VRLTA Regional Seminars - NOVA

Description

VRLTA 2026 Regional Seminars: Northern Virginia

About the Regional Seminars:

VRLTA’s 2026 Regional Seminars aim to provide education and resources on critical industry topics, extending our outreach and enhancing our statewide presence through valuable, focused programming for all professionals of the hospitality and tourism industries.

Our 2026 Regional Seminar in NOVA will be held at the Hilton Arlington National Landing.

Resource Fair Participants:

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 In his role with VTC, Kevin connects travel writers and media with the people, places, and experiences that make Virginia unique, while supporting destination marketing organizations across the Commonwealth. 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. He believes in authentic connections, a service-first mindset, and knows how to build a standout guest list for any grand opening.
	John Park Co-Founder, The JPG Agency Former financial planner turned full-time content creator chasing stories through food, places, and people. Co-founder of JPG Agency, John helps brands shine through thoughtful digital marketing. Creating 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.

Beyond the Help Wanted Sign: A Workforce Panel 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.
Dr. Jai Girard (Moderator)	Brian MacNair	Renee Randolph, CCE, MBA
Director of Education & Workforce	Chief Executive Officer	Culinary Arts Instructor
Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association	Kitchen of Purpose	Arlington Career Center

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 Lamoureux, Ph.D.	Claire Mouledoux
Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management	Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Virginia Tech University	Visit Alexandria

Registration ends on March 12th at 12:00 PM.