
Zeek Coleman - Vice President, Americas | Tourism Economics
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.

Myha Gallagher, Vice President of Research | Destination Analysts
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 Schechter, Senior Sales Director, Southeast | Sojern
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.

Doug Bourgeois - Asst. Secretary, Louisiana Office of Tourism & Chair of the Board
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, Program Manager | Travel Oregon
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.

Tristan Freedman, Regional Director North America | Vacaay
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

Mike Mangeot, Commissioner | Kentucky Department of Tourism & Vice Chair of the Board
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

Martin Stoll, Founder & CEO | Sparkloft Media
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.

Stephen Foutes - Director, Missouri Division of Tourism & Secretary of the Board
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.,

Mathu Premaruban, Head of Global COmmunications| Brand USA
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.
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.

Zoey Goto, Journalist & Author
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 | Journalist and TV Host
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, Director | Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism
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.

Chris Thompson, President & Chief Executive Officer | Brand USA
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,

Liz Bittner, President & CEO | Travel South USA
Liz Bittner currently serves as President & Chief Executive Officer for Travel South USA, a 12-state regional marketing alliance owned by the state tourism offices of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.