2025 Summit Sessions:
Welcome and Introductions
Digital Marketing Strategies for 2025: What’s Next and What Matters
Carissa Parish | NYC Tourism + Conventions | Senior Vice President, Digital & Media
We Are Autism Ready - Are You?
Ashley Howes | Fayette Chamber | Membership & Digital Media Specialist | Autism Advocate
Laura Argenbright | GO Laurel Highlands | Senior Director of Creative Strategy
Pow! Master AI Techniques for Tourism Destinations
Sarah Benoit | Founder & Lead Instructor of JB Media Institute
Bringing Home the Win - A Game Changing Partnership
Sponsored by
Kurt Gingrich | Pittsburgh Steelers | Corporate Partnerships Manager
Peter Obletz | Pittsburgh Steelers | Partnership Activation Manager
Crafting the Right Media Mix on any Sized Budget
Sarah Benoit | Founder & Lead Instructor of JB Media Institute
Becoming a World Class Destination: It Takes Us All to Welcome All
Roni Weiss | Travel Unity | Executive Director
What’s Your Marketing Kryptonite? Ask the Marketing Panel
Mix it up! Closing Power Networking Reception
Sarah Benoit
Co-founder and Lead Instructor,
JB Media Institute, LLC
Sarah Benoit has worked in the web design, SEO, and social media fields since 2003 and has been teaching classes on related subjects since 2006. As President of Creative Original, she has built a wide variety of small business websites over the years. As Co-founder and Lead Instructor for the JB Media Institute, Sarah Benoit leverages her years of experience as a digital marketing strategist to create timely, relevant, and engaging training content. Sarah speaks, trains, and presents on digital marketing topics at conferences and events throughout the year in the Southeast and beyond.
Sarah received the 2017 Woman Executive of the Year award from WomanUp at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. She was inducted into Asheville’s 40 Under Forty in 2013 and is a graduate of Leadership Asheville. She is also a 2017 graduate of the Hive Global Leaders program.
Carissa Parrish
Senior Vice President, Digital and Media
New York City Tourism + Conventions
Carissa serves as Senior Vice President of Digital and Media at NYC Tourism + Conventions, the official Destination Marketing Organization of the five boroughs of New York City. She is responsible for driving innovation across digital, product development and media, leading a cross departmental team spanning 6 unique disciplines. Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise from her tech background, Carissa plays a pivotal role in ensuring the city remains a top global destination. Her responsibility extends to providing global oversight for all media campaigns and initiatives, ensuring they align with the organization's mission and resonate with travelers worldwide. Her leadership helps bridge the gap between traditional tourism marketing and the demands of today's digital age.
Peter Obletz
and
Kurt Gingrich
Pittsburgh Steelers
Corporate Partnerships and Activation
The Steelers Corporate Partnerships and Activation Department is responsible for developing and managing strategic relationships with corporate partners.
Roni Weiss
Executive Director, Travel Unity
Roni Weiss is the Executive Director of Travel Unity, a nonprofit dedicated to making the world of travel welcoming to people of all backgrounds and identities.
Born in New York and raised in Washington State, Roni earned his AAS with Honors at 12, graduated high school at 15, and received dual Bachelor's degrees in Drama and English at 18.
At Travel Unity, he has led the development of the organization’s Standards, providing a framework for inclusive practices, and oversees its individual and organizational certification programs. Through the Travel Unity Alliance, he connects organizations committed to inclusion in travel.
A seasoned traveler, Roni has visited 70+ countries—including every country in Europe—and six of the seven continents. He lives in Pleasantville, NY, with his partner, Lauren, and their four children.
Thank you to our Sponsors:
