Boardroom Media (CEO News)
At CEO (Boardroom Media) we track over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based CEO’ operating in the Leisure space. If you think a CEO’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on [email protected]
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Greg O’Hara
Chief Executive Officer of American Express Global Business Travel
Greg O’Hara, Chairman of the Board and Interim President of American Express Global Business Travel, is an investor with significant experience in the travel industry. He founded Certares and is currently its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. O’Hara is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Travel Leaders Group and has previously served on the boards of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Travelport, Worldspan Technologies and various other companies. Prior to founding Certares, he was the Chief Investment Officer at JPMorgan Chase’s Special Investments Group and was also a Managing Director at One Equity Partners. Earlier in his career, he served as an Executive Vice President of Corporate Planning and Development of Worldspan Technologies and Worldspan, a Senior Vice President of Sabre, Inc. and various other positions. He holds an M.B.A from Vanderbilt University.
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About American Express Global Business Travel: American Express Global Business Travel provides end-to-end corporate travel and meetings program management.
John Andrew Entwistle
Founder, CEO of Wander
John Andrew Entwistle is the Co-Founder and Board Member at Coder.
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About Wander: Wander is a short-term luxury rental company that provides smart home travel services.
Sachin Kanodia
Founder and CEO of Rizort
Founder & CEO at Rizort.com.
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About Rizort: Rizort is a luxury vacation marketplace that brings immersive vacation planning and booking services for travelers.
Kulveer Taggar
Chief Executive Officer of Zeus Living
An Oxford-educated entrepreneur, Taggar was the founder and CEO of Y Combinator startup Auctomatic before selling it to Current Live Media.
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About Zeus Living: Zeus Living provides furnished housing intended for business and personal travel.
Alejandro Zozaya-Gorostiza
Founder & CEO of AMResorts
Alejandro Zozaya-Gorostiza was recently named CEO of Apple Leisure Group, which consists of Apple Vacations®, the largest tour operator in the United States and the most important international tour operator in Mexico; Amstar® DMC, a destination management company offering a large range of transportation services, tours and excursions in popular destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean; AMResorts®, owner and operator of the luxury resort brands Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resort & Spas, with resorts located in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Curaçao; and UVC (Unlimited Vacation Club), an elite vacation membership loyalty program.
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About AMResorts, Apple Leisure Group: AMResorts is a hotel and brand management company.
Susan Ho
Founder & CEO of Journy
Susan has helped build some of the fastest growing companies in NYC, including Fab.com, DigitalOcean, Blue Apron, and LearnVest. Susan graduated from Wharton and was a consultant at BCG before startups. She met Leiti nearly a decade ago while dancing on speakers in Shanghai.
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About Journy: Journy is a personalized travel planning service that pairs travelers 1-on-1 with their own personal trip designer.
Lee Rubin
Founder & CEO of Confetti
Lee Rubin is the Founder & CEO at Confetti
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About Confetti: Discover unique workplace activities & corporate events that fit your company’s culture, goals & budget.
Alejandro Reynal Ample
President, CEO of Apple Leisure Group
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About Apple Leisure Group: Apple Leisure Group is a vacation services company providing all inclusive vacation packages.
Christopher Nassetta
President & Chief Executive Officer of Hilton Worldwide
Christopher J. Nassetta is The President and CEO At Hilton.
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About Hilton Worldwide, World Travel & Tourism Council: Hilton Worldwide is a hospitality company, owns luxury and full-service hotels and resorts, and focused-service hotels.
T.J. Clark
CEO and Co-Founder of TurnKey Vacation Rentals
T.J. Clark is an entrepreneur in travel/tech industry and his experiences include Limos.com, IAC/InterActiveCorp and Hotwire.com. Mr. Clark was the President & CEO of Limos.com from March 2008 to April 2012. Limos.com became the largest online marketplace for limo/car services and grew more than 50% each year under his leadership. The Company expanded globally and launched partnerships with Orbitz, Concur, Delta Airlines, LiveNation and OpenTable. In 2011 Limos.com was named in Forbes America’s Most Promising Companies as the Top Travel Brand. Mr. Clark was previously VP of Business Operations at IAC/InterActiveCorp, which consisted of over 65 internet brands with 20 million visitors per day (8th ranked worldwide), including Expedia, Ticketmaster, and Match.com. Mr. Clark was a member of the Hotwire.com start-up team since March 2000. Hotwire.com became the fourth-ranked U.S. online travel company within two years of operations, generating over $1B in travel bookings. Hotwire was acquired by IAC in 2004. Formerly Mr. Clark was a trial attorney in Chicago, most recently at Lord, Bissell & Brook. He holds a JD from Loyola Chicago School of Law and a BS from Notre Dame.
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About TurnKey Vacation Rentals: TurnKey Vacation Rentals markets and manages premier vacation rental homes in top U.S. destinations.
John Banczak
Co-founder &CEO of TurnKey Vacation Rentals
John left HomeAway in the spring of 2012 to help co-found TurnKey Vacation Rentals. He began his career after graduating with a BBA in Finance from Wisconsin in traditional travel at Northwest Airlines. He started in revenue management and was later tapped to work for the Amsterdam-based KLM/NWA alliance. After graduating with an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Banczak joined Accenture’s Strategic Services group in San Francisco, specializing in eCommerce and business strategy for clients such as Microsoft and FedEx. After working at the Bay Area based lodging start up Worldres.com, Banczak was recruited to Hotwire, where he ran the company’s Airline, GDS and Car Rental operations groups. Shortly after Hotwire was acquired by Expedia, Banczak moved to BedandBreakfast.com, eventually becoming President. Banczak helped dramatically grow the company’s revenues and managed the acquisition of the company by HomeAway in 2010. Subsequently, Banczak ran the HomeAway Software for Professionals groups, leading the post-merger acquisitions of Instant Software and Escapia.
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About TurnKey Vacation Rentals: TurnKey Vacation Rentals markets and manages premier vacation rental homes in top U.S. destinations.
Andy Krantz
CEO and Co-Founder of Paravel
CEO and Co-Founder at Paravel.
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About Paravel: Paravel is a designer and manufacturer of luggage bags and travel accessories.
Steve Hafner
CEO of KAYAK
Steve Hafner is the CEO at KAYAK, Opentable.
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About KAYAK: KAYAK helps millions of travelers around the globe make confident travel decisions.
Andy Wirth
President & CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Resort
Mr. Andrew Wirth, also known as Andy, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Alpine Meadows of Tahoe, Inc. Mr. Wirth has been the Chief Executive Officer of Squaw Valley Ski Corporation since August 2, 2010 and serves as its President. He served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation since June 2009. He has direct responsibilities for all aspects of marketing and sales at the resort. He serves as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing – Steamboat of Intrawest ULC since June 1, 2006. He served as the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Intrawest ULC (formerly Intrawest Corp.), since July 2007. He joined Intrawest as a result of the acquisition of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation that was completed in March 2007. He has 24 years of sales and marketing experience and based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. He serves as the President of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Board of Directors. He has been a Trustee of Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority since July 2013. Mr. Wirth has a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University and attended Edinburgh University in Scotland.
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About Squaw Valley Ski Resort: Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Olympic Valley, California, is one of the largest ski areas in the United States.
Alex Glasscock
Founder/CEO of The Ranch Malibu
Alex Glasscock is the founder and CEO of The Ranch Malibu.
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About The Ranch Malibu: The Ranch Malibu is dedicated to creating a safe, secure, and sacred place to allow for personal awareness and life transformation.
Greg Caplan
Founder and CEO of Remote Year
Greg Caplan started as a Founder-in-Residence with Lightbank in January, 2011. In August 2011 he co-founded oBaz.com, a e-commerce site focused on rethinking the way people shop online. oBaz uses personalization and social features to create a brand new shopping experience. Greg has a BBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
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About Fit Club, Groupon, Remote Year, Spot: Remote Year provides a foundation for professionals to travel and work remotely with interesting people.
Amanda Szabo
Founder & CEO of ResortPass
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About ResortPass: ResortPass is an online booking platform for access to resorts and hotels for the pool, spa, fitness, and amenities.
Ravi Parikh
CEO / Founder of RoverPass
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About Code Galaxy, RoverPass, StoryBuilt: RoverPass develops a reservation management system software to make reservations online and track the availability of the site.
David Heath
CEO & Co-Founder of Bombas
Dave Heath is a Founder at Bombas.
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About Bombas: Bombas is a comfort-focused apparel brand with a mission to help those in need. One Purchased = One Donated.
Sascha Mornell
Co-Founder & CEO of GetMyBoat
Sascha Mornell is a serial entrepreneur. He is the Co-Founder of GetMyBoat, ZigAir, and Phacil. Previously, he worked for register.com, where he served as SVP of Sales & Marketing. Mr. Mornell also worked at the National Basketball Association and Dreyer’s, Japan in Tokyo. Mr. Mornell has served as an advisor/investor to several small businesses, including Osmio (acquired by Aramark), Markmonitor, AW Media and others. Mr. Mornell graduated cum laude from UC Berkeley and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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About GetMyBoat, SaraGEO, ZigAir: GetMyBoat is the marketplace for boat rentals, yacht charters, and on-the-water experiences.
Kenneth Lowe
President , Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Scripps Networks
Ken Lowe is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive, a leading lifestyle media provider for television, the Internet and other media platforms. Previously, he was President and CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company from 2000 until 2008, when Scripps Networks Interactive became a separate, publicly traded company. Prior to 2000, Lowe was Chairman and CEO of Knoxville-based Scripps Networks. He built the company into one of the nation’s fastest growing and most successful creators of unique brands for television and the Internet. He founded and launched HGTV in 1994; oversaw the acquisition and transformation of the Food Network into an American pop culture icon; presided over the launches of the DIY Network and the Cooking Channel as well as the acquisitions of the Travel Channel in 2009 and Great American Country television network in 2004. Lowe also guided the development of the company’s growing portfolio of interactive content services in the food and home lifestyle categories. Lowe joined the E.W. Scripps Company in 1980 as General Manager of the company’s radio properties. In 1988, he became Vice President of Programming, Promotion and Marketing for the company’s nine network-affiliated television stations. Lowe began his career in radio with Southern Broadcasting in 1969 and continued with various management positions in radio and television with Harte-Hanks Broadcasting in the late 1970s. Lowe serves on the Board of Directors for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, The Paley Center for Media and The Cable Center. In the past he served on the Cincinnati Business Committee and Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation.
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About Scripps Networks: Scripps Networks Interactive develops lifestyle content for TV, internet satellite radio, books, magazines, and other media platforms.
Sam Ben Avraham
Founder & CEO of Liberty Fairs
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About Liberty Fairs: Liberty Fairs, the newest brainchild of Sam Ben-Avraham ushers in a new era in fashion trade events.
Adrian Ghila
CEO of Luxe RV
Having built and sold a significant real estate developing company in Romania, Adrian Ghila has continued with his successful business interests in the U.S., as CEO of Los Angeles based Luxe RV, and founder of Earth Car Wash & loopVAN.com, and Proiect 3 Holdings (an investment company). Adrian’s entrepreneurial spirit, ethical business background, and corporate expertise continue to drive Luxe RV, as well as his other businesses, successfully forward. Adrian is an astute and savvy businessman and pushes himself to not only excel in all he does but especially to deliver the finest product possible to his customers. He now lives and breathes for this industry, every day thinking of new ways to improve the quality of service his company provides. Adrian Ghila is now looking at investing in small smart companies. Providing not only the investment itself but his knowledge and potentially relocating your company into one of his offices. All it matters in a business or business idea is the execution. Nothing else really matters. You can have the best ideas in the world, and all the money in the world, if you don’t have the “why?” and the execution, everything else will not matter. Adrian Ghila’s points of view: 01. EXECUTION. Your skills and drive will project your success. 02. IDEA. One of the most important things is that your idea fits into a very large market with large profits. 03. MARKETING. Get the message across as the solution to one’s problem. Lastly, my best advice for any and all aspiring entrepreneurs: – figure if you are actually an entrepreneur. You might be a very creative person or a great executive. Entrepreneurs are different than CEOs, keep that in mind. Different mindsets and definitely they should think different in the decision making process. Think MACRO Focus MICRO
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About Luxe RV: Luxe RV – Luxurious Mercedes RV rental
Rakesh Chauhan
Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
Rakesh Chauhan is the Chief Executive Officer at Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts.
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About Banyan Investment Group, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts: Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is an international hospitality brand that manages and develops resorts, hotels and spas.
Shimmie Horn
Owner, President & Chief Executive Officer of Triumph Hotels
SHIMMIE HORN, President and CEO of Triumph Hospitality
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About Triumph Hotels: Triumph Hotels operates seven small luxury NYC hotels, owned by Shimmie Horn.
Terry Fisher
Founder and Worldwide CEO of Mapperarti
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About DigiMapps, Fisher Engineering Ltd, Mapperarti: Mapperarti is a design led marketing and publishing house serving the luxury hotel industry.
Jay Ciccarone
CEO, Founder of WeatherPlanner
Mr. Ciccarone brings great creativity and business development experience to WeatherPlanner. He is always thinking of creative new concepts and rallying the necessary ingredients to get it done. He has over 20 years of experience building businesses, including starting and owning a successful golf equipment manufacturing and repair company, kicking off a pioneering venture with eBay stores, eAuctionShop, and holding senior-level business development positions at Philadelphia Media Holdings, GreenLink Networks, Educational Adventures and WeatherTrends. Mr. Ciccarone is well known for his marketing and advertising acumen and is relied on by many other highly successful business people for advice and counsel of growth-oriented ideas. As an example of his creative capacities, Mr. Ciccarone has 5 patents to his name.
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About WeatherPlanner: WeatherPlanner is a weather outlook for up to the next 365 days to help you plan for a vacation, event, activity or special moment.
Andy Person
Co-Founder and CEO of BABOON TO THE MOON
Co-Founder and CEO
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About BABOON TO THE MOON: BABOON is a manufacturing that provides highest-grade materials for adventure essentials.
Liz Pearce
Co-founder & CEO of Fresh Chalk
Liz Pearce is the CEO of Seattle-based Fresh Chalk, a social network that helps you find professionals that your friends recommend. Prior to that, Liz was with LiquidPlanner for 11 years, starting as the company’s marketing contractor and working her way up to COO in 2011 and ultimately to CEO in 2012. Before LiquidPlanner, she held marketing roles at Amazon, Google, and PlayStation and ran an independent marketing consulting business. She holds a B.A. and M.A. from The George Washington University.
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About Fresh Chalk: Fresh Chalk connects you with trusted home improvement, health, and beauty professionals recommended by your personal network.
Kim Lalande
Founder + CEO of KEY Concierge
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About KEY Concierge: KEY is a concierge service provider bringing a three-sided marketplace for travelers, vacation rental properties, and local vendors.
Alex Simon
Co-Founder & CEO of Elude
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About Elude: Elude takes a users travel budget and dates they can travel and shows every city in the world they can afford to get to.
Robbie Bhathal
Co-Founder, Founding CEO, Boardmember of Suiteness
Robbie Bhathal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Suiteness. Robbie has a background in venture finance, online innovation, scaling start-up enterprises, and over a decade of management experience. He’s also held positions at Capital One Innovation Labs, Pubmatic, Lakewood Capital and Indian Creek Capital.
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About Brightflow AI, Suiteness: Suiteness is a free-to-join hotel booking website connecting hotel rooms and suites.
Gillian Morris
Co-Founder and CEO of Hitlist
Gillian Morris is the co-founder and CEO of Hitlist.
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About Hitlist, South Park Commons, TripCommon: Hitlist is a travel app platform that serves up bargain-priced flights and travels deals.
Jake Poses
Founder & CEO of Jumprope
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About Jumprope: Jumprope is a platform where users can create, discover, and share how-to videos and tutorials.
Lauren A. Koenig
Co-Founder & CEO of TWIP – Travel With Interesting People
Travel activist, company founder and TWIP CEO, Lauren A. Koenig grew up in the Midwest. Educated at Ball State University while holding a 4-year Presidential Scholarship, she left her hometown of Chicago at the invitation of the French Ministry of Education to teach English. Lauren welcomed the challenge of working abroad; travel became a hallmark of her early and future stage development. Returning to Chicago, she worked for Anita Dee Yacht Charters before joining The International Kitchen, the leading provider of cooking school vacations covering Italy, France and Spain. These travel related business experiences enabled Lauren to identify and create a unique, distinctive product offering: TWIP – Travel With Interesting People. TWIP is the only travel website that empowers global and domestic travelers to find each other based upon their individual personal desires or what the company coined, ‘Travanality.’ The travel market is becoming increasingly cluttered thereby enabling TWIP’s unique competitive advantage to stand out from the pack. TWIP offers travelers the opportunity to travel to the most interesting countries in the world, discovering global events and exciting, exclusive adventures. While importantly, being compatible with each travelers previously identified needs. From birth, Lauren has spent her summers at her family’s lake house in Muskoka, Ontario. Not quite understanding the bi-lingual language on the back of the Canadian cereal boxes, this was enough motivation for her to go learn French, and eventually move to France. Her summers were filled with fishing, slalom skiing and photography, her favorite hobbies. Anyone that knows Lauren understands she has a love affair and an abiding passion for travel, especially Montreal, Prague, Beirut, South Africa and of course, Muskoka destinations. As of Spring 2015, Lauren is an Alumni of the Women’s StartUp Lab Accelerator in San Francisco, California.
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About Orchid Black, TWIP – Travel With Interesting People: We connect people to experiences, activities and travelers based on your travel personality.
Rom Krupp
Founder & CEO of onedine
Rom Krupp is the CEO of MarketingVitals.com, a provider of analytics software for the restaurant industry.For over 20 years, he’s worked with hundreds of restaurant groups to design and implement solutions to their most critical business needs. He was recently named BIG’s 2015 Executive of the Year.
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About onedine: onedine is pioneering guest-side technology solutions for the restaurant and hospitality industries
Brian Dewey
Co-Founder & CEO of Koloni
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About Koloni: Koloni is a sharing platform that enables users to own and deploy their own smart lockers, bike share, scooters and so much more.
Tim Choate
CEO, Founder of RedAwning
Tim Choate is a CEO and co-Founder at RedAwning
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About RedAwning: RedAwning is an online travel agency that enables tourists to search and book vacation homes around the world.
Cherae Robinson
CEO & Founder of Tastemakers Africa
Cherae Robinson is the founder and CEO of Tastemakers Africa. She was named one of 10 emerging women entrepreneurs to watch by Forbes.com.
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About Tastemakers Africa: Experiences marketplace connecting black millennials to culture and heritage worldwide.
Saravana Pat Bhava
Founder & CEO of PikMyKid
Pat had been jolted into PikMyKid due to his personal experiences in school carlines. An ex-Naval fighter pilot and deep-sea diver with an MBA and BS in Physics, Pat is experienced in building teams and solving problems. He is a serial entrepreneur, having built and sold a few startups. His previous projects include Sachi Ventures, Inc., Tun-Du-Ree, LLC, and Spiceline Logistics.
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About Kid.io, PikMyKid, Sachi Ventures, TUN-DU-REE: PikMyKid is a school safety platform providing dismissal automation, panic button, parent engagement & traffic solutions for schools.
Eric Osman
Founder and CEO of Mockingbird
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About Mockingbird: Mockingbird is a new baby gear brand on a mission to empower parents.
Ethan Bernstein
CEO, Co-founder of Freebird
Ethan Bernstein is the CEO and Co-founder of Freebird.
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About Freebird: Freebird empowers travelers to book a new ticket – on any airline at no additional cost – in the event of a flight cancellation or delay.
Nohar Singh
CEO of Travelspan
Mr. Nohar Singh is the President and CEO of TravelSpan, he is a proud husband and father of two beautiful kids, residing in Queens, New York – See more at: http://www.crunchbase.com/user/143511#sthash.LfDQPZkh.dpuf
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About Travelspan: Specializing in Airline Tickets and Vacation Packages
Drew Payne
Cofounder and CEO of UpMetrics
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About UpMetrics: UpMetrics provides tools and services for operators and funders to analyze, interpret, and learn from data to make informed decisions.
Andrew J. Lansing
President and Chief Executive Officer of Levy Restaurants
Andy Lansing is President and Chief Executive Officer of Levy. Under his leadership, Levy has topped over 200 locations in North America and around the world, with more than 35,000 team members delivering Levy’s signature hospitality to guests. Andy began his career with Levy in 1988 as Vice President and General Counsel, overseeing and directing legal affairs for the Company. He was promoted to Executive Vice President for Levy in 1991, and President and Chief Operating Officer in 1995. In his tenure, Andy has directed, managed and actively recruited the industry’s top specialists to become part of Levy’s team and foster the Company’s strategic growth. In 2004, Andy was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer.
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About Levy Restaurants: Levy Restaurants is a hospitality company that runs restaurants and vending machines in entertainment and sporting venues.
Deep Barot
CEO of Uhome
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About Uhome: Local Services and Lifestyle Network
Aleh Tsikhanau
CEO & Founder of 80days.me
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About 80days.me: 80days.me is the smart and effortless way to design multi-destination travel itineraries
PJ Mastracchio
Founder & CEO of AtYourGate
PJ Mastracchio is the Founder and CEO of AtYourGate.
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About AtYourGate: AtYourGate is a mobile app making air travel more enjoyable with in-airport pre and post-security delivery.
Bill Shoaf
CEO & President of Lifestyle + Hotel Group
Bill Shoaf is the CEO and President at Lifestyle + Hotel Group.
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About Lifestyle + Hotel Group: Lifestyle + Hotel Group is a hotel company that creates a series of Lifestyle Hotel Brands.
Frank May
President, CEO of The Great Backyard Place
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About The Great Backyard Place: The Great Backyard Place is a leading provider of family backyard leisure products.
Imad Khalidi
CEO of Auto Europe
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About Auto Europe: Auto Europe is an international car rental service that offers a competitive car rental rate in the industry guaranteed.
Robert LaBelle
CEO of XTI
On February 1, 2017, Robert LaBelle assumed the role of CEO, XTI Aircraft Corp. He is responsible for development of the TriFan 600 Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft and all matters related to development of the product and the company. He has helped transform the aircraft to hybrid-electric propulsion and made other significant changes in order to better position the aircraft for its future market. He was previously CEO, AgustaWestland North America. In that role he was responsible for AgustaWestland’s business with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Prior to that he was President of Texas-based AgustaWestland Tiltrotor Company, Inc., a company he established to support the development of the AW 609 Tiltrotor and other programs. He has held executive level positions within AgustaWestland since joining the company in 2005, including vice president, general manager, and president of other U.S. subsidiaries. Robert joined AgustaWestland after a career in the U.S. Navy. His last assignment was in Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD where he was a Major Program Manager (PMA-231) for the E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound aircraft.
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About AHS International, XTI: The future is now. Lift Up. Jet Out.
Jeff Potter
Founder and CEO of Manifest
Jeff Potter is the Founder and CEO at Manifest.
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About Manifest: Manifest is a travel agency that provides creative powerful experiences with custom-crafted getaways.
Maurice Gallagher
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Allegiant Travel
Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr. has been actively involved in the management of our company since he became our majority owner and joined our board of directors in 2001. He has served as our chief executive officer since 2003 and was designated Chairman of the Board in 2006. Prior to his involvement with Allegiant, Mr. Gallagher devoted his time to his investment activities, including companies which he founded. One of these companies was Mpower Communications Corp., a telecommunications company, for which he served as acting chief executive officer from 1997 to 1999 and as chairman of the board from its inception in 1996 until 2002. Mr. Gallagher was one of the founders of ValuJet Airlines, Inc. (the predecessor of AirTran Holdings, Inc.) and served as an officer and director of ValuJet from its inception in 1993 until 1997. From 1983 until 1992, Mr. Gallagher was a principal owner and executive of WestAir, a commuter airline.
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About Allegiant Travel: From America’s favorite small cities to world-class destinations, Allegiant makes leisure travel affordable and convenient.
Jason Sprenkle
CEO of Key Data
Jason Sprenkle is the CEO at Key Data Dashboard.
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About 360 Blue, Key Data: Key Data is the leading lodging market data platform for professional lodging operators, tourism organizations, and investment funds.
Abdullah Alshalabi
CEO and Co-Founder of fishfishme
Abdullah Alshalabi is the CEO at V-Thru.
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About CaptainPanel, fishfishme, V-Thru: Fishfishme helps fishing enthusiasts find and book fishing charters around the world.
Layne Rigney
CEO of Osprey Packs
Layne Rigney joined Osprey Packs as CEO in 2016.
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About Osprey Packs: Osprey Packs is a sporting goods company providing backpacks and travel gear.
Tom Barney
CEO of Osprey Packs
Tom Barney joined Osprey Packsas CEO in 2001.
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About Osprey Packs: Osprey Packs is a sporting goods company providing backpacks and travel gear.
Donna Friedman Meir
Founder and CEO of WOW Explorations
Donna is the founder of WOW Explorations and WOWtopia, a highly physical, hands-on touring global festival, designed to WOW kids and families with the wonder and beauty of the planet, its sights, cultures and people. She is also the principal and founder of LEMONADE Creative Consulting, a strategic consulting firm focused on building cross-media experiences and helping others bring their visions to life. An accomplished brand builder, producer, programmer and marketer of children’s media content, her career has been dedicated to creating inspiring entertainment experiences for children and families across multiple platforms and for a global audience. Prior to launching Lemonade and WOW Explorations, Donna was President of National Geographic Kids Entertainment and held senior executive positions with the WB Television Network and Nickelodeon. Her career accomplishments include leading Kids’ WB! to the #1 ratings position on Saturday mornings for four straight years and ten consecutive sweeps victories, helping to build the first transmedia megabrand, Pokemon, and its successor, Yu-gi-oh!, producing several critically acclaimed and Emmy- nominated TV series for National Geographic, and successfully leading brand strategy, marketing, and early new business efforts for Nickelodeon’s first international channels. Donna is a Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude graduate of Harvard University, and was named one of top 25 most powerful women in television by Electronic Media Magazine in 2002. Donna currently serves on the board of Children Now and the Children’s Media Association.
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About WOW Explorations: WOW Explorations is dedicated to designing and developing innovative recreation experiences for kids and families.
Tzvi Itzik
CEO of Netz Group
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About Netz Group: Netz Group Ltd. is a public traded company whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Daniel Valenti
Founder / CEO of TripWeave
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About TripWeave: Explore some of the world’s coolest places with your peers on a self-led journey.
Gavin Delany
Co-founder & CEO of Travelstride
Gavin is the CEO and cofounder of Stride Travel.
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About NFX, Travelstride: The #1 marketplace for expert-planned vacations – tailor-made trips, tours & adventure packages – from local getaways to global expeditions
T Scott King
President, CEO & Secretary of Gordmans Stores
Mr. King, age 61, was appointed as a director of Gordmans in February 2013 to fill a vacancy on the Board. Mr. King has been with Sun Capital Partners, Inc. since 2003 and currently serves as a Senior Managing Director. Mr. King has over 30 years of experience in senior finance and operations management, including: Chief Executive Officer and President, Waterlink, Inc., a water treatment equipment retailer, from 1998 to 2002; and President of the Consumer Brands Division at The Sherwin Williams Company from 1977 to 1998.
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About Gordmans Stores: Gordmans Stores is an online retailer that markets clothing, shoes, fashion accessories, toys, and gifts.
Scotty Moore
CEO/Founder of FestPop, Inc
CEO/Founder at FestPop, Inc
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About FestPop, Inc: FestPop is a new way to discover, prepare, and plan your next music festival travel journey for every generation
Yigit Yigiter
Co-Founder & CEO of TimeLooper
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About TimeLooper: TimeLooper revolutionizes museum and heritage site experiences through extended reality
Amy Norman
Founder & CEO of Little Passports
Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Little Passports Forbes.com Contributor & Speaker Motivated by a deep passion to raise a generation of global citizens, in 2009 Amy co-founded Little Passports, a children’s media company. Today, it’s become a leader in the subscription industry, with over 3 million packages shipped worldwide. At companies like eBay and McKinsey, Amy built over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, management, strategy and finance. She’s a seasoned leader, an inspiring speaker and lively panelist.
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About Little Passports: Little Passports inspires children to learn about other countries and cultures.
Tony Cinotto
CEO & Founder of ViaExperience
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About ViaExperience: Interactive social platform for globetrotters to create, share, and discover the best travel itineraries.
Robert Griffin
CEO of Trump Hotels
Robert F. Griffin, also known as Bob has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc., since November 15, 2010. Mr. Griffin served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of MTR Gaming Group, Inc. at North Metro Harness Initiative LLC from November 2008 to September 28, 2010. Mr. Griffin has more than 25 years of experience in the gaming industry. He served as Senior Vice President, Operations of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. from November 15, 2004 to September 2008, where he was responsible for the operations of 16 casinos and racing facilities in the United States, Grand Bahamas and the United Kingdom. He served as Regional Vice President of Operations of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. from March 2003 to November 2004 and also served as its Vice President and General Manager for Black Hawk property from August 2002 to April 2003, the Tunica property from May 2001 to August 2002, the Lake Charles property from May 2000 to May 2001, and at the Vicksburg property from May 1999 to May 2000. Mr. Griffin joined Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. as Senior Director of Operations at Isle of Capri Lake Charles in 1998. Prior to that, he held several senior management positions at Trump Marina from 1992 to 1998. He has been the Chairman of Trump Entertainment Resorts since February 28, 2013 and has been its Director since November 15, 2010. He served as a Director of MTR Gaming Group, Inc. from March 12, 2010 to September 28, 2010. Robert graduated from Stockton State College, Pomona, N.J. with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He also received his MBE from Rutgers University, Camden, N.J.
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About Trump Hotels: Trump Hotels are luxury 5 star hotels located around the world providing a range of options and experiences.
Peter Just
Founder and CEO of Hubbster
Peter Just is the founder and CEO of Hubbster.
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About Hubbster: Hubbster provides easy access to outdoor games and exercise gear in shared spaces, whether public or private.
Greg Fisher
Founder & CEO of TripShock
Since 2009, Greg has worked to transform TripShock into a travel industry giant. Proactive and personable, Mr. Fisher first developed a passion for tourism while studying hospitality at the University of Central Florida. Since then, he has grown Tripshock by cultivating strong relationships with partners and employees alike. In his free time, Greg enjoys reading biographies, watching college football, and relaxing with friends and family.
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About TripShock, WaveRez: TripShock is the best new tool for booking attractions and hotels online.
Andre Balazs
President and CEO of Andre Balazs Properties
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About Andre Balazs Properties: André Balazs’ collection of Standard hotels have revolutionized the concept of affordable and innovative hospitality.
Bill Herp
Chief Executive Officer, Founder of Linear Air Taxi
Mr. Herp founded Air-Dialog LLC d/b/a Linear Air in 2004, an operator of Eclipse very light jets, a new aircraft design delivered in the mid-2000s that is widely regarded as the most economical jet charter aircraft on the market. Previously, Mr. Herp founded the leading digital marketing technology and services provider, e-Dialog, a venture-backed company that utilized emergent market strategy processes to create new market disruption by introducing email and internet direct marketing into the world of database and direct marketing in the 1990s and early 2000s. e-Dialog was acquired for $157 million by GSI Commerce in 2008, and is now part of eBay. Mr. Herp is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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About Linear Air Taxi: Linear Air Taxi links travelers frustrated with airline service and tedious driving with commercial operators of air taxi aircraft.
Chadwick Horn
President and CEO of TravelSite.com
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About TravelSite.com: TravelSite.com is an online travel community that inspires people to travel via travel guides built by fellow travelers.
Luke Finn
Founder/CEO of ROLLER
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About ROLLER: Roller is an enterprise software platform for leisure and entertainment venues.
Nazym Ashina Son
Co-Founder/CEO of SOUL OF NOMAD INC.
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About SOUL OF NOMAD INC.: An ultra-premium brand for fashion-savvy travelers.
Ayash Basu
Founder & CEO of Loculars
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About Loculars: Marketplace that offers immersive travel experiences with local photographers.
George Armendariz
CEO of Groupe Beneteau
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About Groupe Beneteau: Groupe Beneteau designing, producing and selling of leisure craft.
Matan Magril
Founder & CEO of FoodieTrip
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About FoodieTrip: FoodieTrip is an online marketplace for people to list, discover, and book once in a lifetime culinary adventures.
Kimberli Wright
CEO / Founder of Trepic Inc. of TREPIC
Founder / Innovator / Designer / Visionary / Film Director Won “Best Showcase” in 2015 by Stanford Igniters for TREPIC. Won 4 International awards for a feature length documentary she directed and edited that was requested for extended showings in theaters across the nation in NYC, LA, SF. “2008 Florida Media Market – Official Selection”, “2008 The Accolade – Best Documentary”, “2009 Aurora Int’l Film Awards – Editing”, “2009 Aurora Int’l Film Awards – Documentary – Ethics/Issues” “We made a short documentary, which ended up garnering the two highest honors in our category. And within that time frame, I had the pleasure of witnessing her talent in action, behind the scenes, and throughout the process. Kimberli has the aesthetic eye of a Guggenheim curator. I’ve never met a single other person who has the capacity to transform the mundane to stunning and attractive to gorgeous. And unlike many artists of our generation, she has incredible emotional depth. She can string a stirring narrative in her head while she directs (in true one-man-band fashion) the style, the tone, the costumes, and the words that make up her (master)piece. Kimberli simply delivers on a world-class level.” ~Alexander C., Founder of Antho What drives Kimberli towards success is her underlying passion for creating products that inspire, make life easier, and solve problems in beautiful and innovative ways. Deciding where to travel and where the best hotels and things to do shouldn’t require hours of research. She believes that time should be spent with loved ones enjoying experiences on your trip.
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About TREPIC: First AI/VR driven social booking platform. Find new trip ideas curated from top travel sources that best match your various interests.
Adrienne McWilliams
Co-Founder and CEO of Travelspective
I am an entrepreneurial-minded creative professional with a passion for content and travel. I’ve spent the past decade heading a branded content agency, Trikaya Creative Group, traveling the world producing content for brands. I am the co-founder and CEO of Travelspective, a travel startup providing a window into experiences and insight into destinations. Download our OTT app on Apple TV.
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About Travelspective: A video-first discovery platform providing a window into the world.
JD Lasica
Founder, CEO, Editorial Director of Cruiseable
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About Cruiseable: Discover, plan & book your perfect cruise vacation
Jordan Maes
Founder and CEO of Kaya Properties
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About Kaya Properties: Innovative investment properties of tomorrow. Using prefab construction to reduce building costs, time and carbon emissions.
Delilah Lanoix
Co-Founder & CEO of Butterfli Technologies Inc
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About Butterfli Technologies Inc: Butterfli provides an on-demand and scheduled assisted transportation solution for individuals with varying mobility needs.
Delilah Lanoix
Co-Founder & CEO of Butterfli Technologies Inc
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About Butterfli Technologies Inc: Butterfli provides an on-demand and scheduled assisted transportation solution for individuals with varying mobility needs.
Tom Atchison
Chief Executive Officer of National Corporate Housing
After graduating from Oregon State and the University of Denver, Tom Atchison started his career in property and hotel management. In 1985 Tom entered the apartment management industry. Tom held the positions of Leasing Manager, Property Manager, and Regional Property Manager with industry leaders such as R&B Realty, Trammell Crow Residential, and Summit Properties. In 1995 Tom accepted a position with ExecuStay. As Senior Vice President at ExecuStay, Tom was responsible for the operations of 18 regional offices. In June of 1999, Tom opened the first National Corporate Housing office in Reston, Virginia. With an entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence, Tom has successfully opened 27 National offices across the United States.
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About National Corporate Housing: National Corporate Housing is a national provider of temporary housing for minimum stays of 30 days or more.
Jim Dodd
Co-Founder & CEO of Brandcards Inc.
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About Brandcards Inc.: Where consumers find the brands they love and brands love them back
Jim Dodd
Co-Founder & CEO of Brandcards Inc.
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About Brandcards Inc.: Where consumers find the brands they love and brands love them back
Sean Roby
Co-Founder and CEO of Bud And Breakfast
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About Bud And Breakfast: Search internationally for inns, rooms, bed and breakfasts, and more.
Cem Carak
CEO of PlanItUp
Entrepreneur and Engineer at heart. Love working on new technology. Creative master mind with exceptional out of the box thinking skills to resolve complex problems with simple solutions. Ex Student Athlete with 5 NCAA titles and 2 MVP awards. Audiophile that loves 80s rock music. Plays the guitar, the piano and sings currently in an 80s rock cover band. Speaks fluently English, French and Turkish with conversational level in Italian and Spanish as well. Diversity is key. Born in France but grew up in Turkey. Now living in Los Angeles.
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About PlanItUp, WhatTuDu: The Fastest and Easiest Way to Make Plans With Your Friends.
Meryl Levitz
President & Chief Executive Officer of Visit Philadelphia
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About Visit Philadelphia: Visitphilly.com is the official visitor website for Philadelphia travel and tourism information
Travis Mitchell
CEO, Co-Founder of ModCouples
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About ModCouples: A social based tool for couples to discover restaurants, travel ideas, events and other fun stuff.
Andy Larsson
CEO of LuxVacation.com
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About LuxVacation.com: We are specialized in Luxury Vacation Homes Rentals in the best destinations of the world.
Raquel Ibañez Peral
CEO of School of Science
Raquel Ibañez Peral is CEO at Science Fantasy.
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About School of Science, Science Fantasy: School of Science is an educational center that specializes in science and technology.
Alan N. Johnson
Chairman and CEO of Leisure Time Casinos Resorts
Alan N. Johnson is Chairman and CEO at Leisure Time Casinos Resorts.
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About Leisure Time Casinos Resorts: Leisure Time manufactures and distributes video gaming and video pulltab machines.
Anibal Marin
Founder & CEO of Auxiliare International
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About Auxiliare International: Auxiliare International Manufactures Auxilry – Interchangeable Shirt Buttons That Customize Your Shirts!
Bryant Waters
CEO/Co-Founder of TripKick
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About TripKick: TripKick provides detailed reviews of individual hotel rooms. The site can recommend hotel rooms according to criteria specified by the
Greg A. Tunney
President & CEO of RG Barry
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About RG Barry: R.G. Barry Corporation is engaged in developing brands and marketing products in three areas of the retail accessories category.
Katie Kalmikoff
Founder & CEO of Katie K Marketing + Events
Katie’s a marketing and events professional with a specialty in community based marketing. Before starting Katie K Marketing + Events, she worked in the venture capital world where she built and lead the Community team for FundersClub. There she hosted events, built products, and created content for our 40K+ investors and 400+ founders. Prior to FC Katie managed communities and accounts at digital and social media agency, VaynerMedia. She directly communicated with clients’ consumers through social, generated social content and copy, and worked hand in hand with clients to target their goals. Her clients included 30+ major brands including: MilkBone, MeowMix, Sonic Drive-In, Clarisonic, and FOX Network (primetime evening programs only). In her pre-California days, Katie worked in events and marketing at the Boston Globe, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and The Royal Automobile Club in London. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, concentration in Marketing, from Northeastern University.
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About Katie K Marketing + Events: Community focused marketing and events consulting for early stage companies and VCs
Gary W. Cain
President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida serves nearly 13,000 children between the ages of 6 and 18 each year.
Mai Hoang
Founder/CEO of TravelCat
Founder at TravelCat.
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About TravelCat: TravelCat provides curated travel itineraries based on your personal interests.
