Completed Projects

Conference Director (2004-2009), New York Times Travel Show
Client: MSE Management, Inc.
Description: Assist in developing, promoting and directing the New York Times Travel Show. This includes developing the framework for morning seminars, developing a stimulating and exciting atmosphere for both travel trade and public attendees, and identifying potential organizations or projects to spotlight with show attendees. Assist conference organizers on-site by coordinating the event, its participants and functions.

Conference Director (2006-2009), Boston Globe Travel Show
Client: MSE Management, Inc.
Description: Assist in developing, promoting and directing the Boston Globe Travel Show. This includes developing the framework for a trade conference, developing a stimulating and exciting atmosphere for both travel trade and public attendees, and identifying potential organizations or projects to spotlight with show attendees. Assist conference organizers on-site by coordinating the event, its participants and functions.

Conference Director (2007-2009), Atlanta Travel Expo
Client: MSE Management, Inc.
Description: Assist in developing, promoting and directing the Atlanta Travel Expo. This includes developing the framework for a trade conference, developing a stimulating and exciting atmosphere for both travel trade and public attendees, and identifying potential organizations or projects to spotlight with show attendees. Assist conference organizers on-site by coordinating the event, its participants and functions.

Principal (2007-2008), Feasibility Study of Nature Tourism Opportunities at Mississippi River Confluence
Client: Audubon Missouri (project conducted in association with Ed Sanders and Bob Barnes)
Description: Review the feasibility of various nature-based opportunities in the Mississippi River Confluence outside St. Louis, MO, and provide a list of feasible opportunities.

Researcher (2006-2007), Feasibility Analysis of Ecotourism Destinations
Client: MesoAmerican Ecotourism Alliance
Description: Contribute to a feasibility analysis for various MEA partners to determine existing and potential market opportunities and organization capacities. This included reviewing secondary market research to conduct an impact analysis of inbound tourists; reviewing secondary market research and conducting primary research as necessary to develop a market analysis of existing and potential markets (specifically including affinity groups, university, scientific/volunteer research, and soft adventure), trends and changes, market segmentation and consumer analysis for the project area; and analyzing and emphasizing opportunities with best potential for attracting visitors, and for supporting the conservation mission of the project area.

Conference Director (2005-2007), Miami Travel Expo and South Florida Travel Expo
Client: MSE Management, Inc.
Description: Assist in developing, promoting and directing the Miami Travel Expo and South Florida Travel Expo. This includes developing the framework for a trade conference, developing a stimulating and exciting atmosphere for both travel trade and public attendees, and identifying potential organizations or projects to spotlight with show attendees. Assist conference organizers on-site by coordinating the event, its participants and functions.

Workshop Developer and Presenter (2005), Nature Tourism Training Workshop
Client: Audubon Pennsylvania
Description: Develop and present a workshop for Pennsylvania tourism professionals to enhance the abilities of participants to market, promote and interpret the Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail. Also conduct small-group meetings on nature tourism with tourism professionals throughout Pennsylvania.

Promotional Coordinator (2004-2005), Trinidad Eco/Adventure FAM Trip (Trinidad)
Client: Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad & Tobago (TIDCO), in conjunction with Paria Springs Eco-Community
Description: Utilize a multi-tiered approach to provide valuable guidance and expertise in developing, implementing and measuring the success of a promotional campaign for Trinidad's Eco/Adventure FAM Trip. Activities will be split among Pre-FAM Trip Activities in the U.S., FAM Trip Activities in Trinidad, and Follow-up Post-FAM Trip Activities in the U.S. Actions include:

• Review FAM Trip promotional materials such as brochures, website, etc. to make the pieces more enticing to attendees and/or to ensure proper English grammar.
• Develop and maintain a database of North American tour companies and media sources.
• Secure the support of North American tour companies and media sources in attending the FAM Trip or in promoting Trinidad as a destination.
• Develop and disseminate materials (e-blasts, emails, phone calls, website changes) to promote attendance to the FAM Trip and general promotion of Trinidad as a destination.
• Develop a web-based "information center" that includes the FAM Trip's basic and detailed itinerary, press releases and a media gallery.
• Provide a coordinating role in the FAM Trip to attending North American tour companies and media sources.
• Conduct follow-up with participating North American tour companies and media sources to gauge their support for future Trinidad trips or media articles.
• Provide a report to TIDCO and Paria Springs on the follow-up contacts from FAM Trip participants.
  

Principal (2003-2005), Development of Master Interpretive Plan for Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula
Client: Eastern Upper Peninsula Nature Tourism Alliance (project conducted in association with Nature Tourism Planning, Kalahari Management and Adventure Business Consultants)
Description: Lead a team effort to develop a multi-tiered master interpretive and marketing plan that will attract visitors by sharing the region’s authentic natural, cultural and historical experiences, enabling EUPNTA to reach its goals of attracting additional visitors (and thus increasing local revenues), without compromising its core values. The team developed themes, stories and components that facilitate tours, education, regional branding, visitor orientation, signage and a physical site plan. The interpretive and marketing components of the plan were organized and presented within the context of four previously identified driving "trails".

Our proposal identified the best markets for promoting the region, after which we developed an overall marketing plan to brand the Eastern Upper Peninsula as "The Great Waters" and create awareness and desire for experiential tourists to visit the region. The team outlined strategies to integrate new brand and marketing messages into potential multiple websites that focus on specific regional tourism or activity needs. We developed overall themes for the region, identified primary interpretive amenities, and prepared sub-themes, location narratives and proposed interpretive media for each location. We identified primary and secondary orientation points or portals, the types of existing information available to visitors, and recommendations for improving the visitor orientation experience. In cooperation with EUPNTA, the team developed a site survey form utilizing the categories from the RFP and weighted to emphasize priority areas for the committee and consultants. An estimated 50 sites were assessed using the site evaluation criteria identified. Results of the site assessments were entered into a database that will be used to summarize findings and facilitate the future development of maps, viewing guides and a website. Finally, upon project completion the team principals made a verbal presentation on both the interpretive and marketing plans to the EUPNTA committee. Specific components included:

• Identify Target Audiences
• Develop Overall Regional Marketing Plan
• Coordinate with Website Team
• Develop Interpretive Topics and Themes for Sites
• Conduct Regional Visitor Orientation Assessment and Implementation Plan
• Establish Waypoint, Portal & Trail Site Evaluation Criteria
• Conduct Waypoint, Portal & Trail Site Assessments
• Compile Waypoint, Portal & Trail Site Assessment Data
• Present Summary of Work

Promotional Coordinator (2003-2005), Venezuela’s Expo Ecoturismo Tradeshow
Client: Bolívar State Governor and Bolívar State Tourism Dept (Venezuela) subcontracted through Angel-Eco Tours
Description: Utilize a multi-tiered approach to provide valuable guidance and expertise in developing, implementing and measuring the success of a promotional campaign for Venezuela’s Expo Ecoturismo 2003. Activities were split among Pre-Expo Activities in the U.S., Expo Activities in Venezuela, and Follow-up Post-Expo Activities in the U.S. Actions include:

• Review Expo Ecoturismo promotional materials such as brochures, website, etc. to make the pieces more enticing to attendees and/or to ensure proper English grammar.
• Develop and maintain a database of North American tour companies and media sources.
• Secure the support of North American tour companies and media sources in attending the Expo Ecoturismo or in promoting Venezuela as a destination.
• Develop and disseminate materials (e-blasts, emails, phone calls, website changes) to promote attendance to the Expo Ecoturismo and general promotion of Venezuela as a destination.
• Develop short HTML features called “Views from Venezuela”; that detail various Venezuelan destinations, cities and people.
• Provide a coordinating role in the Expo Ecoturismo to attending North American tour companies and media sources.
• Provide a coordinating role in the Venezuela familiarization tours to participating North American tour companies and media sources.
• Conduct follow-up with participating North American tour companies and media sources to gauge their support for future Venezuela trips or media articles.
• Provide a report to EcoAlianza on the follow-up contacts from Expo participants.

Project Manager and Conference Coordinator (2003-2005), Travel Show Chicago and IATOS World Congress
Client: Outside Shows & Events LLC
Description: Assist in developing, promoting and directing Travel Show Chicago 2005 and the IATOS World Congress in 2003-2004. This included developing the framework for morning seminars, developing a stimulating and exciting atmosphere for both travel trade and public attendees, and identifying potential organizations or projects to spotlight with show attendees. Assist conference organizers on-site by coordinating the event, its participants and functions.

Project Manager and Conference Coordinator (2004), Adventure Travel World Summit
Client: MSE Management Inc. on behalf of Adventure Travel Trade Association
Description: Assist in developing, promoting and directing the Adventure Travel World Summit. This included developing the framework for seminars, developing a stimulating and exciting atmosphere for travel trade attendees, and identifying potential organizations, projects and speakers to spotlight with summit attendees.

Promotional Coordinator (2003-2004), Expo Aventura y Ecoturismo (Mexico)
Client: Tradex Exposiciones Internacionales
Description: Utilize a multi-tiered approach to provide valuable guidance and expertise in developing, implementing and measuring the success of a promotional campaign for Mexico's Expo Aventura y Ecoturismo. Activities were split among Pre-Expo Activities in the U.S., Expo Activities in Mexico, and Follow-up Post-Expo Activities in the U.S. Actions include:

• Review Expo promotional materials such as brochures, website, etc. to make the pieces more enticing to attendees and/or to ensure proper English grammar.
• Develop and maintain a database of North American tour companies and media sources.
• Secure the support of North American tour companies and media sources in attending the Expo or in promoting Mexico as a destination.
• Develop and disseminate materials (e-blasts, emails, phone calls, website changes) to promote attendance to the Expo and general promotion of Mexico as a destination.
• Develop short HTML features called “Mysteries of Mexico” that detail various Mexican destinations, activities and people.
• Provide a coordinating role in the Expo to attending North American tour companies and media sources.
• Provide a coordinating role in the Mexico familiarization tours to participating North American tour companies and media sources.
• Conduct follow-up with participating North American tour companies and media sources to gauge their support for future Mexico trips or media articles.
• Provide a report to Tradex on the follow-up contacts from Expo participants

Researcher (2003-2004), Adventure Industry Impact Report
Client: Outside Magazine and MSE Management
Description: Create an Adventure Industry Impact Report that seeks to identify the impact that the adventure industry has on tourism and the potential it has to contribute to further growth in tourism. Sponsored by Outside Magazine, publishers of the leading magazine for active travelers with two million monthly readers, and by tradeshow organizers MSE Management, the Impact Report identified all components that make up the adventure industry and the type of users that participate in its activities. The 10-page Impact Report used information from existing reports and studies. For the first time, the adventure industry had a report that compiled information from all elements of the adventure industry, created observations and conclusions, and detailed the enormous impact that it has on the overall tourism industry. The Impact Report was followed by a further Analysis Report that provided more in-depth details on each of the elements of the adventure industry. This Impact Report was used as the basis for a Tourism Board Conference at the 2004 IATOS World Congress.

Project Manager (2003-2004), DreamWeaver Travel Marketing Campaign
Client: DreamWeaver Travel
Description: Work directly with tour operator DreamWeaver Travel to develop a two-phase marketing plan to enhance inquiries and bookings. 1) Develop an introductory packet that will include its overall message, introduction letter, and updated materials such as rate cards, brochures, website changes, press releases, etc. to be provided to potential outbound U.S. tour operator clients. 2) Research U.S.-based outbound tour operators and deliver a detailed list of pre-qualified contacts for client to contact with appropriate materials.

Principal (2003-2004), Crooked Trails Marketing Campaign
Client: Crooked Trails – Community-Based Ecotour Operator
Description: Work directly with nonprofit tour operator Crooked Trails to develop a three-phase marketing plan to enhance inquiries and bookings. This includes enhancing current website visitation through site optimization and expanded web linkages, enhancing conversions of inquiries to bookings through coaching and training, and expanding the company’s profile through a national public relations campaign.

Project Manager (2003-2004), Dolphin-Aware Pilot Project
Client: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC); subcontracted through Nature Tourism Planning
Description: Work with NOAA, FFWCC and local stakeholders to develop and implement a pilot project that partners with Clearwater Beach, Florida, boat operators to minimize harassment and feeding of wild bottlenose dolphins. A local Steering Committee will guide the process and provide feedback to design and conduct a two-part “Dolphin-Aware” training workshop (both classroom- and field-based) and associated branding campaign for tour operators who complete the workshop. Project evaluation tools will determine the impact and success of the workshop and associated marketing campaign. The final report will evaluate the overall impact and success of the “Dolphin-Aware” pilot project, including suggestions on how to correct or alter the program for future locations that may need to address dolphin or other marine mammal harassment issues.

Project Manager (2003), Zarafa’s Safaris Marketing Campaign
Client: Zarafa’s Safaris
Description: Work directly with tour operator Zarafa’s Safaris to develop a three-phase marketing plan to enhance inquiries and bookings. 1) Develop an overall marketing plan that will include proposed trip offerings, key messages targeted toward medical professionals, related introduction letters, and updated materials such as rate cards, brochures, website changes, press releases, etc. that incorporate the revised key messages. 2) Update and revise client’s website, optimizing for search engines to enhance current website visitation. 3) Research associations, portals, databases, etc. that cater to medical professionals and deliver a detailed list of pre-qualified contacts for client to contact with appropriate materials.

Site Assessor (2003-2004), Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail
Client: Pennsylvania Audubon Society; subcontracted through Nature Tourism Planning
Description: Conduct up to 75 site assessments on sites nominated for inclusion in the Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail. This included pre-visit actions such as reviewing the nomination form and calling contact persons identified; conducting on-site visits and completing the site assessment forms; and conducting follow-up reports on each site.

Researcher (2003), California Coastal National Monument – Environmental Impact Study
Client: U.S. Bureau of Land Management; subcontracted through Nature Tourism Planning
Description: Conduct research on recreation activities that have potential harm to wildlife habitat and cultural resources of the California Coastal National Monument. Suggest alternative outdoor recreation opportunities and educational campaigns that minimize harm to the resources.

Researcher (2003), Northern California Nature Weekends
Client: Nature Tourism Planning
Description: Conduct research for “Northern California Nature Weekends,” a book by Bob Garrison and Jeanne Clark on weekend wildlife-viewing trips in California, through Internet research and follow-up contacts.

Project Manager (2002-2003), Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma
Client: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; subcontracted through Fermata Inc.
Description: Work with appropriate stakeholders to develop a network of wildlife-viewing sites for inclusion in the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma that would benefit local communities, conservation efforts and commerce opportunities. This project includes development of a website that will enable public nomination of sites into the trail network. A series of regional meetings have occurred throughout western Oklahoma to ensure local input, acceptance and support. Also included preparation and editing of a marketing plan: Coordination and Planning of the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma.

Project Manager (2002), Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail
Client: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; subcontracted through Fermata Inc.
Description: Work with appropriate stakeholders to develop a network of wildlife-viewing sites for inclusion in the Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail that would benefit local communities, conservation efforts and commerce opportunities. This project includes development of a website that will enable public nomination of sites into the trail network. A series of regional meetings will occur throughout coastal Connecticut to ensure local input, acceptance and support.

Project Manager (2002), Coastal Ohio Trail
Client: Coastal Ohio; subcontracted through Fermata Inc.
Description: Develop a website that lists sites of interest on the Coastal Ohio Trail. The website utilizes the latest in database technology to allow for ease of use in entering or removing data that then appears dynamically throughout the website. Work includes serving as a liaison between the database and website designers and the client.

Project Manager (2002), Great Wisconsin Birding Trail
Client: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; subcontracted through Fermata Inc.
Description: Develop a website that lists sites of interest on the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail. Work includes serving as a liaison between the database and website designers and the client.

Production Editor (2002), Watershed Protection Newspaper Insert
Client: Vermont Conservation Districts; subcontracted through Ghostwriters Communications
Description: Produce a newspaper insert to be placed in local newspapers throughout Vermont that details the qualities of healthy watersheds and provides information on how to improve daily practices that impact water sources.

Author (1998-2002), Landscaping for Wildlife in the Southern Great Plains
Client: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, published by University of Oklahoma Press (Norman, OK)
Description: Write, edit and develop book on appropriate practices to attract wildlife to properties in the Southern Great Plains states. This guide incorporates the latest research into an easy-to-read format with informative photos, graphics and tables. For more information or to order, visit: www.wildlifedepartment.com/landscapingbook.htm.

Editor (2002), Ecotourism: Principles, Practices and Polices for Sustainability
Client: United Nations Environment Programme
Description: Edited the publication Ecotourism: Principles, Practices and Polices for Sustainability (Epler Wood, 2002) for the United Nations Environment Programme. In preparation for the 2002 International Year of Ecotourism, UNEP produced this report on the current state of ecotourism. This publication incorporates the latest case studies from specific field situations to illustrate ecotourism's success and difficulties. Suggestions are provided for the long-term success of ecotourism for governments, researchers and ecotourism practitioners.

Production Editor (2002), International Ecolodge Guidelines (Mehta et al)
Client: The International Ecotourism Society
Description: Edited and designed this book, which incorporates the latest research and techniques available, providing guidance from the day that an idea is conceptualized to the time when an ecolodge or other outdoor facility is built and operating. Work included serving as a liaison between lead editor and graphic designer, ordering eco-friendly paper and conducting press checks. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone associated with ecolodges or other nature-based accommodations and facilities, including: developers, planners, landscape architects, architects, engineers, consultants, marketers, researchers, financiers, operators and interpretive staff.

Production Editor (2002), Marine Ecotourism: Impacts, International Guidelines and Best Practice Case Studies
Client: The International Ecotourism Society
Description: Edited and designed this electronic book (e-book), which incorporates five years of research developed from the first Marine Ecotourism Workshop in 1996. This publication provides guidelines that can be adapted to a host of coastal and marine settings visited by ecotourists. "Best Practices" also are provided to give specific examples of solutions to problems facing marine ecotourism practitioners. The book covers marine ecotourism activities, interpretation and environmental education, attractions, developing a coastal infrastructure for tourism, and planning, managing and operating a marine ecotourism business.