​​Chapter and Events Manager
Kayla Cleveland - [email protected]
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Kayla brings over a decade of experience working in the hospitality industry to VRLTA. With a background in event execution, member services, training, and management, her skillset has already made an immediate impact on the association. Prior to her current role, Cleveland was a Team Lead for Drive Shack Inc.’s Goochland location. During her time at the company, she was selected as a Travel Trainer to assist in the opening of The Puttery in Texas, the flagship store for Drive Shack’s new concept. She also has experience working with Havana ‘59, the Country Club of Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration.

More about Kayla...

What is your ultimate Virginia weekend getaway?
​Depending on the weather, I either want to stay in a cabin in the mountains, cruise around the Blue Ridge Parkway, and maybe do some skiing or spend a weekend restaurant-hopping and shopping in Washington, D.C., then catch a Nationals or Wizards game while I’m there.
 
What is your favorite cuisine, and a favorite Virginia restaurant that serves it?
I truly do love any food you put in front of me. A few of my favorites include: burgers (especially the Cobra Kai) from Jack Brown’s Burgers & Beer Joint, chili dumplings and ramen from Fat Dragon, tacos at Rusty Taco, and either blueberry French toast or a Cuban sandwich from Courthouse Market in Goochland.
 
Which places are on your travel bucket list – Virginia and beyond? 
Even though I grew up in Virginia, I haven’t hiked nearly any of the Appalachian Trail and I would love to do more sections of that. On a global scale, I’d like to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef eventually!
 
Mountains or beach?
Depends on the company! I’m happy at either, but my family are more beach-going people. 

Eat out or carry out?
Eat out, my husband and I love sitting at a bar and people-watching over dinner. 
 
Favorite place for a beer or a cocktail?
Jack Brown’s has to be my top beer place and the mojitos at Havana ’59 are untouchable!

Perfect day in your (Virginia) hometown? 
​I grew up in Goochland, Virginia and a perfect day for me now would be with my husband and our daughter, going fishing in our neighborhood, playing volleyball with our friends, grabbing a bite to eat at Courthouse Market, and taking our dog to Lickinghole Creek Brewery then having a bonfire in the backyard when we get home.