Your Vermont Tourism Team Road-Show in BURLINGTON

March 25, 2013

March 25, 2013
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Fletcher Free Library
235College Street, Burlington, VT

Organized and presented by The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.

Vermont Tourism Bounces Back: Hear the latest research on where travelers are going in-state and what they are spending with comprehensive comparisons of 2011 and 2009 visitors analysis.

Maximize, Partner, Promote: Vermont Tourism and Marketing staff will highlight opportunities in their areas of expertise, ranging from design, marketing, arts and cultural heritage, communications, international sales and legislative relations.

Bonus: You will be entered to win one of four free entries to the 30th annual Vermont Travel Industry Conference VTIC, valued at $200, at the Stoweflake Resort on April 3-4, 2013.

Special thanks to our Burlington host, Sarah Ramsdell Beal and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce.

ABOUT Your Tourism Road-Show Speakers:

MEGAN SMITH, COMMISSIONER
Megan says: "Our state is fortunate to have a wealth of intellect, energy and innovation among businesses and organizations in the tourism industry. It's not only practical, but in true Vermont-style, to collaborate to elevate our businesses, our communities and the state as a whole."
Back-Story: A transplant from the Midwest, Megan spent her early career in hospitality working for Hyatt Hotels and Au Bon Pain. In 1995, she and her family moved to Vermont to operate The Vermont Inn. Megan has since taught in the Resort Management Program at Green Mountain College, been a small business advisor for the Vermont Small Business Development Center and served two years on the Vermont State Legislature. Governor Shumlin appointed Megan as Commissioner in 2010 and every day since, she considers her responsibilities toward the betterment of the state are those of a dream job.
Connect: Twitter: MeganMcKSmith Email: Megan.Smith@state.vt.us

STEVE COOK, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
Steve says: "It's important to take your destination's most powerful and wonderful attributes and boil them down into digestible media that can capture the hearts of consumers and influence a buying decision."
Back-Story: A Montpelier resident, Steve was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Tourism Marketing in September 2006. Since, he also served as Publisher of the State's official magazine, Vermont Life for a two year term. Steve has served the State of Vermont for 11 years and also worked in Vermont's ski industry holding sales and promotional positions for both Smugglers' Notch Resort and Jay Peak Resort. He is a graduate of Champlain College with a degree in Business Administration, and Johnson State College with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Connect: Twitter: steve_cook LinkedIn: Steve Cook Email: Steve.Cook@state.vt.us

GREG GERDEL, RESEARCH AND OPERATIONS CHIEF
Greg says: "For most of the past decade, I have focused on research, particularly market analysis and the economic impact of the tourism/recreation industry on Vermont's larger economy."
Back-Story: During his career with the Department of Tourism Marketing, Greg has acquired experience in virtually every area of the state's promotional and advertising programs. He also manages contracts for teleservicing, fulfillment, and distribution, including coordination of those services with other state agencies and private organizations whose mission includes marketing. A graduate of Lake Forest College Ill. and a Walter A. Anderson Fellow in Philosophy of Education at New York University, Greg resides in Montpelier where he is a soccer official and coaches the high school Nordic ski team.
Connect: Greg.Gerdel@state.vt.us

JEN BUTSON, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Jen says: "When you aim to do your best to share the wealth of stories about Vermont's people and landscape, the job is never done. But challenges are good, right?"
Back-Story: A fifth generation Vermonter, Jen has worked as a national tour marketing manager, blogging and in homeless shelters as a Mission Fairy for Seventh Generation, led Burt's Bees Beeeutify Your World tour and was behind the scenes, and sometimes on camera, for several national sports events. Prior to hitting the road, she earned a Media Studies, Journalism Digital Arts degree from Saint Michael's College and was also hired as the college's marketing assistant directly upon graduation. She represented Vermont's ski industry for five years as public affairs director at Ski Vermont and since April, 2012 the rest of this story now lives at VermontVacation.com/PressRoom. Let's talk!
Connect: Twitter: jen_butson LinkedIn: Jen Butson Email: Jen.Butson@state.vt.us

CHRISTIANE SKINNER, SALES MANAGER, INTERNATIONAL NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS
Christiane says: "It's important to understand your audience, from the family traveling from a nearby state to an adventure seeker from overseas. Promoting a state that you love makes you love your work."
Back-Story: Christiane, who is fluent in French, moved from Montreal to Vermont in 1987. She studied tourism in Spain in the early 1980s and also did her studies in all fields related to travel agencies. After 20 years as a travel agent both in Canada and Vermont, she joined the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing in January 2001. Christiane primarily represents the department and Vermont at consumer and travel trade shows and attends motorcoach marketplaces and sales missions both in the North American and International markets.
Connect: Christiane.Skinner@state.vt.us

CATHERINE BROOKS, CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM COORDINATOR
Catherine says: "Culture, the arts, and public history thrive in Vermont, and sharing the riches is what we're all about."
Back-Story: Catherine hails from the field of museum education having developed educational programs, special events, family exhibits and staff training at the Shelburne Museum for 20 years, where she worked closely with talented marketing and design colleagues to promote the museum to local and national audiences. A former teacher and librarian with degrees from the Universities of Vermont and Wisconsin, she's served as a board member for the Shelburne Craft School, Vermont Center for the Book, and Hinesburg public library. Catherine is a 6th generation Vermonter "5 times removed" and she recently discovered that her home in Addison County is just 30 miles from where her long-ago Vermont relatives once lived.
Connect: Catherine.Brooks@state.vt.us

DAVID BURNELL, MARKETING COORDINATOR
David says: "Capturing the essence of Vermont is easier said than done, but executing the process is best represented by utilizing natural form. I show it like it is, beautiful, unique, true and not afraid to show it. Take the back roads; they come out somewhere."
Back-Story: Vermont born and raised, David's outlook and expertise have eliminated the need for an advertising agency. His skills encompass graphic design, conceptual development, web development, advertising, marketing and brand management. Prior to his hire, David worked in advertising design for a Vermont health foods store and a Florida arts, events and nightlife magazine. He attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for his Bachelors of Science Degree in Graphic Design and graduated Cum Laude.
Connect: Twitter: dburnelldesign LinkedIn: /dburnelldesign Email: David.Burnell@state.vt.us

Total spots: 70
Spots still available:

This event is free.

Physical Location: Fletcher Free Library
235 College Street
Burlington, VT 04501

in the Pickering Room, 2nd floor

Contact:
Catherine Brooks
802-828-3683
catherine.brooks@state.vt.us