VRLTA’s Northern Virginia Regional Seminar on March 18 at the Hilton Arlington National Landing brings together local hospitality and tourism professionals for a focused day of practical education, industry updates, and peer collaboration. The program features a high-impact general session covering current trends and regional priorities, followed by targeted breakout tracks for restaurants, hotels, attractions, DMOs, and tourism-aligned businesses.
Attendees will receive lunch and access to the on-site Resource Fair, where sponsors and service providers connect directly with Northern Virginia operators and decision-makers. Sponsors and exhibitors gain valuable face time in one of Virginia’s most active hospitality markets while demonstrating their support for the region’s industry.
NOVA Regional Event Schedule
- 10:30 AM - Guest Registration & Resource Fair Open
- 11:30 AM - Lunch & Main Session
- Turning Influence Into Impact: How Tourism Businesses Can Work with Creators
- 1:00 PM - Coffee Break & Resource Fair
- 2:00 PM - Breakout Sessions
- Beyond the Help Wanted Sign: Panel Discussion
- Bites, Buzz & Bookings: Influencer Strategy for Restaurants
- Third Breakout Session Coming Soon!
Event Pricing:
- VRLTA Member Pricing: $45/pp
- VRLTA Non-Member Pricing: $60/pp
EVENT PROGRAMMING
Turning Influence into Impact: How Tourism Businesses Can Work with Creators
Luncheon Presentation
Speakers: Kevin Clay | John Park
This featured keynote session explores how hospitality and tourism businesses can effectively partner with influencers and content creators to expand reach, build credibility, and inspire travel decisions. Hear directly from John Park, a food and travel influencer, as well as Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Kevin Clay as they break down what successful partnerships look like from both the creator and destination perspective.
Attendees will learn how to identify the right influencer partners, structure collaborations, set realistic expectations, and turn content exposure into measurable business value. Whether you’re new to influencer engagement or looking to refine your current approach, you’ll leave with practical strategies you can apply right away in your market.
Beyond the Help Wanted Sign: Panel Discussion
Where Education, Industry, and Workforce Solutions Come Together
Speakers: Dr. Jai Girard | Brian MacNair | Renee Randolph
Beyond the Help Wanted Sign brings together leaders from education, nonprofit workforce programs, and industry to discuss how we collectively recruit, train, and retain the people who power hospitality. Grounded in collaboration, this conversation highlights innovative workforce models that expand opportunity while meeting the operational realities of today’s hospitality businesses.
From students exploring career pathways to adults entering or re-entering the workforce, panelists will discuss how inclusive training programs and cross-sector partnerships strengthen teams and broaden access to hospitality careers. By connecting classrooms, community programs, and employers, this session illustrates how aligned systems build stronger pipelines, improve retention, and create a more resilient hospitality workforce.
Jai Girard, PhD
Director of Education & Workforce Development, VRLTA
Jai joined VRLTA from James Madison University where she served as a Visiting Lecturer teaching classes in hospitality and tourism management. She also has over 15 years of hospitality experience. Prior to joining JMU, Jai worked for hospitality organizations in Texas and founded a nonprofit in Texas while completing her graduate education at Texas A&M University. Jai is a triple Aggie with a Bachelors in Sociology, Masters in Youth Development, and her PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences.
Brian MacNair
CEO, Kitchen of Purpose
With more than 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Brian MacNair is a builder. While at DC Central Kitchen for 10 years, Brian built an inspired team with clear marketing goals, successful fundraising plans, stand-out events, and revenue-generating social enterprise initiatives. Brian has helped many other organizations get off the ground by building teams with intentionality and using an “essentialism” approach to organizational growth. Today, Brian is the CEO of Kitchen of Purpose, providing leadership and vision for this organization that uses the power of food to change lives.
Renee Randolph
Culinary Arts Instructor, Arlington Career Center/Arlington Public Schools
With 20 years of experience in culinary arts education, Chef Renee Randolph is a dedicated instructor committed to developing the next generation of food & hospitality professionals. She centers her teaching on experiential, hands‑on learning that blends classical techniques with modern culinary trends. Her approach emphasizes strong foundational skills, creativity, and leveraging meaningful community partnerships. Renee believes in the power of food to inspire curiosity, connection, and innovation.
Bites, Buzz & Bookings: Influencer Strategy for Restaurants
Restaurant Experiences Worth Traveling For
Speakers: Kevin Clay | John Park
This restaurant-focused breakout session takes a deeper dive into how food and beverage operators can successfully work with influencers and culinary content creators to build buzz and attract food-driven travelers. Led by keynote presenters John Park and Kevin Clay, this session moves from theory to real-world execution.
Attendees will review successful restaurant partnership case studies, learn how to position their business as a “foodie destination,” and better understand what creators look for when evaluating brand collaborations. Speakers will share practical outreach tips, partnership do’s and don’ts, and ways restaurants of all sizes can create creator-friendly experiences that translate into authentic content and measurable exposure.
Participants will leave with actionable ideas they can implement immediately — from improving their creator pitch to designing experiences that inspire coverage.
Kevin Clay
Communications Manager, Virginia Tourism Corporation
The Communications Manager at Virginia Tourism Corporation, Kevin connects travel writers and media with the people, places, and experiences that make Virginia unique. He previously served as a founding partner at Big Spoon Co., a PR and marketing firm specializing in the food and beverage industry. From reputation management to social media planning and execution, Kevin has helped hospitality and tourism brands create unique experiences that drive measurable results.
John Park
Co-Founder, JPG Agency
Former financial planner turned full-time content creator chasing stories through food, places, and people. Co-founder of JPG Agency, helping brands shine through thoughtful digital marketing. I create food and tourism-driven content that celebrates local experiences and the connections built around them.
LEVELS OF SUPPORT
There are a number of ways your organization can get involved with VRLTA's upcoming regional seminars! Click the links below to download a sponsorship flyer for each seminars, or contact Brittany Wojdyla, VRLTA's Vice President of Membership and Business Development, for more information.
Regional Sponsor - $1,500
- Company recognition on all promotional materials
- Complimentary resource fair booth
- Opportunity to present at event breakout sessions*
- Four (4) complimentary registrations to regional event
*Based on availability