Natacha Vilson is a dynamic leader currently serving as the Executive Director of the Travel and Tourism Marketing Association (TTMA).

​

With over a decade of experience in executive event planning, marketing, and strategic partnerships, she has been instrumental in elevating the association’s presence and impact.

Bringing a unique blend of corporate expertise and bold, cutting-edge creativity, Natacha has collaborated with companies across various industries, including finance, automotive, media, music, real estate, technology, and hospitality.

​

She has a proven track record of increasing brand value and visibility through innovative marketing strategies and immersive event experiences. Her true passion lies in curating unique and captivating moments that foster genuine human connection.

Dedicated to fostering industry relationships, she leads initiatives that drive innovation, collaboration, and business growth.

​

Her expertise spans luxury events, brand activations, and high-level B2B engagements, positioning her as a trusted voice in the field. Combining analytical marketing skills with sharp intuition, she helps brands maintain originality and individuality while keeping a strategic, big-picture focus.

Wendy Kheel is acknowledged for expertise in tourism research, data, trends and marketing strategy and for presentations at a wide range of travel industry conferences and seminars. 

She has joined Tourism Economics as Client Manager, focusing on Symphony, a customizable market intelligence platform.

Prior to Tourism Economics, she was Vice President of Tourism Insights for the LATCB where she oversaw global research and data analysis. 

Prior to LA Tourism, she was Director, Consumer Insights at Universal Studios Hollywood, Director of Market Research at Walt Disney Imagineering, and a Senior Manager at two hospitality-industry consulting firms.

She has a Masters of Hotel Administration from Cornell University, an MBA from the University of Miami, and a Bachelor of Speech from Northwestern University.

Lauren is founder/president of Lauren Schlau Consulting (LSC). Operating since 1992, LSC is a respected market research consultancy with expertise in economic development, including travel/tourism, retail and cultural arts. 

Lauren’s research career began in consumer products, followed by research positions at the San Diego CVB, PKF/CBRE, and other private, not-for profit and public entities.

She is a member of CalTravel (board), TTRA, LATCB, and LA5 Rotary.

Schlau holds a Master of Public Administration (USC), and Bachelor of Science (Northwestern University), with post-grad certificates in Management Development for Entrepreneurs (UCLA Anderson School), and Organizational Development and Leadership (UCLA Extension).

Carlos Montenegro serves as President of TTMA and has served on the Board of Directors for eight years. He is a Project Manager at historic Los Angeles Union Station helping to bring new technologies, experiences and programs to the station.

With over 25 years of travel and tourism industry experience, Carlos brought tourists from around the world to Walt Disney World in Florida and to Beverly Center and Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.

Carlos also volunteers within the L.A. County foster care system through Kidsave, where he mentors and advocates for older children seeking adoption and mentorship. In the past seven years, he and his wife helped six teenagers find permanent, loving homes.

Jeff Levy, a veteran with 37 years of publishing experience in the travel, arts, and fashion industries, is currently in his 30th year as publisher at California Media Group.

Jeff is a past president of the Orange County Tourism Council and past executive board member of the California Tourism Industry Association. He also sits on the advisory board for the Master’s Degree in Tourism Management at California State University Northridge and is currently a board member of the Tour and Travel Marketing Association.​​

Jeff enjoys snow skiing, cycling and collecting Bob’s Big Boy memorabilia. He has been married to his wife AnnDee for 37 years and is the proud father of two grown daughters, Stevie and Rachel.

Manny is the Director of Sales at The Garland, a family-owned boutique style hotel located in North Hollywood, CA. He currently oversees the sales and catering efforts for this 257 guest room property with approximately 25,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor/outdoor function space.

With almost 20 years of experience working within the hospitality market segment (including stints at Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and others) he is passionate about cultivating relationships across all industries.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Mariella Carmona was born and raised in Mexico City, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from CESSA University and brings over 30 years of experience in the tour and travel, airline, and hospitality industries, being an expert in the Latin Market. She is bi-cultural, bilingual in English, Spanish, with 50% knowledge of Portuguese.

Mariella joined Los Angeles Tourism Convention Board in 2005, was the Regional Director for Mexico/Latin America, and worked closely with the travel, aviation, and media industries, along with government officials both locally, and from Mexico/ Latin America.

In 2020 she founded CONNVOC, a boutique representation firm that aims to be the liaison between clients in the US, Mexico, and Latin America, connecting people across all regions, in diverse industries, and entities, helping them expand their client base. Among her array of many jobs. Currently, Mariella proudly represents Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board and The Empire State Building in New York among other projects in Mexico/Latin America.

Mariella also finds time to be a guest speaker, organize special events, and do media interviews for local and in market Hispanic channels.

Lastly, but not least, she is also embarking on a new journey along with her 25-year-old daughter supporting her career in Mental Health.

Lorraine Chapman, Director of Tourism, Advocacy & Industry Relations for GOCAL, Greater Ontario California has over 15 years of experience in the destination marketing and tourism industry with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, and, more than 20 years in commercial real estate development, marketing & leasing, and commercial insurance.
 

Lorraine serves on various boards and past-Chair for California Travel Association Ambassador Committee (2020-2023), and currently on the Rural Committee for Visit
California, the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association (DOIA) District Identity Committee, Board of Directors for Travelers Aid International of the Inland Empire and
represents GOCAL at the Ontario International Airport Roundtable.
 
Lorraine has a BS in Business Administration/Marketing from California State Los Angeles. Lorraine and her husband Michael have been together for 28 years and live in Pasadena
with Oliver, their very spoiled “only dog child”. Lorraine loves exploring local culture, cuisine, arts and unique off the beaten path experiences and also a bit of a tomboy that enjoys
watching both college and professional sports.

Joaquin Esteva is VP, West Coast at AKA, a full-service marketing agency specializing in the live entertainment, arts & culture, and attractions sectors with offices in Los Angeles, New York and the UK.  He joined AKA in 2016 as Client Services Director and managed several high profile accounts at the agency, including the Tony Award-winning Best Musical The Band’s Visit, American Son starring Kerry Washington, and the smash-hit play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  

When AKA expanded into the West Coast market, Joaquin relocated from New York to help launch and run the new L.A. office.  In his current leadership role, Joaquin oversees the agency’s L.A.-based operations including the management of all West Coast accounts, client relationships, and new business development.

Prior to AKA, Joaquin spent 3 years as the Advertising Manager at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), where he oversaw the media planning and advertising campaigns for the world-renowned performing arts institution. Prior to BAM, he worked a combined 13 years at two other marketing agencies serving the live arts & entertainment industry – Situation Interactive and Serino Coyne – where he supervised numerous accounts including Disney Theatrical Productions, Hairspray, and Wicked.  Joaquin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The College of William and Mary. He lives in North Hills with his husband and loves to travel the world.

Shana has worked for 30 years in travel and hospitality in media, technology, and events working with national publications and organizations such as Expedia, National Geographic Traveler, and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.  For three years Shana served as Publisher and Co-Founder of DTLA Book, a coffee table guide book celebrating the rich cultural history and present day marvels of DTLA.

Shana currently has a media and event sales representation firm serving national and regional publications including Los Angeles, Orange Coast, Pasadena, Edible LA, Nobleman, Los Angeles Blade and other city/regional publications across the country.

Jody is the account executive and owner of Flowers Hotel Group. Founded in 2007, Flowers Hotel Groups specializes in consulting and producing events in the boutique hotel and independent service space in the Los Angeles and New York markets. 

​

Faling for foodie heaven under Flowers Hotel Group since 2022: 2008 Melting Pot Food Tours opened its doors in 2008 as LA’s original walking food tour operator with destinations and guided led tours. Tours are located at The Original Farmers Market, Old Pasadena, East LA +Boyle Heights, and East Village Long Beach and Little India. Specializing in private group and public tours, Melting Pot Food Tours combines culture and storytelling in each destination while tasting time honored family recipes from small business merchants.
 

An 80’s College Grad, Jody holds degrees from Purdue University, in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and an associate’s degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales. Jody is the CEO and President of the non-profit Old Timers Club sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 121. Originally founded in 1917 in LA.  Troop 121 meets weekly in Angeleno Heights at the Central City Action Committee. Jody is honored to serve on the board of TTMA.

Mr. Megrikian has demonstrated a passion for hospitality and exceptional service, and has been repeatedly recognized for his leadership skills. In 2007 and 2010, he was awarded Manager of the Year from the Warner Center Marriott. In 2008, he successfully completed the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exam.

Mr. Megrikian joined the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City as a senior sales manager and was later promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing. During an extended absence of the director, he stepped into the role and became instrumental to the management team. Working closely with tourism boards, he emphasized positioning the hotel as an international destination, helping drive record leisure and business bookings.
 

Mr. Megrikian then joined the SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Beverly Hills, as the Director of Sales & Marketing. The hotel was voted "Best Hotel in the World" by Condé Nast in 2019, and its restaurant, SOMNI, earned two Michelin stars. Most recently, Mr. Megrikian was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for SZN Management USA, overseeing sales, marketing, and owner's projects for the Sheraton Universal and The L.A. Grand Hotels.
 

Throughout his career, Megrikian has earned numerous
accolades for his leadership and development, including the 2014 SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) Kevin Forde Spirit Award. He also served as co-chair of SITE's Young Leaders program and was spotlighted by Meetings Today Magazine in 2017 as a "Meetings Trendsetters."

Representing the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, I am honored to be on the board of the TTMA. After moving from St. Louis Missouri for school at San Francisco Art Institute. I started my journey in the Tourism Industry working as a concierge in the Fisherman’s Wharf of San Francisco after graduation.

The intersection of art and Tourism eventually led me to the SFMOMA, where I started in Visitor Service, and moved up to Group Sales and Tourism. From there I became Manager of Tourism and Group Sales at the Academy Museum, after relocating to Los Angeles with my wife and two young girls.

Cori Garfias has been working at the Getty since 2013.  At the Getty, she started out working as a Visitor Servies Associate, and ended up in her current position in Group Sales and Tourism.  A large aspect of Cori's job is attending local and domestic tourism related events and conferences, networking with other tourism industry professionals, and tour operators. 

She also arranges an array of group visits, some quite complex, requiring coordination with multiple departments at the Getty.  Cori has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Industry Studies from Cal State Northridge, and graduated with her Masters in Library and Information Science through an online program at San Jose State University in 2023. 

When she is not working, Cori enjoys spending quality time with her husband, their son, and their dog.  She also likes cooking, attending concerts, creating eclectic Spotify playlists, and watching the Dodgers live and on the TV screen. 

With over 25+ years in the transportation and travel industry, Adriana Gaikan is currently the Director of Sales at Catalina Express, where she recently celebrated two successful years. As a proud Californian, she is passionate about showcasing the beauty and culture of her home state. Beyond her professional achievements, Adriana is a devoted wife and mother, and she’s excited to embrace her new role as a grandparent.

​