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
- National Pulse: Supply Chain Pressures & the Nutrition Trends Reshaping 2026
- Transforming Rail in Virginia
- 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
- Designing Tourism Without Barriers: Practical Accessibility for Destinations and Businesses
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.
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.
National Pulse: Supply Chain Pressures & the Nutrition Trends Reshaping 2026
Luncheon Presentation
Speaker: Laura Abshire
Join Laura Abshire, Director of Food & Sustainability Policy at the National Restaurant Association, for a timely State of the Industry briefing tailored for Virginia operators. This session will spotlight the latest MAHA initiatives, key developments in GLP, major supply chain pressures, and the federal policy shifts influencing restaurant operations in 2026. Attendees will gain practical insights on how national decisions and evolving supply networks are affecting operators in Virginia — and what they should be preparing for next.
Laura Abshire
Director of Food and Sustainability Policy, National Restaurant Association
Laura Abshire is the National Restaurant Association’s Director of Food and Sustainability Policy where she leads the Association’s policy work in the areas of nutrition, sustainability, agriculture, and supply chain on both the federal and state level. Before joining the Association, Laura was the deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas, where she concentrated on agriculture and environmental issues. Laura has a law degree and bachelor of arts degree in political science and communication from Louisiana State University.
Transforming Rail in Virginia
Luncheon Presentation
Speaker: Karina Romero
As Virginia’s tourism and hospitality industries continue to thrive, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is leading the way in building a world-class rail network that makes the Commonwealth more accessible than ever. This session will provide an inside look at the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative and how major infrastructure milestones are set to revolutionize how visitors travel to and within our region.
From expanding Amtrak Virginia service to groundbreaking construction projects that unlock new rail capacity, we will discuss the direct impacts these projects have on local lodging, dining, and travel businesses. Join us to explore how expanded rail service is reducing roadway congestion, increasing visitor spending, and creating a more connected Virginia for every traveler.
Beyond the Help Wanted Sign: Panel Discussion
Breakout Session
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.
Designing Tourism Without Barriers: Practical Accessibility for Destinations and Businesses
Breakout Session
Speakers: Dr. Kristin M. Lamoureux | Claire Mouledoux
Did you know more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults as a disability? As a $50+ billion travel market, accessible tourism is no longer simply about compliance. It is a strategic opportunity to expand markets, improve guest experiences, and support inclusive destination growth. This breakout session explores how destinations and businesses can make their experiences more welcoming and navigable for travelers of all abilities through practical approaches to physical design, AI and digital accessibility, staff training, and clear communication. Using Visit Alexandria, Virginia as an example, participants will learn how destination partners are working collaboratively to provide accessible travel information, support inclusive visitor experiences, and advance destination-wide accessibility initiatives that benefit residents and visitors alike. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to implement accessibility as both good business practice and long-term destination stewardship.
Kristin M. Lamoureux, PhD
Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Virginia Tech
Dr. Kristin Lamoureux is an accomplished hospitality and tourism professional with over 25 years of experience as an educator, researcher and consultant in tourism, ecotourism, adventure tourism, tourism development, destination management and marketing, hospitality management, marketing, strategic planning and research. Most recently, she serves as the Director of the MSBA-HTM Graduate program and a Collegiate Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Virginia Tech University.
Claire Mouledoux
Snior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Visit Alexandria
With more than 20 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, Claire is a dynamic leader advancing inclusive travel and destination marketing. At Visit Alexandria, she spearheads the organization’s accessibility initiative and is an active member of TravelAbility’s Destination Ally Club. Claire developed a digital content and media relations program that propelled Alexandria, Virginia, onto the national stage. She is passionate about storytelling that is rooted in the community and welcoming to all travelers.
Bites, Buzz & Bookings: Influencer Strategy for Restaurants
Breakout Session
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.
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.
Keynote Sponsor - $2,500
- Company recognition on all promotional materials
- Complimentary resource fair booth
- Opportunity to present during lunch keynote*
- Four (4) complimentary registrations to regional event
*Based on availability