Travel Talk: Driving Our Destinations

Tourism Talk: Summer 2020 is here! How are Southern California’s prime destinations welcoming travelers back?

Summer kicks off next week and Southern California destinations are getting ready to reopen to travelers once again. Knowing drive markets will take center stage as travel recovers, PRSA-LA is proud to offer a leisure, business, and destination industry roundtable “Driving Our Destinations: Communication Strategies to Welcome Travelers in 2020.”

Designed for marketing and communication professionals in travel, tourism, entertainment, and hospitality, this event will offer smart strategies and insights to plan your own post COVID-19 reopening strategies.

FEATURED PANELISTS

Julie Wagner, CEO, Beverly Hills CVB

As CEO, Julie Wagner leads the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau (BHCVB) and guides the strategy, development, and implementation of the office’s efforts in positioning Beverly Hills as a modern, glamorous, and world-class destination for those seeking the pinnacle of luxury. Calling on more than 25 years of experience in hospitality marketing, Wagner, along with BHCVB’s Board of Directors which consists of some of the leading business owners and managers in the city, directs a global marketing strategy with a focus on the United States, China, UK, Australia, India and the Middle East, with BHCVB participating in the full International Luxury Travel Market global portfolio. Her efforts encourage tourism and commerce, providing unparalleled opulent experiences while supporting local businesses and encouraging the brand innovations and concept evolutions that entice visitors to return.

Mark Rudyk, Executive Director, Visit Carlsbad

An expert in traditional and online marketing, Mark Rudyk offers over 15 years of expertise in branding and destination marketing, print design and production to digital/web programming and project management. Mark leads the integrated marketing campaign for Visit Carlsbad, and leverages multiple digital & traditional platforms in an ever-changing and evolving technological marketing landscape.

Jenny Wedge, Director of PR & Community Relations, Travel Costa Mesa

With over 15 years of experience in media relations, crisis communications and strategic planning, Jenny Wedge leads the communications and public relations effort for Travel Costa Mesa to drive awareness, visitation and to support the destination’s overall business goals. A long-time member of PRSA and former president of OCPRSA, Jenny has worked with leading destination such as Newport Beach, Orange County Visitors Association, City of Orange, and others.

Ryan Becker ,Vice President of Communications, Visit California

Ryan Becker is the vice president of Communications for Visit California. He leads the team responsible for developing communications strategies that promote Visit California’s mission to cultivate demand for the California brand. These strategies encompass corporate communications, media relations, industry relations and public affairs initiatives.

MODERATOR: The panel will be moderated by recognized Travel Writer Author, Sucheta Rawal.

Sucheta Rawal is a travel expert with a mission to raise awareness of the world through meaningful travel and cultural understanding. Drawing from her own experience of traveling to 100 countries across 7 continents, Sucheta speaks to businesses on how to make travel sustainable, accessible, and profitable. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Go Eat Give, as well as a freelance travel writer for CNN. Named one of the Top 30 Most Influential Travel Bloggers in The World, 40 Under 40 Best and the Brightest in GA, and Top 5 Cultural Bloggers in the World, Sucheta is an award-winning food and travel writer, cooking instructor and philanthropist. Originally from India, Sucheta started discovering the world when she moved to United States at the age of seventeen.