Aug 28, 2024
Danae Jones-Persip and Jennifer Ackerson to Speak at Saratoga Springs 2024 NYSTIA Annual Meeting
Join us Friday morning at the Saratoga Springs 2024 NYSTIA Annual Meeting when Danae Jones-Persip, Senior Manager of Travel Trade and Programs for the New York State Division of Tourism at Empire State Development and Jennifer Ackerson, President of Alon Tourism Solutions, speak about Mastering Fam Tours: Crafting Partnerships through Experiences.
Hosting a familiarization tour can be a profitable way to showcase the best your destination has to offer to travel trade and travel media. By offering these firsthand experiences, you can boost your destination's visibility and appeal. Join Jennifer Ackerson and Danae Jones-Persip, to learn how you can become a fam tour expert and turn participants into enthusiastic ambassadors for your destination!
Why You Should Attend This Session:
- Gain insights into the strategic importance of hosting fam tours for promoting destinations to travel trade and media.
- Learn proven best practices and techniques for planning, organizing, and executing highly effective fam tours.
- Explore how to tailor fam tours to showcase unique aspects of your destination that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Understand how to effectively collaborate with local stakeholders to enhance fam tour outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
- Leave equipped with tools to host a fam tour like a seasoned pro.
- Gain foundational understanding of the distinct objectives and approaches for media-focused versus travel trade-focused fam tours.
- Discover actionable next steps to effectively follow up after hosting a fam tour, ensuring sustained engagement and success.
- Acquire tips for leveraging fam tours as part of a broader destination marketing strategy to increase visibility and attract visitors.
About the Presenters:
Danae Jones-Persip is Senior Manager of Travel Trade and Programs for the New York State Division of Tourism at Empire State Development, New York’s economic development agency.
Danae is responsible for the strategy, logistics and management of international press and trade familiarization tours; the implementation and alignment of international public relations strategies; and the support and industry coordination of consumer and trade travel shows. She oversees the I LOVE NY Black travel initiative and the administration of the Brand USA - New York State marketing partnership.
Danae joined ESD in 2011 and, after earning her BA from SUNY Empire State College, has worked in various roles within the agency and Division of Tourism.
Jennifer Ackerson is a 25+ year veteran of the tourism industry with deep experience in every supplier category. She is an expert in educating and connecting tourism destinations/suppliers with travel trade buyers/resellers to build successful relationships that drive profits and sustained success. Jen spearheads Alon’s tourism training program “Steps to Success” in partnership with International Inbound Travel Assoc. (IITA) and the “Tourism Ready” training program for NYC & Co., the official DMO of NYC. She is an expert public speaker, event planner, and global tradeshow ambassador.
About the Organizations:
New York State Division of Tourism at Empire State Development is the official tourism promotion agency for the entire state of New York, and owner of the iconic I Love New York logo brand. New York State features 11 vacation regions, with attractions spanning from landmarks such as Niagara Falls, to the wine trails of the Finger Lakes and treasures like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Whether it’s wide-ranging outdoor activities for the whole family like fishing, hiking, and boating, culinary wonders and farm-to-table fresh foods, or the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies, New York State offers diverse activities for all travelers.
Alon Tourism Solutions is a global tourism marketing consultancy. We educate, prepare and connect tourism destinations, suppliers, and global sales teams (travel agents, DMCs, resellers) to fast-track profitable relationships and symbiotic success. On-demand sales and marketing initiatives, strategic consulting, tourism training, and targeted networking pave the path to enhanced visibility, sales growth, and healthy bottom lines for tourism companies. We are ever mindful of client needs, goals, and budgets, and work tirelessly to create appropriate, sustainable solutions.