Melaine Rottkamp & Arturo Gaona to Speak in Saratoga Springs at the 2024 NYSTIA Annual Meeting

Join us on Thursday morning in Saratoga Springs at the 2024 NYSTIA Annual Meeting to hear Melaine Rottkamp, Preseident & CEO from Dutchess Tourism, Inc. and Arturo Gaona, Chief Partnerships Officer from Wheel the World, present on their award winning project, Accessible Dutchess: ThinkDIFFERENTLY about welcoming travelers of all abilities.

Since 2015, Dutchess County’s ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative has aimed to create a more supportive and welcoming environment for those of all abilities. With ARPA funding in hand, Dutchess Tourism launched their award-winning Accessible Dutchess program in 2023 to support increased accessibility within the county’s tourism industry. Through a partnership with Wheel the World, a microgrant program, training and marketing, Dutchess County has become Destination Verified by Wheel the World with more than 50 hotels, restaurants and attractions who’ve earned their Verified Accessibility seal and are now much better equipped to welcome travelers (and residents) to enjoy Dutchess County.

Why You Should Attend This Session:

• Travelers with mobility disabilities spend $58.2 billion annually on travel and take leisure trips as frequently as those without mobility issues.
• If they don’t know, they won’t go. It’s essential to provide travelers with accurate information.
• Community engagement and increased resident quality of life. What’s good for travelers is also good for residents.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to start – wherever you are.
• Be the change you want to see.
• Celebrate milestones to encourage further progress.

Melaine Rottkamp is a certified destination management executive who has worked passionately since 2011 to support and highlight more than 1,200 tourism-related businesses and organizations throughout Dutchess County.

As President & CEO, she focuses on data-driven strategies to manage Dutchess Tourism’s award-winning advertising and marketing efforts to aggressively promote the county as a premiere leisure and business destination. Additionally, she oversees the non-profit’s business support and outreach programs including ongoing workforce development programs, educational seminars, conferences, networking, and recognition events. She also directs the activities of Film Dutchess, working with the Hudson Valley Film Commission, to bring productions and investment to the area.

A graduate of Syracuse University, Melaine has shared her expertise as a presenter at regional, state and international tourism conferences providing insight, successful strategies, and encouraging collaborations as pathways toward success for destination organizations and tourism businesses.

Arturo Gaona is the Chief Partnerships Officer and a founding team member of Wheel the World, a company at the forefront of accessible travel. Arturo has been instrumental in expanding the platform’s diverse offerings, enabling more people to discover inclusive travel experiences across the globe. Currently, he spearheads the commercial expansion of the Destination Verified program, ensuring that destinations meet the highest accessibility standards in hospitality.

Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Arturo built a distinguished career in the medical devices industry, where he held key roles in sales, marketing, and training across Latin America. His global perspective is shaped by his roots in Mexico City, his five years in Europe, and his current residence in San Francisco.

A true outdoor enthusiast, Arturo enjoys hiking and mountain biking. He is deeply passionate about sharing the transformative power of travel and is committed to making it accessible to everyone.