Nationally-renowned tourism trends expert Judy Randall, President of Randall Travel Marketing, will be the keynote speaker at the Kentucky Travel Industry Association (KTIA) Spring Conference, May 11-12 in Cave City. Randall, who has spent over 25 years capturing the voice of the customer, will focus on the latest research for the travel and tourism industry, as well as the “new normal”, in her two keynote presentations. Deanna Partridge, Vice President of Human Resources from Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo, will present “Staying Flexible in Today’s Economy” and highlight tips for professionals outside H.R.  Sessions on “Flexing your Marketing Muscle in a Weak Economy” & “Bringing in New $ with an Old Resource” round out the conference agenda.

Kay Berggren, President/CEO of the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, feels these industry experts will appeal to a wide range of partners across the state and registration is open to all industry professionals. “We offer opportunities to network and create lasting partnerships within the travel industry,” says Berggren, “and KTIA conferences are considered some of the best in the nation.” Travel and tourism is Kentucky’s 3rd largest revenue producing industry, with an $11 billion economic impact. Tourism also produces $3.3 billion in salaries to our citizens, which saves every taxpayer $700 in taxes annually. Tourism employs 166,000 Kentuckians; 1 in 10 of every person employed – enough to fill Rupp Arena more than 7 times.

The May Conference gets underway during National Tourism Week at 1:00 p.m. CDT at the Cave City Convention Center on May 11. Registration includes all sessions, breaks, evening reception at Mammoth Cave National Park with lantern cave tour, and a breakfast on May 12. The Conference adjourns on May 12 at noon. The Trade Show

provides industry suppliers with an opportunity to display their marketing, printing and promotional products. Media exhibitors from Southern Living, Good Housekeeping, Kentucky Monthly, Country Living, Insight Cable and more will be on hand; a tremendous resource for all attendees.

Delegate registration for the May Tourism Development Symposium is $125. Full registration information can be found at www.KTIA.com, by calling 502.223.8687 or emailing ktia@tourky.com. A Fall Travel Industry Conference, produced by KTIA, is scheduled for October in Lexington.