What inspired you to take on this role?
I've been in the tourism industry since 1979. I was 18 when I went to work for Arkansas Tourism. (Don't do the math, please!) Very early on I decided that my ultimate goal was the job that I am in now. I finished my bachelor's degree and also received a Master's in Tourism.
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What advice would you give someone looking to pursue a career in travel and tourism?
Travel and Tourism is all about being hospitable. If you have a passion for serving others, great problem
solver and have a warm friendly personality, this is the career for you.
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Want to be featured in an upcoming STS newsletter?
We are always looking for ways to recognize our STS Members and Partners on their accomplishments. Interested in being included, please submit articles and photos to Tonja Ray-Smith by the 10th of the month.
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The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) has announced the hiring of Jeff Chastain as Director of Communications. Bringing over 20 years of expertise to the role, Chastain will manage a variety of communication and media relations strategies and activities to support the Bureau’s tourism efforts for the city.
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Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that Dalaney Thomas, a former tourism account manager for CJRW of Little Rock, will be director of tourism at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism.
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The private collection of fossils discovered decades ago in Lookout Mountain Cave prompted a significant new partnership between Ruby Falls and the East Tennessee State University Center of Excellence in Paleontology and Gray Fossil Site & Museum.
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The Ridgeland Tourism Commission (Visit Ridgeland), dedicated to promoting and enhancing the tourism experience in Ridgeland, Mississippi, is excited to announce that Katie Coats, director of marketing and public relations, has achieved the Excellence in Tourism Leadership Program Mastery Level Certificate.
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Teresa Matthews, joined Visit Mississippi on October 1 as Deputy Director of Visit Mississippi. Teresa’s accounting management leadership experience spans more than 30 years. She is a fierce leader with an unsurpassed ability to coordinate organizational strategic goals, plan, forecast and develop policy utilizing fundamental resources.
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VisitColumbusGA is proud to announce team member Ashley Woitena has been selected as one of the 40 Under 40 honorees. Since joining the team at VisitColumbusGA 15 years ago, Ms. Woitena, currently Senior Vice President, has distinguished herself with service and achievement. While working fulltime, she completed her MBA and served two terms as president of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) in 2022 and 2023.
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Social Media Manager for the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) Melea Hames was awarded Tourism Promoter of the Year by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association (ARHA). The award was presented during the annual Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner held Monday, October 30, 2023, at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa.
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At the 77th annual Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, Visit Wytheville’s own Shane Terry, received the 2023 Tourism Achievement Award.
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RESERVE YOUR SPACE - 2024 Go South & STS Meeting Guide
12
Dec 2023
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December 12, 2023: 11:00 am EST/10 am CST AI is not as scary as it seems. I promise! In this session, we’ll talk about simple ways you can embrace different AI technologies in your every day work. We’ll showcase free platforms and innovative ways to take back to your team or office immediately. This is not a session that overwhelms you with AI, but more so a session to introduce you to ways it will make your life or work life easier.
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19
Mar 2024
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Date: March 19-20, 2024 SMPR Forum 2024 is a sales, marketing, and PR forum for professionals at DMOs, attractions, lodging, and event facilities. Colleagues will gather for sessions with industry experts in various interactive formats to discuss new trends, tools, and technology for improving sales efforts, marketing, and PR strategies. Registration opens soon!
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20
Mar 2024
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Date: March 20-23, 2024 STS Domestic Showcase is your chance to meet Group Tour Professionals and southeastern Suppliers, connect one-on-one, and discuss bringing business to the Southeast during this regional appointment-style marketplace event. Supplier and PR Supplier Registration is for STS Members Only. To become a member of STS, contact David Kemp at david@southeasttourism.org.
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New Members - October 2023
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