TRAVELING

Thanks for joining us on Episode 20 with our guest David DuBois, President & CEO at International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events, hospitality and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). Our guest, David DuBois will share his thoughts on the current group business travel environment, the ongoing pandemic and how IAEE and other industry associations are advocating for the protection of the events through new legislation. In addition, David gives an update on the 2020 Expo! Expo! hybrid event taking place in Louisville this coming December.

David DuBois
President & CEO
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dubois-cae-cmp-fasae-cta-3a130a48/ 

BIO:
David DuBois is the President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE). As IAEE’s president, DuBois is responsible for the management of 23 full-time professional staff, producing the annual business operating plan and budget, overseeing the support of all meetings of governance units, leading business development, directing fund raising efforts, advocating for the industry and the organization’s members, providing organizational leadership and strategic counsel to the board. Also, he serves as the association’s representative with industry coalitions, partner organizations and strategic alliances.

DuBois began his career with Sheraton Corporation in various sales positions including Regional Director of Sales and the Director of Marketing Programs. He has served as both President and CEO, and Senior Vice President at the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) where he was responsible for all operations and a $7 million budget. As Senior Vice President he managed the development of 15 new chapters and was responsible for magazine advertising sales and membership recruitment and retention. 

DuBois has also served as both the Chief Operating Officer at Meeting Professionals International (MPI) from 1996-2000. During this time, he supported programs and services for more than 16,000 members worldwide, and served as the Executive Vice President of the MPI Foundation. David has also served as MPI’s Vice President of Sales and Key Account Management and Vice President of Corporate Services.

Most recently, DuBois has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau where he had oversight and full responsibility of 42 staff, with the responsibility of attracting convention and tourism business with a $8.5 million budget.

DuBois has also served as a board member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE); Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Texas Society of Association Executives; board member and Chairman of the Dallas Fort Worth Tourism Council; and board member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves as Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Convention Industry Council (CIC). He also serves on the Board
of Directors for the Meetings Mean Business Coalition and the U.S. Travel Association.

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 19 with our guest Lisa Messina, Vice President of Sales at Caesars Entertainment. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events, hospitality and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Lisa will share how looking outside of the hospitality industry helps craft her strategic business approach. How Caesars Entertainment is navigating the new realities of contracting future group business travel opportunities, managing the health and wellness of her team members and how intermediaries are positioned to maximize this unique moment in time.

Lisa Messina
Vice President of Sales
Caesars Entertainment
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasmessina/

BIO:
Lisa Messina is the Vice President of Sales for Caesars Entertainment.  In her role, Lisa leads a nationwide team of 160 sales professionals who represent and contract meetings and events for 80 properties within the United States.

Upon graduating from the Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Lisa built an extensive resume holding sales leadership roles for the past 25 years with some of the most recognized names in hospitality including Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, ConferenceDirect, and now Caesars Entertainment.  She has worked major markets around the country in local, regional and global levels.  

Originally from New Jersey, Lisa has lived in Las Vegas for the past 10 years with her husband Joe and two dogs Chuck, a chocolate Labrador retriever and Frankie, a white Labrador retriever.  They enjoy being active and outdoors and taking in all the natural amenities the Las Vegas area has to offer.  

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 18 with our guest Allison Parc, President & Founder at Brenne Whisky + Partner at Samson & Surrey.  The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events, hospitality and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Allison will guide us through her journey of discovering, launching and scaling Brenne, her award winning, 100% organic, seed-to-spirit single malt that is the first to be aged exclusively in both new French oak and cognac barrels and made in the heart of Cognac, France.

Allison Parc
President & Founder, Brenne Whisky
Partner, Samson & Surrey
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/allisonparc/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonpatel/ 

BIO:
A former professional ballerina, Allison Parc is an award-winning entrepreneur and noted public speaker as the founder and president of Brenne Whisky and partner at Samson & Surrey.

She is one of the leading American entrepreneurs in the world whisky segment, having created Brenne from scratch; a 100% organic, seed-to-spirit single malt that is the first to be aged exclusively in both new French oak and cognac barrels and made in the heart of Cognac, France. In 2017 and 2018, Allison was awarded an Icon of Whisky, being named the World Whisky Ambassador of the Year by Whisky Magazine USA, becoming the only woman to receive the award.  

She’s been featured in Forbes, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Glamour Magazine and more as well as featured in many books around the subject of whisky and entrepreneurship. Allison is a respected speaker on the topics of start-ups, sales, dramatic career changes, & thriving in male-dominated industries, while residing in New York City with her French bulldog, Ernie (the intern).

INSTAGRAM:

@AllisonParc: https://www.instagram.com/allisonparc/

@BrenneWhisky: https://www.instagram.com/brennewhisky/

 WEBSITES:

Brenne Whisky: https://www.brennewhisky.com/

Samson & Surrey: https://samsonandsurrey.com/

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 17 with our guest Johnnie White, Chief Executive Officer and EVP at American Society of Appraisers. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, hospitality, sports and tourism (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Johnnie will give us a snapshot of how he navigated the association marketplace, working his way up from the IT department to CEO. As an industry leader and innovator, he explains how continuous learning helped build out his skillsets and maximized professional opportunities. Why he subscribes to the mantra known as “The Mamba Mentality” famously developed by Kobe Bryant which empowers him to be the best version of himself. And how the meetings and events community can make changes towards recognizing unconscious bias to help influence change globally.

Johnnie White
Chief Executive Officer/EVP
American Society of Appraisers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnniewhiteceo/

BIO:
Johnnie White, CEO, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President, of the American Society of Appraisers is an association professional with close to 30 years serving in a variety of management and leadership roles. In addition, White serves as an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University and the Northern Virginia Community College. White holds his M.B.A. from University of Maryland University College. He has served in volunteer leadership roles for the American Society of Association Executives and the Professional Convention Management Association and has received numerous awards and recognitions for his association work. Connect online with Johnnie at ASA, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 16 with our guest Derek Gaskins, Chief Marketing Officer at Yesway. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Derek will dive into how business travel informs his perception of reality, leading teams within convenience retail during the pandemic, changing consumer buying habits, executing your marketing playbook during challenging times and how loyalty programs can help maximize the customer experience. 

Derek Gaskins
Chief Marketing Officer
Yesway
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekgaskins/

BIO:
Mr. Gaskins’ primary responsibility is to direct all marketing, merchandising and procurement efforts for the Yesway brand, as well as to develop relationships with Yesway’s supplier vendors.  He leads the efforts to establish a marketing and merchandising playbook to improve the organizations go to market strategic plan.  He also helps to further cultivate the growth and stewardship of the fast growing Yesway brand with a keen focus on ensuring the organizations social, mobile, and loyalty initiatives are best in class.

Prior to joining Yesway, Mr. Gaskins most recently served as Chief Customer Officer for Rutter’s convenience stores & Dairy business.  He was instrumental in developing their award winning customer engagement programs and positioned the brand as one of the best in the retail industry.  Before Rutter’s, Mr. Gaskins was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising with Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS) and led the development of the Circle K brand.  Prior to MACS he served as Vice President of Marketing with NACS- The Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing and positioned the organization for unprecedented digital and global growth.  His other prior experiences include leading the brand marketing for Giant Eagle where he led the development of the GetGo chain of convenience stores, and launched the Fuelperks fuel rewards loyalty program.

His other prior experiences include a number of major companies including Nabisco Foods, Goldman Sachs, and Procter & Gamble.  He is an experienced brand developer, chief marketer, merchant, and innovator that has launched numerous packaged goods, CRM and retail brands and store formats.  

Mr. Gaskins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA in Finance, Marketing, and Real Estate from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 15 with our guest John Toner, Vice President, Convention & Industry Relations at United Fresh Produce Association. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, John will discuss the impact of decision making within the event planning life-cycle, climbing the food chain at the United Fresh Produce Association, the value of networking and relationships, helping people live healthier lives and the new involvement of the C-Suite in strategic event decisions.

John Toner
Vice President, Convention & Industry Relations
United Fresh Produce Association
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtonerv/

John Toner BIO:
For more than two decades, John Toner, V has helped bring the produce industry together as vice president, convention and industry collaboration at the United Fresh Produce Association. He gets his daily thrills from helping craft the perfect opening night reception, finding a great product for an independent grower-shipper with a problem and securing a big sponsorship. He is obsessed with creating the perfect environment for his members to make new friends, gather good advice and see the best new products the industry has to offer. In fact, at the end of each year's convention, instead of feeling tired and worn out like any reasonable association professional, he feels energized and ready to tackle the next year’s convention. He is known for his love of scotch, his snazzy bowties and the huge smile always on his face.

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 14 with our guest Liz Caruso (King), CEO at Liz King Events. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Liz will share her thoughts on entrepreneurship, event technology, virtual event platforms and strategy, hybrid events, sponsorship ROI and the future on "communities".

Liz Caruso (King)
CEO
Liz King Events
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizkingevents/
Upcoming Events: techsytalk global - A Virtual Experience - Nov 17-18, 2020

Liz Caruso (King):
Liz King Caruso is an Event Specialist, Consultant & Speaker who is passionate about impactful, successful & fun events. Liz launched Liz King Events while still running events FT for Columbia University and quickly became a thought leader/influencer amongst her peers after voraciously sharing content on event best practices.

Liz works with thought leaders like Ramit Sethi, Microsoft, SeatGeek, Teamworthy Ventures, Ramon Ray and many others to host strategic conferences and events that engage their audience, build their brand and sell their products and services.

She also works with other independent event hustlers to help them run more successful businesses through her consulting program called IGNITE. IGNITE helps amazing planners tap into their brilliance and build their thought leadership so they can get more of the right clients and become more financially stable. In addition, Liz ran one of the most iconic event-tech conference in the industry called techsytalk LIVE.

Liz has been featured in Successful Meetings list of 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry, Connect Magazine's list of 40 Under 40 Up-and-Coming Event Planners, and Meetings and Conventions list of Top Influential Female Leaders in the Events Industry, amongst other awards. 

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 13 with our guests Tamara Kennedy-Hill, Founder at Kennedy-Hill Strategies and Kimberly Lewis, Senior Vice President, Market Transformation & Development at USGBC. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Tamara and Kimberly will share their thoughts on how event organizers can reframe the conversation around people, communities and economic empowerment. Why building alliances, diversifying your supply chain and seeking host destination partnerships can drive equitable access for communities of color.

Tamara Kennedy-Hill
Founder
Kennedy-Hill Strategies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarakennedyhill/

Kimberly Lewis
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation & Development
USGBC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-lewis-4732555/

Kimberly Lewis:
As Senior Vice President of Market Transformation and Development for the US Green Building Council (USGBC) with over 20 years of experience and accomplishments, Kimberly Lewis knows better than anyone that market transformation begins with people. Kimberly is a catalyst and executive leader in the global green building movement, championing the critical issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion as the center of the sustainability and climate agenda worldwide.

Kimberly directs USGBC’s 40 US local community advancement teams along with members, volunteers and emerging professionals around the world delivering on the USGBC mission to improve the quality of life for all through more sustainable buildings, cities, and communities worldwide.

Kimberly serves as the chair of the board of directors for Groundswell, a nonprofit community solar and energy equity leader with the mission of building community power. She also serves on the board for PaceNation as the diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leader.

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Tamara-Kennedy-Hill:
Tamara Kennedy-Hill, Principal at Kennedy-Hill Strategies, LLC works with business and nonprofit leaders to design strategic impact solutions and mission driven results applying principles of change management, community engagement and tested equity, diversity and inclusion system change modeling.  
 
Kennedy-Hill brings her over twenty years of experience from Destination Management, Tourism, Global Sustainable Meeting Design, Team Building, and Nonprofit Management to work with leaders to embrace equity and build systemic change in their organizations and communities.
 
Kennedy-Hill currently serves on the boards of Black United Fund of Oregon, Greater Portland Economic Development District and Transition Projects.  She holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of Portland and a bachelor’s degree in Communications, with emphasis in adult learning theory and conflict resolution, from Marylhurst University.  

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 12 with our guest Butch Spyridon, President & CEO at Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Butch will share his thoughts on reinventing Nashville through developing a long-term destination branding strategy, driving group business demand, selling the NFL on hosting one of their largest live events ever and leading through crisis.

Butch Spyridon
President & CEO
Nashville CVC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/butch-spyridon-120a399/

Bio: Butch Spyridon has served as the head of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) since 1991. Under his leadership, the NCVC has led the strategic development of Nashville’s hospitality industry, and Music City has evolved into a top global destination, generating over $7 billion in visitor spending annually.

During Butch’s tenure, the NCVC has been involved with development initiatives that include the Tennessee Titans, Bridgestone Arena, July 4th, New Year’s Eve, the Music City Center, Music City Walk of Fame, and the city’s branding. He also helped lead efforts to bring British Airways’ nonstop flight to London in 2018 and he led the recruitment and execution of the 2019 NFL Draft, which became the most successful event in NFL history.

In addition, the NCVC has produced two award-winning documentary films, winning Silver Lion Awards at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Combined with the NCVC ongoing sales and marketing initiatives, Nashville hotel demand has grown faster than any other top 30 US city since 2013 and was named a top destination in the world by multiple publications for eight consecutive years.
Spyridon serves on the Executive Committee of the U.S. Travel Association and as Chair of Destinations International.

Raised in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Spyridon graduated from Vanderbilt University. He is a graduate of the Institute of Comparative Political and Economic Systems at Georgetown University. He and his wife, Sunny, have four children and five grandchildren.

The Traveling Podcast is Presented by: HIP Network
HIP Network is a B2B digital media company shaping the hospitality industry’s agenda with expertly curated content that fuels growth. To learn more, please visit www.HipNetwork.com

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 11 with our guest Brett Sullivan, Vice President of Sales at NBC Sports Washington. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Brett will share his thoughts on navigating the sports media ecosystem, the importance of networking and relationship building, sports gambling trends, the future of Esports and how analytics are powering brands multi-platform advertising spend. 

Brett Sullivan
Vice President of Sales
NBC Sports Washington
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettasullivan/ 

Bio: Brett Sullivan is Vice President of Sales for NBC Sports Washington, the official sports network of the Washington Capitals, Wizards and the Washington Football Team. 

Prior to his current role overseeing all local and national advertising revenue, Sullivan led digital sales for all NBC Sports Regional Networks across the country. 

Sullivan has also held roles with the National Hockey League, Team Services (sports marketing agency) and the Washington Capitals in addition to serving as an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management program.

Sullivan graduated from Villanova University and resides in Potomac, MD with his wife and three kids.

The Traveling Podcast is Presented by: HIP Network
HIP Network is a B2B digital media company shaping the hospitality industry’s agenda with expertly curated content that fuels growth. To learn more, please visit www.HipNetwork.com

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