MARCH 22, 2024

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Jessica Blotter, Nicole Bordges, Cathy Cartier, Whitney Chaney, Chuck Davison, Yuliana Gonzalez, Barbara Hillman, Yvonne Hendrix, Andrew Leary, Charlie Littlejohns, Devin McConnell, Tina Riley, and Clara Tsang.

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

A man of the sea through and through, Greg Bombard helped build a family business that has made Catalina Island accessible to 33 million people and counting. When talking to the President and CEO of Catalina Express, his passion for the Catalina community, all things ocean-recreation related, and serving their customers shines through. Read on to learn more about the Bombard family’s deep roots in Catalina’s tourism industry and Greg’s unique perspective on hospitality in the transportation sector.

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Jessica Bohon, Terence Concannon, Ron Daniels, Sarah McCann, Sandy Olsen, Melyssa Reeves, Mina Robertson, Travis Scott, Carla Tenenbaum, Brian Wright, and Emma York.

AUGUST 25, 2023

A published author and cultural heritage and sustainable tourism expert with global experience, Dr. Mechelle Best has an outsize influence on California’s travel industry. She directly shapes the next generation of hospitality professionals as the Dean of the College of Health and Human Development at California State University Northridge, a role she was recently appointed to permanently after more than two years as Interim Dean. 

August 3, 2023

Following another year of tremendous growth, change, and innovation in our industry, we are proud to announce the winners of the 2023 CalTravel Awards, which recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations whose leadership efforts have significantly impacted the travel and tourism industry in California. Here are the 2023 CalTravel Award recipients. We know their stories will inspire you as much as they’ve inspired us!

JUNE 28, 2023

As we approach July 1—the beginning of CalTravel’s new leadership term—we’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new Officers, Executive Committee Directors, At-Large Board Directors, and Committee Chairs. These influential voices of the travel and tourism industry will be key in shaping the future of our association in 2023 and beyond and we are grateful for their commitment to serve.

JUNE 9, 2023

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Terry Kraft, Dennis Quinn, Anne-Marie Schiefer, Alex Stall, Matt Stiker, Mechelle Best, Chris Durrant, Nicole Hankton, Papia Gambelin, Nathan Kopp and Danny Orloff.

JUNE 2, 2023

Michael Krouse’s diverse professional journey rising through the ranks in California hospitality has given him a unique, well-rounded perspective of the industry. From his start as a tour bus driver and time as a hotel pro to seven years at Los Angeles Tourism and his current role at the helm of the Greater Ontario California (GO CAL) destination marketing organization, Michael has leveraged every opportunity and soaked up every experience — all the while watching the industry and marketing communications evolve over the decades.

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Cathy Claesson, Nichole Farley, Tyler Garcia, Shae Geary, Dani Hielscher, Kate Holden, Heather Johnston, Kris Kelley, Christine Lawson, Andrew Leary, Randy Lopez, Claire Muranaka, Rachel O’Neill-Cusey, Cassidy Roosen, Dan Rosenbaum, Theresa Smullen, and John Todora.

JANUARY 13, 2023

Steve Thomas did not set out to work in the travel and tourism industry. But his natural instincts for hospitality, effective leadership skills, and knack for human resources landed him the dream role that he is thriving in today. For the past five years, he has served as General Manager of Belmont Park Entertainment, a multi-faceted collection of attractions in San Diego’s Mission Beach neighborhood. 

OCTOBER 28, 2022

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Rory Davis, Chris Heywood, Ashley Johnson, Greg Long, Julie Madsen, Ted Molter, Kelly Powers, Alex Stall, and Lindsey Stevens.

OCTOBER 21, 2022

Dave and Roxanne Kendrick, co-founders of DogTrekker.com and longtime CalTravel members, have built a very successful and philanthropic platform to connect dog owners with pet-friendly travel destinations and experiences in the Golden State—simultaneously supporting dog rescue and adoption agencies throughout California. If you’ve attended a CalTravel Board Meeting or Summit in the past decade, chances are you’ve met (and pet!) one of their “Director of Barketing” Labrador Retrievers.

AUGUST 26, 2022

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Gabriella Borges, Scott Gentner, Doug McClain, Taylor Safford, Kate Skidmore, and Vanesa Zuzuarregui.

AUGUST 19, 2022

Following a year of tremendous change, growth, and transition, we are proud to announce the winners of the 2022 CalTravel Awards, which recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations whose leadership efforts have significantly impacted the travel and tourism industry in California. The awards will be presented at the 39th annual CalTravel Summit in Greater Palm Springs October 3-5, 2022. Read on to learn more about the 2022 CalTravel Award recipients. We know their stories will inspire you as much as they’ve inspired us!

JUNE 24, 2022

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Alex Bastian, Kristen Buhring, Kevin Carroll, Roger Dow, Sabrina Demayo Lockhart, Geoff Freeman, Bijal Patel, Vince Perez, Tim Schroepfer, and Terry Whitaker.

MAY 27, 2022

Several CalTravel members had the good fortune of experiencing Oceanside’s exciting evolution firsthand in February, when the spring board meeting took place at the fabulous, newly opened Mission Pacific Hotel. Our destination host, Leslee Gaul, CEO & President of Visit Oceanside, has played an instrumental role in shaping the northern San Diego County community’s development—from initiating a tourism marketing district to patiently championing two major beachfront hotel projects that recently came to fruition. A committed civic leader, skilled destination marketer, and mother of two, Gaul developed grit, resilience, and global perspective as a military spouse.

MAY 20, 2022

Organizations are continuing to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Join us in celebrating members’ successes and wishing them luck on their new adventures! Read on to see who’s going where, plus check out the latest open positions in our industry. In this edition: Tricia Alvernaz, Micha Boxer, Lynn Bruni-Perkins, Richard Cutting-Miller, Mark Haneke, Kristin McGrath, Dan Rosenbaum, and Patricia Snowden.

APRIL 8, 2022

Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of movement among members in the travel and tourism industry. Organizations are beginning to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Because we know members care about each other, we created Members on the Move to share who’s going where. In this edition: Tammy Blount-Canavan, Tracy Campbell, John Ehlenfeldt, Michelle Flippo, Donna Kalez, Doane Liu, Lindsay Moore, Scott Wilson.

MARCH 25, 2022

If you have had the pleasure of attending recent CalTravel Board meetings, then you have likely heard informative updates from Dyana Kelley, President & CEO of CampCalNOW, which supports California's thriving outdoor hospitality sector. The industry saw a massive surge in demand during the pandemic and, as Dyana explains in this interview, interest among travelers is expected to continue growing. While opportunities abound, some complex challenges and barriers to entry need to be addressed in order to protect business owners, guests, and the environment.

MARCH 18, 2022

Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of movement among members in the travel and tourism industry. Organizations are beginning to fill their open positions, members are expanding their horizons by taking on new roles, and others are saying “bon voyage” as they announce their well-earned retirements. Because we know members care about each other, we created Members on the Move to share who’s going where. David Attaway, Dana Higgins, Jane Howard, Maggie Ivy, Tony Karwowski, Michael Martelon, Jeff Miraglia, and Susan Valen.

JANUARY 18, 2022

A dynamic new leader is bringing fresh energy and vision to the Inland Empire’s travel industry. Freddy Bi took the helm of Discover Inland Empire as President and CEO in January 2021, and in less than a year’s time, has already made a big mark and completely reinvented the organization. He hired a diverse leadership team, built a talented sales and marketing force, secured new funding sources, and launched strategic international partnerships—among other accomplishments. And he’s just getting started.

JUNE 21, 2021

Since March 2017, Doane Liu has led the charge to further enhance and increase Los Angeles’ prominence and appeal as a world-class destination in his role of Executive Director of the Los Angeles City Tourism Department. One of his first orders of business was to create the city’s first-ever Tourism Master Plan, which was released in April 2020 after years of extensive research and development. The impressive, forward-thinking set of recommendations which was devised to help the City of Los Angeles optimize its potential as a global destination for the benefit of its 3.9 million residents may have been overshadowed by the pandemic, but now it’s serving as part of the city’s comeback solution.

MARCH 30, 2021

The California tourism family welcomed Jay Burress into our fold back in 2013, when he stepped into the role of President & CEO of Visit Anaheim. Between his five-year tenure leading Experience Arlington and 20 years working in Sales & Marketing for the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Burress has significant (Texas-sized!) experience with large-scale, high-profile events. Think World Series, World Cups, and Super Bowls…including the Super Bowl of the U.S. travel industry, IPW. So, it’s quite fitting and fortunate for California that Burress is deeply involved in shaping Anaheim and Orange County’s visitor industry and product development, including the noteworthy, multi-million-dollar expansion of the Anaheim Convention Center.

JANUARY 14, 2021

The latest subject of our Member Spotlight is Brittany DiBlasi, a rising star in California’s travel industry who consistently goes above-and-beyond the call of duty. Between her current role of Sales Manager at aRes Travel Inc and her volunteer work for CalTravel, Brittany’s determination, effervescent energy, and work ethic always shine through. A few years ago, Brittany took the reins of the CalTravel’s social media committee. Even while juggling the endlessly stressful demands of her day job during the tumultuous early months of the pandemic’s tidal wave of cancellations, she remained dedicated to helping CalTravel connect with its members and industry community virtually.

DECEMBER 10, 2020

No doubt, the pandemic has had—and continues to have—a devastating effect on our industry, the economy, and the health and welfare of so many. Yet, it’s the abundance of creative pivots and heartwarming demonstrations of human kindness and generosity that have made getting through this challenging time more bearable and even enriching. The subject of our latest Member Spotlight, Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, President & CEO of San Diego Convention Center, can attest to this. The many ways he and his team have pitched in to support their community in a critical time of need demonstrate that the power of travel has not been diminished.

OCTOBER 29, 2020

When we sat down to discuss the ideal candidate to feature in the first edition of CalTravel’s Member Spotlight series reboot, it was unanimous that we wanted Jean Paul (JP) Zapata. If you tuned into our DEI webinar in September, you heard from JP, who offered valuable insights as a passionate advocate for advancing DEI in the travel industry. With over 12 years of experience in English and Spanish-speaking roles across travel, politics, and fashion, today he specializes in media relations, crisis communications, and social media strategy.