TRAVELING

Thanks for joining us on Episode 18 with our guest Allison Parc, President & Founder at Brenne Whisky + Partner at Samson & Surrey. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.
In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events, hospitality and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Allison will guide us through her journey of discovering, launching and scaling Brenne, her award winning, 100% organic, seed-to-spirit single malt that is the first to be aged exclusively in both new French oak and cognac barrels and made in the heart of Cognac, France.
Allison Parc
President & Founder, Brenne Whisky
Partner, Samson & Surrey
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/allisonparc/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonpatel/

BIO:
A former professional ballerina, Allison Parc is an award-winning entrepreneur and noted public speaker as the founder and president of Brenne Whisky and partner at Samson & Surrey.

She is one of the leading American entrepreneurs in the world whisky segment, having created Brenne from scratch; a 100% organic, seed-to-spirit single malt that is the first to be aged exclusively in both new French oak and cognac barrels and made in the heart of Cognac, France. In 2017 and 2018, Allison was awarded an Icon of Whisky, being named the World Whisky Ambassador of the Year by Whisky Magazine USA, becoming the only woman to receive the award.

She’s been featured in Forbes, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Glamour Magazine and more as well as featured in many books around the subject of whisky and entrepreneurship. Allison is a respected speaker on the topics of start-ups, sales, dramatic career changes, & thriving in male-dominated industries, while residing in New York City with her French bulldog, Ernie (the intern).

INSTAGRAM:

@AllisonParc: https://www.instagram.com/allisonparc/

@BrenneWhisky: https://www.instagram.com/brennewhisky/

WEBSITES:

Brenne Whisky: https://www.brennewhisky.com/

Samson & Surrey: https://samsonandsurrey.com/

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 17 with our guest Johnnie White, Chief Executive Officer and EVP at American Society of Appraisers. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.
In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, hospitality, sports and tourism (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Johnnie will give us a snapshot of how he navigated the association marketplace, working his way up from the IT department to CEO. As an industry leader and innovator, he explains how continuous learning helped build out his skillsets and maximized professional opportunities. Why he subscribes to the mantra known as “The Mamba Mentality” famously developed by Kobe Bryant which empowers him to be the best version of himself. And how the meetings and events community can make changes towards recognizing unconscious bias to help influence change globally.
Johnnie White
Chief Executive Officer/EVP
American Society of Appraisers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnniewhiteceo/
BIO:
Johnnie White, CEO, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President, of the American Society of Appraisers is an association professional with close to 30 years serving in a variety of management and leadership roles. In addition, White serves as an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University and the Northern Virginia Community College. White holds his M.B.A. from University of Maryland University College. He has served in volunteer leadership roles for the American Society of Association Executives and the Professional Convention Management Association and has received numerous awards and recognitions for his association work. Connect online with Johnnie at ASA, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 22 with our guest Dennis Edwards, President & CEO at Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.
In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events, hospitality and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Denny will share his insight on new strategic investments into destination asset visualization tools, why sports will help power the travel rebound, how Raleigh is emerging as a global Esports leader and preparing for the return of live events.
Dennis Edwards
President & CEO
Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-edwards-639030a/
BIO:
Denny is the President and CEO for the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau whose role is to sell and market Greater Raleigh as a tourist and meetings destination. The GRCVB has a staff of 32 people and an annual budget of $8.2 million. He has served in this capacity since April 2007.
Prior to joining the GRCVB, Denny served as the Senior Vice President for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for ten years. A 38 year CVB veteran, Denny was also the Director of Sales for the Greater Houston CVB and prior to that served as the Director of Sales for the Palm Springs Desert Resorts CVB.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Travel & Tourism Coalition, East Carolina Hospitality Management Advisory Board, Wake County Economic Development and the Regional Transportation Alliance.
Denny served on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Association Executives, Professional Convention Management Association and Destinations International where he also served on the Foundation Board. He was an APEX Commissioner for the Convention Industry Council and also served on the International Association of Exhibitions and Events Exhibitor Advisory Council and is a past President for the Florida Chapter. Denny received the Business Leader 2009 Triangle Mover and Shaker Award.
An Iowa native, Denny is a graduate from the University of Northern Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Public Relations and minors in Business and Marketing. He and his wife Cindy have two boys Bryce and Drake.

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 19 with our guest Lisa Messina, Vice President of Sales at Caesars Entertainment. The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.
In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events, hospitality and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). In addition, Lisa will share how looking outside of the hospitality industry helps craft her strategic business approach. How Caesars Entertainment is navigating the new realities of contracting future group business travel opportunities, managing the health and wellness of her team members and how intermediaries are positioned to maximize this unique moment in time.
Lisa Messina
Vice President of Sales
Caesars Entertainment
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasmessina/
BIO:
Lisa Messina is the Vice President of Sales for Caesars Entertainment. In her role, Lisa leads a nationwide team of 160 sales professionals who represent and contract meetings and events for 80 properties within the United States.
Upon graduating from the Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Lisa built an extensive resume holding sales leadership roles for the past 25 years with some of the most recognized names in hospitality including Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, ConferenceDirect, and now Caesars Entertainment. She has worked major markets around the country in local, regional and global levels.
Originally from New Jersey, Lisa has lived in Las Vegas for the past 10 years with her husband Joe and two dogs Chuck, a chocolate Labrador retriever and Frankie, a white Labrador retriever. They enjoy being active and outdoors and taking in all the natural amenities the Las Vegas area has to offer.

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Thanks for joining us on Episode 20 with our guest David DuBois, President & CEO at International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). The Traveling Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.
In this episode we'll touch on the top stories in group business travel, live events, hospitality and sports (subscribe to the Market in a Minute newsletter). Our guest, David DuBois will share his thoughts on the current group business travel environment, the ongoing pandemic and how IAEE and other industry associations are advocating for the protection of the events through new legislation. In addition, David gives an update on the 2020 Expo! Expo! hybrid event taking place in Louisville this coming December.
David DuBois
President & CEO
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dubois-cae-cmp-fasae-cta-3a130a48/
BIO:
David DuBois is the President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and EventsTM (IAEE). As IAEE’s president, DuBois is responsible for the management of 23 full-time professional staff, producing the annual business operating plan and budget, overseeing the support of all meetings of governance units, leading business development, directing fund raising efforts, advocating for the industry and the organization’s members, providing organizational leadership and strategic counsel to the board. Also, he serves as the association’s representative with industry coalitions, partner organizations and strategic alliances.
DuBois began his career with Sheraton Corporation in various sales positions including Regional Director of Sales and the Director of Marketing Programs. He has served as both President and CEO, and Senior Vice President at the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) where he was responsible for all operations and a $7 million budget. As Senior Vice President he managed the development of 15 new chapters and was responsible for magazine advertising sales and membership recruitment and retention.
DuBois has also served as both the Chief Operating Officer at Meeting Professionals International (MPI) from 1996-2000. During this time, he supported programs and services for more than 16,000 members worldwide, and served as the Executive Vice President of the MPI Foundation. David has also served as MPI’s Vice President of Sales and Key Account Management and Vice President of Corporate Services.
Most recently, DuBois has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau where he had oversight and full responsibility of 42 staff, with the responsibility of attracting convention and tourism business with a $8.5 million budget.
DuBois has also served as a board member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE); Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Texas Society of Association Executives; board member and Chairman of the Dallas Fort Worth Tourism Council; and board member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves as Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Convention Industry Council (CIC). He also serves on the Board
of Directors for the Meetings Mean Business Coalition and the U.S. Travel Association.

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