Next Gens

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Join Groups Today in recognizing individuals age 40 and under who have made an impact within their position and the group travel market as a whole by approaching the industry with a fresh and progressive perspective.

These rising leaders are employed in all segments of the group travel industry, including tour operators, CVBs, attractions, hotels, and more.

WHY SHOULD YOU NOMINATE A NEXT GEN?

Recognize and empower young leaders in the group travel industry and encourage them to grow beyond where they are.
Selected Next Gens will receive exposure to a growing community of over 25,000 group travel professionals through our print magazine, eNewsletter and more!

Help us celebrate these all-star individuals and submit your nominations today!

Nominations close October 16, 2026. Selected Next Gens will be notified via email by the Groups Today team. Next Gens will be featured in the January issue of Groups Today and profiled online.

*By nominating a potential Next Gen, you agree to receive communication from Groups Today.

Nominate

2026 Next Gens

Becky Carkeek

Sales Manager, Travel Dubuque

Tyler Duplantis

Destination Sales Manager, Explore Houma

Fred Ferguson

President and CEO, American Bus Association

Jim Foley

Coordinator of Group and Member Sales, Eastern State

Mariah Hodapp

Director of Operations, Fly My Group

Maddie McGuire

Sales Associate,Travel With Barb

Darcy Rumpp

Senior Procurement Specialist, EF Explore America

Joslyn Schott

Assistant Director of Leisure Group Sales, Explore Branson

Tom Vigna

Director of Marketing & Sales, Boston Duck Tours

Danielle Weigel

Owner & Operator , World Famous Boat Tours

2025 Next Gens

Andrew Moran

Senior Director of Sales & Travel Design, Music Travel Consultants

Britny Avery, CTP

Specialty Sales Manager, Experience Grand Rapids

Cal Fahey

Tourism Sales Manager, Opry Entertainment

Case W. Cole

Senior Sales Manager, Super Holiday Tours & Educational Experiences
Festival Director, Music USA at Universal Orlando Resort

Chandler Copyak

Account Executive, Le Bus

Frank Stroup

Account Manager, Travel with Barb

Kaitlyn Gallegos

Director of Global Sales, Visit Lake Charles

Kati Hagedorn

Director of Events, Tourism Cares

Mark Topley

Associate Director, Strategic Ticket Sales & Tourism, New York Yankees

Moriah Shtull

Director of Marketing, Intrepid Museum

Reed Warner

Director of Meeting, Convention & Leisure Group Sales, Explore Branson

2024 Next Gens

Brittany Dykla

Chief Financial Officer, Brilliant Edventures

Jessica Flores
Chief Experience Officer, Tourism Cares

Carlos I. Garcia Martinez
Tour Director, Viajes A Plus, Inc.

Calley Geigle
Global Travel & Trade Representative, Travel South Dakota

Rylee Govoreau
Tourism Program Manager, Douglasville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Anjuli King
Director, Domestic Group Tour & Entertainment Sales, Visit Savannah

Gus Sheppard
Business Development, Travel With Barb (CSTO)

Katie Stanley
Group Sales Manager, Virginia Arts Festival

Charley Troggio
Tour Operator and Office Manager, Breakaway Tours

2020 Next Gens

Ashley Kingman
Tourism Manager, Domestic Travel Trade & Projects, Travel Portland

Christopher Rosenow
Sales Manager, Hudson Yards

Emily Grandgeorge Pinga
Vice President, Green Light Group Tours

Fraser Neave
Director of Product Development, Wells Gray Tours Ltd.

Jake Pfeiffer
Founder, EXP Trips

Jennifer Costa
President and CEO, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce; Executive Director, Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organization

Johannes Koeppel
CEO & Co-founder, WeTravel

Lisa White
Operations Manager, Travel With Barb

Melissa Ardales
Business Development, Group Travel Network

Robb Showalter
Brand Development Manager, Bob Rogers Travel

2019 Next Gens

Anna Karnowski
Senior Director, Sales, One World Observatory

Brenden Rogers
Head of Strategy and Partnerships for Group Sales Box Office at Broadway.com

Christopher Siravo
Sales Manager, Discover Newport

Courtenay Betts
Senior Sourcing and Contracting Manager, EF Explore America

Ethan Screnock
Partner, Fly My Group

Floyd Morris, Esq.
Director of Contracting, TravelAdvocates

Jessica Pereira
Director of Sales, Sunsational Tours

Joey Spellerberg
President, Moostash Joe Tours

Kara Mihalevich
President, Exploring America, Inc.

Sofia Ramos
Senior Sales Manager, Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

2018 Next Gens

Becky Tilson Squires
Owner and Travel Consultant, Tilson Travel

Brad Henton
Associate Director of Museum Sales, Country Music Hall of Fame

Christine Loo
Marketing & Communications Manager, Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA)

Jen Orvis
Business Development Manager, Travel with Barb

John A. Marshall, CSTP
Director of sales, NFL Experience Times Square

Lindsay Hill
Tourism Sales Manager, Destination DC

Michael Gray
Director of Sales, Music Travel Consultants

Peter Waugh
Domestic Sales Manager, Broadway inbound

Roy Peterson
President, Fly My Group, Inc.

Steve Maehl
Vice President, Global Travel Alliance