Copy of Speakers — Ohio Conference on Travel

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2019 Industry Experts and Nationally-Known Speakers
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Tami shares innovative communication and leadership tools that motivate corporations, associations and organizations. Her energy, passion and humor create an engaging, interactive and unforgettable experience for audiences. With both corporate and entrepreneurial experience, an MFA in performance, and a background in communication and design, she firmly believes laughter is a vital part of learning and living. Her relatable keynotes ignite a positive workplace while they celebrate participants, engage and empower employees, create communication cohesion, boost confidence and bust stress. She has served on the board of directors for the National Speakers Association and is past-president of its New York chapter.

829 Studios is a midsized marketing firm based in Boston that specializes in the luxury travel industry. Peter leads a team of 37 designers, programmers, and marketing professionals who consult for travel agencies and tour operators. Last year, his team was awarded two Adrian Awards by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) for its work on OceanEdge.com and Oars.com. Peter serves on the advisory board for the Family Travel Association and is an active member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. Notable 829 clients include Stanford University, Micato Safaris, Off the Beaten Path, Ciao Bambino, Camp Cody, Oxfam, Black & Decker, and BitSight.

Jason is an experienced results-driven online marketing strategist. As director of marketing at 829 Studios, he has helped craft digital strategy for clients in various audiences including luxury travel, outdoor adventure, and education. Jason earned his degree in visual media arts: interactive media with a minor in business studies from Emerson College in Boston. He is frequently sought out to speak as a digital marketing expert as it pertains to digital strategy, media, and marketing.

Like you, Melinda is passionate about Ohio travel. Having worked in travel-related jobs along Lake Erie for more than 25 years, she’s witnessed firsthand how communities transform themselves when they embrace the travel economy. In 2012, she brought this energy and focus to Columbus as the director of the Ohio Travel Association. She started her travel career in public relations at Cedar Point, then led the Lake Erie Shores and Islands/Ottawa County Visitors Bureau and tackled sustainable tourism opportunities as tourism director for Ohio State University’s Ohio Sea Grant College Program. She has a master’s degree in public policy from the OSU John Glenn School of Public Affairs and is an avid (aka obsessed) yogi and a certified yoga teacher. She enjoys bricks-and-mortar bookstores, hiking and biking, coffee shops, live theatre, kayaking and traveling the nooks and crannies of Ohio.

Nick has created a wildly successful food and travel blog, BreakfastWithNick.com, a passion he’s worked on for 11 years. He is also a freelance food and travel writer for the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Alive, Columbus Monthly , Experience Columbus, TourismOhio, Ohio Magazine , and other Great Lakes Publishing publications. He teaches classes on small business development, blogging, social media around greater Columbus and was previously a lecturer for The Ohio State University Department of Theatre.

Bryan’s background is in front-end web development and B2C marketing, working in various industries ranging from seafood to sporting goods. As a Boston native, Bryan enjoys all of the wonderful things the city and the surrounding area have to offer such as great sports, good beer and sitting in traffic. 829 Studios is a Boston-based marketing firm specializing in travel.

Ceci is a nationally recognized thought leader, speaker, and digital marketing expert. She has more than a decade of experience working with arts + culture and nonprofit organizations and is passionate about empowering nonprofit administrators through digital marketing and the integration of new technology into traditional marketing methods.

Andrew Overbeck, AICP, Principal, MKSK takes a collaborative approach to developing effective plans that address complex urban issues and identify catalytic projects. Andrew has more than 13 years of experience working in cities on award-winning downtown plans and public realm improvements with a focus on economic development, sustainability, and connectivity. His experience also includes transformational municipal planning, long-range planning, urban design, streetscape, alternative transportation, urban parks, and campus master plan projects. Andrew has project managed downtown plans for Toledo, Akron, Columbus, and Louisville. Matching his strong background in research, writing, and graphic design with his ability to facilitate public discussion and discourse, Andrew is able to effectively communicate and build consensus for solutions that enhance and invigorate cities and neighborhoods. Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Earlham College and a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and is a Certified Planner.

Leslie is the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Destination Cleveland where she applies her more than 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing, litigation consulting and destination management. She believes in the power of diverse culture, professionalism, and honesty in building a strong place to work. Leslie has applied those principles throughout her more than 15 years in the not-for-profit sector and more than 10 years in the travel and tourism industry. Leslie provides sound financial guidance to CEOs, partners and boards of directors and has dedicated her career to building strong internal controls to mitigate the risk of fraud. She stays up to date on the latest accounting pronouncements to maintain financial statements in accordance with the GAAP and leads teams through honesty and trust to allow people to grow professionally and advance in their careers.

Joe Savarise joined the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association as Executive Director in January, 2015. OHLA is a business association that provides strategic direction for Ohio's hotel and lodging industry, is the primary lobbying and advocacy entity for that industry within the state, and supports the growth of Ohio's travel economy. OHLA is committed to providing resources and connections, improving service and professionalism in hospitality, increasing sustainability, championing safety and security, and furthering charitable and community involvement. Part of that effort involves increasing and coordinating the industry’s response to human trafficking. Joe is currently a member of the Boards of Directors for the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the Columbus StreetRailway Corporation.

Paige Alost has served as the Executive Director of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau for the past 13 years. During her time at the Bureau she has also served as the Ohio Representative to the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Tourism Council and is currently the Treasurer of the Ohio Travel Association. The past five years in Athens County has brought rapid growth in the unique lodging industry, capitalizing on the needs of Ohio University peak weekends and growth in both the outdoor recreation and craft brewing industries. Alost is proud to be a part of a progressive community that seeks to balance tourism growth with new business opportunities for local residents. Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, Alost has called Ohio home for 20 years.

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