Leslie Walker, Chsp Email & Phone Number

TOURISM PRODUCT CREATIONDo you have a number of public sculptures? Great local coffee shops? A series of businesses that share some common thread? I will work with you to determine how to connect these single assets to create one greater tourism product. This initiative can help define and expand on your destination branding.DESTINATION STORYTELLINGOften times, those within a destination have the hardest time curating its story in a way that is compelling to visitors. Together, we will develop your story in a way that is easy for locals to share with visitors and for visitors to pass along to others. The most effective way to expand your destination marketing efforts.VISITOR EXPERIENCE CONSULTINGExcellent visitor experience leads to return guests, referral business and more dollars spent in your destination.This consult involvesconducting an audit of your targeted tourism location or product for promotion. Then, we will use the data gathered to assist in identifying any lapse in delivery of service or propose places for enhancement to help create the best possible visitor experience.SENSORY TOURISM TRAININGLooking to make your destination more sensory inclusive and expand your visitor base? We are available for travel industry trainings for you and your partner team, centered around tools to help you better welcome travelers with sensory sensitivities or those on the autism spectrum. Additionally, we can help you develop a sensory tourism itinerary and program marketing plan.PURPOSEFUL PLACEMAKINGIn this tourism consulting, we look at your key tourism centers and search for ways to expand the footprint of economic activity by determining points where purposeful placemaking activities could draw visitors and activate previously dormant spots.

Alabama, United States

TBEX is the world's premiere gathering of Travel Bloggers, Content Creators, Travel Writers & Tourism Industry Professionals.

Alabama, United States

Grant-funded, free travel industry training for hospitality teams, centered around tools to help better welcome travelers with sensory sensitivities or those on the autism spectrum. Additionally, if you or someone in your life has diagnosed sensory sensitivities or are on the autism spectrum, this program determines eligibility to receive a FREE night stay at a certified Tourism ALL-a-Bama hotel and provides resources to plan your next vacation!

Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Using our location-specific expertise, we design and implement your entire local experience from start to finish, including transportation, catering, tours, events, and activities.We plan and produce corporate meetings, conferences, galas, fundraisers, employee retreats, product launches, and team-building activities tailored to your goals and budget.

Huntsville, Alabama Area

* Program Manager for Tourism ALL-a-Bama sensory sensitivity awareness training and practice stay program funded by the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities.* Spreading the message that true inclusion matters in art, transportation, economic and workforce development * Forming meaningful partnerships in the North Alabama community to highlight services provided to over 1,000 clients and families, representing 178 different diagnoses requiring physical, speech and occupational therapies. * Widening the reach of online community to share available resources and expand understanding of our agency

Huntsville, Alabama Area

* I design unique, storytelling experiences for a broad range of audiences in order to promote Huntsville as a one-of-a-kind destination for conventions, travel media and leisure travelers.* In this position, I attend trade shows and conferences as a representative of the City of Huntsville, in order to influence buyers to select Huntsville as their convention destination.* I work closely with hoteliers and attractions to offer services for incoming convention delegates as well as guide them to convey their best assets to prospective clients.* Alongside the Marketing Department, I developed online promotions to heighten awareness of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and our services as well as collaborated to co-create Huntsville’s annual branded social media campaign, #iHeartHsv.

Huntsville, Alabama

* Nurtured working relationships and negotiated contracts for all preferred corporate transient, federal government and corporate group accounts both locally and globally* Developed and worked to continually improve online presence for hotel, restaurant / lounge and banquet facilities through property direct website, various online directories and social networking sites* Cultivated talents of sales team members and led along with banquet set-up and waitstaff to provide exceptional service, seamless planning and execution of all type and size of event* Planned, detailed and organized large-scale open to the public special events for the hotel’s Food and Beverage Department including: pool parties, New Years Eve and client appreciation events* Acted as hotel’s Revenue Manager determining room rate, stay restrictions and sales strategy* Assisted in the implementation of a service-based culture striving to deliver world class customer experiences

Huntsville, Alabama

Led formerly distressed hotel property through major renovation, assembled operational staff, implemented operating procedures and developed sales team along with strategy to reintroduce property to the market.

* Integral in the development, design and marketing of a newly opened convention center* Responsible for multimedia advertising of the property and its services* Prospected for additional opportunities for business by working closely with the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as completing outside sales calls

* Responsible for the logistical planning and execution of large-scale events held both domestically and internationally* Secured and supervised all on-site assistance including security, registration personnel and show decorating services* Negotiated contracts for pricing and services of convention centers and hotels in event host cities