Schedule

Keynote Speaker

This year’s keynote speaker is Bruce C. Bommarito, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating officer with the US Travel Association. Mr. Bommarito joined US Travel Association in 2006 with over 25 years of executive level management experience in the Hospitality/ Travel industry. Throughout his career he managed numerous high quality hotels and airport operations throughout the country.

Bommarito has a BA degree in Hospitality Management from Michigan State University where he has since served on the board of the Hospitality Programs Alumni Association.

His list of industry activities and accomplishments, include Chairman of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association, adjunct professor at University of South Carolina’s School of Hospitality Management, Board Member of South Carolina’s Tourism Commission, Board positions on numerous CVB, co-chair of the US Japan Tourism Expansion Committee and the Western States Tourism Policy counsel. Bruce Bommarito obtained the first licensed marketing office for the US in China.

'Buy Michigan Now' Session

Lisa Diggs is owner of The Catalyst Company, an 8-year old performance consulting business that specializes in helping organizations become more productive and profitable. She studied communications at Michigan State University and earned a Master’s Degree in adult learning and performance technology from the University of Michigan. In fall of 2007, Lisa founded the Buy Michigan Now campaign to ignite the revitalization of Michigan’s economy. The focus of this advocacy program is to create awareness of the importance of supporting Michigan-based businesses and speaking positively about what our home state has to offer. For her efforts, the Greater Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners honored her with their 2008 Innovator Award and Crain’s Detroit Business recently named her one of their Women to Watch for 2009. This year, Lisa also received the President’s Call to Service Award for volunteering more than 4,000 hours of service to the betterment of her community.

Exhibitors

More Exhibitor Listings Coming Soon