Best Parks in America Touts Conference

Best Parks in America has announced its roster of special guest hospitality and business experts who will be addressing Best Parks affiliates and advising and guiding park owners during the national network’s Inaugural Network Conference, Nov. 13-15, in Orlando, Fla.

“The speakers and business experts lined up for the conference reflect the priorities and direction of the Best Parks in America brand and the superlative independent RV resorts and campgrounds in the system,” David Gorin, president of Best Parks, stated in a news release. “The hospitality and outdoor recreation business and consumers are changing and Best Parks is on the cutting edge of these changes. The speakers will share incredible knowledge and experience with the affiliates,” said Gorin.

For information on attending the conference, contact Deb Kohls, Best Parks vice president, at deb@bestparksinamerica.com or by phone at (714) 269-1264.

Paul M. McManus recently retired as vice chairman of Leading Ventures LLC. In this capacity, he oversaw the development of new business opportunities for The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd., and also retired as an active member of the company’s board of directors.

Previously,  McManus was president and CEO of The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd., having assumed the post in January 1998. During his tenure as president, he re-engineered the transformation of company from typical hotel representation model into a prestigious luxury marketing organization representing more than 450 of the finest five-star hotels, resorts and spas in the world. Additionally, under McManus’s direction, Leading Hotels built upon the strength of its brand name through the launch of several joint venture companies and ancillary businesses including Leading Quality Assurance, and Quintess – The Leading Residences of the World.

Laura Mandala has been helping the tourism industry unlock, decode and harness the power of travel data and trends for nearly two decades.

As the head of Mandala Research, one of the leading travel and tourism research firms in the world, she spends considerable time evaluating important emerging developments and that help destinations and travel companies make the right decisions to attract the right travelers.

Mandala’s firm has pioneered the “firsts” of many niche studies in the industry and offers extensive knowledge of several growing demographics and trends, including U.S. Hispanic travelers, wine and culinary tourism, gay and lesbian travelers, the international shopping traveler, travelers from growth and emerging markets and the African-American traveler.

Mandala also worked over a span of 15 years as a consultant with Marriott International, where she gained extensive expertise in brand tracking, brand equity, and brand identity research, as well as global product and service preferences, portfolio analysis, loyalty program membership, suite design and decor and website usability.

Evelyne Oreskovich, consultant for the hospitality and travel industry, provides clients with expertise gained over 30 years in key roles at a in a wide range entities offering reservations, distribution, and management in the global hospitality marketplace.

Consulting for or leading teams at companies such as Nikko Hotels International, Vantage Hospitality, The Leading Hotels of the World, Preferred Hotels Group, Utell International and Outdoor Traveler Destinations, Oreskovich brings valuable and solid hands-on experience. Travel related companies such as American Express, Hickory Global Partners and AON Travel Insurance as well as technology leaders Pegasus Solutions and Sabre Hospitality Solutions have all relied on her for major deployments and customer management. Bilingual in English and French, with years of international experience, she understands North American, European and Asian markets and the corresponding cultures and trends of regional hotel management, marketing, reservations, distribution, revenue and channel management.

Joe Opp’s career in the hospitality business goes back to 1968 when he began his career with National Airlines as a reservation manager. Following stints with Avis Rent a Car and Pacific Southwest Airlines, as director of reservations with both companies, Opp moved into the hotel side of the business in 1982 as the vice president, marketing automation for Trusthouse Forte Hotels, a position he held until 1996. In 1995, Opp joined Leading Hotels of the World and rose to senior vice president, membership services until retiring in 2010.

Opp has been an industry spokesperson throughout his career and has participated as a guest speaker at a multitude of conferences and workshops. His expertise in the travel industry sector is well known worldwide. Currently retired in San Diego, he has worked closely with the dean of Fordham University in their Mentor Program.

Tom Derzopolski is a principal at BowStern, a full-service marketing and communications firm offering a wide range of service including branding, advertising, design, public relations, social media and website solutions.

He and his colleagues at Bow Stern were behind the Best Parks summer promotion, The Best of Summer.

With a background in campaign management, Derzopolski uses his experience and the agency’s resources to generate the synergy that is vital to successful campaigns. he specializes in campaign strategy and implementation, online communications, crisis management and media relations. With a focus on customer service and exceptional attention to detail, he has put together effective, award-winning campaigns for a diverse client base.

Eric Stumberg is the founder and CEO of TengoInternet, the oldest and largest wireless Internet provider for the outdoor hospitality industry. Under Stumberg’s leadership the company has been recognized by Inc. magazine among America’s fastest growing small companies and among the small companies with the highest increases in revenue between 2008 and 2011.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, TengoInternet delivers turnkey Wi-Fi solutions for hospitality operators and the guests they serve through its award winning network design, installation, management and guest support services. TengoInternet currently manages high speed wired and wireless networks for more than 900 RV resorts, campgrounds, hotels, and marinas in 49 states, Canada and Mexico.