sharing the stories on the wealth and breadth of experiences for travelers to enjoy across the USA as well as building a strong community of international media ambassadors.  

Zoey Goto is an award-winning journalist and author covering US travel, with a specialism in the southern states. She's a regular contributor to National Geographic Traveller, plus writes for titles including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveller, Hemispheres magazine and many of the UK newspapers. 

Jonathan Thompson is an award-winning travel journalist and content producer based in London and Dallas. The US Travel Correspondent for The Sunday Times, he is also a regular contributor to publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Daily Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, GQ and Esquire, as well as the host of Adventure Cities on the Discovery Channel.   

 

Travis Napper is the Director of Tourism within the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Napper previously served as President & CEO of the Ruston Lincoln Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Director of Orientation and Special Programs at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA before his move to Arkansas in April.
Napper is a former President of the Louisiana Association of CVB’s and former Chairman of the Louisiana Travel Association. He is a member of Destinations International, previously serving on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and was recognized as a future leader in the industry through DI’s 30 Under 30 program in 2013.
Napper attended Louisiana Tech University, earning his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2006 and received his CDME (Certified Destination Management Executive) designation in 2016.

Christopher L. Thompson is president and CEO of Brand USA, the nation's public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts. In this role, Chris is responsible for accelerating the organization’s efforts to build and execute effective marketing strategies to increase U.S. travel exports, create jobs, strengthen the economy, and help enhance the image of the United States with people all over the world. Under Chris’ leadership, Brand USA has nearly tripled its partnership network and more than doubled its partner contributions and program offerings.