Associate Member, Midwest Travel Journalists Association
Travel Communications Manager, Hamilton County Tourism, Carmel, Indiana
What unique aspects of your travel destination do you find most compelling to promote?
First, I have a passion for promoting Hamilton County’s vibrant culinary scene. The vast array of global cuisines, upscale restaurants, and unique dining concepts throughout our county is astonishing. It’s something that often takes media members by surprise when they visit. Additionally, I love to promote stories centered around transformational family travel. Hamilton County, Indiana, is filled with experiences that allow families to unplug and enjoy quality time together. A few key attractions include Conner Prairie (a living history museum), Strawtown Koteewi Park and our walkable downtowns.
How do you typically collaborate with writers, editors, and photographers to showcase your destination?
We collaborate with writers in a variety of ways. For those we have relationships with, we frequently pitch story ideas and destination updates. For those interested in immersing themselves in the destination for a particular story, I enjoy working closely with writers to craft a tailored itinerary. I also do my best to personally meet with each person who visits the destination and schedule conversations for them with key community partners or business owners.
What challenges do you face when promoting travel destinations in the Midwest, and how do you overcome them?
I think we’ve all faced a version of the false narrative that the Midwest is boring. And for those unfamiliar with Indiana, they may only know our state for basketball, corn and the Indy 500. We love these things; however, there is so much more to our destination! We overcome these limited viewpoints by showing our Hoosier hospitality and continuing to promote what makes us a vibrant destination worth visiting.
Can you provide examples of how you leverage local culture, history, or events to attract media interest?
Events are an exciting opportunity for us to bring writers into our destination. For example, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is nationally recognized and a popular request for visits. Our goal when we bring people in during our popular events is that they can experience the entire destination or a particular city they’re staying in, allowing for a wider breadth of coverage.
What future projects or initiatives are you most excited about in promoting your travel destination?
I’m very excited for everything that is happening around the White River and our trailways in Central Indiana. This is a big moment for our destination to be recognized for its outdoor offerings and for us to collaborate with our wonderful colleagues throughout Central Indiana. This trailways initiative is an excellent opportunity for us to work together to connect with a wide variety of visitors – from passionate cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts to laidback families or solo travelers.