2011 Virginia Tourism Summit Schedule

The program for the 2011 Virginia Tourism Summit is still being developed. See below for the scheduled activities (times subject to change).

Monday | April 18 

Tuesday | April 19

Wednesday | April 20

Presenters and Session Descriptions

Survive and Thrive
Phil Bruno | Speaker, Trainer, Author

U.S. Top 25 Tourism Recession Cases - an intriguing and inspiring case study based program - Phil Bruno is your host and guide for a far-ranging behind the scenes look at strategies and tactics of phenomenally successful tourism organizations despite the recession economy.

• At The Titanic Museum, you'll witness the promotion that gave Branson, MO and Pigeon Forge, TN a huge boost.
• On Top of Lookout Mountain Georgia, Rock City Gardens focuses on their #1 Resource to generate record revenues.
• In Linden, TN you'll discover how grass roots tourism development is saving a town from 28% unemployment with a bleak future to renewed life and historic tax revenues.
• Dodge City, Kansas decided not to participate in the recession. Learn how their dynamic CVB has played a major role in reaching 40% revenue growth and 4% unemployment.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

• Show your teams that excellence is attainable
• Creativity and innovation still rules the day
• Understanding new definitions for "Community"
• How technology is delivering transparency to customers
• The new imperative of partnerships
• Plus more...

There is always something to learn from these stories when you look at them in a certain way.

Phil Bruno is a tourism management and training consultant who has discovered more than two dozen instances within the U.S. travel and tourism industry of efforts that bucked trends for the recession and sluggish economy to succeed. He is also a contributing columnist to Group Tour Magazine's Travel Talk and Spotlight E-Magazine.

Face Time.  It Matters!  The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy
Robert Canton | Price Waterhouse Cooper 

Rob Canton is Director and National Practice Leader of the PwC Sports, Convention & Tourism Practice.  Over the past 25 years, Mr. Canton has provided strategic and economic planning services related to tourism destinations throughout the U.S. and on five continents.  He recently completed the 15-month study, on behalf of the Convention Industry Council and its member partners (including DMAI and the Destination & Travel Foundation), to estimate the impact of the meetings industry on the overall U.S. economy.  He has served on the Board of Directors of Tampa Bay Business for Culture & the Arts, the Board of Trustees of the Destination and Travel Foundation, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the University of New Haven Sports Industry Program.  A member of DMAI, PCMA, and the US Travel Association, Mr. Canton holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of South Florida and a Master of Tourism Administration from The George Washington University in Washington DC.

Engineering Experiences from Concept to Competitive Advantage
Joe Veneto | The Opportunity Guy

Joe Veneto is a 20-year veteran of the tourism industry and an expert in the areas of sales and development of tour & travel products. His experience has included work for national tour operators and major industry wholesalers on both the traditional and non-traditional sides of the distribution channels. He was part of a team at Collette Tours that transformed the company into one of the nation’s largest domestic tour wholesalers. He later joined Grand Circle Travel, a leading direct marketer of travel, to develop the company’s new cruisetour venture.

Today Opportunities Unlimited provides management consulting services, customized training and development seminars and marketing workshops. Organizations include government agencies, tourism marketing organizations, convention & visitors bureaus, hotel groups, historic attractions & museums, restaurants, tour operators and others. Joe’s unique experience enables him to create practical, results oriented programs tailored to meet his client’s individual business needs.

In addition to his consulting, Joe is a nationally recognized speaker. He presents programs annually for National Associations, Regional Tourism Groups, Governor’s Conferences and Convention & Visitors Bureaus. He has also authored several articles that have appeared in various travel trade publications.

Trends in Meetings & Conventions: Are You Meeting Expectations?
Kevin Johnston | Vice President of Plan Smart - a Division of Collinson Media & Events

Kevin R. Johnston, CMP's Experience

25 plus years has taught me much from my mistakes. 15 years in corporate marketing, 4 as an association exec and countless years as an entrepreneur designing & managing thousands of programs globally. Not many people in the industry I don't know or that don't know me.

- Founder and CEO of Advantage Event Group, an Atlanta based full service procurement | programming | production firm specializing in large scale meeting site selection/procurement and production.

- Managing Partner of Med Prof Ed, LLC, an international professional education firm delivering continuing medical education for Dermatological and Plastic Surgeons.

- Extensive experience in the development and design & redesign of new and existing conferences, trade shows & events that deliver stronger financial results.

- Have been heralded as a "Black belt Negotiator" due to the ability to call on an extensive network of hospitality and industry contacts to accomplish client goals and objectives.

- An active member of professional organizations including more than 20 years in Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

- Former International Board Member of Meetings Professional International (MPI).

- Have held and maintained the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation since 1991.

- Awarded National Speakers Association (NSA) Planner Partner of the Year Award, MPI Planner of the Year Award.

- Featured | Quoted | Published in a variety of publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Smart Meetings Magazine, PYM Magazine, Successful Meetings.

Mixing and Managing 4 Generations in the Workplace
John Johnson | Executive Director of the Hampton Citizens' Unity Commission

John L. Johnson is the Executive Director of the Hampton Citizens’ Unity Commission for the City of Hampton, Virginia.  He is responsible for leading and directing the City of Hampton’s efforts to ensure that Hampton becomes and remains a “Healthy Diverse Community”.  The work of the Hampton Citizens’ Unity Commission is guided by the Hampton Community Plan, adopted by Hampton City Council on February 8, 2006.  A “Healthy Diverse Community” is one of the eight key qualities identified in the Hampton Community Plan as being essential to our vision of “Making Hampton the Most Livable City in Virginia”.  John serves as a member of the Executive Management Team for the City of Hampton and works closely with other senior staff as well as faith community, business and educational leaders in our community and region.