Speakers

The 2020 Wisconsin Fall Tourism Conference will feature speakers Amir Eylon, President & CEO of Longwoods International and WI Dept. of Tourism Secretary-Designee Sara Meaney among others. Speaker bios are listed below.  



Amir Eylon - President & CEO 

Longwoods International 

A thirty-year veteran of the Travel & Tourism industry, Amir leads the entire team responsible for the development and execution of all facets of the organization from program development to customer acquisition and retention. He joined Longwoods 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 Brand USA's partnership base and ensuring that participants received excellent service throughout Brand USA's deployment of joint marketing programs. During his tenure, Brand USA grew its base to 475 partners, comprised of destination marketing organizations, convention and visitor bureaus, attractions, 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 $40 billion tourism economy. The programs he developed leveraged industry and nontraditional partnerships that generated $14 in new state and local taxes for every $1 invested and included active participation by thousands of Ohio's tourism-related businesses. He has also served as Executive Vice President of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, Assistant Director of the Ohio Tourism Division, and Sales & Marketing Manager with the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau.He 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.Amir holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Dayton.

Sara Meaney - Secretary-designee 

Wisconsin Department of Tourism

Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Sara Meaney built her marketing and leadership expertise through a wide variety of industries and global experiences. A Milwaukee, Wisconsin native and world traveler, Meaney began her career working in healthcare marketing and corporate sales after graduating with a psychology degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Meaney’s early career led her to Denver, Colorado and Dublin, Ireland. Upon returning home to Milwaukee, Meaney channeled her entrepreneurial side and launched her own company, Comet Branding + PR, a specialized digital communications agency, in 2009. The success and quick growth of Comet led Meaney to merge the company with Hanson Dodge Creative, where she was a partner and served as President of Strategy and Growth.

Meaney joined the Milwaukee-based advertising agency BVK in 2013 as Managing Director, where she oversaw the earned media practices for the agency, which include public relations, social media, promotions and experiential marketing. There, she led teams in data-driven strategic marketing planning and execution for multiple tourism and hospitality clients, including Visit Orlando, Wyoming Office of Tourism, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, Funjet Vacations and United Airlines Vacations. 

Meaney became Chief Marketing and Development Officer of Milwaukee Film in 2018 after serving on the board of directors for six years. There, she planned and executed all marketing, fundraising and growth efforts for the organization and its programs to promote Milwaukee as a destination for film. Not only did Meaney’s efforts result in record media coverage of events, her fundraising campaign to renovate Milwaukee’s historic Oriental Theatre was the largest fundraising campaign in the organization’s history. 

In 2019, Meaney was appointed as Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism where she combines her love for Wisconsin and her tourism and destination marketing expertise to lead the promotion of the state as a top travel destination in the Midwest.

Meaney is a nationally renowned keynote speaker and university guest lecturer. In 2010, Meaney was recognized in the Business Journal’s Forty under 40. In addition to her formal education, she completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School and Kellogg School of Management. Meaney and her husband Brian live in Milwaukee with their four children.

Dr. Robert Davis - President and CEO

African American Holocaust Museum

Dr. Davis is the President and CEO of African American Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee and Co-chairs the Wisconsin Governor's Council on Tourism's Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) Committee. He is a board member of the African American Association of Museums and is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

He has more than 28 years of zoo, aquarium, museum and non-profit leadership experience.  From 2017 to present he was the Principal of DRMD Strategies, LLC.  From 2016 to 2017, he was the President and CEO of the Dubuque County Historical Society and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.  Prior to that, Dr. Davis served for 10½ years as the President and CEO of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee.  His previous leadership roles also include Vice President of Education at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Director of Education and External Affairs at Zoo Atlanta, and Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park in Washington, DC.

 Throughout his professional career, he has provided visionary and operational leadership for various zoo, aquarium and museum institutions while collaborating with academic, scientific and conservation organizations.  One of Dr. Davis’ major accomplishments is his fundraising distinction while at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee for securing a $7.5 million donation for the hippopotamus exhibit, which was the largest family foundation gift to the Milwaukee County Zoo.  Earlier in his career, Dr. Davis was the first African American awarded a Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship to study reproductive physiology at the National Zoological Park’s New Opportunities in Animal Health Sciences (NOAHS) Center where he co-pioneered an educational outreach program that transported the wonders of science education from the zoo to the classroom.  Following his successful fellowship, he also became the first African American to serve as a Supervisory Veterinary Officer at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park Department of Animal Health.

 Dr. Davis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in animal and poultry sciences and completed two years of graduate study in cytogenetics at Tuskegee University. He then entered Tuskegee University’s School of Veterinary Medicine from which he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

 Dr. Davis currently lives in Milwaukee, WI.  In his leisure time he enjoys golf, tennis and reading. 

Katie Cook - Digital Marketing Strategist

Simpleview 

Katie joined the Simpleview team in 2019 as a digital marketing strategist, where she develops and provides strategic marketing services to help our clients meet business objectives. Prior to Simpleview, Katie worked for Visit Austin for more than 18 years. She worked her way up from marketing communications intern to director of digital marketing where she oversaw all digital marketing including the DMO website, social media, search engine marketing and optimization, digital advertising and attribution. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Texas State University.

Treon Glenn - Senior Director, Government Relations

U.S. Travel Association 

Treon, a Madison native, is the senior director of government relations for U.S. Travel Association where he focuses on issues related to federal appropriations, tax policy and infrastructure. Prior to joining U.S. Travel, Glenn served in the U.S. Senate for over 10 years in several different capacities. Most recently, Glenn was a legislative assistant in Sen. Bill Nelson’s office, advising on matters related to financial services, international trade, tax policy, housing policy, economic development and privacy.  Treon also served as a policy adviser to the Senate Special Committee on Aging from 2013-2015. Glenn assisted the chairman in identifying and investigating emerging trends, issues and concerns affecting older Americans, and developed nearly a dozen hearings on retirement security, financial services, consumer scams and other matters.Prior to his time on Capitol Hill, Glenn was employed by the Associated Press from 2006-2008 as an executive assistant.  Glenn holds a master’s degree in public administration from Norwich University in Vermont and a bachelor’s in legal studies from the University of Wisconsin.

Rebecca Hogan - Owner/Lobbyist

The Hamilton Consulting Group

Rebecca has been developing and advancing policies and related political strategies for Wisconsin lawmakers, administrators and businesses for nearly 20 years. She joined Hamilton Consulting in 2013, where she advocates for clients in policy areas such as health care and workforce development.Before joining Hamilton, Rebecca served as the Director of Health and Human Resources Policy at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC). Rebecca spent eight years in the Wisconsin State Senate working in a variety of positions for a number of senators. In her various roles as a Chief of Staff, Senate Education Committee Clerk and Legislative Director, she was responsible for preparing analysis and policy recommendations for committee fiscal deliberations, media relations and guidance to constituents. In addition to her legislative experience, Rebecca was the Deputy Director for the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate where she conducted all administrative, financial management and fundraising activities. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She serves on the Home & School Board of her children’s school and participates in many other volunteer activities there.  She lives in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, with her husband and three children.

Linda John - Owner/CEO

Linda John Consulting

Linda is the Owner and CEO of Linda John Consulting, providing Leadership Coaching and Destination Consulting services for leaders and their teams. Her approach centers on the positive core of leadership presence and company culture, cultivating a growth mindset that ultimately elevates the impact of an organization’s work. Linda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University in Mankato, and a Master of Science degree in Training and Human Resource Development from the University of Wisconsin Stout. Linda lived in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for the past 27 years, serving as the Executive Director for the region’s tourism organization, Visit Eau Claire. Prior to her tenure in Eau Claire, Linda worked for five years at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. She has recently relocated to Tucson, AZ where she has established her coaching and consulting practice and enjoys her ongoing work with clients throughout the United States.

Leslie Johnson - Vice President of Sales

VISIT Milwaukee

Leslie Johnson joined VISIT Milwaukee in 2019 as the director of sales, leading the destination marketing organization’s convention sales department. She was promoted to vice president of sales in 2020.In her role, Johnson is responsible for directing, training, and monitoring the convention sales efforts and related activities to promote the Greater Milwaukee area as the destination of choice for conventions, trade shows, and other events.Johnson has more than 25 years of hospitality experience. Prior to joining VISIT Milwaukee, she was the vice president of sales and marketing for Paloma Resort Properties in Lake Geneva. Additionally, she has worked in various leadership roles for Grand Geneva Resort, Marcus Hotels & Resorts, The Capital Grille, and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She grew up in northern Illinois and currently resides in East Troy, Wisconsin with her husband and two children.

John Leinen - Vice President of Sales and Service

Destination Madison

John joined Destination Madison in 2017 as the Vice President of Sales which recently now includes Services.  John is responsible for leading the sales team in selling Destination Madison as a convention and meetings destination. He is accountable for meeting sales goals, provide leadership in the development and implementation of long and short-term strategic plans, sales related branding and marketing initiatives, staff development and collaborating with various destination stakeholders ensuring that Destination Madison’s sales objectives are strategically aligned and met. John has over 35 years of hospitality sales experience with a blend of DMO and Hotel experience. Prior to moving to Madison he was Vice President of Convention and Tourism Sales for Reno Tahoe USA, Divisional Corporate Director of Sales - Sage Hospitality Resources, National Corporate Director of Group Sales & Meeting Service - Omni Hotels and sixteen years with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in various National Sales, Director of Sales, and Sales Manager roles across five states. Prior to getting into hotel sales John studied theater for five years in the Chicago area which included two years at Second City Theater.  

Shanda Maloney - Customer Success Executive

Simpleview

Shanda Maloney joined Simpleview in 2018 as a Social Media Specialist and recently transitioned to a Customer Success Executive. She works with our clients to find ways to tell their stories using photos and videos from tourists and locals. Shanda earned her degree in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining Simpleview, Shanda worked as Director of Social Media for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and with Cox Communications and KFMA & KLPX radio.

Caty McDermott - Lobbyist

The Hamilton Consulting Group

Catherine McDermott has been working in governmental affairs and policy development for fifteen years, across two different states and in a variety of roles. For the past five years at Hamilton, Caty has represented a variety of clients, ranging from statewide associations, corporations and nonprofits in front of the state legislature, governor’s office and state agencies. Prior to joining Hamilton Consulting, Caty worked in the Executive Office at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), providing high-level analysis and research of federal housing and economic development programs and policies. Before joining WHEDA, Caty worked for three years as a state budget analyst in the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM). Caty started her government affairs career working at a Madison lobbying firm for three and a half years, managing a statewide trade association. Caty received her Master of Public Administration and Certificate in Public Financial Management from the University of Connecticut. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Political Science and English. 

Matt Ten Haken - Director of Sports

Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau

Matt is in his tenth year at the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau serving as Director of Sports Marketing. In his role, he works with local, state, regional, and national sporting event directors to ensure that over 150 sporting events and tournaments are successfully hosted each year in the Fox Cities. During his time at the Fox Cities CVB, Ten Haken has served in leadership roles for two of the most successful sports tourism facilities in the Midwest, the Community First Champion Center and Scheels USA Youth Sports Complex. The team at the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau were honored as the 2015 Sports Tourism Organization of the Year by the National Association of Sports Commissions. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master's Degree in Athletic Administration from the University of St. Thomas (Minn.)