A 35-year veteran of the Travel & Tourism industry, Amir Eylon is President & CEO of Longwoods International, a premier market research consultancy that specializes in the travel and tourism industry. In this role, he oversees all aspects of daily operations, thought leadership, product & business development, and partnerships for this recognized brand in tourism market research.

Amir joined Longwoods international in 2015 from his previous role as Vice President, Partner Engagement with Brand USA, the public-private partnership serving as the destination marketing organization dedicated to increasing international visitation to the US. He led the team responsible for helping to increase its partnership base and focused on exceeding service expectation for those partners. During his tenure, Brand USA grew its base from 15 to over 475 partners, comprised of destination marketing organizations, state tourism offices, attractions, hotels, travel brands, airlines, and tour operators.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Amir served as Director of the Ohio Office of Tourism. Under his leadership, the state’s marketing programs realized a tremendous return on investment and contributed to the growth of the state’s then $40 billion tourism economy. These successful marketing efforts were often cited as the basis for the program’s many awards and recognitions during his tenure.

Amir is a regular speaker on market research and tourism at conferences and events around the country. His thoughts on the tourism industry and travel trends are often quoted in the media, and he has appeared in dozens of interviews among many national media outlets such as CNBC, MSNBC, Forbes, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times.

Amir has been recognized with a number of Industry honors including Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing award (2014) by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI); The Ohio Tourism Industry’s Highest Honor, The Paul Sherlock Award; and The State of Ohio Distinguished Service Medal. He is an active member of many Travel Industry committees and task forces, and currently serves on boards for the Destinations International Foundation and the U.S. Travel Association.

Amir holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Dayton and resides in Columbus, OH with his wife and two children.

A Louisiana native, John David is the President and CEO of the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA). As the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, Sports ETA is the most trusted resource for sports commissions, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and sports event owners.

John served as a member of the Sports ETA Board of Directors for eleven years, representing the Rights Holder category. In 2022, he became the Secretary of the Board, making him the first Rights Holder elected to the Executive Committee.

Prior to joining Sports ETA, John was the Chief Strategy Officer of USA BMX, the world’s largest sanctioning body for the Olympic sport of bicycle motocross racing (BMX). During his 23-year tenure at USA BMX, John helped the association double its membership and more than triple its revenue. He also produced two Olympic Trials, co-coordinated the unification of the sport in the USA, and spearheaded the campaign for the creation of the new USA BMX headquarters, arena, museum, and Hall of Fame in Tulsa, OK.

John serves on the City of Chandler Parks and Recreation Board and has received numerous industry awards. Most recently John was named one of the most Influential Event Professionals for 2024 by Northstar Media Group, and Sports ETA Rights Holder of the Year in 2021.

John and his wife Jennifer reside in Chandler, Arizona, and have three daughters: Faith, Grace, and Jolie.

Brian Jewell is vice president and executive editor of The Group Travel Leader Inc., a publishing company serving the group tourism market. He oversees the company’s print and online products, including flagship magazine The Group Travel Leader, which reaches 15,000 tour operators, travel agents, group leaders and other travel industry readers; Going On Faith, the national travel magazine for church groups, with an audience of 6,500 church travel planners; and Select Traveler, which reaches 4,100 bank club travel directors, university alumni travel directors and chamber of commerce travel planners. He also hosts the Gather and Go podcast, which helps professionals throughout the travel industry plan, promote and lead better trips.

Since 2004, Brian’s work has taken him to 48 U.S. states and more than 25 foreign countries. He resides in Lexington, Kentucky, with his wife Laura and children Daisy and Liam.

Neil’s love and adventures within the travel industry started on his return from travelling to Australia, Fiji, and the USA almost 20 years and several thousand flown miles ago. Neil joined TTM in 2013, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience developed at one of the UK’s largest tour operators. Neil proved a valuable member of the TTM team and became the first Director of the company outside of the owners. Neil is passionate about travel, which is clear to see when he talks about the destinations visited and the amazing experiences he has been privileged to encounter during his professional career and in his personal wanderlust for travel.

Loves: Spending time with his favourite people, the gym, afternoon tea, visiting a wide range of new places, country living, Birmingham City Football Club, and eating!

Motto best describing Neil’s approach to life: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

David joined TTM in 2019, having previously worked for a global sports league in the UK. Graduating with a degree in Journalism, David went on to develop his career in communications, working on large-scale media events and projects, while also writing for his own blog. Passionate about all things related to travel, David brings great experience to the team and delights in developing relationships with clients and the media.

Jen has over 20 years of facilitation and strategic planning experience. As a community engagement specialist and trained facilitator, Jen has developed equity-centered engagement strategies that respond to the needs of diverse community partners. She has worked extensively with clients to develop strategic communications that are sensitive and respectful of their goals and objectives.

Before joining Coraggio, Jen taught Sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and worked as a research consultant with the Insight Center for Workforce Development in Oakland, CA.

As the Principal of Coraggio’s Travel and Tourism Practice, Andrew is passionate about the intersections of development, sustainability, inclusion, accessibility, and community resiliency. Andrew brings an innovative approach to strategic processes and applications that support engaged clients who are empowered to affect change in their destinations. He has been a keynote speaker and facilitator at travel & tourism industry conferences all over the United States and across international communities.

Prior to his time with Coraggio, Andrew served as Director of Sustainable Tourism at the Leave No Trace organization, establishing the destination stewardship practice for the most well-known responsible visitor education organization in the United States. In just seven years—and with noted expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic—Leave No Trace grew to become one of the most recognized destination stewardship solutions in the U.S. travel industry and across the globe. In addition to working with a vibrant portfolio of international, state, county, and city DMOs, Andrew has developed meaningful and equitable relationships with Indigenous-led organizations, including the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and many Tribal Nations across the lower 48 United States. Andrew collaborates and leads industry-level change as an appointed U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member under the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

Lynne Coxwell began her career in the tourism industry in 2007, as a Domestic and Canadian Marketing Specialist for the Louisiana Office of Tourism. In 2009, with restructuring in the agency, she transitioned to the research section as a Research Policy Analyst. In April 2016, Lynne was promoted to Director of Research where she is charged with analyzing data; keeping the Louisiana travel industry abreast of significant travel trends and market changes; evaluating policies and procedures; administering the state historical markers program, along with many other job duties. In her 17 years in the industry, Lynne has built solid relationships for the state with industry partners, stakeholders, and vendors.

Prior to tourism, Lynne worked in the non-profit sector for several years. She holds a Masters of Business Administration from Southeast Louisiana University and a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Lynne is a member of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) where she achieved certification as a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) in 2012. She became a member of the Southeast States Chapter of TTRA (SETTRA) Board of Directors in 2012, where she served as Chair of Communications Committee from 2012 to 2016; was voted Secretary in 2013; then voted to Vice President in 2014 to 2016, where she also served as Co-Chair on the Conference Planning Committee for the 2015-2016 term; and served as Chapter President from 2016 to 2018. Lynne has been serving on the TTRA International Board of Directors since 2019 and is now Vice-President..

Jennifer Berthelot is a Baton Rouge native who has been in marketing and communications for nearly 20 years. From Louisiana State University to economic development and now in tourism, she has worked to promote Louisiana and its many virtues throughout her career.

As communications director for the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Jennifer manages domestic and international digital marketing, social media, public relations, and media relations. She has a passion for sharing what makes Louisiana a unique destination and providing visitors with an experience they did not expect. Jennifer serves on the executive committee of the American Advertising Federation of Baton Rouge, where she served as board president in fiscal year 2022.

Karron Clark Alford began her career in journalism after graduating from Louisiana State University. Over the last 20 years, she has spent most of her career working in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Prior to joining the Louisiana Office of Tourism in 2023, Karron spent 14 years at Visit Baton Rouge, serving in various roles.
Karron has served on many civic and tourism industry boards and committees over the years and enjoys giving back to the community through volunteer work.  
When not in the office, you’ll find Karron with her kids traveling and enjoying outdoor activities on land or water or wrapped up enjoying a good book. 
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