Employee Spotlight

Bobbie Bennett
Carolyn Brennecka
Nora Campbell
Leann Deittrick
Holly Feldman
Beth Gardner
Erin Gurtel
Mary E. Higbie
Brian Park 
Allison Tran
Carolyn Woodmansee
Tom Yates



Bobbie Bennett, CTA

Bobbie Bennett knows and lives the power of tourism.  Her entrepreneurial spirit has driven her from entertainer, to restaurateur, to photographer, to social coordinator, to tour director.  As owner of Five Star Photo in Arizona, Bobbie says, "I love the ability to stop time and capture adventures with photos that tell the story of our tours. My participants can always treasure them."

Bobbie says, "I am thrilled to be a CTA!  It is an honor and a blessing for me to have the perfect venue to express my passions and share my talents."

Bobbie has attended every Valley Tourism Ambassadors Program networking event and become the official "unofficial" photographer of the program!  Her time and expertise is very much appreciated!

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Carolyn Brennecka, CTA

An historical interpreter at the Clay County Historic Sites at the Jesse James Farm Museum in Kearney, MO, Carolyn Brennecka, CTA says, "no two days are alike and the visitors always add such spice to our days."  She adds, her position is never dull and she enjoys meeting visitors from all over the world.

One particularly rewarding situation Carolyn recalls, "one evening we were closed, and as I was walking to my car, I was approached by a couple of visitors that had just arrived.  They really wanted to see Jesse's gravesite.  They spoke little English, and I speak no Japanese, so it took a little while to understand they wanted directions to where he is buried now.  So I drove to the cemetery, with them following me, and then walked them to the grave.  They were so grateful and it was such a small thing for me to have done."

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Nora Campbell, CTA

Nora was working at Ed Kane's Water Taxis as a mate on the boat when she was 19 and in college.  It was an intense customer service position.  The mates were often the first encounter many tourists in Baltimore would have.  She would get questions ranging from "where to eat" to "what is playing at the IMAX theatre".  She spent 10 years there and was ultimately promoted to Vice President of Sales and Administration.  She is currently the Sales Manager for the Maryland Science Center and now she always know the IMAX schedule!  About the Baltimore Tourism Ambassador Program, she says, "the networking mixers allow me to meet other like-minded individuals in the industry and to create new cooperative partnerships."

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Leann Deittrick, CTA

Like many CTAs, Leann Deittrick caught the "tourism bug" in college and her interest grew from there. She currently enjoys working at the front desk of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in Kalamazoo, MI, where she has the opportunity to share her knowledge with visitors from around the country and world.

She says the one thing that impacted her the most upon becoming a CTA was realizing, "our region has many one-of-a-kind tourist attractions, history and geographic destinations that we are branding and marketing. It is the front line people like me who can make recommendations and influence behavior."

Leann also says, "As a CTA, it is an exciting experience connecting with our region's tourism leaders and learning how to provide quality service to our visitors. It is a great feeling to know that I am having a positive impact on the regional hospitality industry and economy."

Way to go, Leann!

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Holly Feldman, CTA

Close your eyes and imagine a happy place from your childhood. Holly Feldman, CTA, doesn't have to imagine, she is in her happy place every day. Holly is Manager of Marketing & Audience Development at the American Folklore Theatre (AFT) in Door County, Wisconsin. Her degree in Arts Management and her wonderful memories of visiting Door County as a child drew her back to this beautiful destination.

She says of being a Door County CTA, "I enjoy the feeling of camaraderie in the community, of knowing we are all out there doing our best." Holly and AFT treated CTAs to a Red Carpet Event, so CTAs could experience the uniqueness of this outdoor theatre and connect with other CTAs. And, of course, now recommend the theatre to visitors!

Holly believes having a heightened awareness of the little things has helped her improve the overall experience at AFT.

Way to go, Holly!

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Beth Gardner, CTA

Before becoming a KCI Ambassador, Beth Gardner was Director of Leisure Operations for a large travel agency in Kansas City.  She was in travel for almost 19 years before retiring.  Volunteering as a KCI Ambassador was a great fit for her coming out of travel.  She loves helping people.  She says, "what I like most about being a CTA is meeting new people and receiving positive reactions from the information I share with them."

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Erin Gurtel, CTA

Erin Gurtel embodies the CTA Spirit! As Marketing/Sales Manager for the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, she says, "I love to roll out the CTA red carpet for people visiting Spokane." Erin's specialty is putting on large festivals and community events. She says it was particularly gratifying when she received an email from a visitor thanking her for planning her itinerary while she was in Spokane.

Erin says she really enjoys meeting CTAs from other areas of the Spokane tourism community. In addition, she says, "I love it when people ask me what a CTA is when they see my business card or email signature!"

Way to go, Erin!

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Mary E. Higbie, CTA
 
Everything we do in life helps to prepare us for something else....whether we do it for pay or as a volunteer.  So my customer service background with several of the different airlines has taught me a variety of tools which serve me well as a museum guide and meeting the public. 

"Being a CTA has brought recognition from others in the hospitality/tourism field.  Additionally, it has given me pride in myself and it is my personal goal is to be able to provide the information our visitors need to enjoy their stay."

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Brian Park, CTA 

Brian Park is not one to pass up an opportunity to further his career in hospitality.  When he heard the CTA Program was coming to Anaheim, he couldn't wait to become certified.  With over 15 years customer service experience, he knows a thing or two about serving visitors.  He joined the Embassy Suites Anaheim South Guest Services staff in 2008.  Recently, after attending an Anaheim CTA FAM Trip, a group in house was in dire need of transportation for 67 people.  Through contacts he made with Grayline of Southern California, the day of the FAM trip, he was able to set up transportation for the group, and even under their budget!

Brian says, "I enjoy giving guests the countless options that are available to them, and just not relying on Disneyland as their ONLY option.  It's a rewarding feeling when a guest comes back after a day of travels and thanks me for telling them about certain places. The CTA training is a key to giving my guests the best customer service I possibly can."

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Allison Tran, CTA

Allison Tran, owner of EmbroidMe may not deal with visitors face-to-face every day, but she definitely has the passion to get people excited about Baltimore!  She has told countless people about the Baltimore Tourism Ambassadors Program and even made a presentation to her Business Networking International group.  She says, "you don't have to leave your hometown and spend a lot of money to have a great experience."  She recommends going back to places (like The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore) that you haven't been to in a while.  You'll discover something new!

Allison says the CTA program has also given her the opportunity to meet new people.  She is currently working with Jessica Greene (soon to be CTA) at the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor Hotel on special packages for family reunion groups.  Way to go, Allison!

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Carolyn Woodmansee, CTA

Carolyn has been a volunteer for the Spokane Region Convention & Visitors Bureau for over seven years.  She choose to be a volunteer because she loves people!  She thought it would be a great way to meet new people and help make their experience in Spokane wonderful!

When the CTA program was first introduced to Spokane, she jumped at the chance!  She wanted to learn more about Spokane, and thought this would be the best way to hone her skills.  Of the certification renewal process, Carolyn says, "I found the renewal process to be easy, and actually inspiring to finding additional venues to visit!  The renewal cost was very reasonable.  I consider it to be a worthwhile investment of my time and money."

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Tom Yates, CTA

Tom began working at DeSha's Restaurant in 1985 and has done almost every job in the restaurant. His passion for theatre, cooking, and hospitality has brought him to where he is now.  He loves the front of house of the restaurant because of the interaction with tourists and customers.  He says, "people ask one simple question, and I'm pulling out maps, walking tours guides and information packs.  They sometimes refer to me as a walking tourism center. When I tell them I'm a CTA, they immediately trust me and the suggestions I provide.  Having a customer trust you with their visit is fun, awesome and rewarding!"

CTA Pride

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