2025 Summit Speakers and Bios
For over 25 years, Jennifer Ackerson, President of Alon Tourism Solutions, has demonstrated tireless dedication and passion for improving business development and relationships in the tourism industry. Jennifer’s deep industry experience has enabled her to offer creative solutions. Through this vigorous advocacy of connecting suppliers and buyers, Alon has earned a reputation as a respected go-to consultant and educator for helping both parties achieve their tourism goals. Most notably, Jennifer Ackerson has become a strong presence in the travel industry by creating a first-of-its-kind tourism education program. Jennifer has developed and led both NYC Tourism + Conventions ‘Tourism Ready’ and IITA ‘Inbound Insider Steps to Success’ tourism training programs and remains committed to support USA tourism destinations and businesses through her knowledge and programs. Jen always says, "Tourism is the best job in the world! You get to have fun, travel the globe learning and exploring everyday, and giving back by serving people along the way."
A seasoned tourism and association executive, Carylann Assante, CAE serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Student & Youth Travel Association, the international association that promotes student and youth group travel worldwide. Carylann is also the Chief Staff Officer of the SYTA Youth Foundation, the philanthropic arm that provides scholarships and education experiences for students and youth. Assante also leads SYTA’s research initiatives and conducts independent quantitative research to provide global evidence of the size, trends, and importance of student travel and measures the social impact of travel on students and youth.
Brian Beall is the Director of the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) in the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this position, he leads a team working to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and maintain America’s status as a top destination for international visitors. He is returning to NTTO following his tenure there as Deputy Director for Policy from 2014-2019.
Brian has many years of private and public sector experience in travel, tourism, and public policy. Most recently, he was Vice President of Government Affairs at Cruise Lines International Association where he led strategic programs to achieve positive public policy outcomes in North America and globally to support the growth of the cruise industry. In addition to his previous time in NTTO, Brian held several other positions in the International Trade Administration, including Senior Advisor to the Deputy Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, and Senior International Trade Specialist in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary. He also worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. Senate focused specifically on travel and tourism policy issues, and as an analyst at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Brian earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Truman State University and his Master of Tourism Administration with a concentration in tourism policy development from The George Washington University.
Ted Bravos has been a pioneering force in the travel and tourism industry for over fifty years. He has worked as a Tour Operator, DMC, Tour Director/Guide, Travel & Tour Planner / Consultant / Instructor / Speaker / Writer, and Entrepreneur.
In 1976, Bravos and his colleague, Dr. William Newton, founded the first school in North America to Certify Tour Directors and Guides. The International Tour Management Institute (ITMI) is recognized worldwide as the Premier Institute for Travel Professionals. The Institute collaborates with hundreds of Tour Companies and DMCs to help brand and white label their e-learning training and find employment for thousands of multi-lingual Certified Tour Guides worldwide.
Under his leadership, ITMI's curriculum continues to evolve, emphasizing cultural competency, environmental awareness, technology, and responsible and sustainable tourism.Bravos earned a BS in Biology from California Polytechnic University. Becoming an Eagle Scout and Peace Corps Volunteer and serving in the United States Marine Corps shaped his path to tourism leadership.
Bravos spent a year bicycling across seventeen European countries. This transformative journey created insight and understanding into travel's powerful influence on a more peaceful and sustainable world.
His vision has shaped generations of tourism professionals who serve as “ambassadors of goodwill” while meeting the challenges of the ever-changing tour and travel industry.
Adam Burke serves as President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism), overseeing global brand marketing and sales strategy for one of the world’s most diverse, unique and innovative destinations – Los Angeles. Burke joined the organization as Chief Operating Officer in 2016.
Burke is responsible for ensuring the achievement of the organization’s mission as the official destination sales & marketing organization for the City of Los Angeles, which is to “improve the quality of life for all Angelenos through the economic power of tourism.” In 2019, the travel & tourism industry was L.A. County’s third largest employer, supporting over 544,000 jobs, driving $37.8 billion in economic output and generating $3.0 billion in state and local tax revenues.
With more than 25 years of travel & tourism industry experience, Burke previously served as Senior Vice President, Customer Loyalty for Hilton Worldwide with global management responsibility for the award-winning Honors customer loyalty program. He also oversaw a network of more than 90 strategic partnerships in the travel, financial services and retail sectors.
During his 17 years with Hilton, he held management positions in a variety of functional areas including strategic planning, international marketing, leisure & multi-brand marketing, sales integration, business development, CRM and enterprise technology.
Burke’s current industry affiliations include the U.S. Travel & Tourism Advisory Board, the Global Leadership Committee of Destinations International, the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission Advisory Board, and the Simpleview Advisory Board. - 1 of 2 - He also serves as a Board Member for L.A. Works – a 501(c)3 nonprofit, volunteer action center that creates and implements hands-on community service projects throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
Fred Dixon is President and Chief Executive Officer 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, Fred 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.
Fred Dixon began his tenure as Brand USA’s President and CEO on July 15, 2024. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry.
Immediately before joining Brand USA, he served as President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions for 10 years, where he developed and implemented New York City’s tourism, meetings, and events strategy and programming to grow business and leisure travel from across the USA and from around the world.
Under his leadership of NYC Tourism + Conventions, international visitation more than doubled to more than 13 million travelers, the result of a long-term strategy to create a global network of outposts comprising sales, marketing, and press professionals in diverse feeder markets including Australia, China, Mexico, Brazil, and the UK.
Dixon is highly respected within the travel industry and serves on several association boards and committees. He is the Immediate Past Chair of Destinations International, serves on the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation Board, the board of IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, the U.S. Travel Association Executive Committee, and is a trustee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee.
Heather Egan has been a Director at the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau for more than seventeen years during which time she has established herself as one of the most visibly known and recognized faces in Texas tourism. Over the last seventeen years, she has changed the way International Receptive Operators, Tour Operators, International Airlines, and National Coach Operators view Texas. Her boundless energy and work ethic in promoting Texas as a national and international travel destination has no peer. She has developed many itineraries that promote numerous regions of Texas while anchoring those itineraries in Grapevine. She single handedly was able to convince the American Bus Association to hold their 2007 Annual Marketplace Convention in Texas, the first time they had ever met west of the Mississippi. It was such a success that they repeated again in 2012 and 2022. Heather included every region of Texas in either pre-FAMs or post-FAMs. On the international side, Heather has again developed itineraries and FITs that gateway through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to experience the rest of Texas. Heather also has developed an expansive following of international travel writers and influencers who all publish and post great Texas stories that begin in Grapevine and cover much of Texas.
Heather has unselfishly promoted all regions of Texas as she boldly travels North America and the world in her cowgirl boots in search of those who want to discover Texas. Heather is the consummate travel industry professional who always promotes Texas. In 2023 she received the Texas Trailblazer Award from the Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus .
Heather has served on the Texas Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus Board, Dallas Fort Worth Area Tourism Council Board, as well as various committees of the American Bus Association, National Tour Association, and various Visit USA committees. She has been Employee of the Year twice and has received six Director’s Awards with Grapevine CVB.
Heather is a graduate of Wichita State University, a National Collegiate Cheerleader, a Certified Tourism Professional. Heather serves on Grapevine’s Sister Cities Committee and supports Grapevine’s International Cultural, Educational, Culinary and Heritage exchange. She resides in Grapevine’s Historic District and is married to Mark and together they have one son.
Jackie Ennis is Vice President of global Trade Development for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy, and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Jackie leads Brand USA's trade engagement and marketing efforts, manage Brand USA's global offices, and continue to effectively work to optimize trade and consumer reach around the world.
Travel brings awareness. Travel and tourism are tangent to everything in our society, and they are a vehicle for positive change. Brandon’s personal and professional objectives have been aligned in the travel industry for the last thirty years.
His expertise was shaped by specializing in how tour operators enable and support clients and suppliers. Brandon’s 15 years with Fairmont Hotels, 10 of which were in global sales, were groundwork for his VP role at Onward. Inbound operators require leadership with skillful communication and artistic collaboration to drive their strategic vision. To develop new markets, you must have a team of likeminded individuals that possess a growth mindset.
Brandon is a problem solver, an innovator, and is naturally drawn to help others be successful. He believes that the concept of team applies in the workplace because everyone’s roles and responsibilities are inextricably tied to each other and what they accomplish together. The fundamentals and discipline of sport are part of the travel and tourism ecosystem, and they are growing.
Furyk loves the outdoors and spends most of his leisure time in nature enjoying activities like skiing, walking, and many water related sports. He applies an explorer’s mentality to life and business and is inspired by progress, to see things move onward.
Jeff Gayduk is the president of Premier Travel Media, a multi-faceted publishing firm based in Chicago that specializes in the niche travel industry. Premier is the publisher of IITA’s Inbound Insider as well as well-known brands such as Leisure Group Travel, Sports Planning Guide, Destination Reunions, Student Travel Pro, and Destination Film.
Premier’s custom publishing division partners with trade associations, plus state, regional, and national tourism offices to help them craft their messaging through content production, digital marketing, and print publishing.
Jeff is a 35-year veteran of the travel industry and the author of the recently published book Traveling Tribes, Your Next Side Gig as a Group Travel Influencer. Links: Website, Traveling Tribes.
Alfredo Gonzalez has been working in the travel industry for over 3 decades. Starting in the mid-80s with Marriott Hotels. After several years of hotel management, Alfredo entered the Destination Management world and joined the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, a position he held for 15 years.
After The GFLCVB, Alfredo joined Brand USA as Sr. VP of Global Development in Washington, DC. And then, he closed his DMO run with 2 years at Visit Florida as VP of Global Development.
Alfredo Gonzalez founded AG Hospitality Group in March of 2017. Today, he proudly represents Discover Long Island and Frontier Airlines. Alfredo is married, with three daughters, and claims to play golf, even though he is not that good at it.
Tyler Gosnell serves as U.S. Travel's Managing Director of International Inbound Travel. Previously, he was Chief Brand and Marketing Officer at Visit Salt Lake, leading efforts to expand international programs. He also served as Head of Global Markets for Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla and held international-focused leadership roles at Visit California and San Francisco Travel. Passionate about global travel and cultural connections, Tyler is dedicated to ensuring the U.S. remains a premier destination and collaborates with industry leaders to drive growth.
With a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University (at the time, NAU was ranked among the top 10 in the nation for Hospitality Management programs), Donovan Hanley spent three years out of college with the students of Greyhills Academy High School, where he offered technical work skills, hospitality management guidance, and his connection to the travel industry. Being only one of two Hospitality instructors in Northern Arizona, he guided students through the Career and Technical Education program and into community college-level courses. In the following years, he took on the sales and marketing initiatives of the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise (NNHE) as Director of Sales. This role primarily involved being a strong voice for Navajoland to the world. Some of his duties were akin to those of a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). Speaking to anyone and every possible prospective market, he highlighted the Navajo Nation while building relationships and network partnerships. Today, he has come full circle as a current board member of NNHE.
During the Covid-19 "downtime," he gained invaluable experience working with the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation. Learning about the infrastructure and basic needs of communities before focusing on product and promotion was profoundly impactful. Sitting down with grassroots community members and working on small but meaningful progress to drive positive change in their regions was an unforgettable experience.
Born to the Towering House Clan and born for the Water Flowing Together Clan, he is a proud Diné (Navajo), grandson of the Salt Clan and the Red Running into the Water Clan. He hails from the close-knit community of Na’ahtee Canyon on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, where the spirit of hospitality and cultural connection was instilled in me from a young age.
In his community, welcoming colleagues and visitors for home-cooked meals, cultural exchanges, and explorations of the land was second nature. These experiences shaped his passion for sharing the rich stories of his people and the land they call home. Tourism became more than a career path—it became a calling.
Today, he embodies the role of a warm “family friend” to guests from all over the world, guiding them through the stories of the indigenous lands and their people. For him, the diversity of backgrounds and beliefs is bridged by the universal spirit of travel and discovery.
Ya’át’ééh (Welcome)—this is Native America through my eyes.
As Senior Vice President of Tourism Market Development for New York City Tourism + Conventions, Makiko Matsuda Healy has the overall responsibility for strengthening New York City’s position as a premier travel destination in new, emerging, developing, and specialty markets, with a primary focus on product distribution channels and strategic trade partnerships. She held a key role in the company’s global network expansion and strategized growth in markets such as Brazil, China, India, and Muslim Travel. She is particularly passionate about the development of inclusive travel for people with disabilities.
Ms. Healy actively participates in national-level tourism development efforts, working closely with Brand USA, US Travel Association, and the network of US Commercial Services throughout the world, as well as trade associations such as International Inbound Travel Association (IITA), and the Japanese Travel Industry Association (JTIA) where she serves as a board member. She also serves as an advisory board member of Travel Ability which promotes accessible travel for people with disabilities. She has been an active participant of the annual Sino-U.S. Tourism Leaders Summits, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, and Brand USA. Ms. Healy received the Moves Power Women award in 2022, and the Travel Industry Sales & Marketing Executive of the Year award by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) in 2009.
Russ is a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from sustainability to youth travel to impact travel. His contribution to the youth travel sector includes board service, currently:
- World Youth & Student Educational Travel Confederation (Amsterdam) – Chair
- US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Washington DC) – Member
Most recently, he also has served as at-large director of the US Travel Association (2017-2021), as an Executive Committee member of the Alliance for International Exchange board of directors (2018-2021), and as at-large director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Affiliate Member board (2014-2018).
Russ’s early career focused on economics and finance at the US Department of Commerce, with stints at the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the US Senate Budget Committee. He initially joined HI USA as a volunteer and later became a regional executive director before being named HI USA Chief Operating Officer and then CEO.
A native of Wisconsin, Hedge received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and his Master of Arts degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
Florian Herrmann is the CEO and founder of Herrmann Global, a strategic tourism marketing firm headquartered in the Rocky Mountains with offices in the US and Europe. His vision for the travel industry is simple: Utilizing innovative technology to connect destinations and attractions with a passionate and responsible global travel audience. Together with his global team, he has built the social platforms Visit USA Parks and Untraveled to inspire millions of global travelers about destinations that are lesser known. His expertise in the travel trade industry is significant. His first job after high school was a traineeship at a travel agency in Germany, organizing sightseeing trips all around the world. Since then, his focus has always been on collaboration among industry stakeholders and how trade can build a better future for sustainable tourism.
Florian holds a Master’s in Business and Sustainable Destination Management from George Washington University and is currently an active member of the World Travel Tourism Council to help making global travel a better fit for the world.
Dave Huether is the Deputy Director of Research at the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), which is part of the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he oversees the production of the Federal government’s official travel and tourism statistics. Before coming to NTTO in 2020, Dave worked for the U.S. Travel Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
James "Ryan" Hutton is currently serving as the Acting Port Director for Area Port of San Francisco with operational oversight of San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Reno, Sacramento and Fresno. Previously, Mr. Hutton was the Assistant Port Director for passenger operations at San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose Airports. Recently, Mr. Hutton served as the Acting DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary – Border Security wherein he worked on critical border security programs to include Venezuelan parole program. Mr. Hutton previously served as the Deputy Executive Director for Admissibility and Passenger Programs (APP) in Washington, D.C. Prior to his assignment in Washington, D.C., Mr. Hutton was the Port Director at the Massena Land Border Port of Entry in Rooseveltown, N.Y. Mr. Hutton received his B.A. from the University of Cincinnati and his Juris Doctor from the Ohio Northern University – College of Law and is admitted to practice to the Ohio Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Hutton also studied political science at the Université de Nantes, Nantes, France and at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France. In 2012, Mr. Hutton graduated from the Senior Leadership Program at The George Washington University and completed the DHS Senior Executive Candidate Development Program through the American University. In 2015, Mr. Hutton received the DHS Secretary’s Silver Medal for Meritorious Service.
Shanon Jones is a hospitality veteran with over 25 years of experience in the industry. She earned a B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Northern Arizona University and started her career with Marriott International as a Housekeeping Manager. From there she went on to work for Omni Hotels and Resorts, Expedia, Amadeus Hospitality (formerly known as TravelClick) and has been with Best Western Hotels and Resorts for almost 12 years. Her specialty is revenue management where she has spent the last two decades. She most recently manages a team of 10 revenue managers and under her direction has created an onboarding and training program that has helped with recruiting and retention of revenue managers.
Born and raised in Berlin, Germany, Gisa Kusserow-Hanson moved to the U.S.A. after completing a higher education program in the tourism sector (travel agency and tour operator). Gisa joined AlliedTPro as General Manager for Florida in 2005. She simultaneously lead the Southern US Groups Department in developing group product as well as and servicing leisure and MICE buyers worldwide.
In 2017, Gisa joined the Product Department as Senior Product Manager for the Southeastern US States as well as the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. She oversees FIT Hotel, Escorted Tour Series, and Attraction contracting and product development for her territory. Gisa works continuously to expand the FIT portfolio of boutique and luxury hotel product as well as discovering new and unique experiences and off-the-beaten-path itineraries in her coverage area to add to the wide range of hotel chain connectivity AlliedTPro is working with.
In 2022 Gisa was promoted to VP of Contracting and Product Partnerships for AlliedNewWorld – the joint venture company between AlliedTPro and New World Travel. She is now leading the Product Team for both companies in an effort to expand supplier partnerships and product development.
Luisa Mendoza is a passionate, disruptive, and innovative thought leader with 20 years of experience in the tourism, sports, and entertainment industry, who has worked globally with the top brands/CEO’s & international organizations such as the NYC & Company, NBA Brooklyn Nets, US Major League Sports, Marriott International, Silverstein Properties, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, leading travel trade partners, destination management offices and ExO companies in China, Australia, Europe, Africa, Canada, USA and Latin America.
Luisa's passion & extensive experience for the tourism sports & entertainment industry lead Luisa to launch GTSE - Global Tourism Sports & Entertainment in the midst of COVID-19. However, Luisa is a believer that "COVID-19 did not happen to her, it happened FOR her" leading Luisa to diversify her business portfolio by expanding her love and passion to help individuals and businesses grow exponentially and expanded GTSE into GTSE+, where her company now also offers digital marketing, public relations, and executive leadership transformation to clients beyond the sports & tourism industries.
Mendoza’s humble beginnings are a constant reminder that no matter your background, race, or social/economic status, anything is possible if you have the courage, passion, and grit to follow your dreams. Mendoza’s goal is to leave a legacy where she can provide hope and inspiration to women, minorities, and children around the world.
Tina Mt. Pleasant is a member of the Tuscarora Nation, Turtle Clan. She grew up on the Tuscarora Nation, just outside of Niagara Falls, NY, and resides there with her three sons.
Currently, Tina is the Director of Travel Trade Sales at Destination Niagara USA - the Destination Marketing Organization for Niagara Falls and Niagara County. She has worked with the organization for over nine years, starting with the DMO as their Visitor Center Manager, and has transitioned into several roles to her current role. She has worked in the tourism industry for over eighteen years, holding positions with various hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
She is very involved in the tourism industry. Tina is an active board member for the Bus Association of New York, and Wine, Water & Wonders of New York State. She serves on the Marketplace Advisory Committee for the Bus Association of New York, the Meeting Advisory Committee for the American Bus Association, and the Advisory Committee for the Castellani Art Museum. She completed her Certified Travel Industry Specialist (CTIS) Certification through the American Bus Association in January 2021.
Tina is also a traditional Tuscarora beadwork artist and has been creating for over thirty-five years. She has had many teachers throughout her years of beading, many included elders from her nation. At the age of 13 she started to sew and create her traditional Haudenosaunee clothing. Today she continues to work with both mediums on a regular basis and takes custom orders to create Haudenosaunee traditional clothing that get worn all across North America. It is very important to her to pass along this knowledge. In her spare time, you can find her teaching classes to ensure this knowledge continues to the younger generations.
Chris Pilley is CEO of Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours and IITA Summit 2025 Chair. He was born in Kansas, and at the age of 4, his family moved to Missouri. He is the youngest of three siblings, who both still reside in Missouri. Growing up, his family vacations were to Colorado to spend a week snowboarding. These small tastes of Colorado were enough for Chris to know that he wanted to someday move there. After attending the University of Missouri – Kansas City for two years in their pharmacy program, Chris decided that he didn’t want to spend his life counting pills, leading him to leave UMKC and head to Colorado.
After a year living in Westcliffe, Colorado, Chris moved to Fort Collins and shortly after began his career in the tourism industry as a part-time seasonal employee with Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours. His intention to attend CSU and finish college was put on hold as he still didn’t qualify for in-state tuition. He was then provided with the opportunity to continue working with Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours after the summer season ended and that’s when he began working his way up in the company. He handled winter contracting, allotments, reservations, accounts receivable, groups, and eventually contracting their activities and ranches. After seven years of learning the ins and outs of the business, Chris purchased the company from its founder, Gary Schluter.
Since the purchase in 2016, the company has seen its three highest revenue years, as well as survived the two worst years during the Covid pandemic. Throughout these years, Chris has been a presenter at a number of tradeshows and events, such as Go West Summit, International Roundup, Governor’s Conferences, AIANTA’s Go International, IITA’s Steps to Success, and a number of events put on in cooperation with individual cities and states. Chris currently sits on the Colorado Tourism Office’s International Promotions Committees and has been involved with IITA being on the Nominating Committee multiple times, as well as a part of the Technology Task Force before it was put on hold during the pandemic.
With a Master’s degree in Sustainable Destination Management from George Washington University (2010), Lena Ross has dedicated her career to enhancing tourism practices that honor cultural heritage and environmental sustainability. As the current Chairperson of the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) and a past president of Grand Circle, Lena plays a pivotal role in advocating for sustainable tourism practices and is a leader within the Inbound Travel Community.
She collaborated with the North Dakota Native Tourism Association (NDNTA) to help design and implement innovative Tribal tourism products across three Tribes, ensuring that these initiatives are both culturally respectful and economically beneficial and bookable on the consumer level for both domestic and international visitors. She is currently working with AIANTA (American Indian and Native Tourism Association) to continue to work with small Native businesses to make them bookable tourism products.
With her current position as President and Chief Operating Officer of America 4 You (and past Director of Product Development), Lena possesses a comprehensive understanding of the industry. Her role within America 4 You allows her to seek out smaller tourism products in rural or third-tier destinations and help find ways to put them “on the map” for an international audience by using her knowledge of the USA and itinerary planning skills to create itineraries that showcase their lesser known products while still being marketable to an overseas audience. America 4 You works hard to alleviate some of the stress put on the major tourist attractions such as National Parks and large cities by still featuring them but adding more time in lesser-known areas that will eventually become highlights themselves on an international scale.
AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe) has nearly two decades of executive-level experience managing and promoting Native American tourism. As CEO of the only national association dedicated to indigenous tourism, she is the leading voice in advocating for travel and tourism as a significant economic driver in tribal nations. She also holds leadership positions on various national boards, including the Board of Directors for the U.S. Travel Association, the America250 Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Committee, and the Office of National Marine Sanctuary System (ONMS) Business Advisory Council under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.
Under her leadership, she has launched the Economic Impact of U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses, the first-ever study of its kind. She also curates a robust educational program for tribes and indigenous-owned hospitality enterprises around the country. Prior to assuming the role of CEO, she served as President of AIANTA’s Board of Directors since 2012. During that time, she was instrumental in working with Congress to pass the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act.
Sherry previously served as the Executive Director of the State of Nevada Indian Commission, reporting directly to the Governor of Nevada to serve as a liaison to the state’s 28 tribes, bands, and colonies and served as the Chairperson on Nevada’s Indian Territory, Nevada Commission on Tourism.
Sherry holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance Major from the University of Nevada, Reno, and has completed professional training courses and programs to support her work in advancing cultural tourism in the United States.
Lisa Simon currently serves as the Executive Director of the International Inbound Travel Association, the only trade association focused solely on international inbound travel to the United States. With her 30-years of experience in the travel industry specializing in association management, strategic planning, and tourism market development, she has spoken on global and domestic travel industry trends throughout the United States and around the world.
Simon is also the principal of The Simon Connection, LLC, specializing in association management, strategic planning, and tourism market development. She has spoken on global and domestic travel industry trends throughout the United States and around the world.
Previously, Lisa served as the president of NTA (National Tour Association). During Lisa’s tenure with NTA, she expanded NTA’s international presence, including working with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the China National Tourism Administration to open the U.S. as a preferred destination for Chinese travelers. NTA was the only association that volunteered to work with the two governments to register and approve U.S. tour operators to work with the China market.
Keith Snode is a high-energy COO with a passion for travel. His multifaceted background as a teacher, tour operator, supplier, loan officer, and sales and marketing executive gives him a unique business perspective. Keith has over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and leadership. He has successfully managed teams in the education, tourism, finance, and transportation industries in Michigan, Ohio, and New York City. Keith has always been a travel industry champion and respected operator and supplier. His current role as CEO at the KA Group (which includes Kaleidoscope Adventures, Group Travel Odyssey, and Animado Events) presents an ideal platform for advancing his passion for more sustainable and community-based tourism.
Greg Takehara has been the CEO of Tourism Cares since 2019. He previously served on its Board, acting as its Chairman before becoming CEO. Prior to Tourism Cares, Greg was the President of Trip Mate, Inc., a travel insurance administrator, and prior to Trip Mate, he was the Senior Vice President of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. He began his 35-year career in the travel and tourism industry at The Mark Travel Corporation, where he served as General Counsel.
Greg is a founding member of the Future of Tourism Coalition, a coalition of six global non-governmental organizations that have come together to stand united in an appeal for change. He serves on the Board of the US Travel Association and has served on the Boards of NTA and the IGLTA Foundation, as well as numerous industry committees. He is from Chicago and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
Mark Topley currently serves as the first-ever Head of Tourism Sales for the New York Yankees. A 10-year NYC tourism industry professional, Topley has also held positions with Disney, Cirque du Soleil, EBG, SeatGeek, and GetYourGuide. In his work as both a buyer and supplier, Topley has learned that developing sincere personal relationships with partners is critically important. He's passionate about advocating for the power of sports to create unforgettable travel experiences.
Ryan Twito is currently serving as the Acting Assistant Port Director for Area Port of San Francisco with operational oversight of passenger operations at San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose Airports.
Mr. Twito began his career at the San Francisco International Airport and has held several management positions in the Port including Watch Commander of the Administrative Units where he worked very closely with all airport stakeholders to ensure the facilitation of legitimate trade and travel. Mr. Twito has served as a first line and second line supervisor in the Passenger Operation as well as at the Oakland Seaport in the Tactical Operation.
Mr. Twito holds a Master of Arts degree in Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas, a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Resource Economics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Mr. Twito also studied French Literature at the Sorbonne Université in Paris, France.
Summer Barrick Valente graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, emphasizing philosophy. She then earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the Romney Institute of Public Management at BYU. During her studies, she spent time abroad in Brazil, Ghana, and Mozambique, which sparked her passion for international work and travel.
Summer began her career at United Way of Utah County, where she served as Business Relations Manager, Community Engagement Director, and eventually Chief Operating Officer. In these roles, she led the development of new strategies, initiatives, and organizational capacity. She later became the director of the Center for Social Impact at Utah Valley University, where she led a major strategic shift and developed a comprehensive social impact education framework. Summer now serves as a Professional in Residence in the Organizational Leadership Department at UVU's Woodbury School of Business, where she teaches in the Hospitality Management program and other management courses.
Back in Iran, Saeed Vayghan completed his undergrad in English Language and Literature at the University of Tabriz, and then pursued a Master’s in Tourism Management at Allameh Tabatab’i University. In 2017, he decided to embark on an exciting adventure and moved to the U.S. to start my Ph.D. at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He received his Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration in May 2022. During his time at UNLV, he had the opportunity to teach multiple hospitality undergraduate courses. He has a broad interest in applications of information technology in hospitality and tourism. His most recent research is focused on the impact of AI technology on hotel guests’ experiences. More about Saeed
Roni Weiss is the Executive Director of Travel Unity, a nonprofit focused on making the world of travel welcoming to people of all backgrounds and identities.
Born in New York and raised in Washington State, Roni received his AAS with Honors at the age of 12. He graduated from high school at 15 and received double Bachelor’s in Drama and English at the age of 18.
At Travel Unity, Roni has led the curation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) Standards for Travel & Tourism and the management of multiple individual DEI certification programs. Through the Travel Unity Alliance, Roni helps connect organizations serious about applied DEI to one another and to resources to further their work to become more inclusive.
Roni has visited 70+ countries, including every country in Europe, and six of seven continents. He lives in Pleasantville, NY with his partner, Lauren, and their four children.
Roie Zuk is the President of Amadeo Travel Solutions, a retail and wholesale tour operator specializing in multi-day trips across the United States. Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, Amadeo Travel Solutions offers 1 to 3-day trips from major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas to America's most visited destinations, with multiple guaranteed weekly departures in various languages throughout the year.
In addition to his role at Amadeo Travel Solutions, Roie serves on the Summit Committee of the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA). This committee provides input on education session topics, presenters, event schedules, and assists with summit promotion and sponsorship identification.
Roie's career has been marked by extensive experience in operations management and business development, roles that have been instrumental in his leadership journey at Amadeo. Before taking on his current position, he served as the Director of Business Development and held operations management roles within the company. This broad expertise allows Roie to guide Amadeo Travel Solutions in creating exceptional travel experiences that meet the needs of international and domestic travelers alike.