Media Contact: LoAnn Halden

VP-Communications

loann.halden@iglta.org

 

 

Senior reps from Destination DC, Airbnb and Google will lead the philanthropic LGBTQ+ tourism board of directors

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (14 January 2021)—The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation began the new year with new officers at the helm. Theresa Belpulsi, Vice President of Tourism, Sports & Visitor Services for Destination DC, was named Chair of the board of directors; Maria Cuba, Senior Diversity and Belonging Business Partner at Airbnb; and Dougal Mckenzie, Head of Industry, Travel, at Google were appointed Co-Vice Chairs.

Tom Nichols, Vice President for Finance and Operations, Arcus Foundation; and Don Richardson, CFO for Brand USA, will serve as Co-Treasurers. Eddie Canaday, Director of Convention Sales, Washington D.C. area, Visit Salt Lake; and Scott Seed, Tourism & Hospitality Brand Marketing Consultant, will serve as Co-Secretaries.

“I am incredibly honored to be working with an extraordinary team from the staff at IGLTA and the boards of the association and the foundation,” Belpulsi said. “We will all continue to work hand-in-hand as we tackle the incredible challenges 2020 presented to our industry. The IGLTAF will remain focused on providing diverse market research for all our members, mentoring new LGBTQ+ businesses and emerging destinations, and delivering quality educational programing for the ‘new normal’ industry trends. We look forward to the days ahead where we can see beautiful smiling faces and share memories in person as we explore this incredible planet together through travel!”

The newly appointed officers lead a board that also includes: Immediate Past Chair Reginald Charlot, Managing Director, Tourism Market Development, NYC & Company; Pamela Herr, Founder, PH Events; Sean Howell, CEO, LGBT Foundation and Chair/Co-Founder, Hornet; Rika Jean-Francois, Head of CSR, ITB Berlin; Tom Kiely, CEO, Visit West Hollywood; Jim McMichael, Specialty Markets Manager, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; Dan Melesurgo, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, ASAE; Gary Murakami, Director, Global Sales, MGM Resorts International; Glenn Stress, Senior Director, Global B2B Marketing and Events, Marriott International; and John Tanzella, President/CEO, IGLTA.

In addition, the IGLTAF welcomed two new board members for 2021: Amy Martin-Ziegenfuss, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing, Media, Insights & Performance, Hilton; and Cheryl Richards, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, VisitDallas.

Upcoming IGLTAF projects will focus on strengthening the LGBTQ+ tourism network in India and creating a transgender advisory group to improve inclusive outreach within the IGLTA global network and the industry at large.

Photos and complete bios of the IGLTA board members are available at www.iglta.org/IGLTA-Foundation-Board-of-Directors. For high-res images, please email loann.halden@iglta.org.

For more information, please visit iglta.org/foundation

 

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About IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation: The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the global leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel and a proud Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBTQ+ travelers and expand LGBTQ+ tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact. IGLTA membership includes LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in more than 80 countries. In 2012, the philanthropic IGLTA Foundation was launched to support the mission of the association and its membership through education, research and leadership development. For more information: iglta.org, igltaconvention.org  or iglta.org/foundation and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @iglta or @IGLTAFoundation on Facebook.