The third round of speakers at TBEX North America 2019 is a collection of 14 highly skilled travel professionals who will provide travel media – including tourism brands, content creators, influencers and vloggers – with constructive information, tools, and innovative strategies for success in the current travel and tourism space. We are elated to announce the addition of yet another collection of exceptionally qualified travel professionals to our 2019 North America event!
Cory Lee Woodward was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of two, but that certainly has not diminished his desire to travel – wheelchair and all. He has traversed 6 continents and blogs about his accessible (and sometimes not so accessible) travel adventures on Curb Free With Cory Lee. From trekking through the Amazon Rainforest to riding a camel in the Sahara Desert and everything in between, Cory shows that anything is possible with enough determination. Since starting his blog in 2013, he has gained nearly 60,000 followers across social media and won the 2017 Lowell Thomas Award for Best Travel Blog. He was named Person of the Year by New Mobility Magazine and recently received a coveted Webby Award for the 2019 Best Personal Blog. Cory hopes to inspire others to break out of their comfort zones and start rolling around the world.
Rob Taylor is the founder of 2 Travel Dads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families as well) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. He lives by the motto, “Travel the globe and give the kids a broad worldview.”
Jiří Dužár works with Czech Tourism, the destination marketing agency of the Czech Republic. As Digital and Strategy Manager, he oversees digital and social media campaigns, content creation, and web and mobile apps development. He builds and executes digital, influencer and social media strategies in the United States and Canada. Jiri has worked with lifestyle and special interest media as well as with numerous bloggers and vloggers in order to gradually achieve superior customer engagement on CzechTourism’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram global accounts.
Jiri also brought together the three entities (CzechTourism, City of Ostrava and Moravian-Silesian Region) that hosted TBEX Ostrava 2018 and was author of the winning destination bid. Jiri also works as a freelance photo and video content creator in New York City and runs a small family-owned specialty coffee business in northern Czech Republic.
Ting Jung (TJ) is currently host of The Cutest Travel & Food Show with 1.6 million monthly Youtube views. The series promotes must-visit destinations through the lens of food. She’s been been featured in ELLE, SFGate, Refinery29, and was selected as a Youtube NextUp Creator and Short Awards finalist in the travel category.
Cindy Richards is Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist who serves as the Editor-in-Chief of TravelingMom.com and TravelingDad.com. She has been a reporter, editor and columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, an editor at Chicago Parent and Catalyst Chicago, and an instructor in the graduate school at Northwestern’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. She also is the mom of two grown kids who have traveled with her since that first, fateful plane ride when one preschooler discovered a barf bag in his seat pocket and his sister, finding none in hers, demanded, “I want a barf bag too!”
Keryn Means is a freelance writer and digital influencer living outside of Washington, DC. Her work has been featured in Travel Age West, Thrillist.com, ParentMap Magazine, Travelocity.com, TravelMindset.com, and several other print and digital publications. In 2017, Keryn launched Twist Travel magazine, a print and digital magazine that helps parents design a travel inspired life by bringing travel back into the home through décor, personal style, kid gear, and of course, getting out and seeing the world. She recently launched Walking On Media, LLC as the parent company for her family travel website, Walking On Travels. Keryn works with destinations and brands to create an authentic message that resonates with millennial and Gen X travelers, especially moms who don’t want to let go of their travel dreams.
Vanessa Chiasson is an award winning blogger, freelance writer, and digital strategist. She has presented for TBEX, CBC Radio, and CTV Ottawa and has been published by The Globe and Mail, USA Today, Flight Network, Ontario Tourism, Plum Deluxe, The Establishment, and more. In 2014 her blog, Turnipseed Travel, was named one of the 100 most influential travel blogs in the world by the White House.
Jeannine Crooks is Partner Acquisition & Development Manager with Awin US. She works closely with many of their largest programs such as Viator, Etsy, Motley Fool, and Hewlett Packard, and works with all types of publishers – especially bloggers – helping each to maximize their affiliate earnings. With 20 years in affiliate marketing, Jeannine is happy to share her knowledge to help others succeed in the industry she loves.
Lesli Peterson, Founder of 365 Atlanta Traveler, made her way to Georgia 20+ years ago after living in Germany, Japan, and six other American states. After 18 years in software development, Lesli bailed on the corporate scene. She now relishes the discovery of obscure, offbeat and unwonted places, and will chat up any willing stranger to uncover a new secret locale. 365 Atlanta Traveler spotlights travel destinations throughout the America, and covers all vacation styles – including adventure travel, family travel, and romantic holidays.
Jennifer Ruiz-Garay is a lawyer turned travel blogger and author. Her book, “The Affordable Flight Guide,” is a #1 Amazon bestseller and 2018 Readers’ Favorite Award winner. Jen is also a TEDx speaker and has been featured by The Washington Post, ABC News, The Huffington Post, and Matador Network. Her blog, Jen on a Jet Plane, inspires young professionals to see the travel using money saving, budget-conscious tips, and offers her audience solo travel secrets, remote work guides and bucket list destinations.
Tyra Hughley Smith is a jill of many trades. In addition to being a practicing attorney that represents bloggers, creatives, and small business owners, she is the creative genius behind BarrisTourista, a travel and foodie blog that focuses on local experiences, luxe travel, and culinary adventures through storytelling and compelling photography. Tyra is also a travel entrepreneur, and owns WanderAway travel subscription box, which brings travel to your doorstep.
Nathan Sado and his wife Sarah have been traveling the world full-time for the past six years. They developed Live Dream Discover, a lifestyle blog sharing their mantra that balanced living is the key to happiness and well-being. They have been featured on TripAdvisor, The Huffington Post, Travel Oregon, and several other media outlets. Nathan also manages several other websites and related services including a social media management service.
Dave Serino is the Founder and Chief Strategist at TwoSix Digital, and is a 30-year veteran of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. He has held marketing positions in hotels, resorts, and convention and visitors bureaus, along with launching two startup ventures and a national social media educational conference. He also developed the first tourism-focused social media measurement and ranking study to benchmark the 50 state tourism offices. Dave serves on the board of the West Michigan Tourist Association and is a member of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council’s Marketing Committee.
Sienna Spencer-Markles is a southern California native with extensive experience in the tourism, hospitality and entertainment industries. She is the ultimate “people person” whose personal warmth and enthusiasm for a good story form the backdrop of her success as a public relations professional.
Sienna is a graduate of The New School of Cooking, where she worked as a chef in some of L.A.’s top restaurants before launching into private catering, teaching cooking and producing food and wine events. She also holds a BA in Critical Studies & Writing from California State University, Los Angeles. Prior to her current position with McCue Communications, Sienna was a Segment Producer on the popular public radio show “Good Food” with host Evan Kleiman, which airs on the Los Angeles NPR station, KCRW. As a food writer, Sienna was also one of the first regular columnists for Edible Los Angeles, a national magazine highlighting the sustainable food movement.
TBEX NORTH AMERICA 2019
Billings Hotel & Convention Center, Billings, Montana
September 11 – 13, 2019
Register for TBEX North America 2019 in Billings, Montana and join over 600 traveling colleagues and peers for two full days of invaluable breakout sessions led by dozens of highly skilled speakers and influencers. The conference also offers prime speed networking opportunities with dozens of travel/tourism brands and DMO’s, official opening and closing night parties, exclusive Pre-BEX tours and more!
PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY FOR THE INCREDIBLE PRE-BEX day tours organized by our hosts, Visit Billings.
Looking forward to seeing everyone and learning some phenomenal stuff with y’all.