HomeTourismConnect

Join industry leaders and regional hospitality businesses as they share the story of tourism and its impact on our tri-state area of Southern Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Cape May County in Southern New Jersey. Our goal is to explore and reveal opportunities for collaboration that will positively impact the overall economic benefit of hosting visitors in our region.

Our inaugural summit will focus on shared challenges and opportunities, development of strategic partnerships, and initiatives for growing tourism, as it’s one of the leading economic drivers in our respective states' economies.

The day offers networking opportunities and break-out sessions focused on hotel development, culinary tourism, transportation, and evolving changes in the region's travel, tourism, public relations and marketing landscapes.

Conference Schedule:

Registration & Continental Breakfast begins at 7:15am

Morning Sessions:

8:30 a.m - Welcome

9:00 a.m. - CEO Check-In: A View From The Top

10:00 a.m. - Eat, Drink, The Coast

11:00 a.m. - Trains, Planes, Automobiles & Ferries

Welcome from PRSA Delaware Chapter representative and Scott Thomas, Executive Director, Southern Delaware Tourism

Scott Thomas
Executive Director, Southern Delaware Tourism

Throughout multiple jobs and many adventures, Scott Thomas has traveled extensively and has had the good fortune to experience many places. Scott is a business school graduate of the University of Maryland and worked in the telecommunications industry for 10 years as a marketing communications professional. In 2003, he and his wife finally achieved their goal of returning back to Southern Delaware. It was then that Scott entered the tourism industry. Since 2007, he has served as Executive Director of Southern Delaware Tourism, the Destination Marketing Organization for Sussex County, Delaware. In addition, he serves on the board of directors for the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee, Delaware Botanic Gardens and the Fort Miles Museum. Scott loves living in Southern Delaware and never runs out of reasons for enticing you to visit there.

Learn from top hospitality executives about the changing consumer base, as well as the ways in which the competition is pressing these executives to lead their brands and differentiate their companies.

Dan Flannery
CEO, Cape Resorts
Dan Flannery joined Cape Resorts as CEO in June 2022. A hospitality veteran with over 40 years of experience, Mr. Flannery entered the hospitality industry in 1981. He held key positions at Marriott before joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in 2002 as GM of The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Flannery became area GM for both the Battery Park and Central Park hotels. He was COO at Morgans Hotel Group from 2011-2014 before returning to Marriott as Senior VP and managing director of EDITION, the award-winning lifestyle brand he helped create and launch in 2009. Over his career, Mr. Flannery also helped to develop some of Marriott’s most successful concept restaurants.

Drew DiFonzo
Vice President, Operations, TKo Hotels
Drew is a second-generation hotelier that has an immense passion for the industry. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management and minors in Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Studies. After graduating from the University of Delaware, Drew joined the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel New York in their Management Development Program. Upon graduation from the program, Drew became a Banquet Manager, where he was named Manager of the Year in 2014. He joined TKo Hospitality as the General Manager of the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach in April 2017. In January 2022, Drew was promoted to Vice President, Operations for TKo Hospitality. He is extremely active in the community, serving on the board for the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association, Dewey Beach Business Partnership, Southern DE Tourism, and Rehoboth Beach/Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Moderator
Jake Owens
Editor, Delaware Business Times
Jacob Owens is an award-winning editor of the Delaware Business Times, the only print business journal serving the First State. A lifelong Delawarean, he has managed and written for numerous newspapers in Maryland and Delaware in a more than 15-year career in journalism. Today, the husband and father of two resides in Middletown.

Learn from top hospitality executives how restaurants often spring up around tourist attractions, but what if local cuisine could draw visitors on their own? Today, travelers are really looking for experiences. Culinary tourist destinations don’t happen on their own, they require intentional, collaborative efforts to connect with potential consumers. This is an opportunity to learn some of the secret ingredients from local leaders in culinary tourism.

Mariah Calagione
Dogfish Head Co-Founder & Social Impact Leader

Mariah Calagione co-founded Dogfish Head with her husband Sam in coastal Delaware back in 1995. In addition to overall company leadership, Mariah’s focus at Dogfish Head has included marketing, with a specialty in social media, community engagement and philanthropy via Dogfish’s Beer & Benevolence program.

In 2019, Dogfish Head merged with the Boston Beer Company and recently Mariah was tapped to lead Boston Beer’s newly formed Social Impact Team. As the leader of the team, she works across the organization and in partnership with the company’s brands to support philanthropy, social partnerships, coworker volunteerism, community engagement and the company’s DE&I work.

Scott Grapski

Managing Partner/Marketing & Development

La Vida Hospitality

Josh Grapski offers over 25 years of restaurant experience as a business owner. A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, he currently runs La Vida Hospitality with Marketing & Development oversight of three Brands: Crooked Hammock Brewery, Big Chill, and Taco Reho.

Chef Jordan Lloyd

Owner, Hambleton House Events & Catering

Working in kitchens since he was 13, his drive to learn from the best has placed him on the line with star chefs such as Michel Richard, Thomas Keller, Chef Joel Antunes and the Godfather of French cooking, Christian Delouvrier.

Bringing his family back home in 2008, Jordan and his wife began developing their own hospitality brand, Hambleton House LLC. Bartlett Pear Inn was their first venture under the Hambleton House umbrella. For a decade, BPI was known as the pinnacle of Eastern Shore dining with a particular passion for expressing local ingredients across all of the food and beverage menus. Hambleton House is now focused on offering the same level of quality and integrity across the shore with their catering operation. His breadth of experiences in every aspect of hospitality and food service allow him to bring a wealth of flavor and knowledge to any situation.

Moderator
Pam George
Food & Travel Freelancer for Delaware Today and other media

Pam George is an award-winning writer best known for covering Delaware’s dining scene. Her work regularly appears in Delaware Today, Delaware Beach Life, Edible Delmarva and Out & About. She has also written for Forbes, the Christian Science Monitor, Men’s Health, airline magazines and numerous trade magazines on the food and restaurant industries.

In addition to magazine and content writing, she is the author of six books about Delaware, Delaware companies and Delaware artists.

She divides her time between Wilmington and Lewes.

We’ve all watched the movies, Trains, Planes and Automobiles, National Lampoon’s Vacation or even Up In the Air. From traveling to a destination to exploring it upon arrival, mobility is at the heart of travel – and it’s continuously evolving. We’re gathering the region’s transportation experts and trailblazers to discuss travel’s growth and innovation and showcase various modes of transportation and how the region is redefining how travelers will access our tri-state region.

Thomas J. Cook

Executive Director, Delaware River & Bay Authority

Heath Gehrke

Director of Ferry Operations, Delaware River & Bay Authority/Cape May - Lewes Ferry

Heath Gehrke serves as the Director of Ferry Operations for the Cape May – Lewes Ferry, which currently operates three vehicle and passenger ferries across the mouth of the Delaware Bay from Lewes, DE to Cape May, NJ. He started his career at the ferry in 2004.

A native of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, he is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Purdue – Calumet.

As a midshipmen and graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy, Mr. Gehrke’s sea service included tours with American President Lines, Mormac Tankers, Military Sealift Command, and as a licensed officer aboard several inland riverboat casinos. He holds licenses as Master of inland vessels and 3rd Mate of ocean vessels.
Having served as a commander with the Naval Reserve’s Strategic Sealift Officer Group, his tours of duty included Singapore; Naples, Italy; and Pusan, South Korea.

Mr. Gehrke resides in Lewes, DE with his wife, Kelli.

Charles R. (C.R.) McLeod III

Director of Community Relations, Delaware Department of Transportation

Kristen Pironis

Executive Director, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County for the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study

Kristen Pironis is the executive director for Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, the nonprofit, destination marketing and management organization. She serves on the Anne Arundel County Local Workforce Development Board, is the treasurer of Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, and the chair of the Maryland State Library Board.

Clint Sterling
Director, Somerset County Recreation, Parks and Tourism for the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study
Clint Sterling is the Director of Somerset County Maryland’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism since 2012. He serves on the State of Maryland’s Rural Legacy Advisory Board, The Eastern Shore Regional Trail Steering Committee and is the incoming Vice President of the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Officials.

Moderator

Theresa Medoff

Lead Editor, AAA World and AAA Traveler Worldwide
Theresa Medoff is the lead editor at Wilmington, Delaware-based AAA Club Alliance. She is responsible for producing ACA’s two award-winning magazines: the bimonthly AAA World, sent to 2.6 million AAA member households, and the quarterly AAA Traveler Worldwise, a glossy high-end travel publication mailed to 170,000 frequent travelers.

Lunch:

12pm - 1:15pm
The State of Tourism

Tourism is an integral part of Southern Delaware’s economy. Learn about the overall visitor trends in Delaware as well as hints and tips that can help you be more versatile and impactful when planning local tourism campaigns.

Learn about the strategy and tactics that Delaware Tourism has employed to grow Delaware tourism to new heights. From research, brand and outdoor recreation to meetings, conventions, PR and so much more! Learn ways you can engage as we charge forward and learn about the 2023 Summer Campaign!

Keynote Speaker:

Jessica Welch
Director of Delaware Tourism

Jessica Welch is Director of the Delaware Tourism Office. She was appointed director in August 2022.

Prior to her role in the Delaware Tourism Office, Jessica was Communications Director for the Delaware Division of Small Business, the state agency where the Tourism Office is housed. Jessica previously worked as the Director of Public Relations for the Delaware State Housing Authority. She also has past experience in marketing and media relations roles at Hagley Museum and Library and the Delaware Office of Management and Budget and worked as a state government reporter for the Delaware State News.

Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from the University of Delaware, and a master’s degree in public administration from Wilmington University. She lives with her family in Milford.

Afternoon Sessions:

1:30pm - Small DMO, Big Impact

2:30pm - The Pitch: Real Time Feedback for Effective Media Pitching

3:30pm - The Power of PR Partnerships: Road Trip Edition

Do you have champagne dreams but a beer budget? Don’t let the size of your budget hold you back from making BIG things happen! In this session, small DMO’s will share their experiences on how to have a big impact without a huge investment. Be inspired by examples of creative marketing and programmatic innovations and learn how local collaborations can enhance the tourism product and visitor experience.

Scott Thomas

Executive Director, Southern Delaware Tourism

Throughout multiple jobs and many adventures, Scott Thomas has traveed extensively and has had the good fortune to experience many places. Scott is a business school graduate of the University of Maryland and worked in the telecommunications industry for 10 years as a marketing communications professional. In 2003, he and his wife finally achieved their goal of returning back to Southern Delaware. It was then that Scott entered the tourism industry. Since 2007, he has served as Executive Director of Southern Delaware Tourism, the Destination Marketing Organization for Sussex County, Delaware. In addition, he serves on the board of directors for the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee, Delaware Botanic Gardens and the Fort Miles Museum. Scott loves living in Southern Delaware and never runs out of reasons for enticing you to visit there.

Diane Wieland

Director of Tourism, Public Information, and Culture & Heritage, Cape May County, NJ

Diane has served in county government since 1975, and as Director of the Cape May County Department of Tourism since 1995. She is currently the Chairperson of the Southern Shore DMO, and serves on the Board of the Jersey Shore Partnership, and the New Jersey Travel Industry Association.

She is the Cape May County Public Information Officer and oversees the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage and works with state and local Arts and History organizations.

Diane has earned numerous national and state awards for her innovative domestic and international marketing campaigns. She manages the marketing efforts in Canada targeting visitors from Quebec and Ontario. Diane's marketing and research work has been recognized throughout the State. She has been asked to serve as a speaker and panelist at conferences in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Alaska.

Tom Perlozzo

Director of Tourism & Business Development

Ocean City
Tom began his career as Ocean City’s Director of Recreation and Parks in 1985, creating the renowned Eagle's Landing Golf Course, Winterfest of Lights event, and enhancing Northside Park facilities and programs. He spent 15 years building his golf tourism company, managed the Mid-Atlantic, Florida, and Caribbean territories for the Sports Illustrated Golf Group. He served as Worcester County, Maryland's Director of Recreation, Parks, Tourism, and Economic Development and currently serves as Director of Tourism and Business Development for the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. His background in overseeing multiple facets of community development prepared him well for the challenges and opportunities of Ocean City's dynamic tourism industry. Tom is a graduate of West Virginia University and calls Ocean City, Maryland his home.

Moderator

Holly DeKarske

Executive Director, Easton Economic Development Corporation

Holly is the Executive Director for the Easton EDC that manages economic and community development for the town of Easton, Maryland. Easton is a nationally designated Main Street Program as well as a state designated Arts & Entertainment District, both falling under the purview of the Easton EDC. Holly and her team are responsible for tourism marketing, downtown events, development, and business recruitment and retention.

Holly was previously the Executive Director for Venture Lititz, Downtown Lititz’s Nationally-Accredited Main Street Program in Pennsylvania. She was responsible for various downtown events such as the Taste of Lititz and Lititz Fire & Ice. In this role, she was responsible for the overall economic and community development projects and programs for Lititz and also served as a board member of the Lititz Regional Community Development Corporation.

Want to write the ideal pitch that will get national and regional media attention? Meet the experts who judge pitches on a daily basis. Not only will you learn to perfect an attention-grabbing pitch that will maximize media response and deliver big results, but you might just land a story on the spot!

Ty Sawyer

Executive Vice President, Wayne’s World Media Group
Ty Sawyer is a 25-year travel media and marketing veteran with a noted career of awards, accolades, and achievements. As an editor, writer, and brand visionary, he shaped the landscape of traditional travel media early in his career at such noted titles as ISLANDS magazine. Ty’s innovation pivoted into digital marketing, social media, and digital branding and content creation. Ty's expertise as a marketing and branding specialist has included work with top-tier tourism boards and lifestyle brands globally, including more than 20-years of work with Tahiti-tourisme, the Cayman Islands, Body Glove and Maui Jim's. As a marketing executive at Wayne's World Media, Ty's dynamic and creative leadership continue to drive positive change in the international travel and tourism media arena.

Carole L. Whitaker

Founding Publisher & Editor, Edible Delmarva

Carole Whitaker is Editor and Founding Co-Publisher of Edible Delmarva, a seasonal culinary magazine and on-line presence launched in 2017, dedicated to fresh, local season food and the people who grow and prepare it in Delaware and Eastern Shore Maryland and Virginia. Her previous career was in communications and public relations in senior positions at the University of Vermont, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Nestle Foods.

Theresa Medoff

Lead Editor, AAA World and AAA Traveler Worldwide
Theresa Medoff is the lead editor at Wilmington, Delaware-based AAA Club Alliance. She is responsible for producing ACA’s two award-winning magazines: the bimonthly AAA World, sent to 2.6 million AAA member households, and the quarterly AAA Traveler Worldwide, a glossy high-end travel publication mailed to 170,000 frequent travelers.

Jim Johnson
Executive Editor, APG/Chesapeake
Jim Johnson is the executive editor for APG/Chesapeake, overseeing the news operations for a dozen APG newspapers in Maryland and Delaware. He has worked in newsrooms large and small during his 43-year career, including owning two weekly newspapers in Iowa communities that were dependent on tourism. In those communities, he published annual tourism guides that were distributed statewide. He and his wife live in Cambridge on Maryland's Eastern Shore. They have two grown daughters and a son.

Moderator
Laurie Jensen
Director of Public Relations, Wilmington University

With many travel destinations lean on budget, learn how DMO’s and travel and hospitality companies are joining forces to maximize budgets and achieve amazing press results. During this session, learn to flex your network and maximize your marketing and PR budgets to achieve million-dollar results. Learn from fellow PR & Marketing pros who have partnered with nearby destinations and attractions in creating an expanded road trip experience for journalists that have landed them coverage in National and Regional publications.

Leslie Troy

Communications Manager, Department of Commerce Office of Tourism, State of Maryland

Leslie Troy is an accomplished communications professional, strategist, and storyteller excelling in shaping headlines and crafting captivating narratives for more than two decades. From dazzling Hollywood as an entertainment publicist to spotlighting picturesque travel destinations, Leslie currently serves as the Communications Manager with the Maryland Office of Tourism overseeing the PR & Social Media team

Shannon Migita

Account Director, Baltz & Company, representing Southern Delaware Tourism

Shannon Migita is a Los Angeles based communications professional with over a decade of luxury lifestyle experience. Prior to joining Baltz & Company in January 2021, Migita oversaw the lifestyle arm of Lexus’ US PR efforts, including chef and hotel partnerships and marketing initiatives at Publicis Groupe’s Team One. During her tenure at the agency, Migita helped spearhead communications for the Lexus Culinary Masters platform featuring renowned chefs Daniel Boulud, Carlo Mirarchi, Dominque Crenn, Stephanie Izard, and Ludo Lefebvre. Migita began her career in Philadelphia and Miami and spent six years working in Miami’s leading lifestyle PR agencies representing award-winning clients including James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur Stephen Starr’s South Florida portfolio, The Raleigh Hotel, and the 1 Hotel South Beach including its brand debut. With a passion for culinary PR, Migita has successfully launched restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and South Florida. She is a graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in Strategic and Organizational Communications and Spanish.

Moderator

Anne Ryan

Founder, Danika Communications

Conference Schedule:

Morning Sessions:

Lunch:

Afternoon Sessions:

Thank you to our location sponsor,

Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center!

Conference Schedule:

Morning Sessions:

Lunch:

Afternoon Sessions:

Thank you to our location sponsor,

﻿Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center!

Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center!