In 2015 I merged my business, Traverse Traveler, into Visitors Media and joined the team as partner. Visitors Media provides creative and innovative solutions to market local attractions to hotel guests. Our products are designed to entertain, educate and inspire visitors from the moment they enter the lobby. We offer marketing solutions to turn travelers into customers—from digital signage and in-room television networks, to handy print materials and mobile apps. As the founder of Traverse Traveler I am the voice of our company and our brands. I oversee the right-brain operations including design, production, marketing, communications and public relations. I work with the Creative Director in all aspects of design and production for our in-room visitors channel, dining guide menu magazine, Traverse Traveler cards and mobile app. You'll often find me on Facebook and Instagram sharing photos and video of my adventures. As a partner in Visitors Media I enjoy growing the relationships with our customers and adapting as their marketing needs change. At Visitors Media I've had the opportunity to develop content that educates and inspires travelers who may be discovering our area for the first time. As an on-camera personality I get to explore our region, work directly with local businesses and share their stories with viewers. To learn more about Visitors Media and see some examples of our work please explore our website: http://VisitorsMedia.com

I made the leap to business owner in 2001 with the launch of Mealtickets & Unusual Ideas, a little card display in hotel lobbies. The pocket-sized cards with information about area restaurants and attractions are a resource for area visitors seeking an authentic experience on their trip to northern Michigan. Istarted with little card displays in hotel lobbies throughout Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie county. Hotel guests loved the handy cards because they fit in their pocket or purse.In 2010, as travelers became mobile and tech savvy I designed the Traverse Traveler app, the region’s first free app to showcase local small businesses from restaurants to wineries and attractions. Mealtickets & Unusual Ideas was rebranded as Traverse Traveler, to be one multi-media resource for local visitors.After 13 years of operating as a sole proprietorship I made the leap to merge with Visitors Media to grow the Traverse Traveler brand and embrace new resources for reaching visitors with an in-room hotel channel, lobby digital signage and a dining guide menu magazine.As a brand ambassador for northern Michigan I'm an advocate for local businesses, sharing delicious dishes, wine tasting tips, behind-the-scenes looks at local hot spots and celebrating the my love for my hometown.

Graphic design & illustration including:• brand development and integration• print advertising• website design• email marketing• product packaging and promotionAdditional experience in writing, TV and radio ad production, photography

graphic designer Responsible for creative concepts, design and illustration, primarily for advertising campaigns and brand identity development.Clients include:• Waste Management; Recycle America identity and ad campaign• Passageways Travel; multi-media ad campaigns• Great Lakes Energy; quarterly newsletter and bill inserts• Leelanau Orchards; identity and signage• Cherryland Electric Cooperative; multi-media advertising

Responsible for various aspects of graphic design for the museum and tradeshow exhibit industry including concept development, illustration, artifact and image acquisition and organization, model making and client correspondence.Projects include:• Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Smackover, AR• Margaret Dow Towsley Sports Museum, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI• Frank H. McClung Museum, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN• Chippewa Nature Center, Midland, MI• Walter P. Chrysler Museum, Auburn Hills, MI• Jeddah Science Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia• National Sports Gallery, MCI Arena, Washington D.C.Additional experience in proposal design and distribution, and in-house tradeshow displays