Speakers
Expertise from local, regional and national leaders from across the industry and its sphere of influence.
Entertainment
Jordan Smith
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Jordan Smith has taken a traditional ideology and redefined what it means to be a man driven to provide for his family through sacrifice, absence, and fear of failure.
The American Dream is not for the faint of heart and when witnessed through the lyrics of Smith’s “Americana country” vibes, listeners are sure to experience everything from happiness to heartache.
Wyoming Musician | Legislative Reception Entertainment
Jasmine Pickner Bell
World Champion Hoop Dancer | Conference Welcome Entertainment
Speakers
Fred Dixon
President and CEO, Brand USA
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Fred Dixon is president and chief executive officer of Brand USA, the nation's public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts. In this role, Fred is responsible for accelerating the organization’s efforts to build and execute effective marketing strategies to increase U.S. travel exports, create jobs, strengthen the economy, and help enhance the image of the United States with people all over the world.
Fred Dixon began his tenure as Brand USA’s President and CEO on July 15, 2024. He brings with him more than 30 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. Immediately prior to joining Brand USA, he served as President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions for 10 years where he developed and implemented New York City’s tourism, meetings, and events strategy and programming to grow business and leisure travel from across the USA and from around the world.
Under his leadership of NYC Tourism + Conventions, international visitation more than doubled to more than 13 million travelers; the result of a long-term strategy to create a global network of outposts comprising sales, marketing, and press professionals in diverse feeder markets including Australia, China, Mexico, Brazil and the UK. Dixon is highly respected within the travel industry and serves on several association boards and committees. He is the Immediate Past Chair of Destinations International, serves on the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation Board, the board of IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, the U.S. Travel Association Executive Committee, and is a trustee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee.
Pete Comeau
Managing Director, Phocuswright
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Mr. Comeau is responsible for overall strategic and operational leadership at Phocuswright. Pete oversees all aspects of Phocuswright's commercial activities including product, sales and service, and marketing. He also plays a key role in product development and business development strategy for Phocuswright research, events and media businesses globally.
Pete is a frequent speaker at industry events and heads Phocuswright's coverage of startups and innovation. Mr. Comeau's travel industry career spans over two decades. Previously, he managed strategic partnerships at Orbitz in Chicago, where he assisted in growing and managing accounts for the Orbitz Partner Network. Prior to Orbitz, Pete was the sales leader at Moguls Mountain Travel, a ski tour wholesaler in Boulder, CO. He helped design, implement and maintain four reservation systems during his tenure and managed and mentored a team of successful sales agents.
Based in the Denver, Colorado area, Pete holds an M.B.A. from Daniels College of Business and graduated magna cum laude from Bowdoin College with a degree in government and economics.
Chris Brown
CEO, Wyoming Associations and Government Affairs Network (WAGAN)
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Chris Brown is the CEO of Wyoming Associations and Government Affairs Network (WAGAN) an association management, government affairs and public relations firm based in Cheyenne. WAGAN’s current client list includes the Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition and Powering Up Wyoming.
Brown began his hospitality career at age 16 in Massachusetts as a dishwasher, working his way throughout the industry until coming to Ft Collins, Colorado, with Outback Steakhouse in 1995. In 2001, Chris relocated to Cheyenne to open Wyoming’s second Outback Steakhouse, which he successfully ran for 10 years as Managing Partner. He built the Cheyenne Outback Steakhouse into one of the most successful OSI restaurants in the region, having been awarded “Partner of the Year” three times-in 2004, 2007 and 2010.
For the past 11 years Chris has successfully advocated on behalf of the hospitality, tourism, and renewable energy industries, among others.
He and his wife of 20 years, Shelby, reside in Cheyenne with their two children, Ryder and Owen.
Lori Yunker
VP of Marketing, Rocky Mountain International
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Lori Yunker is the VP of Marketing at RMI – a destination marketing firm specializing in international tourism promotion. Lori has spent her career as a marketing specialist promoting products, destinations, lifestyles and experiences. In her current role she is a key client strategist, helping her team develop marketing programs that increase international visitation to destinations of all sizes across the American West. Lori happily resides in Cheyenne, WY with her husband and two children.
Dan Flores
Head of Tourism, Satisfi Labs
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Daniel Flores is a seasoned business development leader with over 20 years of experience in the leisure, travel, and tourism industry. Renowned for his expertise in sales strategy, contract negotiations, operational execution, and customer service, Daniel is driven by a deep passion for enhancing the travel experience.
Currently serving as Vice President of Sales and Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, Daniel spearheads initiatives that leverage cutting-edge conversational AI to transform customer engagement across the tourism, entertainment, and sports sectors. Satisfi Labs’ platform, powered by natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), enables organizations to provide real-time, personalized responses to customer inquiries, scale customer service operations, and gain actionable insights through data-driven analytics.
Before joining Satisfi Labs, Daniel played a pivotal role in the success of Maverick Helicopters, where he helped grow Maverick Airlines and Mustang Helicopters to serve over 250,000 customers annually. His contributions expanded the reach of helicopter and airplane excursions to iconic destinations, including the Grand Canyon, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Hawaiian Islands. Daniel’s leadership extends beyond the workplace. He actively serves on various industry boards and committees, including the National Tour Association Board of Directors, the IITA Connectivity & Technology Task Force, US Travel’s National Council of Attractions and Experiences Board of Advisors, and the Development Committee for Tourism Cares. In recognition of his contributions, Daniel was honored as one of Las Vegas’ “40 Under 40” in 2017. With a proven track record and a diverse skill set, Daniel Flores continues to drive innovation and excellence in the tourism industry.
Dr. Anne Alexander
Director of Outreach & Engagement, UW Center | Assistant Dean, UW College of Business
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Dr. Anne Alexander is Director of Outreach and Engagement for the UW Center for Business and Economic Analysis and Assistant Dean of the UW College of Business. She has served as Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice Provost for Strategic Planning and Initiatives, and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at the University of Wyoming.
She earned her Ph.D. in Economics at UW, and her Master’s and BBA in Economics from New Mexico State University. Dr. Alexander’s research and teaching focuses on the history of American capitalism, international economics, and health economics. She regularly speaks to statewide audiences and state and national media about the status of Wyoming, US, and global economies. She has authored several publications on the political and economic impacts of transboundary pandemics and the productivity effects of various diseases.
Prior to her positions in Academic Affairs, she was the Director of International Programs and Associate Dean of Outreach at UW. She has also served as a Resources Economist in the U.S. Department of State and Director of the interdisciplinary Health Economics Policy Center at UW. She is an alumni of Leadership Wyoming, Class of 2013.
Andria Ryan
Partner, Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips LLP | Co-Chair, Hospitality Business Practice Group
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Andria Ryan is a partner in the Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips LLP. She serves as the co-chair of the firm's Hospitality Industry Practice Group. She represents numerous employers throughout the United States in various phases of labor and employment law. She spends much of her time counseling employers in day-to-day employment and labor decisions and educating employers about prevention and practical solutions to workplace problems.
Ms. Ryan is a guest lecturer at the Hospitality Programs at Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University on employment law topics. She has been honored by the Colorado, South Carolina and Washington Hospitality Associations for her contributions to those organizations.
In 2023, Ms. Ryan was awarded the Anthony Marshall Hospitality Lawyer of the Year award. She is a frequent speaker to hospitality associations and organizations, has authored numerous articles on employment law topics, serves on the editorial board for several publications and authored the Employment Law Hospitality Q&A for Lexis Practice Advisor. In 2023 Ms. Ryan was recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Atlanta Pro Bono Partnership Association.
Katlynn Land
Manager of Product Training, Simpleview
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Katlynn began working at Simpleview, a Granicus company in 2013 and serves as the Manager of Product Training. Katlynn received a Training Certificate from ATD Education, has completed Linkedin courses in Adult Learning and is a Certified Simpleview Master.
Her responsibilities include training customers on new database and website functionality, conducting webinar sessions and leading a team of training specialists as they empower our clients to use their Simpleview technology successfully.
Kathy Coleman
Employer Relations Manager, Greenheart International
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Kathy, has been a staffing professional since 2009 as well as a former legislator. She completed the Western Legislative Leadership Academy in 2013.
A Sheridan College alum she is now pursuing a PhD in Political Science from ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She currently works in the field of non-immigrant visa programs.
Courtny Hinds
General Manager, Wyoming State Fair
Jessica Seders
Executive Director and CEO, Campbell County Convention & Visitors Bureau/Gillette Main Street
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In 2010, Jessica relocated to Gillette from Southern Illinois with her husband Todd, and 2 children Janie and Nathan. She has a Bachelors in Psychology from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale and an MBA from Lindenwood University of St. Charles, MO.
Jessica was hired as the first executive director of Gillette Main Street in 2014. In this role she develops and administers the Main Street Program through economic development, historic preservation, community relations, and strengthening the relationships between businesses, consumers, and the local government.
In 2019 the Campbell County Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board and the Gillette Main Street Board announced a partnership of the two entities under the direction of one Executive Director. Jessica was named to serve as CEO/Executive Director of both organizations overseeing Campbell County’s tourism and marketing programs, as well as the revitalization and economic development efforts of downtown Gillette. Under Jessica’s leadership, Gillette Main Street has produced 36 annual community events and promotions that has revitalized downtown Gillette to its former prominence as the center of community activity. Most recently Jessica was involved in the recruitment and planning of the International Pathfinder Camporee event in August of 2024. The weeklong 60,000-person, international event that had participants from over 100 countries is the largest event to be held in history of Campbell County.
Ryan Hauck
Executive Director, Park County Travel Council/ Cody Yellowstone
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Ryan Hauck is the Executive Director for the Park County Travel Council, otherwise known as Cody Yellowstone.
Ryan graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in Marketing, and minor in Psychology. Ryan has held successful careers with two Wyoming DMO organizations and in the private sector as a receptive operator for the Western US and Canada.
Ryan is a dynamic leader and forward-thinking Executive Director, dedicated to promoting the natural beauty and cultural richness of Park County, WY to visitors from around the world. With a deep appreciation for the unique offerings of the destination, Ryan brings a wealth of expertise in destination marketing, sustainable tourism development, and community engagement.
Katie Stadius
Director of Strategy, Zartico
Diane Shober
Executive Director, Wyoming Office of Tourism
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A native of the Cowboy State, Diane is the Executive Director for the Wyoming Office of Tourism, where she has led the state’s promotional efforts since June 2003. Growing up in Wyoming, Diane understands the importance of the travel and tourism industry in Wyoming. She has a firm grasp on how to strategically market the state’s natural wonders and Western hospitality.
Diane's commitment to excellence, strong work ethic, and innovative thinking have left an enduring legacy. Her expertise extends to all facets of organizational development, encompassing strategy, capabilities, structure, processes, systems, rewards, and recognition. She has played a pivotal role in tracking and championing statewide and national policy initiatives that support balanced recreation access and positive tourism economic growth.
One of the most significant industry achievements under her leadership includes the passage of a statewide lodging tax that now funds agency operations. Diane has overseen the organization’s budget growth from less than $3 million to over $19 million. Under Diane's leadership, Wyoming has experienced a consistent increase in year-over-year visitor spending, significantly boosting the local economy. This growth in tourism has led to enhanced economic benefits for communities across the state, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and generating additional tax revenue that funds essential public services. She continues to serve the industry and state, representing Wyoming on various boards, including the Western States Tourism Policy Council, the National Council of State Tourism Directors, the University of Wyoming College of Business Advisory Board, and the Wyoming State Fair Board.
Diane also serves on the advisory board for the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative, where she and others proudly led the establishment and funding of degree programs at the University of Wyoming and community colleges, aimed at building a skilled workforce for tomorrow. In 2024, Diane was appointed to the U.S. Travel Association Executive Board. The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.2 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to the nation's economy and success. Diane was also on the inaugural board for Brand USA and has served with numerous professional and civic organizations throughout her life. In August 2012, Diane was named “State Tourism Director of the Year” by the National Council of State Tourism Directors.
This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors.
