2022 Speakers

Governor / State of Utah

SESSION: TourismTALKS: Governor Address

A sixth-generation Utahn, Gov. Spencer J. Cox was born and raised in Fairview, a town of 1,247 residents located about two hours south of Salt Lake City. He graduated from Snow College, Utah State University and Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Cox met Abby Palmer at age 16 and they have been smitten with each other ever since. After Spencer’s service as a missionary in Mexico, the couple married and moved away to continue their education. Gov. Cox launched his career as an attorney clerking for U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart and began building a successful law practice at a Salt Lake City firm, Fabian & Clendenin. He returned to Fairview to join the family business, CentraCom, as vice president and general counsel.

In Fairview, Gov. Cox served as a city councilman, mayor, county commissioner and state legislator before being appointed to serve as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013.

Gov. Cox has spoken out and led out on some of the state’s most daunting challenges including the current coronavirus crisis, homelessness, suicide prevention and bullying. His efforts contributed to Utah’s unprecedented prosperity while fulfilling his constitutional mandate to ensure free and fair elections as the state’s chief election officer. Cox is a vocal advocate for civility in politics, and he’s committed to improving education, strengthening the economy, bolstering Utah’s rural communities, supporting public health, and ensuring opportunity for all Utahns.

Gov. Cox and wife Abby are proud parents of four children: Gavin, Kaleb, Adam and EmmaKate. He and his family enjoy spending time in Utah’s amazing backcountry. He also plays the bass guitar with his brother in a local rock band.

Chair / Salt Lake City - Utah Committee for the Games

SESSION: TourismTALKS: Looking Ahead to Hosting a future Olympic and Paralympic Games in Utah

Ms. Raney-Norman is a four-time Olympian who has served as an active voice for athletes with roles across all facets of Olympic and Paralympic sport. Born in Nashville, Tenn., she grew up in the Milwaukee, Wis. suburb of Elm Grove, finding her passion as a long track speed skater. She competed for Team USA at the 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010 Olympics with her best finish a fourth in the team pursuit in 2010 at Vancouver. She holds six U.S. all round titles and 3 American records, of which all still stand today. She was inducted into the U.S. Speed Skating Hall of Fame in 2018.

Director of Tourism and Events / Uintah County Travel and Tourism

SESSION: TourismTALKS - How Tourism Has Re-Shaped Our Communities

Breakout 1: How Events Drive ROI

Lesha has worked in the tourism business since she was 11 years old! She started out working at a gift shop at the entrance to Dinosaur National Monument. She has been the director of tourism for Uintah County for 11 years and still wakes up excited to go to work each day! Events are a huge part of Uintah's tourism profile and have helped grow the tourism industry in Uintah County.

Email: lcoltharp@uintah.utah.gov

State and Local Government Affairs / American Hotel and Lodging Association

SESSION: TourismTALKS - State of Lodging

Melissa Mitton serves as Director, State & Local Government Affairs for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the nation's largest hotel association. In this capacity, Melissa is the primary liaison with state policymakers, Governors, and other government officials in the Intermountain West and works to advance policies that benefit the hotel and lodging industry and its employees.

Before joining AH&LA, Melissa led western state government affairs for Western Governors University, the largest nonprofit online university in the U.S. Before WGU, Melissa worked in federal and public relations for the Association of American Universities in Washington, D.C., focusing primarily on student financial aid and campus climate issues. A Florida native, Melissa began her career in Tallahassee, first working for a state Senator and later at the Associated Industries of Florida, the state's premier business advocacy association.

Melissa lives in Denver with her husband, Chris, and their dog, Lucy.

Email: mmitton@ahla.com

Director / Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute

SESSION: TourismTALKS

Natalie Gochnour serves as an associate dean in the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, and as director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. She served in the administrations of three Utah governors – Bangerter, Leavitt and Walker – and was a political appointee in the George W. Bush administration. She authors regular columns in Utah Business magazine and the Deseret News and co-hosts the weekly radio program Both Sides of the Aisle on KCPW.

Executive Director / Utah Tourism Industry Association

SESSION: TourismTALKS

Natalie Randall is the Executive Director for the Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA). In January 2021, Natalie transitioned into the role as the Executive Director with the vision to expand collaborative partnerships within Utah's tourism industry. Additionally, with the commitment to advocate and elevate the narrative of the positive impacts of the visitor economy.

Natalie's career has focused on public and private sector partnerships within Economic Development and Tourism. Prior positions include San Juan County Economic Development and Visitor Services Director; and Monticello City's Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Community Development Director. She enjoys exploring Utah by bike, ski, and rope with her husband and son.

Email: natalie@utahtourism.org

Founder / HospitalityLawyer.com

SESSION: TourismTALKS - Emotionally Intelligent Leadership

Stephen Barth, author of Hospitality Law and coauthor of Restaurant Law Basics, is an attorney, the founder of HospitalityLawyer.com, the annual Hospitality Law Conference series, and the Global Travel Risk Summit Series. As a professor at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, University of Houston, he teaches courses in hospitality law and leadership. He is #1 on Global Guru’s Top 30 Hospitality Thought Leaders & Influencers for 2022. In addition to legal and travel risk mitigation insight, Stephen specializes in communicating the importance of Emotional Intelligence in leadership roles; and has provided valuable insight to many companies including The Methodist Hospital System, Wyndham Worldwide, Dine Equity, Business Travel News and Aramark. His fun, fast paced presentations provide practical information and solutions to enhance your personal and professional life.

Email: sbarth@hospitalitylawyer.com

Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce

SESSION: TourismTALKS - How Tourism Has Re-Shaped Our Communities

Known as @greenriverflyfisher in the fly fishing world, Ryan is passionate about family, faith and getting kids outside. He tries to create content to encourage both kids and adults to explore and be active participants in the outdoor world.

Managing Director / Utah Office of Tourism

SESSION: TourismTALKS: Vicki Varela

Vicki Varela is the managing director of the Office of Tourism in the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. She oversees the state’s national and international strategy to create a quality and responsible tourism economy under the state’s Red Emerald Strategic Plan.

Varela was named the U.S. Tourism Director of the Year in 2016. Utah Business Magazine has recognized her as a Business Leader and 30 Women to Watch. She was named one of America’s 25 Great Minds by Hospitality, Sales, and Marketing International. She serves on the Salt Lake Chamber Board and the Olympic Legacy Foundation. She is an inaugural member of Women who Succeed.

Before joining GOED, Varela’s professional experience included vice president of Kennecott Land, deputy chief of staff and spokesperson for Gov. Mike Leavitt, and Assistant Commissioner of Higher Education. She started her career as a journalist with Associated Press and Deseret News.

Varela has two adult children and one beautiful granddaughter. Varela enjoys adventures in Utah and around the world, including biking, hiking, and river rafting.

Director / Grand County Economic Development

SESSION: Breakout 4: Film Ready Utah

Email: agranath@grandcountyutah.net

Community and Partner Relations Director / Utah Office of Tourism

SESSION: Breakout 4: New Funding Opportunities for Destination Management

Bianca Lyon is the Community and Partner Relations Director for the Utah Office of Tourism, under the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. In her role, Bianca works with stakeholders throughout the state to fulfill the objectives of the Red Emerald Strategic Plan to attract quality visitation to Utah as well as partnerships to advance the state's Forever Mighty responsible travel initiative. Before coming to work for the state, Bianca focused on tourism marketing for City Creek Center. Bianca also spent nine years in Salt Lake City government working under Mayor Ralph Becker as Assistant to the Chief of Staff and as Public Information Officer at the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. Bianca has a Political Science degree and Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah. Inspired by her love of astronomy and dark skies, Bianca also serves on the Clark Planetarium Advisory Board. In her personal time, Bianca loves to hike, ski and raft with her husband Matt, her kids and (when possible) her dog Millie.

Email: blyon@utah.gov

Director of Tourism / Kane County Office of Tourism

SESSION: Breakout 1: Events in Your Community

Camille Johnson Taylor is the Executive Director of Tourism for Kane County. She's been with the Kane County Office of Tourism for eight years. Camille is a 7th-generation local of Kanab and is a direct descendent of the first European-American explorer of Zion Canyon, Nephi Johnson. Not only are her roots deep in southern Utah so is her passion and love for this area. Camille left Kanab to attend college after graduating from Kanab High School. She started out as a Southern Utah University Thunderbird and finished her Bachelor of Science degree as a Weber State University Wildcat. She jokingly refers to herself as a Thunder-cat. Camille graduated in Communications and Business Administration and has worked in TV news, finance, real estate and now tourism which she has enjoyed the most and considers her home industry.

Partner Relations Lead / Utah Office of Tourism

SESSION: Breakout 4: New Funding Opportunities for Destination Management

Celina Sinclair is the Partner Relations Lead within the Community and Destination Development Team. In this role, she focuses on industry communications, partnership collaboration, and resource development. These strategies help further the Utah Office of Tourism's ability to execute its Red Emerald Strategic Plan, its Forever Mighty responsible travel initiative, and strengthen its partnerships within the industry. Having relocated to Utah to work for the Utah Office of Tourism, she has been representing the destination since the day she crossed the state line six years ago.

Email: csinclair@utah.gov

Account Director / Sparkloft Media

SESSION: Breakout 1: The New Creator Economy

As an Account Director, Claire brings over 13 years of integrated marketing campaign management experience to Sparkloft. Previous to joining Sparkloft in 2019, she led AOR accounts and managed project-based clients across digital, social, and traditional channels. Claire currently oversees accounts including Travel Oregon and Visit Utah - collaborating with the client and partner agencies to drive efficiencies for production of always-on and campaign-specific content and creative, and gaining client buy-in for optimizing media spends for maximum performance and user engagement.

Executive Director of Sports Salt Lake Division / Visit Salt Lake

SESSION: Breakout 3: How to Use Your Current Assets to Build Sports Tourism/Sales

Clay Partain, STS has been actively pursuing sports related events for Visit Salt Lake over the past 8 years. Over Clay’s watch, the sports segment has grown from a relatively small market space to representing a significant portion of Visit Salt Lake’s total production.

In 2015, Clay was awarded the prestigious Visit Salt Lake - Diane Binger Sales Leadership Award, and then repeated that again in 2021. He was also the 2017 Connect Sports Game Changer of the Year, and the 2019 Connect Sport’s Supplier of the Year. In 2019, Clay graduated from the National Association of Sports Commission as a Certified Sports Event Executive, of which he was the first person in the state of Utah to obtain. Clay has also served on numerous committees and boards, and most recently serves on the Board Of Directors with the Sports Events and Tourism Association.

In January 2021, Visit Salt Lake formally launched Sports Salt Lake with the purpose of growing Salt Lake’s reputation as a major sports destination. Clay took on a new expanded role as Executive Director of Sports Salt Lake, and now oversees all sales, servicing, marketing, and promotion for the sports tourism market. He also serves on the Executive Leadership for Visit Salt Lake.

Senior Social Media Strategist / Sparkloft Media

SESSION: Breakout 1: The New Creator Economy

Courtney is a Senior Social Media Strategist and works with Sparkloft’s travel and tourism clients such as the Utah Office of Tourism and Visit Seattle. Prior to leading these accounts, Courtney worked closely with UOT and its partner agencies to execute content creation and community management, influencer and ambassador strategy and paid media.

Marketing Analytics & Research Manager / Utah Office of Tourism

SESSION: Breakout 3: Using Data to Understand Tourism in Your Community

As the marketing analytics and research manager for the Utah Office of Tourism, Denise champions informed decision making in all office endeavors. Following the UOT Red Emerald Strategic Plan, Denise works to align research metrics to UOT’s core mission positions including marketing, stewardship and development initiatives.

Denise graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts in marketing and a Master of Science in business analytics. She has marketing and communications experience in nonprofit, private, and public sector organizations.

In her free time, Denise enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, and playing sand volleyball with her family and friends.

Email: denisejordan@utah.gov

Senior Social Media Strategist / Sparkloft Media

SESSION: Breakout 1: The New Creator Economy

A Senior Social Media Strategist, Elisabeth has specialized in editorial and digital content creation for over a decade and works with Sparkloft’s tourism and destination clients including the Utah Office of Tourism, Los Cabos and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner. Before Sparkloft, Elisabeth worked in front and behind the camera on marketing productions and influencer campaigns for travel brands and tourism boards.

Research Analyst / Utah Office of Tourism

SESSION: Breakout 3: Using Data to Understand Tourism in Your Community

Erin Smith is a Research Analyst with the Utah Office of Tourism. Erin joined the UOT in January as part of the Lieutenant Governor’s Return Utah program and was offered a permanent position in May.

Erin’s past experience is in both the academic sector as a researcher and adjunct professor, and in the nonprofit sector as a lifelong volunteer and leader in the many communities she has lived in over the years.

Erin graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Sociology, where she focused on Social Psychology. She enjoys turning her curiosity about human behavior toward all things tourism-related.

Destination Development Lead / Utah Office of Tourism

SESSION: Breakout 4: New Funding Opportunities for Destination Management

Flint is a destination development lead with the Utah Office of Tourism where he assists local governments to develop the amenities, infrastructure, and leadership necessary to become welcoming destinations for visitors. He previously worked for the State's Division of Housing and Community Development where he conducted rural research, provided local government planning assistance, and supported the division's infrastructure funding programs. Flint graduated with a master's degree in public administration from the Romney Institute of Public Management at Brigham Young University.

Email: fdtimmins@utah.gov

Senior Tourism Analyst / Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute / U of U

Jennifer Leaver is the senior tourism analyst at the Gardner Policy Institute, specializing in local, regional, and statewide tourism research.

Leaver authors Utah’s annual travel and tourism industry report, county tourism profiles, and visitor economy-related blogs. In addition, she has conducted economic research for the Utah Film Commission, Utah’s Coal Country Strike Team, and the Utah Cultural Alliance. Leaver presents her research statewide at conferences and visitor bureau meetings. In 2019, she served as a speaker and panelist at Stanford University’s Rural West Conference.

Prior to joining the Institute, Leaver worked for Utah’s Department of Human Services in a variety of roles that included policy specialist, research consultant, and information analyst. Leaver received her master of applied anthropology with an emphasis in natural resources and community values from Oregon State University and her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Puget Sound.

Email: jennifer.leaver@utah.edu

President & CEO / Park City Chamber of Commerce | Convention & Visitors Bureau

SESSION: Breakout 3: Tourism and Destination Stewardship: The GSTC's Destination Criteria

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the President & CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce | Convention & Visitors Bureau (Chamber/Bureau). She has served in the position since October 2020.

The Park City Chamber/Bureau is responsible for the marketing and management of Utah’s preeminent luxury tourism destination, driving revenues in excess of $1 billion annually. Park City is home to the Sundance Film Festival, the nation’s largest independent film event. The town’s two ski resorts served as major event sites for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the Utah Olympic Park continues to attract Olympians to Park City for high-altitude training. The town also is the headquarters for the US Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA). Park City hosts ski and snowboarding world championships on an annual basis and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has selected Utah for its next Winter Olympic bid in 2030. More than two million skiers hit the local slopes each year at both Park City Mountain, featuring the nation’s largest ski terrain, and Deer Valley Resort, consistently rated amongst the top ski resorts in North America. In summer months, more than one million visitors flock to Park City for hiking, blue-ribbon fly-fishing and biking on its 400-mile trail system.

Prior to arriving in Park City, Jennifer was CEO/President of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, which she joined in 2007. During her tenure, she led Sedona, Arizona to national recognition as a destination. Jennifer guided the Sedona Chamber’s accreditation as a Destination Management Organization, led the development of Arizona’s first Sustainable Tourism Plan, and saw tourism grow to become Sedona's largest industry, with a $1 billion annual impact and 10,000 tourism-related jobs. She most recently represented the region on the Governor's Economic Recovery Task Force. Jennifer developed and launched successful brand strategies for Sedona, including the ""Sedona, the Most Beautiful Place on Earth"" campaign and the “Find Your Room to Play” campaign.

Jennifer is a Certified Destination Management Executive with Destination Marketing Association International and is a frequent speaker and consultant on sustainable tourism best practices. She was the former Sedona Certified Film Commissioner with the Association of Film Commissioners International.

Before joining the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, Jennifer taught English in Japan and spent three years in the hospitality industry in Interlaken, Switzerland. She holds bachelor’s degrees in French and Communications from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. When Jennifer and her husband Rick are not running, biking and hiking, they enjoy cooking and traveling with friends.

Email: jennifer@visitparkcity.com

Founding Partner / Pabian Law

SESSION: Breakout 2: Utilizing International Workers to Solve your Staffing Needs: H-2B visas, J-1, visas, and more!

Keith Pabian is the Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Seasonal Connect and the Founding Partner of Pabian Law, a national immigration law firm focused on the hospitality industry. Keith has a true passion for working with ski areas and hospitality organizations. Keith regularly presents at conferences on staffing and immigration topics affecting hospitality organizations and has received numerous awards for his success in providing solutions for employers’ most pressing staffing needs.

Keith has years of experience working with hospitality organizations in Utah and across the nation. He lives in Massachusetts.

Email: keith@pabianlaw.com

Professor / Arizona State University & Vice Chair / GSTC

SESSION: Breakout 3: Tourism and Destination Stewardship: The GSTC's Destination Criteria

Kelly Bricker, PhD is Professor, Director of HAITC at Arizona State University. She completed her Ph.D. with the Penn State University, where she specialized in sustainable tourism and natural resources management. She has applied research experience in ecotourism, protected area management, and impacts of tourism. She has authored books on sustainability, highlighting case studies that environmental and societal issues related to tourism development, adventure programming, and tourism theories. She serves the boards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Tourism Unity, and Tourism and Protected Area Specialists Group of the IUCN.

Email: kelly,bricker@asu.edu

City Manager / Vernal City

SESSION: Breakout 1: Tourism + Downtown Revitalization = Economic Growth

Quinn Bennion was hired as the Vernal City Manager, his hometown, in 2017. Quinn graduated from USU in civil engineering and then completed an MPA at the Univ. of Kansas. Educational and career opportunities led him to the Kansas City metro area, where he worked in city management for 20 years. He currently serves as a board member with the Utah City Manager Association. He contributes to efforts to improve the Vernal community and rural Utah.

Email: qbennion@vernalcity.org

CEO / Wittwer Hospitality

SESSION: Breakout 1: Events in Your Community

Shayne was engrained with heartfelt hospitality at an early age, working within the family business cleaning hotel rooms, trash collection, and parking lot maintenance. After attaining a B.S. in Business Management from Southern Utah University, and an Associates of Science at Dixie College, he continued his passion for tourism and management – chairing and serving on multiple industry boards promoting Southern Utah – including the St. George Area Travel Board, St. George Area Sports and Events Committee, and the Utah Office of Tourism Board. Even with a full plate of serving guests, his team members, and communities, his wife of 27 years and 6 children make sure to keep him well grounded.

Email: shaynew@wittwerhospitality.com

VP, Organizational Solutions / MGT Consulting Group

SESSION: Breakout 1: Why DEI Should Matter to You

Lamont Browne, Ed. D has 20 years of experience working as a change agent in various communities and organizations. He currently serves as the Vice President for DEI Solutions for MGT, a social impact-driven national public-sector consulting firm. Prior to this work, Dr. Browne worked as a public school educator serving as a math teacher, principal, adjunct professor, district administrator, and charter school CEO. His primary focus is helping people and their organizations implement strategic systems that enhance people and organizational performance. A nationally recognized leader in education, Lamont has won numerous awards for his leadership, including the prestigious Ryan Award, presented by the Accelerate Institute for demonstrating exceptional leadership in closing the achievement gap in urban K-12 schools. He has earned a Bachelor's degree (Business Administration), Master's degree (Education), and Doctoral degree (Education Administration and Policy) from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado.

Director of Sustainable Tourism / Park City Chamber/Visitors Bureau

SESSION: Breakout 3: Tourism and Destination Stewardship: The GSTC's Destination Criteria

Location Manager / Freelance

SESSION: Breakout 4: Film Ready Utah

Mimi Davis-Taylor is a Location Manager in Utah and has worked with many independent and studio productions to find the perfect place to shoot.

Email: mimid99@aol.com

Singer, Songwriter / Rosevelt Sings

PERFORMANCE: Thursday, September 29, 12:15 - 12:30 pm

15-year-old Rosevelt Rawls is a singer/songwriter, talk show host and Ambassador to Childhelp and Operation Underground Railroad who is speaking up against child abuse! She has her own nonprofit "Music And The Message" that does School Assemblies and teaches kids to "Speak Up Be Safe" and gives the Childhelp 1-800-4-A-CHILD helpline.

Raised in a good home, Rosevelt sings primarily for charity/nonprofit events, and her voice melts the heart and catches the attention of all who hear her. Thousands of people, including celebrities, politicians, businesses and schools have taken Rosevelt’s #5toomany social media challenge to bring awareness to the fact that 5 kids die every day because of abuse – Rosevelt says “That’s 5 too many!”

Rosevelt currently has a 5-month residency with the Bryce Canyon Wranglers at Ebenezer's Barn & Grill as the lead female vocalist and wrote the song ""Fallin' In Love With Utah"" as a result of her experience of living in and exploring around Utah.

Email: RoseveltSings@gmail.com

Director / Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office

SESSION: Breakout 1: Events in Your Community

Kevin Lewis is the Director of the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office. His career started in broadcasting and his portfolio includes national advertising awards for television, print, multi-media and web campaigns. Kevin played the lead role in bringing several key events to Greater Zion including three IRONMAN World Championship events. Over a span of 13-months the three events will bring more than $90-million into the economy.

Director / Utah Film Commission

SESSION: Breakout 4: Film Ready Utah

With over 20 years of experience in the film industry, Virginia Pearce has been the Film Commissioner for the state of Utah since 2014. Under Virginia’s leadership, the Utah Film Commission has brought major network television series and numerous award-winning projects to the state, creating over $540 million of new spending in the state. Virginia has a passion for nurturing new voices and has created a number of programs encouraging diversity in the entertainment industry, including a low-budget incentive, a women’s network, workplace harassment policies, and a workforce development program.

Previously at Spy Hop Youth Media and Sundance Institute, Pearce began her career as a commercial photographer.

Email: vpearce@utah.gov

Producer / Blank Space

SESSION: Breakout 2: Film Panel: Bringing Your Story to Life, Ideation through Distribution

Colby Bryson is a partner and producer at Blank Space, a Salt Lake based production company that creates high-end cinematic commercial and documentary work. Colby brings 15 years of experience of creating engaging digital media pieces for clients throughout the world. In his past work, Colby has contributed to a wide variety of client work, including projects for the Utah Office of Tourism, The Natural History Museum of Utah, The Utah Film Commission, Hawkwatch International, and the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera.

Founder / Local Studio

SESSION: Breakout 2: Film Panel: Bringing Your Story to Life, Ideation through Distribution

Sean Slobodan grew up making films on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Known by some as The Big Maple, the Canadian filmmaker's instinct for genuine human stories and ability to connect with both his talent and real human subjects takes him across the globe, working as both a director and cinematographer. Sean's work is emotive and his passion for people, places and environmental protection fuels his creative process. His work has garnered accolades from Emmy's to Vimeo staff picks and "Best of" laurels in film festivals worldwide. He is the founder of Local Studio in Salt Lake City, where he lives with his wife, Megan, and their children Evelyn, Penelope, and Paul.

Visual Asset Manager / Utah Office of Tourism

SESSION: Breakout 2: Film Panel: Bringing Your Story to Life, Ideation through Distribution

Sandra Salvas is the Visual Asset Manager and Producer of video and photo content marketing at the Utah Office of Tourism. She works closely with each partner agency to help deliver meaningful stories that meet campaign strategies across multiple digital platforms and print communications. Sandra has been image wrangling her way through the travel and outdoor industries for over 16 years with experience working for brands such as Black Diamond Equipment, Flylow Gear, Warren Miller Entertainment, and Skiing Magazine. When not traveling on assignment through the byways and backways of Utah, you will find her wandering in the Wasatch or escaping to the desert with her husband Judd and their two fur-kids, Beardog and Gertie.

Email: ssalvas@utah.gov

Vice President, Digital Marketing & Media / Love Communications

SESSION: Breakout 2: Film Panel: Bringing Your Story to Life, Ideation through Distribution

Jonathan Smithgall joined Love Communications in the spring of 2012 and oversees all of the agencey’s digital teams. His primary focus is in Tourism advertising, where he has worked with Utah Office of Tourism for over ten years. When Jonathan isn’t creating new digital strategies or attempting to predict travel trends, you will find him out exploring Utah’s mountains with his family.

Email: jsmithgall@lovecomm.net

Freelance Journalist

SESSION: Breakout 1: Media and PR Travel Trends and Insights

Brittany Anas is a former newspaper reporter (The Denver Post, Boulder Daily Camera) turned freelance writer. Before she struck out on her own, she covered just about every beat -- from higher education to crime. Now she writes about travel and lifestyle topics for Men’s Journal, Forbes, Shondaland, Livability, House Beautiful, Apartment Therapy, Hearst newspapers, TripSavvy and more. As a Denver-based writer, she also contributes to a number of Colorado publications including The Denver Post and 5280 magazine. Covering food and travel, she is among a group of inaugural journalists working with Newsbreak, an app-based news service. In her free time, she coaches basketball, crashes pools, and loves hanging out with her rude-but-adorable Boston Terrier that never got the memo the breed is nicknamed “America’s gentleman”.

Vice President of Public Relations / Love Communications

SESSION: Breakout 1: Media and PR Travel Trends and Insights

Well known, connected and respected in local media circles, Kelli became the head of Love’s PR team in early 2022. Love’s first-ever employee hire (now with more than 20 years at the company), Kelli has played a variety of roles within the agency’s public relations division over the years, with a particular emphasis on health, human services, public awareness and cause marketing campaigns. She has directed PR efforts on a variety of clients past and present, including work for the Utah Department of Health, University Health Care, City Creek Center and the Utah Office of Tourism, to name just a few.

Active in the community, Kelli currently sits on the Snowbird Sports Education Foundation Board and serves on the PR/Marketing Committee for Catholic Community Services. Kelli graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in Mass Communication (PR emphasis). With previous experience at Bremer Public Relations and, later, The Martz Agency in Phoenix, Kelli is well-versed in media training, crisis communications and special events. When not on duty, Kelli makes her home in Salt Lake City with her husband, two sons and one dog.

Email: kfratto32@yahoo.com

Executive Editor / Salt Lake Magazine

Independent guide book and travel writer

SESSION: Breakout 1: Media and PR Travel Trends and Insights

Jeremy Pugh is a travel writer, essayist and author based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has been writing about culture, history, the outdoors and travel for more than two decades. Currently the Executive Editor of Salt Lake magazine, Pugh is also a freelancer and consultant writing for SKI, Range and Condé Nast Traveller, Visit Salt Lake and Visit Utah among others. Pugh is the author of the book 100 Things to Do in Salt Lake City Before You Die and the history, culture and urban legend guidebook Secret Salt Lake (Reedy Press).

Email: jeremy@saltlakemagazine.com

Account Director / J/PR

SESSION: Breakout 1: Media and PR Travel Trends and Insights

As an expat in her childhood, Audrey developed a global perspective and love for travel that translates to her career at JPR. Now 7+ years later, after starting in the New York office, Audrey offers a bi-coastal presence from Denver. Through her experience with domestic and international hospitality brands and destinations, Audrey delivers innovative brand partnerships, programming, revenue generating opportunities, influencer campaigns and PR campaign strategies. Her outstanding media/influencer relationships in target markets and national outlets from coast to coast deliver relevant and valuable results for her clients. Audrey works on a variety of accounts such as Vail Resorts Hospitality, MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, Under Canvas, Utah Office of Tourism, The Setai, Miami Beach, and more.

VP, Digital Experience & Technology / Hanson Dodge

SESSION: Breakout 2: Content is Still King: How The Right Content Can Supercharge Your Travel Website

Throughout his career Ethan has served in a wide range of technology and marketing leadership roles, focusing on the strategic and outcome-oriented use of technology. As the head of Hanson Dodge’s digital experience practice, Ethan leads an integrated team creating high-performing digital experiences that delight users and drive the growth and success of brands worldwide.

Email: ekoehler@hansondodge.com

Associate Creative Director / Hanson Dodge

SESSION: Breakout 2: Content is Still King: How The Right Content Can Supercharge Your Travel Website

As associate creative director at Hanson Dodge, Katherine owns the brand voice and story for agency clients with the goal of helping them become leaders in their categories. Katherine has deep DMO experience, where she generates big ideas and develops them into powerful narratives to promote destination travel. Her work has won multiple industry awards and has been featured in Adweek, Ad Age, Mashable, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Email: kschmidt@hansondodge.com

711 Ranch Restaurant

SESSION: Breakout 1: Events in Your Community

Kam Pope is the proud owner of the longest running restaurant and business in Vernal. Spanning three generations and 90 years, the seven eleven ranch restaurant is a family staple here in the Uintah Basin. Beginning in 1933, the restaurant was started by Kam's grandfather, Warren Belcher, and has been passed down through his parents and now to him. The tradition of serving ranch-style home cooking has continued to this day using recipes known only to Kam and his mother Connie. Kam & the seven eleven ranch restaurant are both proud supporters of local events and youth athletes in the Uintah Basin.

Dinosaur Inn + Suites

SESSION: Breakout 1: Events in Your Community

Originally built in 1929 as vacation rental cabins, this property holds a historical/sentimental value to the Vernal Community. Many of the residents of this area have worked at the Dinosaur Inn at one point or another. The Henderson family owned property from 1929 to 2016 and throughout those years, the property went through several transformations into what it is today. In late 2017 Cody and Shalene Bullock, long time residents of Vernal acquired the property. Cody, an oilfield worker, and Shalene, a manager of a convenient store, were looking to do something different with their careers. They were told about the Dinosaur Inn, which had been sitting vacant for a year, and decided to take a leap of faith, quit their jobs, and reopen the Dinosaur Inn to continue its legacy. Guests who had stayed at the property when they were children now bring their children and then those children then bring their children to stay. Dinosaur Inn and Suites is a family run business. You will see Cody and Shalene along with each of their children working side by side with their amazing employees. Dinosaur Inn & Suites focuses on tourists and creating a different feel for their guests then the standard cookie cutter hotels and motels. They love the area and the community and hope to pass that love and excitement on to the guests.

Dinosaur River Expeditions

SESSION: TourismTALKS: How Tourism Has Re-Shaped Our Communities

Jen Callantine and her husband Tyler are the proud owners and operators of Dinosaur River Expeditions. Jen is the key administrator for Dinosaur keeping the day-to-day operations running smoothly. From booking trips and helping guests choose the right rafting trip to organizing guide staff Jen oversees just about every aspect of the company. Jen has played an active role in the community volunteering her time for local events. When she is not working on Dinosaur Jen is passionate about spending time in the outdoors hiking, skiing and hunting.

Vernal Brewing Company

SESSION: TourismTALKS: How Tourism Has Re-Shaped Our Communities