Who is Who - Trailblazers to Watch
Highlighted Experts:
Looking for an advisor or someone to lead a workshop or speak at your event?
Write to us at editor@placebrandobserver.com.
Florian Kaefer
A pioneer in place branding and sustainable tourism, Florian is known as the founder of The Place Brand Observer and Sustainability Leaders United. His contributions include publications such as ‘An Insider’s Guide to Place Branding’ and ‘Sustainability Leadership in Tourism’. Passionate about place branding, sustainability, strategic communication and storytelling.
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View full profile
Magdalena Florek
Poznań, Poland
Magdalena Florek is a co-founder of the International Place Branding Association and a key figure in place branding and destination marketing in Poland. She has made significant contributions to academic journals in the field and is a frequent speaker at international conferences. Magdalena’s depth of knowledge enriches her strategic consultancy in place brand strategy. View full profile
Giannina Warren
A long-time advocate for bridging practice and academia, Dr Giannina Warren helped establish one of the most influential MA programmes in place branding. Now based in Southeast Asia, she continues to support the next generation through teaching, research, and The Place Brand Academy.
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Visit full profile
Thebe Ikalafeng
Johannesburg, South Africa
A true champion of Brand Africa, Thebe Ikalafeng is recognised in TPBO’s Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to nation branding across the continent.
Read the interview
Dr. Robert Govers
Robert Govers is a senior partner at Anholt & Co, an independent international scholar, speaker, and author on the reputation of cities, regions, and countries. He is chairman of the International Place Branding Association.
Robert is also a speaker at various events and teaches Place Branding on the UNESCO World Heritage at Work Master program in Torino, Italy.
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Robert is also a speaker at various events and teaches Place Branding on the UNESCO World Heritage at Work Master program in Torino, Italy.
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Shyam Vasudevan
Expert in branding, marketing and consumer psychology, Shyam Vasudevan is Director and COO at IdeaWorks Design and Strategy. He has led brand and communication projects for destinations and organisations worldwide.
Shyam also shares his expertise through lectures and mentoring, and is a member of the Medinge Group.
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Shyam also shares his expertise through lectures and mentoring, and is a member of the Medinge Group.
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Simon Anholt
Simon Anholt is an independent policy advisor, author, and researcher known for his groundbreaking work on ‘nation brand’ and Competitive Identity. Advising governments globally, his innovative approach has shaped the way countries engage internationally.
Anholt’s significant contributions are backed by extensive research, including the Anholt Nation Brands Index and City Brands Index. Simon has authored multiple books – most recently ‘The Good Country Equation’, and is the Founder-Editor Emeritus of ‘Place Branding and Public Diplomacy’ journal.
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Anholt’s significant contributions are backed by extensive research, including the Anholt Nation Brands Index and City Brands Index. Simon has authored multiple books – most recently ‘The Good Country Equation’, and is the Founder-Editor Emeritus of ‘Place Branding and Public Diplomacy’ journal.
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Gustavo Koniszczer
Gustavo Koniszczer is a brand expert with four decades of experience in the field. Formed as a graphic designer, he joined FutureBrand in 2000 as Managing Director for Hispanic America, currently overseeing operations across five offices in the region: Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Lima, Bogotá, and Mexico City.
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View full profile
David Downs
David Downs, CEO of the New Zealand Story, is a seasoned consultant, board director, and advocate for technology-driven public good, healthcare, and education. With a background in BSc and CMInstD, David leads ambitious efforts to promote New Zealand on the global stage.
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Visit David’s profile
Todd Babiak
Todd Babiak is a passionate storyteller, author, and CEO of Brand Tasmania. He is known for his innovative approach to place branding. Previously, Todd co-founded Story Engine in Edmonton, Canada, where he led narrative-based research and place branding projects for nearly a decade, developing successful brand strategies for various regions.
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Visit Todd’s profile
Jessica Radford
Jessica (Jess) Radford is a dedicated leader and strategist, currently serving as the Director of Place Branding and Operations at Brand Tasmania. She is known for her innovative approach to place branding, significantly contributing to enhancing Tasmania’s image on the global stage.
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View full profile
Mary Harris
In the fast-paced world of place branding, Mary Harris, CEO of Bird Global Advisory, formerly leading London-based agency Destination M&C Saatchi, offers expert insights into the evolving fusion of technology and marketing strategies that shape cities and destinations.
Adriana Acosta
Adriana Acosta Rivas is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with extensive experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing brand strategies for both mass and premium consumer brands.
As the Director of Marketing, Communication, and Country Brand at Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER), she spearheads initiatives to bolster Costa Rica’s standing in global markets, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and excellence.
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As the Director of Marketing, Communication, and Country Brand at Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER), she spearheads initiatives to bolster Costa Rica’s standing in global markets, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and excellence.
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Sithembile Ntombela
Sithembile Ntombela is a dedicated Chartered Marketer (SA) with over 20 years of experience in purposeful brand marketing. She excels in implementing successful brand strategies and leading marketing teams. As a key figure in promoting South Africa’s Nation Brand, Sithembile is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies that enhance the country’s image both locally and internationally.
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View full profile
Pumela Salela
Pumela Salela is a Global Business Facilitator dedicated to linking in-country investment opportunities across Africa with investors worldwide through Invest Global. She served as the Country Head for the United Kingdom under Brand South Africa, where she marketed South Africa, attracted foreign direct investment, mobilized Global South Africans abroad, and managed South Africa’s brand reputation.
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Visit Pumela’s profile
Pumela Salela
Pumela Salela is a Global Business Facilitator dedicated to linking in-country investment opportunities across Africa with investors worldwide through Invest Global. She served as the Country Head for the United Kingdom under Brand South Africa, where she marketed South Africa, attracted foreign direct investment, mobilized Global South Africans abroad, and managed South Africa’s brand reputation.
Visit Pumela’s profile
Visit Pumela’s profile
Stu Speirs
Stu Speirs is known for his expertise in the power of events and their impact on place branding in Australia. He is a signatory of the IPBA Place Branding Manifesto and a respected member of the TPBO Expert Panel. Stu is the founder and director of Silver Lining Strategy.
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View Stu’s profile
Olga Rauhut Kompaniets
Halmstad, Sweden
Olga Rauhut Kompaniets is a researcher and educator in place marketing and branding, destination marketing, and wine marketing, based in Sweden. She holds a PhD in marketing-management and is Senior Lecturer in Business Administration at the School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability at Halmstad University, Sweden, where she specialises in marketing and branding strategies..
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View Olga’s profile
Steve Duncan
Steve Duncan is the Managing Director of C Studios, a marketing communications agency specializing in place promotion. With over 20 years of experience, Steve has worked with cities, regions, countries, and real estate developments globally to attract executives and skilled talent.
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View Steve’s profile
Fernando Prado Abuín
Fernando Prado Abuín, Managing Partner at Reputation Lab, is a globally recognised expert in reputation and brand management. As co-creator of the RepTrak® methodology and developer of RepCore®, he has shaped the strategies of leading corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide.
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Visit Fernando’s profile
Hjörtur Smárason
Hjörtur Smárason is the founder and lead strategist at Saltworks ehf., specializing in place branding, sustainable tourism, and crisis recovery strategies. As the former CEO of Visit Greenland, Hjörtur led the tourism sector through COVID-19 and achieved record-breaking recovery in 2022.
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View Hjörtur’s profile
Chris Fair
Chris Fair is the CEO and President of Resonance Consultancy, specializing in place branding, tourism strategy, and community development. Chris, a futurist and marketing strategist, combines innovation, data-driven insights, and stakeholder engagement to shape the future of places worldwide.
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View full profile
Jeremie Feinblatt
Jeremie Feinblatt is a global expert in place branding and destination strategy with 20 years of experience in brand strategy, management consulting, and leadership roles in New York and Europe. Currently leading strategy for Resonance Consultancy, he is instrumental in shaping the future of places worldwide.
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View full profile
Natasha Grand Norman
Dr. Natasha Grand Norman is a co-founder and a leading strategist at INSTID (Institute for Identity), specializing in place branding and identity creation for communities and regions. Her work, grounded in cultural studies and identity politics, involves consulting with cities, regions, and countries worldwide to craft compelling, cohesive identities that foster a sense of belonging and pride among diverse populations.
View Natasha’s profile
View Natasha’s profile
David Haigh
David is the CEO and founder of Brand Finance Plc. He has worked in the area of branded business, brand, and intangible asset valuation since 1991. He specialised entirely in the field after becoming the Director of Brand Valuation for Interbrand in 1995. He subsequently left Interbrand in 1996 to launch Brand Finance.
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View David’s profile
David Haigh
David is the CEO and founder of Brand Finance Plc. He has worked in the area of branded business, brand, and intangible asset valuation since 1991. He specialised entirely in the field after becoming the Director of Brand Valuation for Interbrand in 1995. He subsequently left Interbrand in 1996 to launch Brand Finance.
View David’s profile
View David’s profile
Konrad Jagodzinski
Konrad Jagodzinski is Brand Finance’s Place Branding Director. He oversees external communications across the Brand Finance Group, manages the creation and promotion of Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Index and Nation Brands studies, and produces nearly 100 annual sector and country reports on the world’s most valuable brands.
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View full profile
Konrad Jagodzinski
Konrad Jagodzinski is Brand Finance’s Place Branding Director. He oversees external communications across the Brand Finance Group, manages the creation and promotion of Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Index and Nation Brands studies, and produces nearly 100 annual sector and country reports on the world’s most valuable brands.
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View full profile
Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir
Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir has been pivotal in Iceland’s branding and promotion, notably as Director of Visit Iceland at Promote Iceland. Her role in developing the ‘Inspired by Iceland’ campaign and her extensive participation in international forums underline her expertise in destination branding. Recognized for her innovative approaches, Inga has contributed greatly to Iceland’s global presence. Read the interview to learn about her journey and achievements.
Geerte Udo
Geerte Udo is celebrated for her influential role in place branding, particularly known for her work with ‘I amsterdam.’ Her strategic insights and leadership in place branding have significantly shaped the city’s global identity. Read the interview to learn more about her impact and approach.
Melanie de Vocht
Melanie De Vocht is place brand manager at the City of Ghent (Belgium). She has a PhD in communication sciences and in 2019 took up the project lead in the development of the place brand strategy of Ghent. Melanie is co-chair of the Flemish Network for Place Branding, founded in 2023 by the City of Ghent and the City of Roeselare.
Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn.
Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn.
Bill Baker
Portland, United States
Bill Baker on Destination Branding for Small Cities. Read the interview
John Cooper
Yakima, United States
John Cooper of Yakima Valley Tourism on Destination Marketing Strategies. Read the interview
Nicolas Papadopoulos
Ottawa, Canada
Nicolas Papadopoulos on Country Image Research and Nation Branding Trends. Read the interview
Günter Soydanbay
Montreal, Canada
Günter Soydanbay on How to Succeed in City Branding, with Lessons from Turkey. Read the interview
Statia Elliot
Guelph, Canada
Statia Elliot on the Evolution of Destination Marketing and DMOs. Read the interview
Richard Florida
Toronto, Canada
Richard Florida is a celebrated author and academic, known for his influential work on creative cities and economic development. As a University Professor at the University of Toronto and Co-founder of CityLab, his research and writings have significantly shaped modern urban theory and practice. Read the interview for insights on his groundbreaking concepts and contributions.
Jeannette Hanna
Toronto, Canada
Jeannette Hanna of Trajectory Consulting on Creating Authentic Place Brands. Read the interview
Nick Cull
Los Angeles, United States
Nick Cull, Professor of Public Diplomacy at USC Annenberg. Read the interview
Nadia Kaneva
Denver, United States
Nadia Kaneva on Nation Branding Research and Approaches. Read the interview
Peter Frosch
Saint Paul, United States
Peter Frosch of Greater MSP on Regional Economic Development Challenges, Strategies and Trends. Read the interview
Bill Geist
Madison, United States
Bill Geist on the Future of Destination Marketing and the Next Generation of DMOs. Read the interview
Michael Edwards
Chicago, United States
Michael Edwards on How the Loop Alliance Supports Placemaking and Economic Development in Downtown Chicago. Read the interview
Ron Kitchens
Kalamazoo, United States
Ron Kitchens of Southwest Michigan First on Economic Development and Place Branding. Read the interview
David Gertner
New York, United States
David Gertner, Pace University, on Strategic Place Marketing. Read the interview
Gordon Innes
New York, United States
Gordon Innes on City Branding, Placemaking and Economic Development. Read the interview
Gonzalo Brujó
New York, United States
Gonzalo Brujó on Place Branding Strategies and Factors Determining Brand Strength. Read the interview
Fred Dixon
New York, United States
Fred Dixon on New York City Branding and Reputation Management. Read the interview
Steven Pedigo
New York, United States
Steven Pedigo on City Branding, Economic Development and Urban Sustainability. Read the interview
Ed Burghard
Loveland, United States
Ed Burghard, with 35 years at Procter & Gamble and a distinguished Harley Procter Marketer title, is a branding expert. He led the Ohio Business Development Coalition and played a pivotal role in Ohio’s brand development. His efforts contributed significantly to the state’s recognition in the Site Selection Governor’s Cup. Read the interview for insights on Brand USA and Strengthening Brand America.
Efe Sevin
Efe Sevin is a political communications specialist with extensive professional experience and advanced academic training in place/nation branding, public diplomacy, international relations, public affairs, and communication management. His research focuses on identifying and measuring the impacts of social networks on place branding and public diplomacy campaigns. His work has been published in several prestigious academic journals and books, including American Behavioral Scientist, Cities, International Journal of Communication, and Public Relations Review.
Read the interview for insights on place branding and American identity.
Sean Randolph
Sacramento, United States
Sean Randolph on Economic Development Challenges and Successes of the Silicon Valley Bay Area. Read the interview
Todd Mayfield
Wellington, United States
Todd Mayfield on Branded Wayfinding for Destinations. Read the interview
Ronald Theodore
Grenada
Ronald Theodore on Destination Grenada and Investment Attraction Strategies. Read the interview
Caio Esteves
São Paulo, Brazil
Caio Esteves on Place Branding in Brazil and Latin America. Read the interview
José Pablo Arango Calle
Bogotá, Colombia
José Pablo Arango Calle on Country Branding and the Reputation of Colombia. Read the interview
Diane Edwards
Kingston, Jamaica
Diane Edwards on Brand Jamaica, Country Branding and Investment Attraction Strategies. Read the interview
Mara Seminario
Miraflores, Peru
Mara Seminario on Country Branding, Destination Marketing and Brand Peru. Read the interview
Isabella Falco
San Isidro, Peruu
Isabella Falco on the Success Strategy Behind Brand Peru Country Branding. Read the interview
Myriam Gómez
Lo Barnechea, Chile
Myriam Gómez of Marca Chile on Country Branding Strategies. Read the interview
Larissa Perdomo
Montevideo, Uruguay
Larissa Perdomo on Brand Uruguay and Country Branding. Read the interview
Benjamín Liberoff
Montevideo, Uruguay
Benjamín Liberoff on How Uruguay is Evolving as a Tourist Destination. Read the interview
Mariette du Toit-Helmbold
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Mariette du Toit-Helmbold on Destination Marketing Strategies, Travel Trends and Brand South Africa. Read the interview
Joao Freire
Lisbon, Portugal
Joao Freire on Place Branding Practices in Portugal and the Middle East. Read the interview
Gildo Seisdedos
Madrid, Spain
Gildo Seisdedos, Professor at IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. Read the interview
Jose Filipe Torres
Madrid, Spain
Jose Filipe Torres on the Branding and Digital Reputation of Countries, Regions and Cities. Read the interview
Gonzalo Vilar
Madrid, Spain
Gonzalo Vilar on Country Brands, Place Branding and Digital Demand. Read the interview
Jordi de San Eugenio Vela
Vic, Spain
Jordi de San Eugenio Vela on Barcelona, City Branding and Public Diplomacy in Catalonia, Spain. Read the interview
Jaume Marin
Girona, Spain
Jaume Marín on the Destination Branding of Costa Brava and Pyrenees, Catalonia. Read the interview
Juan Carlos Belloso
Barcelona, Spain
Juan Carlos Belloso is a renowned expert with almost four decades of experience in corporate and place strategy, branding, and promotion, having worked with numerous international organizations and brands. He’s a key advisor in place branding, contributing his expertise to cities, regions, and destinations globally. A frequent speaker and author, Juan Carlos is actively involved in several international place branding and cultural networks. Discover more in his interview.
Jordi Xifra
Barcelona, Spain
Jordi Xifra on Place Reputation, Public Diplomacy and Catalonia. Read the interview
José Fernández-Cavia
Barcelona, Spain
José Fernández-Cavia on Digital Media, Place Brand and Destination Branding. Read the interview
Mateu Hernández Maluquer
Barcelona, Spain
Mateu Hernández Maluquer of Barcelona Global on City Brand Challenges and Talent Attraction Strategies. Read the interview
Christophe Alaux
Marseille, France
Christophe Alaux on Place Marketing in France. Read the interview
Cecilia Pasquinelli
Napoli, Italy
Dr. Cecilia Pasquinelli, Assistant Professor at the University of Naples “Parthenope,” specializes in place branding, urban and sustainable tourism, and local/regional development. Her notable work includes co-editing ‘Tourism in the City’ and consultancy in place marketing. Read the interview for her insights on urban competitiveness and the cultural economy.
Massimo Giovanardi
Bologna, Italy
Massimo Giovanardi on Destination Marketing, Country-of-Origin and Tourism Overcrowding. Read the interview
Xavier Theret
Nantes, France
Xavier Theret on Territorial Marketing and How Nantes Has Become Known as Creative and Innovative City. Read the interview
Sonya Hanna
Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Sonya Hanna on Strategic Place Brand Management. Read the interview
Annette Pritchard
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Annette Pritchard on Tourism, Media Representations of Places and Destination Branding. Read the interview
Nigel Morgan
Surrey, United Kingdom
With over 30 years of experience in education, the arts, tourism, and place management, Nigel Morgan is a distinguished figure in destination branding. Currently a Professor at Surrey University, his expertise has influenced numerous global and local organizations. His roles have spanned from academia to advisory positions in tourism and cultural sectors. Read the interview for insights into destination brands, Brexit, Wales, and sporting events.
Clare Dewhirst
Plaxtol, United Kingdom
Clare Dewhirst on Changes in Place Branding Discourse and Practice. Read the interview
Malcolm Allan
London, UK
Recognized as a key influencer in city branding and placemaking, Malcolm Allan has been instrumental in shaping the narrative of urban spaces in Great Britain. With his extensive experience and innovative approach, Malcolm has contributed significantly to the evolution of place branding as a strategic tool for urban development. His insights into effective placemaking strategies have been invaluable to practitioners and policymakers alike. Explore Malcolm’s insights in his interview.
Andy Pike
Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Andy Pike on Place Brands and Regional Development. Read the interview
Tom Buncle
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Tom Buncle, a tourism consultant and former national tourism board Chief Executive, brings 40 years of global experience in destination development and marketing. His goal is to use tourism as a tool for peace, prosperity, and sustainable future. Specializing in destination branding, marketing, and strategy, Tom offers expertise in eco-tourism and crisis recovery. Read the interview for insights into successful destination branding.
Keith Dinnie
Dundee City, United Kingdom
Keith Dinnie the President of Bloom Consulting, a renowned expert in city, region, and country brand management, and the author of the first textbook on nation branding. His significant contributions to the field include the creation of the ICON model of place branding. As a faculty member at the University of Dundee School of Business, and with extensive international speaking experience, Keith’s work has shaped the landscape of place branding. Read the interview for more on his influential work.
Martin Boisen
Utrecht, Netherlands
Martin Boisen, a prominent expert in city branding, marketing, and place management, has made significant contributions to the field. Recognized for his strategic approach and innovative insights, Martin’s work has been influential in shaping place identity and strategy. Read the interview for a deeper understanding of his expertise.
Albert Salman
Leiden, Netherlands
Albert Salman on Green Destinations and Sustainable Tourism Leadership. Read the interview
Gwen Zuring
Tilburg, Netherlands
Gwen Zuring on Brabant Regional Branding and Place Brand Management Strategies. Read the interview
Raquel Goulart Sztejnberg
Netherlands
Raquel Goulart Sztejnberg on Destination Branding and Place Brands in Brazil. Read the interview
Guido van Garderen
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Guido van Garderen on the Grand Challenges of Branding and the Ultimate Course on Brand Strategy. Read the interview
Frans van der Avert
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Frans van der Avert on Amsterdam City Marketing and Destination Branding. Read the interview
Gert-Jan Hospers
Enschede, Netherlands
Gert-Jan Hospers on Urban and Regional Development and Place Marketing. Read the interview
Marc Thébault
Caen, France
Marc Thébault on Place Marketing in France: City Branding Practices, Challenges and Trends. Read the interview
Sebastian Zenker
Frederiksberg, Denmark
Sebastian Zenker, a Professor at Copenhagen Business School, specializes in place branding and marketing. His research focuses on cities as brands and resident-city identification, addressing critical issues like over-tourism. As an independent consultant, he advises cities and regions on place marketing and branding strategies. Read the interview for insights into his work in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Louise Juhl
København, Denmark
Louise Juhl of Copenhagen Capacity on Talent Attraction Strategies, the Role of Empathy and Collaboration. Read the interview
Nikolaj Lubanski
København, Denmark
Nikolaj Lubanski of Copenhagen Capacity on Talent Attraction: Strategies, Trends and Challenges. Read the interview
Tobias Grut
København, Denmark
Tobias Grut on The Nordics Region Branding Challenges and Benefits. Read the interview
Peter Pirck
Hamburg, Germany
Peter Pirck on City Branding Practices and Trends in Germany. Read the interview
James Pamment
Skåne län, Sweden
James Pamment, PhD, Director of the Lund University Psychological Defence Research Institute, is an internationally recognized expert in strategic communication and public diplomacy. As Editor-in-Chief of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy and with a rich history in academia and research, he offers valuable insights into foreign interference and hybrid threats. His leadership at the Psychological Defence Research Institute underscores his commitment to applying communication strategies in security policy. Read the interview for more insights.
Andrea Lucarelli
Lund, Sweden
Andrea Lucarelli on the Politics of Place Branding, Research Trends and the Role of Social Media. Read the interview
Jesper Falkheimer
Lund, Sweden
Jesper Falkheimer on Place Branding, Media and Strategic Communication. Read the interview
Thorsten Kausch
Hamburg, Germany
Thorsten Kausch on Hamburg, MICE and the Future of City Marketing. Read the interview
Marta Herezniak
Łódź, Poland
Marta Hereźniak on Place Brand Effectiveness Measurement and How to Involve Stakeholders. Read the interview
Helena Nordström
Huskvarna, Sweden
Helena Nordström on Place Branding in Sweden and Characteristics of Successful Place Brands. Read the interview
Marcus Andersson
Stockholms län, Sweden
Marcus Andersson on talent attraction and place attractiveness in the Nordics. Read the interview
Julian Stubbs
Stockholms,, Sweden
Julian Stubbs on City Branding of Liverpool, Stockholm, Place Marketing Challenges and Trends. Read the interview
Annika Rembe
Stockholms län, Sweden
Annika Rembe on Sweden, Country Reputation and Public Diplomacy. Read the interview
Michael Persson Gripkow
Stockholms län, Sweden
Michael Persson Gripkow of Visit Sweden on Country Brands and Destination Marketing in the Digital Era. Read the interview
Pärtel-Peeter Pere
Tallinn, Estonia
Pärtel-Peeter Pere on Branding in the Nordics, Nation Brands and Talent Attraction Strategies. Read the interview
Olle Zetterberg
Stockholms län, Sweden
Olle Zetterberg on Stockholm Business Region Marketing and Branding. Read the interview
Anna Gissler
Stockholms län, Sweden
Anna Gissler on How Stockholm Business Region Leads in Talent Attraction. Read the interview
Erling Fossen
Oslo Metropolitan Area, Norway
Erling Fossen on Oslo, Building City Brand Reputation and Sustainable Urban Development. Read the interview
Øyvind Såtvedt
Oslo kommune, Norway
Øyvind Såtvedt on Brand Development and Management of the Oslo Region. Read the interview
Helena Renström
Helena Renström
Helena Renström on How to Use City Branding for Investment Attraction. Read the interview
Mia Kemppaala
Oulu, Finland
Mia Kemppaala, Founder of Polar Bear Pitching in Oulu, Finland. Read the interview
Teemu Moilanen
Helsinki, Finland
Teemu Moilanen on Finland, Nation Brands and City Branding. Read the interview
Gregory Pomerantsev
Minsk, Belarus
Gregory Pomerantsev on Aviation, Travel and Place Branding. Read the interview
Manolis Psarros
Athina, Greece
Manolis Psarros of Toposophy on Destination Marketing Trends and Opportunities. Read the interview
Stella Kladou
Beşiktaş, Turkey
Stella Kladou on How Culture Impacts City Branding. Read the interview
Begüm Tatari
İzmir, Turkey
Begüm Tatari on the Brand Positioning and Marketing Strategy of the City of Izmir in Turkey. Read the interview
Eli Avraham
Haifa, Israel
Eli Avraham on Place Image and Media Coverage of Cities and Countries. Read the interview
Eugene D. Jaffe
HaSharon, Israel
Eugene D. Jaffe on Israel, Country Image and the Country-of-Origin Effect. Read the interview
Hila Oren
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Hila Oren on Placemaking, City Branding and the Reputation of Tel Aviv. Read the interview
Eytan Schwartz
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Eytan Schwartz on Tel Aviv, City Branding and Talent Attraction. Read the interview
Irina Shafranskaya
Perm, Russia
Irina Shafranskaya on City Happiness and Place Branding in Russia. Read the interview
Aparna Sharma
New Delhi, India
Aparna Sharma on Nation Branding in India. Read the interview
Nancy Snow
Tokyo, Japan
Nancy Snow on Japan, Nation Brands and Public Diplomacy. Read the interview
Edith Wong
Hong Kong, Central, Cotton Tree
Edith Wong of Invest Hong Kong on FDI and Talent Attraction Strategies. Read the interview
Marcus Osborne
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Marcus Osborne on Country Brands and Nation Branding in Asia. Read the interview
Anupam Yog
Singapore
Anupam Yog on the Branding of Nations and Destinations in Asia. Read the interview
Buck Song KOH
Singapore, Singapore
Buck Song Koh on Nation Branding and Brand Singapore. Read the interview
Jonathan McClory
Singapore, Singapore
Jonathan McClory on Soft Power, Nation Branding and Country Reputation in Asia. Read the interview
Andrew Hoyne
St Kilda, Australia
Andrew Hoyne on Placemaking and Branding Trends in Australia. Read the interview
Can Seng Ooi
Hobart, Australia
Can Seng Ooi on Place Branding, Culture and Sustainability. Read the interview
Rebecca Smith
Auckland, New Zealand
Rebecca Smith on the New Zealand Story, Country Branding and Destination Brands. Read the interview
Brian Richards
Auckland, New Zealand
Brian Richards on Place Branding Success Strategies and New Zealand. Read the interview
Andrea Insch
Dunedin, New Zealand
Andrea Insch on Brand New Zealand and Nation Branding Strategies in Asia. Read the interview
Mihalis Kavaratzis
Manchester, UK
Mihalis Kavaratzis is a highly regarded expert in place marketing and branding, with a distinguished record of publications that are extensively cited in these fields. With over 12,500 Google Scholar Citations, his work significantly contributes to the understanding of place and destination marketing and branding. Mihalis offers training courses and speaks frequently on city marketing and branding to various stakeholders. Read the interview to learn more about his perspectives on placemaking and place branding.
Florida Clements
Isle of Man
Florida Clements on place identity and the Isle of Man. Read the interview
David Adam
London, UK
David Adam on City Branding, Urban Management and Better Cities. Read the interview
Christopher Hire
Brisbane, Australia
Christopher Hire on Cities, Innovation and City Branding. Read the interview
Charles Landry
Charles Landry on City Brands, Creative Cities and the Urban Age. Read the interview
Greg Clark
Greg Clark, Chair of Connected Places Catapult, is a distinguished expert in city branding, urban development, and innovation. His work spans advising cities and organizations globally, authoring influential books and reports on urban economies and place leadership. His roles include Board Member of Transport for London and Senior Advisor at various institutions. Read the interview for insights into city branding and urban development.
Jan Gehl
Jan Gehl on How To Make Cities More Liveable and Sustainable. Read the interview
Hong Fan
Hong Fan on City Branding in China, Image Research and Public Diplomacy. Read the interview
Fred Kent
Fred Kent on Innovative Placemaking, Public Spaces and Community Well-Being. Read the interview
Sirpa Tsimal
Sirpa Tsimal on Switzerland’s Approach to FDI and the Power of Innovation. Read the interview
Per Ekman
Per Ekman on the Future of Place Brand and Identity Management. Read the interview
Constanza Cea
Constanza Cea on How Chile is Creating Future. Read the interview
Emma Björner
Dr. Emma Björner, a researcher and interim director at Gothenburg Research Institute, focuses on sustainable tourism, local food systems, and urban-rural development. Her work at IKED involves projects on citizen engagement and media representation. Read the interview to learn about her approach to sustainable tourism and place branding.
Ares Kalandides
Ares Kalandides, an expert in urban planning and geography, focuses on citizen participation in urban development and economic development. He teaches undergraduate courses in global connections and transnational migration at NYU Berlin, and a postgraduate course in economic geography at TU Berlin. Read the interview for more on his perspectives on place branding and urban development.
Roger Pride
Roger Pride, a seasoned placemaker, has extensive experience in developing and implementing brand strategies for tourism, economic growth, and regeneration at national, regional, and city levels. His leadership roles in marketing for Wales and Cardiff highlight his strategic acumen in place branding. Read the interview for more on his approach to nation brand strategies and destination branding.
Jeremy Hildreth
Jeremy Hildreth, often described as “the Indiana Jones of Branding,” is an experienced adviser in strategy, identity, and reputation for corporations, governments, and creative agencies. Known for his dynamic approach, Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge to the fields of economic place branding and the nuances of advertising versus branding. Read the interview to delve into his expertise.
Ali Fisher
Ali Fisher on Big Data Networks and Public Diplomacy. Read the interview
Gary Warnaby
Gary Warnaby, Professor of Retailing and Marketing at the Department of Marketing, Retail and Tourism, is a leading expert in place branding. He serves as a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Place Management and is on the editorial boards of key journals in the field. His extensive experience includes roles as an external examiner and contributions to the academic community. Read the interview for more on his insights into place branding.
Saskia Sassen
Saskia Sassen on the importance of Globalization and Urbanization. Read the interview
Dominic Medway
Dominic Medway on the Role of Urban Marketing in Place Branding. Read the interview
Eduardo Oliveira
Eduardo Oliveira, passionate about inspiring future African-centered entrepreneurs and sustainability leaders at Thomas More University, specializes in strategic planning and place branding. His academic journey, marked by influential research and teaching, focuses on empowering students to tackle real-world challenges. Read the interview for more on his role in place branding and spatial planning.
Chris Brown
Chris Brown on the Branding and Marketing of Liverpool City Region. Read the interview
John Pearce
John Pearce on Provenance Marketing and How the Made in Britain Campaign Supports British Manufacturers Abroad. Read the interview
Christopher Browning
Christopher Browning on Humour, Nation Branding, and the Politics of Identity. Read the interview
Mikael Andéhn
Mikael Andéhn on the Meaning of Place, Capitalism, and the Potential Limitations of Place Branding. Read the interview
Thulisile Galelekile
Thulisile Galelekile on How KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa Approaches Destination Marketing. Read the interview
Tessa Jacques Antoine
Tessa Jacques Antoine on Investment Opportunities, Talent Attraction, and Brand Haïti. Read the interview
Vilma Jurkute
Vilma Jurkute on How Alserkal in Dubai is Reimagining Cultural Spaces for Urban Sustainability. Read the interview
Gieri Spescha
Gieri Spescha on the Regional Branding Strategy of Graubuenden in Switzerland. Read the interview
Jason McGrath
Jason McGrath on Measuring the Perceptions and Brands of Cities and Countries. Read the interview
Nuppu Suvanto
Nuppu Suvanto on How International House Tampere Attracts Talent to Southern Finland. Read the interview
Sayaka Toyokawa
Sayaka Toyokawa on Place Branding in Japan and Taking the IPBA Course. Read the interview
Vasyl Myroshnychenko
Vasyl Myroshnychenko on Ukraine, Nation Branding, and the Power of Strategic Communication. Read the interview
Onur Eryüce
Onur Eryüce on How City Diplomacy is Helping Izmir Build its Global Influence and Soft Power. Read the interview
Cecilia Cassinger
Cecilia Cassinger on Place Branding, Strategic Communication, and Urban Sustainability. Read the interview
Guðrið Højgaard
Guðrið Højgaard on How the Faroe Islands Use Smart Destination Marketing for Sustainable Tourism Management. Read the interview
Morten King-Grubert
Morten King-Grubert on How Cities Like Copenhagen Succeed with Talent Attraction. Read the interview
Themba Khumalo
Themba Khumalo on South Africa’s Destination Marketing Strategy and Response to the Corona Crisis. Read the interview
Ruya Yuksel
Ruya Yuksel on Why City Branding Needs to Team Up with Urban Sociology. Read the interview
Daniel Valverde Bagnarello
Daniel Valverde, the driving force behind “essential COSTA RICA,” has led the country to global recognition in place branding. His efforts at PROCOMER and research on SDGs in place branding strategies have earned international accolades and leadership roles. Read the interview to discover the success story of Costa Rica’s country branding.
Edwin Schmidheiny
Edwin Schmidheiny on International Branding. Read the interview
Harry Kosato on the Reputation of Places, Country-of-Origin Brands, and Bringing Japan to India.
Peter Kjeldbjerg on How Struer Became The City of Sound.
Moa Björnson on How to Attract Talent to a Remote Archipelago: Example Træna in Norway.
Peter Knapp on the Key to Success for Destination and Country Brands Post Covid-19.
Calin Hertioga on Brands and How to Build a Future-Oriented Branding Strategy.
Eva Jilkén on How to Attract Talent to the Countryside: Example Landsbyggare in Sweden.
Mats Segerström on How Talent and Sustainability Will Attract Business and Make Your City Investor-Friendly.
Ank Hendriks on How Utrecht Uses City Branding to Promote Healthy Urban Living.
Hicham Echattabi
Hicham Echattabi holds a unique vantage point on place marketing in North Africa—not only as a researcher but also as an advisor, trainer, and practitioner embedded in Morocco’s evolving territorial landscape. His work bridges academic theory and practical strategy, offering rare insight into how places in Morocco—and increasingly across Africa—are navigating questions of identity, visibility, and appeal.
Read the interview
Read the interview
Fabiana Mariutti
Fabiana Gondim Mariutti explores place branding and public diplomacy in Brazil and Latin America through a theoretical lens and hands-on approach. Her background combines a strong academic foundation with practical insights into place branding, country of origin effect, intercultural communication, business strategy, and consumer behavior. Read the interview
Leonardo Nieto Durán
With over 20 years of experience in marketing and communication, Leonardo Nieto Durán specializes in supporting destinations through communication, territorial marketing, and place branding. His expertise includes branding, content creation, digital strategies, and media management. Leonardo is on a mission to contribute to the economic and social development of places, and he has a strong track record of managing destination brands.
Read the interview
Asli Aksungur
Asli Aksungur serves as the Head of Marketing and Communications Department at the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, playing a pivotal role in promoting Turkey’s rich cultural heritage and tourism offerings. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Asli has been recognized by her peers for her contributions to place branding.
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Engin Celikbas
Engin Celikbas has a career marked by leadership at KesselsKramer and Anomaly, along with entrepreneurial ventures such as Coffee Company and X Bank. His experience spans various industries and includes involvement with the live events app, Woov. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Engin has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding.
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Cathy Parker
Cathy Parker serves as Professor of Retail and Marketing Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University and is the Chair and co-founder of the Institute of Place Management. An international authority in place management and leadership, she is the research lead for the Government’s High Streets Task Force for England. In 2023, Cathy was recognized with an MBE for her contributions to education and place management. Her research and consultancy work are extensive, and she is a well-regarded speaker and commentator on place and retail topics. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Cathy has been recognized by her peers for her contributions to place branding.
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Chris Harrop OBE
Chris Harrop OBE has been at the forefront of ESG and sustainability in business for almost 20 years, guiding organizations in enhancing competitiveness and brand value through sustainability and marketing strategies. Awarded an OBE in 2019 for his work against modern slavery and exploitation, Chris is committed to creating positive global change and encourages organizations to become sustainability leaders. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Chris has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding.
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David Goldstein
David Goldstein, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sport and CEO at Travel Alberta, is an experienced media executive with a robust background in partnerships, branding, and global multi-channel marketing. A strong business development professional, David’s academic foundation is a B.A. (Bilingual) in Political Economy from York University – Glendon College. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, David has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding.
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Fatos Ozsoy
Fatos Ozsoy is currently serving as the Director for France at the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. With skills in interior architecture, design, and lighting, Fatos extends her expertise to marketing strategy, event management, and strategic planning. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Fatos has been recognized by her peers for her contributions to place branding.
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Hartmut Schwesinger
Dr. Hartmut Schwesinger has a distinguished background in marketing and investment promotion for countries, cities, and regions. With experience in networking, lobbying, and event management, his work spans diverse countries including Korea, India, the United States, and Australia. His tenure as CEO/President of FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH emphasized the region’s international marketing, and his advisory roles have supported government and business sectors in strategic growth. Now retired, Dr. Schwesinger’s legacy continues to influence place branding and development. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Hartmut has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding. View LinkedIn Profile
Jon Mamela
Jon Mamela, Chief Commercial Officer at Travel Alberta, brings over 20 years of global experience in marketing and strategy. From pioneering digital marketing at Procter & Gamble to leading luxury hospitality brands and developing Canada’s tourism branding, Jon’s career is marked by innovation and a performance-focused approach. His work has had a significant influence on industry practices and consumer engagement, earning recognition and shaping brand strategies across continents. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Jon has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding.
View LinkedIn Profile
View LinkedIn Profile
Morten Friis-Olsen
Morten Friis-Olsen is an experienced marketing and business development professional, with a history of enhancing customer experiences and digital transitions at Semler Mobility Import. Notably, as the former Head of Branding for Greater Copenhagen Brand at Copenhagen Capacity, he contributed to branding one of the world’s most livable metropolises, showcasing the intersection of Scandinavian culture with global connectivity. His strategic and innovative approach to place branding has earned him recognition by his peers who nominated him for the Place Branding Who is Who.
View LinkedIn Profile
View LinkedIn Profile
Teresa La Porte
Professor Teresa La Porte’s career has spanned roles such as a Senior Consultant for the SDGF (United Nations Development Program), Research Fellow in Washington DC, and Guest Professor in France. Her academic pursuits, recognized by a Fulbright grant and various fellowships, focus on public diplomacy. As an author and director of impactful research projects, she has contributed to the field of international communication and public institutions.
Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Teresa has been recognized by her peers for her contributions to place branding. View LinkedIn Profile
Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Teresa has been recognized by her peers for her contributions to place branding. View LinkedIn Profile
Toby Clark
Toby Clark is recognized for his multi-disciplinary approach to design and brand strategy. With roots in sustainable fashion design and brand founding, Toby has fostered a connection with nature that influences his creative direction. His work with renowned brands such as Blackhorse Lane Ateliers reflects a commitment to eco-conscious practices. Toby’s role as an Ambassador for the Campaign For Wool NZ and his environmental activism underscore his dedication to social good and planetary care.
Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Toby has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding. View LinkedIn Profile
Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Toby has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding. View LinkedIn Profile
Uri Baruchin
Uri Baruchin brings a wealth of expertise in creative strategy, using a blend of data, behavioural economics, and marketing science to craft winning strategies. His no-nonsense approach has led to successful collaborations with notable clients across various industries, offering strategic brand programmes and impactful creative solutions. A respected voice in creative strategy, Uri’s work extends to teaching and writing, contributing to the advancement of the discipline.
Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Uri has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding. View LinkedIn Profile
Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Uri has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding. View LinkedIn Profile
Alia El Banna
Alia El Banna specializes in International Business/Marketing and Place Branding. With a background in teaching and research in multiple countries, she brings a unique perspective to the field, focusing on the multidimensional construct of “place” and its impact on consumer behavior and place branding. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Alia has been recognized by her peers for her contributions to place branding.
Learn more about Alia El Banna
Learn more about Alia El Banna
Dr. Mohsine Alla
Dr. Mohsine Alla is a Professor of Place Marketing at ENCG Casablanca, Morocco. He has previously served as the manager of the division Place Attractiveness, Offer, and Promotion at the Regional Center of Investment in Guelmim Oued Noun, Morocco. Holding a Doctorate in Place Marketing from ENCG Tangier, Morocco, Dr. Alla specializes in City Marketing, Regional Marketing, Nation Branding, Place Branding, Digital Place Marketing, and AI Place Marketing. Part of the Place Branding Who is Who, Moshine has been recognized by his peers for his contributions to place branding.
Learn more about Dr. Mohsine Alla
Learn more about Dr. Mohsine Alla
Mariam AlGhamdi
Mariam AlGhamdi is a PhD candidate with Leeds University in the UK specializing in place branding, with a specific focus on the socio-cultural aspects of the phenomenon within the context of Saudi Vision 2030. She is an academic with a renowned expertise in teaching and curating graphic design and multimedia courses. Mariam brings cross-cultural experience from her work in both England and the Middle East. She collaborates with a diverse group of designers, contributing to the creation, consultation, and evaluation of graphic design, experiential design, and moving images.
Learn more about Mariam AlGhamdi
Learn more about Mariam AlGhamdi
Salma Ghanem
Salma Ghanem is a Teacher Assistant at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport in Egypt. With a background in architecture and urban design, she contributes to place branding by focusing on the role of these fields in shaping the identities of small-scale areas, addressing challenges of district branding in Egypt and the Arab world.
Read Salma Ghanem’s Interview
Read Salma Ghanem’s Interview
Jacquie Severs
Award-winning marketing leader specializing in building brands that people trust and admire. Full-stack marketer, strategic thinker, and natural storyteller. Currently serving as Manager, Marketing and Tourism at Durham Region (The Regional Municipality of Durham in Canada) with over 20 years of progressive marketing experience. Jacquie believes in good design as the foundation of great marketing and concise copywriting. Her superpower is prioritization, emphasizing progress over perfection and a good laugh. Key skills include strategic marketing, brand development, content marketing, digital marketing, and more.
Visit Jacquie Severs’ LinkedIn Profile
Visit Jacquie Severs’ LinkedIn Profile
César Villanueva Rivas
Director of the “Imagen de México en el Mundo” team, César’s work focuses on the study of public and cultural diplomacy, soft power, and country image. He received his formal education in Mexico, the USA, and Sweden, where he earned his Ph.D. in Political Science in 2007. Currently, he works as a professor in the Department of International Studies at the Universidad Iberoamericana (CDMX).
Visit César Villanueva Rivas’ LinkedIn Profile
Visit César Villanueva Rivas’ LinkedIn Profile
John Groh
As the President/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) and its Charitable Foundation, John leads the destination marketing and management efforts for Illinois’ second largest metropolitan region, with a vision to grow the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. More than 22 years of experience in the tourism, sports marketing, arts and entertainment, and community development industries.
Visit John Groh’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit John Groh’s LinkedIn Profile
Jarosław Górski
Jarosław Górski is a pracademic specializing in local development and place marketing. With over a decade of experience, he combines academic expertise with practical knowledge in these fields. Jarosław holds the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Warsaw, where he has been actively involved in research and education. He is also a Board Member of Best Place – European Place Marketing Institute. Jarosław’s multifaceted background makes him a valuable asset in the realm of place branding and marketing.
Visit Jarosław Górski’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Jarosław Górski’s LinkedIn Profile
Alessio Cavicchi
Alessio Cavicchi is a Full Professor in Agribusiness, Rural Development, and Branding at the University of Pisa (Italy). His research focuses on consumer food choice, food quality and safety economics, agro-food sector innovation, and sustainable tourism and destinations. Alessio is also an expert evaluator and consultant for Italian Ministries, Regional Governments, and the European Commission.
Visit Alessio Cavicchi’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Alessio Cavicchi’s LinkedIn Profile
Erik Braun
Erik Braun is an associate professor in the Department of Marketing at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). His research specializes in public sector marketing and branding, with a focus on government marketing strategies and tools. He also explores tourism management and tourist behavior. Erik coordinates and teaches branding, marketing, and quantitative methods courses in the Master Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management program at CBS. With a Ph.D. in City Marketing from Erasmus University Rotterdam, he is known for initiating the National City Marketing Monitor.
Visit Dr. Erik Braun’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Dr. Erik Braun’s LinkedIn Profile
Elisabeth Mygind Reinholdt
Elisabeth Mygind Reinholdt is a marketing and communication expert with over 12 years of experience in the advertising and IT industries. She serves as a consultant to the Aarhus City, Mayor’s Department, where her extensive knowledge and skills in marketing and communication are instrumental in advising and optimizing strategies for the city’s initiatives.
Visit Elisabeth Mygind Reinholdt’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Elisabeth Mygind Reinholdt’s LinkedIn Profile
Atle Hauge
Atle Hauge is a Professor at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences with over 12 years of experience in academia. With a background in senior research roles and as a board member, Atle has actively participated in shaping strategies for regional development and place marketing. His work bridges the gap between research and practical applications, making him a valuable contributor to the field of place branding.
Visit Atle Hauge’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Atle Hauge’s LinkedIn Profile
Tamara Vásquez Sosa
Tamara Vásquez Sosa is an Advisor and Economist with over 16 years of experience in public policies related to sustainable tourism, innovation, and competitiveness. She has dedicated 12 years to studying the Country Brand of the Dominican Republic and has actively contributed to the design and implementation of its strategy through public-private synergy processes. Additionally, Tamara brings expertise in export and foreign direct investment public policies to the field of place branding.
Visit Tamara Vásquez Sosa’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Tamara Vásquez Sosa’s LinkedIn Profile
Rhonda Zaharna
Dr. Rhonda Zaharna is a Professor at American University in Washington and a distinguished expert in intercultural and international strategic communication. With over 30 years of experience teaching and advising on communication projects for multinational corporations, nongovernmental organizations, diplomatic missions, and international organizations, including the United Nations, World Bank, and NATO, she brings invaluable insights to the field.
Visit Rhonda Zaharna’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Rhonda Zaharna’s LinkedIn Profile
Mark Cafferty
Mark Cafferty has dedicated over 20 years to designing systems supporting career advancement and economic opportunity for American workers. His expertise has been sought after in numerous public-sector leadership positions and as a consultant on workforce development efforts nationwide. Recently, Cafferty chaired San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s Workforce and Economic Advisory Committee and was appointed to serve on Governor Jerry Brown’s International Trade and Investment Advisory Council.
Visit Mark Cafferty’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Mark Cafferty’s LinkedIn Profile
Magaly Toribio
Magaly Toribio has over 19 years of experience in the Marketing Department of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic. She has served as a Marketing Advisor and previously held the position of Vice Minister. Currently, she is also the President of Target Consultores de Mercadeo, where she continues to contribute her expertise in marketing.
Visit Magaly Toribio’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Magaly Toribio’s LinkedIn Profile
Madhav Raman
Madhav Raman is an architect and urbanist, known for his expertise in architecture, urban design, urban transit, and sanitation. His deep interest in cultural histories and urban economics enriches his leadership at Anagram Architects. With insights into transit systems, urban ecologies, multidisciplinary strategies, and emerging technologies, Madhav contributes valuable perspectives to projects. He also serves on advisory boards of various design schools and non-governmental initiatives focused on infrastructure development for urban, rural, and ecologically sensitive areas.
Visit Madhav Raman’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Madhav Raman’s LinkedIn Profile
José Manuel Azpiroz
José Manuel Azpiroz is an expert in Communication with a background in Law from Tec de Monterrey CCM and Public Administration and Public Policies from the University of York, United Kingdom. He has professional experience in intellectual property, civil society, media, and the public sector. His most recent responsibility in the federal government was as the Director General of Country Brand.
Visit José Manuel Azpiroz’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit José Manuel Azpiroz’s LinkedIn Profile
Joe D’Allesandro
Joe D’Allesandro, who retired last year, has driven San Francisco Travel to adopt the San Francisco ethos of community, innovation, openness, and change as its core business values. The organization has embraced an award-winning comprehensive digital marketing strategy that makes the most of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. It has forged partnerships with and between hotels, attractions, and neighboring destinations to maximize both the visitor experience and organizational goals. Among his many achievements is the development of the San Francisco Tourism Improvement District, which created a unique and sustainable funding structure that has become a national model for tourism promotion. He led the massive renovation and expansion efforts of the Moscone Center, one of the most in-demand convention centers in the nation. And the organization has rebranded and refocused, charting an ambitious strategic course that includes focused efforts in destination management, sustainability, economic development, and public policy.
More about San Francisco Travel
More about San Francisco Travel
Chris Wade
Chris Wade, founder of the People & Places Partnership, focuses on enhancing town effectiveness through community-driven initiatives, emphasizing the importance of local talent and collaboration among businesses, community groups, and public authorities. Chris actively contributes by applying the Revitalising Town Centres Handbook that he wrote for the English Local Government Association and as a UK Government High Streets Task Force Expert. Whether working out of Cambridge or with family in Madrid, he seeks to refine his understanding of place shaping policies and communication strategies.
Read Chris Wade’s Interview
Read Chris Wade’s Interview
Michael Lake
Michael is the founding President and CEO of Leading Cities, a global network of partner cities dedicated to creating business development and government cooperation opportunities and implementing public policy that effectively addresses the shared challenges facing 21st century cities. Michael has served as Special Assistant for White House Operations to two Presidents, policy research analyst to the former Prime Minister of Ireland, and Director of Development for United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.
Visit Michael Lake’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Michael Lake’s LinkedIn Profile
Mike Rowse
After a variety of different postings, Mike became the first Director of the Financial Secretary’s Office from 1997 – 2000, and from 1999 – 2000 was appointed concurrently as the first Commissioner for Tourism. In July 2000, Mike set up Invest HK, the investment promotion agency established by the Hong Kong Government, and was its first Director-General up to his retirement in December 2008. The agency won several awards during his tenure and was recently recognized as the best investment promotion agency in Asia.
Visit Mike Rowse’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Mike Rowse’s LinkedIn Profile
Nigel Jacob
Nigel Jacob has been working on the cutting edge of civic innovation for the past several years. In particular, he is working to create a network of civic innovation laboratories that spans the globe and enables cities to collaborate around the development of new kinds of civic technologies.
Visit Nigel Jacob’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Nigel Jacob’s LinkedIn Profile
Vasily Dubeykovskiy
Vasily Dubeykovskiy is an expert in place branding and leads a professional City Branding team that develops projects in Russia and the CIS countries. With extensive experience, he has spearheaded the launch of seven real city brand projects across six different regions, serving as a strategic advisor.
Visit Vasily Dubeykovskiy’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Vasily Dubeykovskiy’s LinkedIn Profile
Dr. Youcheng Wang
Dr. Youcheng Wang holds the William C. Peeper Preeminent Chair Professorship in destination marketing at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida. An elected fellow of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, his research and consulting interests encompass hospitality marketing and management, destination marketing and management, customer relationship management, collaborative strategies, and technology management. With four books and over 150 scientific publications to his name, Dr. Wang is recognized as a leading expert in the field. He serves as the co-editor of the Journal of Destination Marketing & Management and on the Editorial Board of multiple international academic journals in hospitality and tourism marketing and management. Dr. Wang is a sought-after speaker at international conferences and industry forums.
Visit Dr. Youcheng Wang’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Dr. Youcheng Wang’s LinkedIn Profile
Sue Warren
Sue Warren is a marketing professional currently serving as the Marketing Manager for Our Bury St Edmunds BID. In this role, she oversees the marketing and promotion efforts for both the Our Bury St Edmunds BID brand and the visitor brand Bury St Edmunds and Beyond.
Visit Sue Warren’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Sue Warren’s LinkedIn Profile
Tom Norwalk
Tom Norwalk served as the President & CEO of Visit Seattle, a private, nonprofit marketing organization promoting Seattle as a destination for international and domestic leisure travel, meetings, and conventions. Tom played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s tourism landscape. Prior to his tenure at Visit Seattle, he held various leadership positions at renowned organizations such as the U.S. Travel Association, Seattle Hospitality Group, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. He continues to contribute to the industry as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Seattle Convention Center/Public Facilities District.
Visit Tom Norwalk’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Tom Norwalk’s LinkedIn Profile
Rick Weddle
Currently serving as Principal and Founder of Rick Weddle LLC since June 2021, Rick has been instrumental in driving impactful initiatives forward. Prior to this, he served as President of the Site Selectors Guild, the world’s leading association of location strategists, where he spearheaded efforts to advance the profession of international corporate site selection. Rick also held leadership roles as President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, where he worked tirelessly to bring high-wage jobs and capital investment to the respective regions.
Visit Rick Weddle’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Rick Weddle’s LinkedIn Profile
Yanina Dubeykovskaya
Yanina Dubeykovskaya is a multifaceted individual known for her diverse roles as a mother, scientist, entrepreneur, and tai-chi practitioner. She is the Founder of WCFDavos, Women Influence3 Community, and serves as the President of the Word Communication Forum Association. With a background in philosophy and psychoanalysis, Yanina is also an author, having written books on topics ranging from HR approaches to global community building. Her life principle, “Dirt does not stick to a lotus flower,” reflects her resilience and commitment to personal growth. Yanina embraces creativity and encourages others to embrace their infinite potential.
Visit Yanina Dubeykovskaya’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Yanina Dubeykovskaya’s LinkedIn Profile
Steve Millington
Steve Millington is the Director of the Institute of Place Management at Manchester Metropolitan University. With a focus on bringing together a network of researchers and practitioners, Steve aims to foster collaboration in making places better, more livable, and sustainable. His dedication to place management underscores his commitment to enhancing the quality of life in communities through research and practice.
Visit Steve Millington’s LinkedIn Profile
Visit Steve Millington’s LinkedIn Profile
Svyat Murunov
Svyat Murunov is an urbanist and expert on urban development based in Russia. His research interests include urban identity transformation, the use of social networks in decision-making for urban development, and positive changes in neighborhoods. He has contributed to various publications and research papers, showcasing his expertise in the field of urbanism. While we did not find a professional profile of him, Svyat’s contributions to academia and the professional sphere are well-documented and recognized.
Scott Beck
Scott Beck is a seasoned destination marketing professional previously serving as the President and CEO of Destination Toronto. With extensive experience in the tourism industry, Beck has led sales and marketing efforts for Canada’s most visited destination and North America’s fourth-largest city. Beck recently joined San Francisco Travel as President and CEO, where he will oversee one of the country’s largest membership-based tourism promotion organizations with a current annual budget of US$33 million, driving US$8 billion in tourism spending.
Visit Scott Beck’s LinkedIn Profile
Rod Miller
Rodrick Miller has emerged as one of the foremost economic development leaders in the country, respected globally for his ability to maneuver in extraordinarily complex political and business environments, and craft strategies and structure deals to provide long-term value to communities and investors. Miller is currently serving as President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, where he leads efforts to drive economic growth and development in the Miami-Dade County area. Previously, Miller served as CEO of Invest Puerto Rico, where he focused on attracting new investment and jobs to Puerto Rico and increasing the long-term competitiveness of the island. He also held the position of President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, where he played a key role in driving economic development initiatives in the Detroit area.
Visit Rod Miller’s LinkedIn Profile
Rob Dondero
With over 30 years of experience, Rob is renowned for managing celebrated tourism campaigns and establishing smart marketing partnerships. His portfolio includes collaborations with UFC, Ford, Bud Light, and more. Rob has orchestrated numerous special events, resulting in millions of dollars in added value and earned media for Las Vegas. Notably, he spearheaded the launch of the Professional Bull Riders’ Championship Tour, elevating bull riding into the mainstream of professional sports.
Visit Rob Dondero’s LinkedIn Profile
Raj Liberhan
Raj Liberhan served in the Financial Services of the Government of India before becoming the Director of the India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi. During his tenure, IHC became a renowned institution fostering conversations on contemporary societal issues and serving as a cultural hub for the city. With three decades of experience in government, public sector, and NGO roles, Raj has led various organizations, programs, and missions focused on sector-specific objectives and services. He is a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers, offering insights on urban issues and governance frameworks for enhancing city living.
Visit Raj Liberhan’s LinkedIn Profile
Patricia Lardizábal
Patricia Lardizábal served as the Executive Director at Marca País Honduras, where she played a key role in managing communication actions, marketing strategies, and country image initiatives. With an extensive background in Public Administration, Patricia specialized in fostering relationships with national and international stakeholders from the private and government sectors, contributing to the enhancement of Honduras’ brand reputation.
Visit Patricia Lardizábal’s LinkedIn Profile
Steve Teruggi
Steve Teruggi is a design business leader with a proven track record in creating environments where cross-functional teams thrive and deliver creative solutions. Currently, Steve serves as a Partner at EY Seren, leading the Innovation & Experience Design practice. In this role, he leverages his extensive experience to drive innovation and design impactful experiences for clients. Prior to joining EY Seren, Steve held leadership positions at Method, where he served as VP and General Manager, overseeing design and engineering services across multiple locations worldwide.
Visit Steve Teruggi’s LinkedIn Profile
Rich Bradley
Rich Bradley has over three decades of experience managing government and nonprofit organizations, leading change processes to transform places and communities. He served as the founding Executive Director of the DC Downtown Business Improvement District for seventeen years, playing a key role in revitalizing urban areas like Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, and Dupont Circle in DC.
Learn more about Rich Bradley
Patrick L’Espoir Decosta is an Associate Professor of Marketing with research interests in international marketing, tourism, and evidence-based education. His marketing research covers areas such as country of origin effect, access-based economy, and value creation. Patrick also explores how product geography can connect destinations with product association.
Connect with Patrick on LinkedInPantazis Pastras, PhD
Pantazis Pastras is a dedicated researcher in travel and tourism with extensive experience in destination marketing and development. He has spent over 10 years at TOPOSOPHY, an integrated destination marketing agency, where he has held various roles including Senior Researcher and Senior Research Analyst. In these positions, Pantazis has contributed significantly to providing practical solutions for tourism organizations, associations, and companies in developing, managing, and marketing places as tourism destinations. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in urban and regional studies from the University of Birmingham, focusing on the governance of tourism development.
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Niclas Ljungberg
Niclas Ljungberg is a creative thinker and problem solver with a passion for creativity, storytelling, and human-centered design. With expertise in creative strategy, branding, and service design, Niclas has spent over 30 years bridging the worlds of business and design. He holds a Master’s degree in economics & business and is a lifelong fast learner, constantly exploring new ideas and concepts to make a positive impact on the world.
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Melissa Aronczyk
Melissa Aronczyk is a Professor of Media Studies in the School of Communication & Information at Rutgers University. She is the co-author of “A Strategic Nature: Public Relations and the Politics of Environmentalism,” which won multiple awards including the Roderick P. Hart Outstanding Book Award in Political Communication. Her research focuses on how public relations influences communication about climate change, and her work has been featured in various publications including The Nation, the Financial Times, Rolling Stone, CNBC, and The Washington Post.
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Xinxin Liu
Dr. Xinxin Liu is Associate Professor at the School of Government and Public Affairs, Communication University of China (CUC). Her research interests include city branding, urban governance, intercultural communication, mass media, the cultural industry, and China’s mass culture development. Prior to joining the School of Government and Public Affairs, Xinxin worked at the School of Advertisement and at the Asia Media Research Centre at CUC.
Adrian Ellis
Recognized as having contributed to the cultural sector’s deeper understanding of a number of areas including the development of successful cultural building projects, capitalization needs, impact assessment, cultural district planning, the creation of new business models and investment strategies for cultural infrastructure, and strategic responses to long-term societal changes in technology, philanthropy, demographics, and the use of leisure time. Adrian Ellis is a key figure at AEA Consulting, based in NYC, bringing a wealth of expertise and insight to the cultural sector.
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Ajay Khanna
Ajay Khanna, the Founding CEO of the India Brand Equity Foundation located in Gurugram, Haryana, India, is a leader in Strategy, Public Policy & Public Affairs, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Engagement. With a background in law and a career spanning over 40 years, Ajay has worked across sectors, including the social economy. He is an experienced Ombudsperson, Advisor, Board member & Professor of Practice, focusing on ethical and value-based leadership. Ajay is also a regular contributor on topical subjects in major newspapers.
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Bengt Eriksson
Bengt Eriksson is currently serving as the Managing Director at Landor in Tokyo, Japan. Joining the WPP Group in 2019, he previously held the position of Executive Director at Landor China. Eriksson’s professional journey showcases significant contributions to branding and design, establishing him as a pivotal figure in transforming Japan’s leading organizations through strategic and creative excellence.
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Bill Peduto
Bill Peduto, an experienced political strategist and the 60th mayor of Pittsburgh from 2014 until 2022, has played multiple roles in Democratic politics. His career includes operating a political consulting business, serving as political director to Acting Governor Mark Singel at age 28, and working as chief of staff to City Councilman Dan Cohen. Peduto’s mayoral initiatives focused on innovation and progress for Pittsburgh, earning him a re-election in 2017 with a significant majority. He has left a lasting impact on the city’s development and governance.
Brad Dean
Brad Dean, currently CEO at Discover Puerto Rico, is renowned as a strategic thinker and agent of change, with a robust track record of driving improvement and growth in the tourism and hospitality sectors. His approach combines strategic planning with performance measurement, team leadership, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration. Notable achievements include leading the privatization of tourism marketing in Puerto Rico, significantly increasing visitor numbers in Myrtle Beach, SC, and expanding international tourism.
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Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana
Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, the former CEO of the Cape Town Partnership, is a distinguished town planner who has played a pivotal role in the urban revival of Cape Town’s Central City. With over a decade at the helm of the partnership, she has been instrumental in fostering public-private collaborations that have turned the city’s central area into a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and creativity. Under her leadership, the Central City Development Strategy was formulated, and she notably contributed to Cape Town’s designation as World Design Capital in 2014, highlighting her commitment to making cities spaces where people can flourish.
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Oriol Iglesias
Oriol Iglesias is a Professor of brand management, co-creation, and strategic marketing. With a background in marketing and general management across various companies, Oriol brings extensive expertise to the field of place branding. As an entrepreneur, he has successfully built and managed two companies, gaining valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of business ownership. Oriol’s passion for learning and sharing knowledge shines through in his roles as a professor, academic researcher, writer, and consultant.
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Anna Fawcett
Anna Fawcett is a seasoned, award-winning strategic marketer, known for her expertise in exceeding targets through data-driven, customer-first, innovative campaigns and solutions. With over 10 years of international experience in both strategic and tactical marketing and communications roles, Anna brings a wealth of knowledge to the field of place branding.
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Barry White
Barry White has been with the Augusta CVB for over 25 years, leading the organization through substantial growth. He played a pivotal role in transitioning the organization from a public entity to a private non-profit corporation. Under Barry’s leadership, the city has experienced consistent year-over-year growth in annual gross hotel revenue and related taxes, even during economic downturns. He also successfully spearheaded efforts for the expansion of the city’s convention center.
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Charles Fombrun
Charles Fombrun is the founder of Reputation Institute, established in 1997 as a think-tank aimed at extending knowledge about reputations. He spearheaded the creation and commercialization of the RepTrak® System for measuring reputations. Dr. Fombrun is also the author of over 100 articles and books on business strategy.
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Chris Marathe
Chris Marathe, a consultant at Brand South Africa and Brand Kenya, is known for his novel outlook on African brands. As the founder of the EARTHWINDFIRE Group, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise in creating equitable, sustainable, and high-impact businesses and brands across various sectors, including financial services, hospitality, property, and lifestyle brands in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
With a background in both finance and marketing, Chris possesses a rare ability to bridge the gap between these two domains, enabling him to harmonize the divide and drive real value creation in businesses. His belief in equitable investment in a company’s brand as a catalyst for operational excellence and bottom-line impact underscores his approach to business and brand development.
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Duane Knapp
Duane E. Knapp, Chairman of BrandStrategy Inc, is a renowned Brand Scientist who advises C-Suite Executives and Boards of Directors on building Genuine Brands. He is also the President of Enspired Strategy, LLC, pioneering BrandScience and transformation strategies worldwide. With expertise spanning 22 countries, Duane has guided thousands of brands, including corporations, communities, societies, and professional associations, to optimize their perception, image, and success.
As the author of several books, including “The BrandPromise®,” Duane is recognized as an authority in the field, shaping the strategies of world-class professionals and organizations striving for excellence in brand perception and performance.
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Emrah Yucel
Emrah Yücel is a seasoned entrepreneur and creative director based in Los Angeles, specializing in branding and graphic design. With a focus on entertainment marketing, traditional advertising, and city or country branding, Emrah brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his consultancy work at I Mean It.
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Erik Canada
Eric P. Canada of Blane, Canada Ltd. is a nationally recognized authority on economic development marketing and business retention. He is the author of “Economic Development for the Team” and “Economic Development: Marketing for Results!” In his book, Mr. Canada outlined the application of b2b strategies in an economic development environment before b2b became fashionable. He has conducted marketing program audits of 50 of the top economic development organizations in the US and created a competitive capacity analysis technique and benchmarks to replace the subjective SWOT analysis.
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Esra Calvert
Esra Calvert Consulting is a boutique firm specializing in travel and tourism analytics, insights, and strategy. Their unique expertise blends time-honored methods with advanced AI technology to develop enduring and impactful strategies. At the heart of their firm are three core strengths: analytics, AI, and partnerships. These are not merely tools but powerful catalysts for meaningful transformation in the travel and tourism industry.
Under the guidance of Esra, who has a passion for transformation, they champion an integrated approach to destination excellence. They believe that business success and sustainable practices are not just compatible but inseparable. Their industry partnerships are more than connections—they evolve into collaborative journeys that propel the travel and tourism industry toward a visionary and resilient future.
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Fan Yang
Fan Yang (杨帆) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communication Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). An interdisciplinary scholar, Yang works at the intersection of cultural studies, transnational media studies, globalization, postcolonialism/postsocialism, and contemporary China. She is a faculty affiliate in the Asian Studies program and the Ph.D. program in Language, Literacy, and Culture, and serves on the Global Studies Coordinating Committee.
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Frank Cuypers
Frank Cuypers is passionate about places and has served as a policy advisor for the city of Antwerp, gaining valuable insights into urban dynamics. With expertise in place marketing and placemaking, he has collaborated extensively with organizations worldwide. As the founder of Place Generation, Frank combines strategic thinking and research to facilitate transformative shifts in communities. He has advised numerous cities, regions, and international organizations, aiming to make a positive impact. Frank is also a visiting professor and a renowned keynote speaker.
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Greg Kerr
Dr Greg Kerr is an Associate Professor and Head of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, where he leads the School of Management, Operations, and Marketing. With expertise in academia, Greg contributes to shaping the next generation of professionals in the field. He is committed to excellence in education and research, fostering a dynamic learning environment for students.
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David Goldstein
David Goldstein serves as the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sport, and is the Chief Executive Officer at Travel Alberta, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With a wealth of experience in Canada’s tourism and media sectors, David leads a dedicated team in developing tourism products, services, and destinations. He is committed to promoting Alberta as a desirable place to travel, work, live, play, invest, and learn, leveraging the province’s breathtaking landscapes and world-class hospitality to create unique experiences for residents and visitors alike.
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Daryl Copeland
Daryl Copeland is a Senior Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and Policy Fellow at the Centre for International Studies and Research (CERIUM), University of Montreal. With expertise in the intersection of science, technology, diplomacy, and international policy, Daryl is an analyst, author, educator, and consultant. His book, Guerrilla Diplomacy: Rethinking International Relations, is a seminal work in the field and is widely recognized as an essential reference. A sought-after public speaker, Mr. Copeland regularly contributes to national media discussions on global issues and public management, and has authored over 150 articles for both scholarly and popular publications.
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Per Olof Berg
Per Olof Berg, currently Chairman of the steering group for “Stockholm – European Capital of Gastronomy 2023” and Preses (Chairman) of the Swedish Academy of Culinary Art and Meal Science, brings extensive experience in academia and strategic advisory roles. Previously, he served as Professor and Head of the Marketing Department at Stockholm University School of Business and as Director of the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship. With a career spanning over two decades, Berg has made significant contributions to international research networks and academia.
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Stephen Brown
Stephen Brown is a Full Professor at Ulster University Business School, specializing in Marketing Research. He holds a distinguished position in the Department of Management, Leadership, and Marketing, where his expertise contributes significantly to academic research and leadership development.
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Thomas Kolster
Thomas Kolster is a frontrunner and globally recognized thinker at the intersection of marketing, business, and sustainability. He challenges the status quo with his vocal and often provocative views on values, purpose, and leadership. In a crowded market focused on doing good, Thomas emphasizes the importance of helping people become who they aspire to be.
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JoAnn Crary
JoAnn Crary serves as the President of Saginaw Future, a non-profit economic development organization based in Saginaw, Michigan. With over 25 years in this role, she has been instrumental in assisting companies with various aspects of business development, including identifying state business opportunity programs, government contracting, site location assistance, shovel-ready land initiatives, industrial site development, and workforce development.
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Camilla Zedendahl
Camilla Zedendahl is a CEO and independent advisor specializing in sustainable placemaking. As CEO of the Royal Djurgården Society, she oversees Sweden’s most beloved attractions, focusing on sustainable development for future generations. Zedendahl has led initiatives to establish new identities for destinations and has been recognized for her efforts in sustainability.
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Henderson Fields
Henderson Fields serves as the Executive Director of the Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority, playing a pivotal role in driving investment opportunities and economic growth in the region.
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Eric Scott
Eric Scott, based in New York, United States, is the Co-Founder of Small Crowd Brand Consultants. With over 15 years of experience in the branding industry, Eric has held various leadership roles, including Principal at Method and Eight Inc., and Executive Creative Director at Saffron Brand Consultants. His expertise lies in aligning organizational beliefs with creative expression to deepen core purpose and drive sustainable leadership.
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Eran Ketter
Eran Ketter, based in Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain, is a tourism advisor, trainer, and keynote speaker. As the Head of Research for trend watch reports on European tourism, Dr. Ketter is a recognized thought leader in the field, specializing in travel and tourism trends, marketing, and resilience. With over 15 years of experience, he has worked extensively with national tourism boards, organizations, SMEs, and travel tech startups. Dr. Ketter is the author of several influential books, including “Tourism marketing for Developing Countries”, “Marketing the Impossible”, and “Media Strategies for Marketing Places in Crisis”.
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Don Skeeoch
Don Skeeoch serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, based in Los Angeles, California, United States. With over 12 years in this role, Don has been instrumental in upgrading and elevating the marketing capabilities of the country’s second-largest tourism office. He established a new brand positioning for the organization and implemented a new corporate name and style guide. Don leads a team of approximately 50 marketing professionals located in the U.S. headquarters and field staff in 11 international markets. Under his leadership, the Los Angeles Tourism Board broke all tourism records in 2013 and 2014, with continued growth anticipated in subsequent years. Los Angeles tourism spending soared to $19.4 billion in 2014, and earned media for the organization increased from $21 million to $51 million in just two years. Website visitation also experienced substantial growth, rising from 4 million to 10 million in the same period.
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Kristof Van Assche
Kristof Van Assche, based in Edmonton, is affiliated with the University of Alberta. His research interests revolve around the evolution and innovation in governance, particularly in spatial planning and design, development, and environmental policy. Kristof’s work spans across various countries, where he combines fieldwork with theoretical reflection, drawing from systems theories, interpretive policy analysis, institutional economics, and post-structuralism.
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Leonardo Daniel Ortega Prudencio
Leonardo Daniel Ortega Prudencio, based in Estonia, is a Project Manager at Enterprise Estonia. He is dedicated to making Estonia one of the most attractive destinations for working and living, offering the best user experience for foreign talents worldwide.
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Judith O’Doherty
Judith O’Doherty, Founder of eutopia in County Donegal, Ireland, specializes in helping cities, regions, and towns measure and enhance their place performance using Vista, a place analytics platform. With over 20 years of experience in foreign direct investment (FDI) and enterprise development, Judith has led the development of place brands and marketing strategies for various cities and regions globally, including Dublin, Cork, Tuscany, and Trumbull County, Ohio.
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Liisi Toots
Liisi Toots, based in Tallinn, is an expert in building marketing strategies to drive growth. With high-level international project and brand management skills, Liisi is passionate about brand building and has a wealth of experience in this field.
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Tyler Brûlé
Tyler Brûlé, founder of Monocle Magazine, is an exceptional journalist and entrepreneur known for his influential work in founding internationally successful magazines and a marketing agency. With a keen eye for trends and fashions, he has influenced various areas of culture. As a seasoned speaker, Tyler brings his multidisciplinary knowledge to educate and inspire audiences worldwide.
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Thomas Deigendesch
Dr. Thomas Deigendesch is the Managing Director of Jung von Matt BRAND IDENTITY in Zurich. With over 12 years of experience in the industry, he has served as Managing Partner since September 2016. Prior to this role, he held positions as Strategy Director and member of the management board at Interbrand for 10 years.
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Jos Vranken
Jos Vranken, MBA, oversees NBTC, the national destination management organization tasked with the development, branding, and marketing of the Netherlands as a destination. Under his leadership, NBTC operates in 7 international core markets and has initiated various public-private partnerships, including the National Data Alliance, Data & Development Lab, and Data Center for Tourism.
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Nick Hall
Nick Hall, based in Brussels, is the founder of the Digital Tourism Think Tank (DTTT) and is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts on digital trends and transformation in the tourism industry. With over two decades of experience, he has advised numerous destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and continues to drive conversations around industry trends.
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Nick Liddell
Nick Liddell, based in London, is a seasoned brand strategist with over 20 years of experience in the field. He began his career at Interbrand, where he led their brand valuation offer, and has since played key roles in consultancy teams at M&C Saatchi Clear, Dragon Rouge, and The Clearing. Nick is a member of the Superbrands Council in the UK, is a regular conference speaker, and author of two books on business, branding, and sustainability.
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Nour Nadim
Nour Nadim is a branding practitioner based in Cairo, Egypt. He is a co-founder of a leading company in Cairo specializing in branding and rebranding places across Egypt. With a focus on the private sector, Nour has played a key role in numerous branding and rebranding projects for various projects and places in Egypt.
Muhterem İlgüner
Muhterem İlgüner is a prominent brand strategist and practitioner in Turkey. He is recognized for pioneering brand naming, place branding, and brand valuation exercises in the country. In 2007, he established Brand Finance Turkey and has since managed the Turkey 100 ranking and report, along with the Metropol Turkey 30 study, focusing on the most valuable and strongest metropol city brands in Turkey.
Michael Dodds
Michael Dodds is the General Director of Normandie Attractivité. With over 20 years of experience in tourism and territorial marketing, he has served as a Consultant and Director of the Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) of Brittany.
LinkedIn: Michael Dodds
Andrew Haan
Andrew Haan is an innovative leader in place management with a focus on downtown development, placemaking, and economic development. With 12 years of experience, he excels in creating noteworthy places and experiences while employing equitable, inclusive practices. His expertise lies in building support for diverse coalitions.
LinkedIn: Andrew Haan
Alfred Dupuy
Alfred Dupuy is the Director of Valuation & Strategy at Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation and strategy consultancy. With an MBA in Finance and over 18 years of experience, he specializes in quantifying the financial value of brands and guiding clients to maximize brand and business value.
LinkedIn: Alfred Dupuy
Adam Fulford
Adam Fulford is the CEO of Fulford Enterprises, Ltd (FE). With his extensive experience in broadcasting and tourism, Adam plays a vital role in promoting and enhancing the image of Japan to both local and international audiences. His work in community engagement also contributes to shaping the perception of various regions in Japan, making him a key figure in place branding efforts.
LinkedIn: Adam Fulford
Alejandro Schiavi
Alejandro Schiavi serves as the Undersecretary of Coordination of the General Ministers Cabinet in Argentina. He actively promotes investment opportunities and cultural exchange with China, aiming to bolster Argentina’s global image. Alejandro also advocates for leveraging tourism to drive growth and development, proposing the establishment of research centers to study country branding’s impact on Latin American nations.
LinkedIn: Alejandro Schiavi
Beatriz Casais
Beatriz Casais is a Professor of Marketing and Strategy at the University of Minho, Portugal. With a PhD in Business and Management Studies, specializing in Marketing and Strategy, her research focuses on various areas including health communication, social marketing, non-profit marketing, advertising, place branding, and digital marketing.
LinkedIn: Beatriz Casais
Anton Isenring
Anton Isenring served as Creative Director at Interbrand for over 26 years, from May 1989 to December 2015. With extensive experience in brand strategy consulting and strategic brand positioning, he developed key brand concepts and led projects in verbal identity, tone of voice, and storytelling.
LinkedIn: Anton Isenring
George Hickton
George Hickton, Chairman of Hawke’s Bay Tourism Board, NZ, serves as Director and Consultant for tourism and film-related companies, including Weta Workshop and Kapiti Island Nature Tours. With a background as Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand, he spearheaded the establishment of New Zealand’s iconic ‘100% Pure’ marketing campaign.
LinkedIn: George Hickton
Glenn Duncan
Glenn Duncan, currently Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Ottawa Tourism in Canada, is a poised and progressive leader with over 15 years of experience in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Glenn’s extensive network across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors underscores his ability to build and sustain relationships, making him a valuable asset in the field of place branding.
LinkedIn: Glenn Duncan
Gregory Payne
Dr. J. Gregory Payne, Chair of Emerson College’s Department of Communication Studies in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, is a distinguished academic and professional in the field of communication. As the Co-Director of the Emerson Blanquerna Center for Global Communication and recipient of an “Honoris Causa” from the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations, University of Ramon Llull, Dr. Payne brings a wealth of expertise to the realm of place branding.
LinkedIn: Dr. J. Gregory Payne
Jacquelyn West
Jacquelyn West, a creative placemaker based in Montreal, specializes in leveraging private impact investment and the cultural industries to enhance contemporary mixed-use real estate design. Her expertise lies in defining hot spots and cultural legacies to create more attractive, vibrant, inclusive, and distinct cities.
LinkedIn: Jacquelyn West
Franck Delahaye
Franck Delahaye, currently serving as the Director at Destination Luberon since April 2015, is a seasoned professional with over 20 years in tourism. He specializes in revitalizing high-potential tourist destinations worldwide, leveraging his expertise in marketing, production, events, and sales. Franck’s deep understanding of Asian and Brazilian markets has led to significant contributions in promoting tourism.
LinkedIn: Franck Delahaye
Johnny Johnson
Johnny Johnson, an experienced brand strategist based in Cape Town, has made significant contributions to the field of place branding. With a background as Managing Director at TowerStone Brand and currently serving as a Brand Strategist at Anthropos, Johnny specializes in developing brand strategies that foster brand ambassadorship and organizational alignment. Notably, he collaborated on the Ethiopia brand strategy, showcasing his expertise in place branding.
LinkedIn: Johnny Johnson
Jürgen Häusler
Jürgen Häusler, an internationally recognized brand expert based in Locarno, has left a lasting legacy in strategic brand management in Switzerland and Germany. With over two decades of experience as Chairman of Interbrand CEE, Jürgen supported numerous renowned organizations in building and managing their brands.
LinkedIn: Jürgen Häusler
Julia Viñas
Julia Viñas, currently serving as Editorial Director at mónimo ediciones in Peru, has made significant contributions to the field of branding and marketing. With over a decade of experience, including roles as Deputy Director and Executive Director at FutureBrand Lima, Julia has played a pivotal role in shaping brand strategies and identities. Her leadership and expertise continue to drive innovation and excellence in branding across Hispanic America.
LinkedIn: Julia Viñas
Jones Hooks
Jones Hooks, retired Executive Director at Jekyll Island Authority in Georgia, USA, has played a significant role in shaping place branding strategies and economic development initiatives. With over 15 years of experience leading the Jekyll Island Authority, Jones has demonstrated his expertise in driving sustainable growth and enhancing the destination’s appeal.
LinkedIn: Jones Hooks
Jay Wang
Dr. Jian (Jay) Wang, Director of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy and an Associate Professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, is an internationally recognized brand expert who has made significant contributions to the field of place branding. With extensive experience in communication strategy and implementation across various industries, Dr. Wang’s research and publications have focused on the role of communication in globalization and nation branding. He has led successful partnerships with prestigious organizations, enhancing understanding and practice in areas such as soft power, digital advocacy, and public diplomacy strategy.
LinkedIn: Jian Wang
Jay Klaphake
Jay Klaphake, founder of TEDxKyoto, Japan’s largest TEDx event held at the Kyoto International Conference Center, has made significant contributions to promoting ideas and innovation. Currently serving as a professor and vice-chair of the Department of Global Studies at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Jay focuses on educating future leaders in areas such as law, international negotiation, and innovation.
LinkedIn: Jay Klaphake
Yvonne van Hest
Yvonne van Hest has a multifaceted background in leading complex processes and programs, innovation, and sales, marketing, and PR. With a passion for the labor market, Yvonne is deeply involved in various networks across governments, social partners, companies, education, and NGOs, notably her role as Program Director at Brainport Development.
LinkedIn: Yvonne van Hest
Tono Franco Martínez
Tono Franco Martínez is currently serving as Director – Gerente at Fundació Visit València. He has over 30 years of experience as director and general manager at globaldit, where he has led the development of more than fifty strategic plans and trained over 8,000 individuals in national and international projects. Tono has provided strategic guidance for major tourism planning programs in countries like Spain and Mexico, as well as for emerging and mature tourism regions and destinations.
LinkedIn: Tono Franco Martínez
Sidone Thomas
Sidone Thomas, having served as COO at Syndey Airport among many other roles, brings over 25 years’ experience in operations, customer experience, digital innovation, and marketing best practices. Her expertise spans operations, customer experience, data, digital, stakeholder management, and end-to-end marketing for both B2B and B2C businesses.
LinkedIn: Sidone Thomas
Brylee Flutey
Brylee Flutey, currently residing in Taranaki, serves as GM Destination at Venture Taranaki. She is privileged to collaborate with a committed team, contributing to the region’s growth, development, and prosperity through exciting projects.
LinkedIn: Brylee Flutey
Christine Carboni
Christine Carboni, formerly Marketing Director Capital City Marketing at Berlin Partner, brings extensive experience in international image campaigns and leading city marketing initiatives. With a background in mobilizing networks and driving campaigns, she now serves as Director Campaigns at CDU political party in Germany, focusing on campaign strategy and mobilization.
LinkedIn: Christine Carboni
Bill Talbert
William D. Talbert, III, CDME, has a wealth of experience spanning over 35 years, particularly in government relations at local, regional, national, and international levels. Currently serving as Managing Partner at TALBERT GROUP INC., he specializes in targeted branding to assist individuals, entities, and businesses in achieving their goals. Previously, he served as a Special Advisor and Interim President & CEO at the Miami-Dade Beacon Council. Talbert is a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and renowned for his leadership in sales & marketing, as well as branding destinations and managing partnerships.
LinkedIn: William D. Talbert, III, CDME
David Ginn
David Ginn serves as President and CEO of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, where he collaborates closely with top business, academic, and political leaders to shape and implement a comprehensive regional economic development strategy. With a focus on global business development and marketing initiatives, he leads the organization’s day-to-day efforts.
LinkedIn: David Ginn
François Gaillard
François Gaillard currently serves as the Director at France Montagnes, an association dedicated to promoting French mountain tourism. With over two decades of experience in the tourism industry, François previously held leadership roles in renowned organizations such as OnlyLyon Tourisme & Congrès and the Office de Tourisme de la Grande Plagne.
LinkedIn: François Gaillard
Therese Sjölundh
Therese Sjölundh left Jönköping and her prestigious role as CEO of Science Park in 2012 to move to Åre with her family and take on the responsibility as CEO of ÅRE DESTINATION AB. Under her leadership, Åre has been named the country’s most popular mountain resort (by SIFO), won the bid to host the Alpine World Ski Championships 2019, established new travel routes like direct flights from London, and enhanced collaboration among local entrepreneurs.
Website: Åre Destination
Saara Malila
Saara Malila has been serving as the Director of Communications for the City of Turku since June 2013. In this role, she leads, develops, and coordinates communication and marketing efforts for the city. With over a decade of experience in communication roles, Saara brings a wealth of expertise to her current position.
LinkedIn: Saara Malila
Danny Cohanpour
Danny Cohanpour is the CEO of Trove Tourism Development Advisors, specializing in helping destinations stand out in the digital age. With a focus on digital marketing, social media, visitor experience design, strategic planning, branding strategy, and analytics, Danny leads Trove in providing innovative solutions to critical tourism challenges. Trove Tourism is recognized as a TPBO Impact Partner.
LinkedIn: Danny Cohanpour
Stephanie Bonilla-Feret
Stephania Bonilla-Feret, Ph.D., is an economist at UNCTAD, focusing on the nexus between investment and sustainable development. With expertise in investment policy, she is passionate about development policies and women’s empowerment. Through her work, she aims to contribute to sustainable development goals.
LinkedIn: Stephania Bonilla-Feret
Melanie Hunger
Melanie Hunger is a Market Shaper and Tourism Expert dedicated to helping Oman’s tourism industry thrive. Melanie’s passion lies in translating social demographic changes, market trends, and consumer behaviors into successful strategic planning, contributing to the growth and development of tourist destinations.
LinkedIn: Melanie Hunger
Miguel Sanz
Miguel Sanz is the Director General at Tourspain and currently serves as President of the European Travel Commission (ETC). He has previously held key positions such as Managing Director of Visit Madrid. Miguel has been instrumental in developing and implementing tourism strategies at both national and city levels, contributing to the growth and promotion of tourist destinations.
LinkedIn: Miguel Sanz
Ivan Jiménez Aira
Ivan Jiménez Aira is the Managing Director at Bizkaia Talent, where he has served for over 12 years. Under his leadership, Bizkaia Talent has played a crucial role in attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals in the Basque Country, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. Ivan’s dedication to fostering connections between businesses, research centers, and universities has contributed to the region’s development and growth.
LinkedIn: Ivan Jiménez Aira
Jenni Carbins
An experienced strategic placemaking expert creating memorable places to live, work, and visit. Jenny has helped conceive and deliver world-class, large-scale urban regeneration and place transformation destinations and neighbourhoods, including Southbank Centre, King’s Cross, Greenwich Peninsula, and five legacy projects at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
LinkedIn: Jenni Carbins
Engin Celikbas
Engin Celikbas has had a significant impact on branding and marketing with a notable emphasis on geographical expansion and city marketing. His strategic efforts culminated in the iconic ‘I Amsterdam’ campaign, which has been hailed as one of the most admired city marketing initiatives worldwide.
LinkedIn: Engin Celikbas
Chiara Rinaldi
Chiara Rinaldi is a curious and outgoing researcher dedicated to sustainable development. Chiara’s expertise includes place marketing, place branding, and sustainable tourism, particularly within the context of food and gastronomy. Her work extends across Europe and globally, where she has held roles as a researcher, project designer, project manager, and evaluator.
LinkedIn: Chiara Rinaldi
Bram van den Hoogen
Bram van den Hoogen has catalyzed change through his leadership at the Brabant Development Company (BOM), transforming it from an investment firm into a development powerhouse that supports startups in sustainable food, energy, and technology, thereby making a significant societal impact.
LinkedIn: Bram van den Hoogen
Alex Lemecha-Sim
Alex Lemecha-Sim, serving as Business Director at M&C Saatchi Export & Destination, has been instrumental in steering comprehensive marketing and branding strategies across various sectors. His expertise has significantly benefited clients like London & Partners, Bahrain Economic Development Board, and Qatar Financial Centre, enhancing place marketing, FDI, tourism, and G2B initiatives.
LinkedIn: Alex Lemecha-Sim
León Trujillo
León Trujillo is an expert in territorial marketing, specializing in the promotion of destinations and origin products. He played a pivotal role in creating the renowned Country Brand Colombia (“CO”) and has consulted on country brands across Latin America and beyond, including Argentina, Ecuador, and Mexico. His broad experience includes developing marketing strategies and implementing country and sector brands, focusing on sustainability and fair trade practices.
LinkedIn: León Trujillo
Courtney Fingar
Courtney Fingar stands at the forefront of foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic development communications. With a career spanning over two decades, including her role as the founder of Fingar Direct Investment and contributions to Forbes, Courtney has cultivated a deep understanding of the global investment landscape. Through her work, she guides investment promoters in crafting compelling narratives about their locations.
Maria Lypiatska
Maria Lypiatska took the helm of Brand Ukraine right before the country faced an immense crisis—Russia’s full-scale invasion. Join us as Maria shares her personal insights, the transformative initiatives at Brand Ukraine, and her expert views on the evolving landscape of nation branding in today’s multifaceted global crises.
Emiel Kuijpers
Emiel Kuijpers is a specialist in city, regional, and real estate marketing, with a history of successful campaigns and awards in city marketing. Previously involved in marketing for places like Kampen, Baarn, and the Drechtsteden, Emiel has also provided valuable marketing insights to municipalities such as Moerdijk, Etten-Leur, and Leidsche Rijn Centrum. Currently, he manages the Brainport Eindhoven brand and is a co-founder of the City Marketing Collective.
LinkedIn: Emiel Kuijpers
George Zimmerman
George Zimmerman has been a pivotal figure in tourism marketing for over two decades, notably as the Vice President responsible for Travel Michigan at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation from 2001 – 2014. Under his leadership, the award-winning Pure Michigan brand was launched, achieving global recognition and significantly increasing the tourism promotion budget from $5.7 million to $30 million. Previously, as Ohio’s Tourism Director, George was named State Tourism Director of the Year twice, the only person to receive this honor twice.
George has also served on several prestigious boards including the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of the U.S. Travel Association, and the National Council of State Tourism Directors, where he was elected Chair four times. In 2014, he led the creation of the National Council of State Tourism Directors Alumni Group and was elected as its first chair.
Douglas Van den Berghe
Douglas Van den Berghe is the founder of NxZones, a pioneering network of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), technology parks, and (Eco) industrial parks that drive economic development, attract FDI, and create jobs. Established in September 2020, NxZones sets a new global standard for economic zones by incorporating sustainability, innovation, and alignment with the 17 UN SDGs. Its model fosters a synergistic ecosystem of entrepreneurs, academia, innovators, and venture capital, emphasizing carbon neutrality, autonomous vehicles, and circular economy principles.
LinkedIn: Douglas Van den Berghe
Charles Wright
Charles Wright is a Global Principal at Wolff Olins, a renowned global brand consultancy firm. In his key leadership role, Charles guides the strategic direction of the firm and oversees major client engagements. His expertise encompasses brand strategy, identity development, and brand experience design, significantly impacting how brands position themselves in competitive markets.
LinkedIn: Charles Wright
Carsten Claus
Carsten Claus is a Strategy Advisor in culture and company building, based in Hamburg, Germany. Since March 2013, he has been self-employed at OBERKORN, where he provides management consulting and workshops. Additionally, Carsten has been an Associated Researcher at FUTURLAB – Creative Future at the University of Alicante since October 2006, where he also holds the position of Honorary Guest Professor at the Department of Sociology-2. His work spans diverse areas of organizational development and cultural strategy, impacting businesses and academic communities alike.
LinkedIn: Carsten Claus
Doha Bassem
Doha Bassem is an architect and researcher based in Cairo, working at Raafat.Miller.Consulting since January 2016. Her expertise in marketing and urban development has significantly contributed to the understanding of place branding in Egypt. Doha’s research offers insightful perspectives on how urban spaces can be effectively marketed and developed, enhancing their identity and appeal.
LinkedIn: Doha Bassem
Christopher B. Leinberger
Christopher B. Leinberger is a renowned land use strategist, professor, real estate developer, and author, known for integrating business realities with social and environmental priorities. As the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Places Platform LLC since June 2018, he has been at the forefront of utilizing “big data” to understand dynamics of the built environment, including economic growth, fiscal impacts, and social equity of urban and metropolitan development. Additionally, he serves as Emeritus Chair and Professor at the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis at George Washington University, focusing on walkable urban development and housing.
More on his work and insights can be found on his personal website, chrisleinberger.com, and LinkedIn: Christopher B. Leinberger.
Sue Jansen
Sue Curry Jansen is a distinguished academic at Muhlenberg College, USA, whose work significantly impacts the understanding of freedom of expression and its obstacles. Her research spans the sociology of knowledge, propaganda, gender and technology, and the intellectual history of the Progressive Era, providing critical insights into how these elements shape public discourse and societal development.
LinkedIn: Sue Jansen
Súsanna Sørensen
Súsanna Sørensen, as the Marketing Manager for Visit Faroe Islands, has been instrumental in elevating the global profile of the Faroe Islands through innovative campaigns such as Sheep View 360. Her strategic vision and efforts in destination marketing have significantly boosted tourism, while ensuring sustainable practices align with the unique cultural and natural heritage of the Faroe Islands.
LinkedIn: Súsanna Sørensen
Stephen Hobbs
Stephen Hobbs is a digital marketing strategist and transformation consultant based in London. With a background as a former magazine editor and journalist, Stephen excels in helping organizations uncover and communicate their authentic brand truths. He believes in prioritizing customer needs to build trust and engagement, leading to greater success. His expertise lies in crafting compelling brand narratives and creating consistent, connected digital experiences that resonate with modern audiences.
LinkedIn: Stephen Hobbs
Simon Jaktlund
Simon Jaktlund, recognized as the Placebrander of the Year in 2018, played a crucial role in redefining the image of Östersund from a winter city to a vibrant summer destination. He founded Surfbukten, which became one of the hottest summer excursion spots. His innovative approach to place branding has significantly boosted local tourism and reshaped the perception of Östersund.
Website: Surfbukten
Shaun Loftman
Shaun Loftman, Creative Director at Landor EMEA based in London, brings over 25 years of expertise in branding and graphic design. His work spans a wide range of creative disciplines, including brand positioning, strategy, brand architecture, corporate identity, packaging, destination and nation branding, experiential branding, and naming. Shaun’s extensive experience and leadership in the field have significantly contributed to the success of numerous high-profile projects and brands.
LinkedIn: Shaun Loftman
Rhoda Joseph
Ms. Rhoda Joseph has been the Executive Director of Invest Dominica Authority since September 2008. In her role, she is responsible for leading the Authority and implementing policy directives to promote and facilitate investment opportunities in Dominica. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving foreign direct investments and supporting the government’s vision of making Dominica the first climate-resilient country in the world.
LinkedIn: Rhoda Joseph
Raúl Peralba
Raúl Peralba is an expert in differentiation, competitive positioning, strategic branding, place branding, and emotional focus. As the President of Positioning Systems, he leads the first consultancy boutique in Spain and Europe specializing in competitive positioning and brand engineering.
LinkedIn: Raúl Peralba
Roland Scherer
Roland Scherer is the Director of the Institute for Systemic Management and Public Governance at the University of St.Gallen. He also serves as the Head of the Research Center for Regional Science. His work focuses on systemic management, regional development, and public governance, making significant contributions to academic research and practical applications in regional science.
LinkedIn: Roland Scherer
Philipp Rode
Dr. Philipp Rode is the Executive Director of LSE Cities and Associate Professor (Education) at the School of Public Policy. He has been leading interdisciplinary programmes in urban development, sustainable urbanism, and climate change at the LSE since 2003. His research focuses on government systems, integrated policy-making, emergency governance, sustainable urban development, transport transitions, and new urban mobility. Dr. Rode’s work addresses the multi-dimensional aspects of global urbanisation and sustainability.
LinkedIn: Philipp Rode
Raymond Asfour
Raymond Asfour is the CEO and co-Managing Partner of Expectation State, a development consultancy focused on capacity building and investment promotion in emerging markets. He has extensive experience working with governments and international organizations, designing and implementing programs to enhance state stability and promote inclusive growth. His work spans across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, making significant contributions to economic development in these regions.
LinkedIn: Raymond Asfour
Adam Arvidsson
Adam Arvidsson is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Milan and co-director of the Centro Studi di Etnografia Digitale. His extensive research covers consumer culture, digital culture, and new forms of value creation and measurement. He has led projects like EDUFASHION and co-directs the Responsible Business in the Blogosphere Project. His latest book, “The Ethical Economy: Rebuilding Value after the Crisis,” explores sustainable development and value reconstruction.
Profile: Adam Arvidsson at CCCB
Akiko Katayama
Akiko Katayama is a renowned food writer and consultant based in New York City. She is the host and producer of the weekly radio show “JAPAN EATS!” on Heritage Radio Network, which introduces Japanese food culture to a global audience. Akiko has also served as a judge on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and Netflix’s “The Final Table.” With an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and an MSc from the London School of Economics, her work significantly promotes understanding and appreciation of Japanese cuisine in the US.
LinkedIn: Akiko Katayama
Amber Richardson
Amber Richardson is the Founder and President of the African-American Youth Travel Program (AAYTP). This non-profit organization provides full scholarships to African-American students, enabling them to study abroad in Japan for one week. Her initiative, which is fully volunteer-run, aims to broaden the perspectives of young people from low-income households by exposing them to new cultures and global opportunities.
LinkedIn: Amber Richardson
Anette Therkelsen
Anette Therkelsen is a researcher at Aalborg University whose work focuses on how tourists and local citizens imagine, experience, and use places as part of their identity construction. Her research spans holiday decision-making, travel sustainability dilemmas, and the potential of local food in place branding. Anette collaborates with various organizations on projects sponsored by research foundations and has made significant contributions to understanding consumer culture and communication in place development.
LinkedIn: Anette Therkelsen
Bernd Schnurrenberger
Prof. Dr. Bernd Schnurrenberger is a professor at the Technische Hochschule Brandenburg. He has experience in various aspects of business administration and regional development. His professional contributions to academia and practical applications in the field have been valuable to understanding regional marketing and business strategies.
LinkedIn: Bernd Schnurrenberger
Candia Ferguson
Candia Ferguson served as the Director of Investments at the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) from 2014 to 2021. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in promoting various investment opportunities in the Bahamas, particularly in sectors such as agribusiness, mariculture, and renewable energy. She emphasized the importance of facilitating investments by improving procedural clarity and providing strong aftercare to ensure investor satisfaction and project success.
More information: Bahamas Investment Authority
Christoph Schaltegger
Prof. Dr. Christoph Schaltegger is a professor of political economy at the University of Lucerne and teaches public finance at the University of St. Gallen. He has a significant background in finance and taxation policy, having worked with economiesuisse and as an advisor in the Swiss Federal Department of Finance. His research focuses on fiscal policy, federalism, and economic governance, contributing valuable insights into public finance and policy-making.
LinkedIn: Christoph Schaltegger
Cees van Riel
Prof. Dr. Cees van Riel is a Professor Emeritus at the Rotterdam School of Management and Co-Founder of the Reputation Institute. He is the founder of the Reputation forum The Netherlands (RfN), a platform comprising directors of communication from twenty of the largest Dutch organizations. With over two decades of experience as a consultant, he has worked on corporate branding, reputation management, and employee alignment for major companies worldwide.
Wikipedia: Cees van Riel
Jacopo Dettoni
Jacopo Dettoni is the Editor of fDi Intelligence, where he leads the publication’s multimedia editorial coverage and strategic development. With a deep understanding of global foreign direct investment (FDI) trends, he provides valuable insights and analysis on cross-border expansion and greenfield investment. Jacopo’s work is crucial in keeping stakeholders informed about the dynamic landscape of FDI.
LinkedIn: Jacopo Dettoni
Emma Dagnes
Emma Dagnes is the Chief Executive of Alexandra Park and Palace. With a strong background in venue management and strategic development, she leads the iconic cultural venue in North London. Her leadership focuses on enhancing the visitor experience, promoting sustainability, and maintaining the historical significance of Alexandra Palace, known as “Ally Pally.”
LinkedIn: Emma Dagnes
Lisa McCutchion
Lisa McCutchion is the General Manager of Corporate Communications and Brand at Frasers Property Australia in Sydney. As a Certified Practicing Marketer (CPM) and executive manager, she excels in defining, promoting, and protecting a company’s brand and commercial proposition. Lisa’s approach to ‘living the brand’ ensures that products, services, actions, communications, and decisions authentically reflect the brand’s values, creating significant value for the business. Her dedication to both care and commercial acumen in branding is a simple yet challenging principle to execute.
LinkedIn: Lisa McCutchion
James Zhan
James Zhan is the Chief Advisor and Senior Director of Investment & Enterprise at UNCTAD, as well as the Governing Board Chair of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange. With over 15 years of experience at UNCTAD, he leads key initiatives such as the World Investment Report and the World Investment Forum. He is also the founding Co-chair of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones, working to advance sustainable development. James has significantly contributed to international investment, sustainable finance, and economic policy-making across over 130 countries.
LinkedIn: James Zhan
Laurent Sansoucy
Laurent Sansoucy is a Director at OCO Global, based in Paris, France. With over 30 years of experience in foreign investment, international strategy, and sales & marketing, Laurent has held various senior positions in consultancy and investment promotion agencies. He has worked extensively across Western Europe, North & South America, East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, developing a deep understanding of global business environments. Laurent’s work focuses on helping clients navigate international trade and investment landscapes.
LinkedIn: Laurent Sansoucy
Isaac Vidal Sanchez
Isaac Vidal Sanchez is the CMO and Co-founder of We Are Marketing (WAM), with over 18 years of experience as a marketing professional in both private and public enterprises. He is a lecturer in various marketing and tourism programs at institutions such as IE Business School, Fundesem Business School, UIMP, Universidad Católica, and the University of Alicante. He is also the creator of the tourism marketing blog www.isaacvidal.com. Currently, he is the Chief Sales Marketing Officer for AR Group.
LinkedIn: Isaac Vidal Sanchez
Laura Carmouze
Laura Carmouze is a lecturer in Management Sciences at Aix-Marseille University and the Deputy Director of the Chair of Attractiveness and New Territorial Marketing. Her research focuses on territorial marketing, collaborative public management, and local citizen participation mechanisms. Laura is actively involved in structuring territorial attractiveness strategies, making significant contributions to the field through her teaching and research.
LinkedIn: Laura Carmouze
Kristian Sonnier
Kristian Sonnier is a seasoned public relations professional with over 25 years of experience. He has held significant roles, including Vice President of Communications and Public Relations at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he led the rebranding efforts and strategic communications for the city. Known for his strategic thinking and effective communication skills, Kristian has cultivated valuable relationships with key stakeholders and generated positive media exposure for his clients.
LinkedIn: Kristian Sonnier
Maria Lichrou
Dr. Maria Lichrou is Associate Professor in Marketing at the University of Limerick. Her research focuses on sustainability, consumption, and place. She is an active member of the Consumers in Society Research Cluster at the Kemmy Business School and co-Chair of the Academy of Marketing (UK) Sustainability SIG. Maria has made significant contributions to understanding how consumption and marketing practices intersect with sustainability and place.
LinkedIn: Maria Lichrou
John Aitken
John Aitken is the Managing Director of Inspiring Cities, specializing in the economic development of globally competitive cities, inspiring precincts, destinations, tourism, and major events. He has a notable history of creating major event traditions in Queensland, including Riverfestival and Riverfire. As CEO of Brisbane Marketing (2008-2017), his team achieved significant milestones, such as establishing Brisbane’s new world city positioning globally and delivering $4 billion in economic outcomes. John also contributes as a board member of various organizations, including the Tourism Transport Forum and the Redlands Economic Development Board.
LinkedIn: John Aitken
John Till
John Till is the Founding Director of Thinking Place, a leading place specialist company. With over 20 years of experience in place branding, marketing, and making, John has been at the forefront of transforming cities and regions. As CEO, he established and led the groundbreaking marketing partnership Hull Cityimage, significantly improving the invest-ability and reputation of Hull and its surrounding region. In 2006, he founded Thinking Place, which has since become a recognized leader in this field.
LinkedIn: John Till
Eytan Gilboa
Professor Eytan Gilboa is the Director of the Center for International Communication at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. He is also a senior research associate at the BESA Center for Strategic Studies and Chair of The Israel Communication Association. With a BA from Hebrew University and MA and PhD degrees from Harvard University, he has published extensively on public diplomacy, international communication, and US policy in the Middle East. Gilboa has served as a visiting professor at several leading American and European universities and research centers, and as an adviser to various ministries and agencies globally. He frequently contributes op-ed articles and serves as a commentator on television and radio networks worldwide.
LinkedIn: Eytan Gilboa
José I. Rojas-Méndez
Dr. José I. Rojas-Méndez is a Full Professor of International Business and Marketing at the Sprott School of Business, Carleton University, Canada. He received his Ph.D. in Marketing from Manchester Business School and his M.B.A. from the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on nation branding, international consumer behavior, and cross-cultural business issues, with over 55 academic publications. He has received several awards, including the Sprott School of Business Research Award in 2024 and the Person of the Year Award from ASFAE in 2022. Dr. Rojas-Méndez has consulted for various industries globally and has lectured in over 30 countries.
LinkedIn: José I. Rojas-Méndez
Mari Taverne
Mari Taverne has extensive experience in regional development, particularly in tourism attraction, talent attraction, and investment attraction. Currently, she manages and strategically develops talent attraction and migration issues for the City of Tampere. Her work involves coordinating strategic collaboration with stakeholders, developing international talent attraction and migration services, and managing Tampere’s migration policies and integration programs. Mari’s cross-cutting expertise in marketing, sales, and project management allows her to adapt quickly to changing environments and drive innovative solutions.
LinkedIn: Mari Taverne
Mari Stevens
Mari Stevens is a dynamic and creative senior leader with experience in the private and public sectors, including C-Suite and Senior Civil Service roles in tech, telecommunications, media, culture, tourism, and utilities. She specializes in delivering transformative business and brand strategies focused on purpose and competitive advantage. Notably, she established the multi-award-winning masterbrand strategy for Wales, generating a £300m economic impact for the tourism sector in its launch year.
LinkedIn: Mari Stevens
Kristin Dunne
Kristin Dunne is a conscious and strategic leader with a reputation for building and leading high-performing teams to extraordinary results. From 2016 to 2021, she served as Tumuaki | Chief Executive for Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi | Tourism Bay of Plenty, where her leadership in Destination Management and Marketing garnered local and global recognition. Kirsten is passionate about leading tourism with a true purpose, aiming to regenerate places and people, and produce net-value for future generations.
LinkedIn: Kristin Dunne
Malcolm Langford
Professor Malcolm Langford is a lawyer and social scientist at the University of Oslo, where he directs the Centre on Experiential Legal Learning (CELL). He leads a large interdisciplinary project on ‘Nordic Branding’ and is the Co-Editor of the Cambridge University Book Series on Globalization and Human Rights. Malcolm advises various UN bodies, governments, and NGOs, and sits on several boards, including the European Implementation Network and JustLabs.
LinkedIn: Malcolm Langford
Laura Lindeman
Laura Lindeman is a Chief Specialist at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in Finland, specializing in international talent attraction and retention. Currently serving as Senior Director and Head of the Work in Finland unit at Business Finland, Laura has led the development of the #TalentBoost programme of the Finnish Government. She has also played a significant role in developing the talent attraction and retention ecosystem at the city level in the Tampere region.
LinkedIn: Laura Lindeman
Martyn Moore
Martyn Moore is the Content Editor at Made in Britain and Director at Northlight Media in Peterborough. Since June 2011, he has created over 500 short films for clients across Europe, the USA, and the UK. Martyn has written articles for international magazine brands and national daily newspapers, presented on national television, and often appeared as a ‘guest expert’ on national and local radio. He has edited international magazine brands and a national weekly newspaper. Martyn is also a published author, with his latest book titled ‘You can be a film-maker: getting paid to shoot great video.’
LinkedIn: Martyn Moore
John Speksnijder
John Speksnijder has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, and healthcare industry. He has expertise in sales, medical, business development, marketing, and consultancy at both national and international levels. Currently working at Pivot Park in Geldermalsen, John specializes in business development, strategic marketing, interim management, project management, lifecycle management, consultancy, portfolio management, medical information, reimbursement, KOL management, leadership, and general management.
LinkedIn: John Speksnijder
Pieter Van Beukering
Pieter van Beukering is a Dutch economist with twenty years of experience in research and advising clients concerning environmental economics issues. His main research interests are economic valuation, natural resource management, solid waste management, and international trade. At present, Pieter van Beukering has two main focal research areas. First, since 2009 he coordinates the PhD program RENEW-IS Academy of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs on renewable energy in Africa. Second, he is closely involved in studying The Economics of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity (TEEB) in the Netherlands as well as in various tropical islands, such as the Dutch Caribbean.
LinkedIn: Pieter Van Beukering
David Adams
David Adams’ journey into academic life took place after many years as a senior executive in the public, private, and community sectors, with a research and engagement focus on the policy intersections between these sectors. He is particularly interested in ideas about community and place innovation and has been centrally involved in various innovations, including the establishment of the Department for Victorian Communities – the first department of state in Australia organized around the idea of community and place. In Tasmania, he was the inaugural Social Inclusion Commissioner, developing the first State Cost of Living Strategy in Australia and as Chair of the Food Security Council, developed the first State-level Food Security Strategy. Internationally, he was part of the team that established PASCAL, the OECD Observatory on Place Management, Social Capital, and Learning Regions.
Web profile: David Adams
Emilio Lamo de Espinosa
Emilio Lamo de Espinosa is a member of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, the European Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the editorial board of the International Journal of Transparency and Integrity. He is the former President of the Spanish Sociological Association (2007-2009) and its Honorary Member, as well as the former Director of the Ortega Gasset Institute (1997-2001), the largest postgraduate Spanish research center in the social sciences. He is the founder and first Director of the Elcano Royal Institute (2001-2005). In 1996, he received the ‘Jovellanos International Essay Award’ for his book Sociedades de cultura y sociedades de ciencia (Culture and Science Societies). He has published 22 books and more than one hundred scientific papers.
LinkedIn: Emilio Lamo de Espinosa
Ioanna Morfessis
Ioanna Morfessis is an American businesswoman and economic development strategist and practitioner. She founded four economic development organizations and established programs and tools that became models for communities across the U.S. Dr. Morfessis has been instrumental in creating over 200,000 new direct jobs and attracting nearly $30 billion in private capital investment. Her consulting firm, IO.INC, helps leaders, organizations, and communities develop and execute strategic economic development programs. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to economic development, education, and community service.
LinkedIn: Ioanna Morfessis
Jan-Egbert Sturm
Jan-Egbert Sturm is a Professor of Applied Macroeconomics and the Director of the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich. He is also the editor of the European Journal of Political Economy and a member of several advisory committees in Switzerland and abroad. His research relies heavily on empirical methods and statistics, focusing on monetary economics, macroeconomics, and political economy, with particular interest in areas closely related to practical and current issues.
LinkedIn: Jan-Egbert Sturm
Joantxo Llantada
Joantxo Llantada is a Professor at IE Business School and an expert in marketing, innovation, and strategy. Over the past 30 years, he has developed territories and businesses through marketing, innovation, and branding. He has provided guidance to business projects in destination strategy, tourism policy, culture, digital transformation, innovation systems and programs, exponential growth, and project management. Joantxo is a dedicated researcher and trend disseminator.
LinkedIn: Joantxo Llantada
Joel Kotkin
Described by the New York Times as “America’s uber-geographer,” Joel Kotkin is an internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political, and social trends. His latest book, “The Coming of Neo-Feudalism: A Warning to the Global Middle Class,” is now available in paperback. He authored “THE HUMAN CITY: Urbanism for the Rest of Us” in 2016 and co-edited, with MIT’s Alan Berger, the 2018 collection “Infinite Suburbia.” Joel is a fellow in urban studies at Chapman University, California.
LinkedIn: Joel Kotkin
Karyl Leigh Barnes
Karyl Leigh Barnes is the Vice President of Tourism Marketing at DCI, a “place” marketing agency. She leads DCI’s Tourism Practice, which includes divisions responsible for tourism research and award-winning campaigns in destination branding; public relations/consumer marketing; digital/social media marketing; travel trade marketing; and meeting and incentive sales. Her purview includes corporate strategy, industry thought leadership, global client strategy and tactical planning, stakeholder collaboration, and staff management throughout the U.S. and Canada.
LinkedIn: Karyl Leigh Barnes
Kate Billing
For over 25 years, Kate Billing has worked in the people, culture, and leadership space, building a reputation for sharp insights, compassionate challenge, warmth, and energy. Over that time, she has worked with a wide range of leaders, the best of whom have demonstrated the awareness, willingness, and courage required for deep and meaningful growth. Always connected to her diverse global community, she brings the cool stuff that’s happening ‘out there’ to New Zealand, and takes the best of her home-grown wisdom to the world.
LinkedIn: Kate Billing
Marcelo Arango
Marcelo Arango is the Vice President of Strategic Planning at Sancho BBDO, Colombia. Marcelo has worked for Sancho BBDO for more than two decades, bringing extensive experience and expertise in strategic planning to the agency.
LinkedIn: Marcelo Arango
Mads Mordhorst
Mads Mordhorst is a faculty member at Copenhagen Business School with a focus on business history from a cultural historical perspective, emphasizing the construction of identity. Theoretically inspired by “the linguistic turn” and narratives, his work examines the impact of these concepts on academic history and the uses of history in companies, exploring how companies create identity internally and externally through history.
LinkedIn: Mads Mordhorst
Thomas Niedomysl
Thomas Niedomysl is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Geography, Lund University. His research focuses on migration, residential mobility, and demographic analysis. He is based in Halmstad, Sweden.
LinkedIn: Thomas Niedomysl
John Byrom
John Byrom is the Associate Dean (MBA) at the University of Liverpool Management School, which he joined in 2019. In this role, he has strategic oversight of the School’s post-experience portfolio, including 4 MBA programmes and the Executive DBA. Prior to joining Liverpool, he worked at Manchester Business School, the University of Tasmania, and the Manchester School of Management, where he served as Head of the School of Management.
LinkedIn: John Byrom
Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez
Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez is the Prince of Asturias Chair at Georgetown University (2021-2024). He is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, where he teaches Journalism and International Studies. He leads the research group “Public Communication: power, message, and law,” which analyzes European media policies, international communication, and free speech. Currently, his group is comparing global city diplomacy in Europe and Latin America.
LinkedIn: Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez
Jürgen Block
Jürgen Block is the Geschäftsführer (Managing Director) at the Bundesvereinigung City- und Stadtmarketing Deutschland e.V. in Berlin. With extensive experience in city and urban marketing, he plays a crucial role in promoting and developing marketing strategies for cities across Germany.
LinkedIn: Jürgen Block
Justin Molloy
Justin Molloy is the Director of Education at the Society of Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD). A multidisciplinary designer with a focus on product design, Justin has over 20 years of industry experience in graphic and web design. He has an open-minded approach to design, using his experience to communicate thoughtful and versatile solutions. He enjoys learning and developing new skills and techniques, particularly in UI/UX design, and believes that design should be universal and accessible to all.
LinkedIn: Justin Molloy
Katja Valaskivi
Katja Valaskivi is a researcher at Tampere University, Finland, specializing in the datafication and mediatization of religions, belief systems, worldviews, and ideologies. She has developed multi-method approaches for studying disruptive, hybrid media events such as terror attacks and natural disasters.
LinkedIn: Katja Valaskivi
Ken Fischang
Ken Fischang is the President and CEO of the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau in Sonoma. With extensive experience in tourism management and hospitality, he plays a crucial role in promoting Sonoma County as a premier travel destination. Ken’s leadership ensures the region’s continued growth and success in the tourism industry.
LinkedIn: Ken Fischang
Kevin M. Leyden
Professor Kevin M. Leyden is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Galway. He also serves as Co-Director of the Creative, Liveable, and Sustainable Communities Cluster of the Whitaker Institute. Previously, he was the Director of West Virginia University’s Institute for Public Affairs and an Honorary Research Professor of Social Science & Public Policy at the Whitaker Institute. Professor Leyden’s research focuses primarily on the relationship between urban design, social capital, health, and urban liveability.
Professional Profile: Kevin M. Leyden
Ko Fujii
Ko Fujii is a pioneering figure in Japan’s public affairs sector, striving to bring innovation to the traditionally conservative profession. He founded Makaira Ltd. in 2014, a consultancy that specializes in advocacy for tech startups and social entrepreneurs. Formerly head of public policy for Google Japan and a Japanese government official at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Fujii works to foster innovation and collaboration across various sectors in Japan.
LinkedIn: Ko Fujii
Kristin Eggeling
Kristin Eggeling is a researcher at Copenhagen University, known for her PhD work that provided a detailed analysis of nation branding in non-democratic contexts. She currently works as Co-PI on a project funded by the Danish VELUX Foundation on the EU’s agenda to attain ‘digital sovereignty’. In 2023, she was awarded the Anthony Deos Early Career Award for the emerging scholar in the field of Diplomatic Studies by the International Studies Association (ISA).
Her research has won international prizes and has been published in leading IR and social science journals and presses, including Review of International Studies, European Journal of International Relations, Global Studies Quarterly, Millennium, OUP, Big Data & Society, Geopolitics, and Qualitative Research.
LinkedIn: Kristin Eggeling
Laura Reynolds
Dr. Laura Reynolds is a researcher at the Marketing Department, Cardiff University. Her research focuses on routes toward local stakeholders’ participation in shaping and sharing a city’s identity or ‘brand.’ She is particularly interested in encouraging local involvement and the potential benefits it brings to communities. Laura is committed to translating her research into social and economic impact by collaborating with industry and community partners to explore avenues for stakeholder inclusion and representative branding approaches.
LinkedIn: Laura Reynolds
Laura Ries
Laura Ries is a leading marketing strategist, bestselling author, and television personality. In 1994, Laura joined her father, Al Ries, the legendary positioning pioneer. With RIES, Laura has consulted with companies around the world on brand strategy, traveling to over 60 countries from Chile to China and India to Indonesia, teaching the fundamental principles of positioning.
LinkedIn: Laura Ries
Leslie Butterfield
Leslie Butterfield is an experienced branding and communications professional, offering brand strategy, positioning, and communications advice through his business, Butterfield Harris Ltd., which he established with his partner, Penny Harris, in July 2015. Most recently, Butterfield Harris has worked with Aon, NatWest, Jaguar Land Rover, and the UK Government.
LinkedIn: Leslie Butterfield
Liz Moor
Liz Moor is a researcher at Goldsmiths, University of London, specializing in how different forms of communication shape our economic lives. Her most recent book, ‘Communication and Economic Life’ (published in 2021 by Polity), argues that Media and Communications scholars have typically construed ‘the economy’ too narrowly. Liz emphasizes the more subtle ways in which different communicative forms and media knit our economic lives together. She is committed to translating her research into social and economic impact by working closely with industry and community partners.
LinkedIn: Liz Moor
Marcin Kęćko
Marcin Kęćko is the Head of the Tourism Development Office at Lublin City Hall. Together with his team, they collaborate with local groups such as museums, tour guides, and hotels to make Lublin a better place to visit. Their goal is to establish Lublin as a popular destination for tourists from Poland and around the world.
LinkedIn: Marcin Kęćko
Maria Dolores Alvarez
Maria Dolores Alvarez is a Professor at Boğaziçi University, specializing in tourism development and sustainable tourism strategies. She works closely with local and international stakeholders to position tourism as a key instrument for economic and social development. Her research has been published in leading academic journals, and she is a recipient of numerous awards for her contributions to the field.
University Profile: Maria Dolores Alvarez at Boğaziçi University
Maria Schicht
Maria Schicht is the Deputy Director of the Warsaw Tourism Office. She graduated from the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Law and Administration, and completed her doctoral studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences. Maria is a doctor of law and a judge, with previous experience as a lecturer at the University of Warsaw and the University of Vienna, specializing in international law and management.
Maria’s work at the Warsaw Tourism Office focuses on enhancing Warsaw’s appeal as a tourist destination. She collaborates with various local groups to promote the city’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant tourism sector.
LinkedIn: Maria Schicht
Mariana Mazzucato
Mariana Mazzucato is a Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London, where she is the founding director of the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. Her work challenges conventional thinking about the role of the state and the private sector in driving innovation, how economic value is created, measured, and shared, and how market-shaping policy can address grand challenges facing humanity. She is the author of the influential book “The Entrepreneurial State” and several other notable publications.
University Profile: Mariana Mazzucato at UCL
Marianna Sigala
Marianna Sigala is a Professor at the University of South Australia. Her major research interests include service operations management and ICT applications in tourism and hospitality. She also has an interest in e-learning models and pedagogies, with several research studies published in these fields. Dr. Sigala’s work has been featured in numerous international journals and conferences, and she has published four books. She is currently the co-editor of the international journal “Journal of Service Theory & Practice” and the editor-in-chief of the “Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases”. She is a Research Fellow of CAUTHE and has received the President’s Award by EuroCHRIE (2016).
LinkedIn: Marianna Sigala
Martin Eichler
Martin Eichler is Chief Economist and a member of the Executive Board at BAK Economics AG. He is responsible for the analysis and forecasting activities of BAK and lectures both domestically and internationally. His thematic focus includes economic forecasts, economic analysis, consultancy for regions in Switzerland and abroad, and growth and innovation.
LinkedIn: Martin Eichler
Martha Bayles
Martha Bayles is an American author, critic, and professor. She has written widely on the arts, media, cultural policy, and U.S. public diplomacy. She frequently writes and lectures about the arts, music, media, and public diplomacy. Her latest book, “Through a Screen Darkly: Popular Culture, Public Diplomacy, and America’s Image Abroad” (Yale 2014), was described by the Weekly Standard as “a brilliant and courageous meditation on the difficulty of communication between modern and traditional societies” and by American Diplomacy as “the freshest and most original treatment of US public diplomacy in many years.”
LinkedIn: Martha Bayles
Maura Gast
Maura Gast is the Executive Director of the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in Irving, Texas. She is renowned for her innovative approach to destination branding and her philosophy, “It All Starts With a Visit.” Under her leadership, the Irving CVB has seen significant growth, making Irving a prime destination for visitors and businesses. Maura’s strategic vision and dedication have earned her numerous awards and accolades in the field of tourism and community development.
LinkedIn: Maura Gast
Michael Amman
Michael Amman is an economic developer active in the East Bay region, currently based in Manhattan Beach, California. He is a public-private partnership organizational leader with extensive experience in start-up, turnaround, and organizational renewal within multi-jurisdictional economic development marketing organizations and metro chambers of commerce. Michael is skilled in uniting public and private partnerships, working with elected and appointed officials, business leaders, and universities. He also has private sector experience in high technology startups and management.
LinkedIn: Michael Amman
Michael Berkowitz
Michael Berkowitz is a former Founding Principal of Resilient Cities Catalyst, a global non-profit helping cities and their partners tackle their toughest challenges. He is currently the Executive Director of the Climate Resilience Academy at the University of Miami. Previously, he joined the Rockefeller Foundation in August 2013 to shape and oversee the creation of 100 Resilient Cities, serving as the 100RC President from 2013 to 2019. From 2005 to 2013, Michael worked at Deutsche Bank, most recently as the global head of Operational Risk Management (ORM).
LinkedIn: Michael Berkowitz
Miguel Otero
Barcelona, Spain
Miguel Otero is associated with Brands of Spain. He believes that the art of being a good Business Manager is to manage different people teams to resolve clients’ present and future needs. The main working capital of his group is the quality of their products and services, all developed under strict planning regulations and quality control processes. Miguel is fully aware of the high value of clients’ time and ensures that his group never wastes this precious commodity.
LinkedIn: Miguel Otero
Mike Rawlinson
Bristol, UK
Mike Rawlinson is the founding director of City ID and a design-planner. He has extensive design management experience working on master planning, transportation, city identity, legibility, and wayfinding projects. Mike has led the development and delivery of innovative design projects and strategies in many cities, including Abu Dhabi, Birmingham, Dublin, London, Moscow, Newcastle, New York, and Rio de Janeiro. He is credited with developing the ‘Legible Cities’ concept, which seeks to improve people’s experience of places through the integration of urban design, wayfinding, identity, and integrated transportation projects.
LinkedIn: Mike Rawlinson
Myfanwy Trueman
Myfanwy Trueman is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bradford School of Management. Her research focuses on the ways in which different forms of communication influence economic and social environments, with a particular interest in the role of branding in urban development. She has published widely on these topics and is a respected voice in the field of corporate communications and place branding.
LinkedIn: Myfanwy Trueman
Nicola Bellini
Pisa, Italy
Nicola Bellini is a Professor of Management at the Institute of Management of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, where he has been teaching since 2001. He also holds positions as a Professor at IULM University in Milan, Fondazione Campus Studi del Mediterraneo in Lucca, and Luiss Business School in Rome. Additionally, he has been a Contract Professor at Stanford University in Florence since 2022. Nicola Bellini is an author and editor of numerous books and articles on regional innovation, place marketing, and cultural tourism.
LinkedIn: Nicola Bellini
Nicolas Martin
La Rochelle, France
Nicolas Martin is the General Director of La Rochelle Tourism & Events. He has extensive experience in tourism management, having previously worked in various leadership roles in the Basque Country, Bordeaux, and the Pyrenees. Since 2020, he has served as the President of the Mission des Offices de Tourisme de la Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Nicolas’s career also includes positions in the insurance industry and at Decathlon, where he began his professional journey.
LinkedIn: Nicolas Martin
Nicole Severijns
Tilburg, Netherlands
Nicole Severijns is a Human Marketing & PR professional passionate about her city, Tilburg. She is known for her creativity, ability to connect, and always seeking new opportunities. Nicole’s work focuses on making Tilburg a city where individuals can be their unique selves, and she leads initiatives that highlight the city’s innovative and experimental spirit. She believes in leveraging the city’s social heart and raw edges to create impactful projects that shape the best version of Tilburg.
LinkedIn: Nicole Severijns
Ole B. Jensen
Aalborg, Denmark
Ole B. Jensen is a Professor of Urban Theory at the Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology at Aalborg University. His research focuses on urban mobility, infrastructures, digital communication, and urban design. Ole holds a Master’s degree in sociology, a PhD in planning, and a higher doctorate in technology. He has been recognized for his interdisciplinary approach, collaborating with experts from various fields. His current work includes the articulation of ‘mobilities design’ as a new research field, examining the interaction between physical spaces, infrastructures, and human behavior.
LinkedIn: Ole B. Jensen
Ottmar Franzen
Frankfurt, Germany
Ottmar Franzen initially worked at the marketing chair at the University of Göttingen. After completing his doctorate, he moved to the Link Institute in Lucerne as a project manager and introduced innovative multivariate methods, such as conjoint measurement. He was then head of Customized Consumer Research at ACNielsen in Frankfurt am Main. During this time, he was responsible for the “brand balance sheet” and trade surveys. Since 1996, he has been the Founder and Managing Partner of Konzept & Markt GmbH, focusing on brand valuation, customer satisfaction, and market research.
LinkedIn: Ottmar Franzen
Outi Pekkinen
Helsinki, Finland
Outi Pekkinen is currently a Senior Lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, where she inspires students in communications, marketing, customer experiences, sales, strategic planning, and leadership. She also works as a Tourism Guide at Good Place Marketing and a Tourism Consultant at Råmossa Lodge. Previously, Outi served as the Marketing Director for the City of Helsinki and the Director of Tourism and Marketing for the City of Porvoo.
LinkedIn: Outi Pekkinen
Paul Evans
Paul Evans is an INSEAD professor and co-responsible for the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI). Building on 40 years of research, experience, and consulting on talent management, Paul’s work has shifted from corporate talent management to corporate and public policy to improve the talent competitiveness of nations and cities. He was the founding Academic Director of INSEAD’s authoritative GTCI from 2013 to 2018 and is now a GTCI Ambassador working on projects and research.
LinkedIn: Paul Evans
Pawel Surowiec
Pawel Surowiec is a Senior Lecturer in Strategic Communication at the University of Sheffield. His research focuses on the colonization of propaganda and disinformation in new social spaces, particularly within the context of diplomacy in hybrid media landscapes. He merges his research interests with lecturing, public engagements, and consultancy work, with a specific focus on European and US politics.
LinkedIn: Pawel Surowiec
Penelope Muzanenhamo
Dr. Penelope Muzanenhamo is an Assistant Professor in Marketing and Society at University College Dublin. Her interdisciplinary role combines marketing scholarship with societal concerns and critical management perspectives. Penelope’s work has shifted from corporate talent management to corporate and public policy to enhance the talent competitiveness of nations and cities. She is deeply invested in understanding the dynamics of propaganda and disinformation in digital and hybrid media landscapes, particularly in the context of diplomacy.
LinkedIn: Penelope Muzanenhamo
Peter Dyhr
Peter Dyhr Andreassen is the Head of Stakeholder Relations at Wonderful Copenhagen. He is responsible for fostering relationships and collaboration with various stakeholders to promote tourism and events in Copenhagen. Peter has a strong background in tourism management and plays a crucial role in developing strategies to enhance the city’s appeal as a premier destination.
LinkedIn: Peter Dyhr
Rufus Gifford
Rufus Gifford was sworn in as Chief of Protocol for the United States with the rank of Ambassador on January 3, 2022. Most recently, he was Deputy Campaign Manager for Biden for President with a focus on finance, external outreach, and coalition building. From 2013 to 2017, Ambassador Gifford served as the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark where he led efforts to address the effects of climate change, build international coalitions, and invest in clean energy. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for his meritorious service. Before his time in Denmark, Ambassador Gifford was the National Finance Director for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. Prior to that, he served as National Finance Director at the Democratic National Committee.
LinkedIn: Rufus Gifford
More info: Biography at State.gov
Seppo Rainisto
Seppo Rainisto is the Chairman of Meritleader Intl in Finland. He has over 20 years of experience in place marketing and branding, including corporate branding for internationally renowned companies such as PepsiCola, Leaf, Asko, and Amer. His expertise has been instrumental in advising numerous cities, regions, and communities on effective branding strategies to enhance their competitiveness and appeal.
LinkedIn: Seppo Rainisto
Szilvia Gyimothy Mørup-Petersen
Szilvia Gyimothy Mørup-Petersen is an interdisciplinary scholar at Copenhagen Business School, exploring how tourism shapes places and place marketing. She studies the character and effects of global mobility and mediatized travel, thriving at the intersections of strategic market communication, tourism geography, and consumer culture studies. Her research has delved into the commodification of rural places along popular culture trends and currently investigates place-making practices in the sharing economy and the marketization of social relationships in emergent communitarian phenomena.
Professional Profile: Szilvia Gyimothy Mørup-Petersen at CBS
Thomas Brühl
Thomas Brühl is the former CEO of VisitSweden with 17 years of experience in leading private companies, a publicly traded company, and public organizations. He is also a founder of several tech companies. His industry experience spans services, IT, media, communications, security, consulting, tourism, and gaming. Thomas has extensive experience in the public sector working with agencies, departments, regions, counties, municipalities, and interest organizations. He has significant expertise in digitalization across TV, media, digital learning materials, digital channels, and digital marketing. He is skilled in digital services, distribution channels, and business models. Thomas has negotiated deals, handled procurements, conducted international marketing, and managed public affairs. He has led transformative processes such as digital transformation, turnaround, consolidation, structural deals, and growth with excellent results. He maintains a broad network in business, media, IT, government offices, and various regions/municipalities. He also has board experience from over 20 boards in companies and organizations.
LinkedIn: Thomas Brühl
Vivian Iara Strehlau
Vivian Iara Strehlau is a professor at the Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM) in São Paulo, Brazil. She holds a PhD in Business Administration from FGV, Brazil, with extensive experience in marketing. Her research focuses on consumer behaviour, tourism, and international marketing, exploring place branding, global brands, and cross-cultural consumer behaviour. Vivian is actively involved in academic organizations and serves on the European Marketing Academy Executive Committee.
LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn Profile
Filipe Ortigão Guimarães
Filipe Ortigão Guimarães has successfully led both the Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Board and InvestPorto, the region’s investment promotion agency. As a key driver of growth, he spearheaded award-winning strategies that positioned Porto as a global benchmark for investment and tourism, attracting significant international recognition and driving economic development. Now a consultant, Filipe delivers bold and innovative solutions in place branding, FDi, and business development, helping organisations achieve impactful results.
Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on LinkedIn
Samantha Crawford
Samantha Crawford is a strategic leader with Brand Scotland, where she focuses on key initiatives such as the Brand Story Book rollout, a BBC media partnership, and domestic advocacy. Samantha was recently honoured with the Young Leader Award at City Nation Place.
Read the interview
Read the interview
Rob Catterson
Rob Catterson is a senior strategist with Scottish Enterprise, where he focuses on positioning Scotland as a global hub for investment, innovation, and business growth. He plays a key role in shifting perceptions of Scotland beyond its traditional image, highlighting opportunities in fintech, life sciences, and renewable energy.
Read the interview
Read the interview
Thea McGovern
Leith Agency, Edinburgh, Scotland
Thea McGovern of Leith reflects on over 15 years of shaping Scotland’s nation brand, the shift towards values-led storytelling, and the challenges of balancing domestic and international perceptions.
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Aoife O’Shaughnessy
Limerick City & County Council, Ireland
Limerick’s journey from a city facing perception challenges to one of Ireland’s fastest-growing investment and innovation hubs has been nothing short of remarkable. As a finalist in the 2025 Place Brand Impact Story Awards, Limerick is being recognised for its strategic approach to place branding, which has helped elevate its global profile and attract investment, talent, and visitors.
In this interview, Aoife O’Shaughnessy, Marketing Officer at Limerick City & County Council, discusses what this recognition means for the city, the evolution of Limerick: Atlantic Edge, European Embrace, and how place branding is contributing to the city’s economic and social development. Read the interview
In this interview, Aoife O’Shaughnessy, Marketing Officer at Limerick City & County Council, discusses what this recognition means for the city, the evolution of Limerick: Atlantic Edge, European Embrace, and how place branding is contributing to the city’s economic and social development. Read the interview
Héctor Greco
taller10i9, Colombia
Héctor Greco of taller10i9 shares insights on branding destination San Andrés Island, community involvement, and emerging trends in place branding in Latin America. As part of our Impact Partner Network, his work demonstrates the value of locally rooted, people-driven brand strategies.
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Read the interview
Irina Tolstousov
Invest Moldova Agency, Moldova
Moldova has been making strides in positioning itself on the global stage, from investment attraction to tourism promotion. As Deputy Director of the Invest Moldova Agency, Irina Tolstousov plays a key role in shaping the country’s brand and ensuring its message reaches international audiences. In this interview, she shares insights on Moldova’s evolving identity, the challenges and opportunities in country branding, and the places that inspire her in her work.
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Read the interview
Lisa Barrett
Destination Canada
Meet Lisa Barrett, Director of Strategic Planning at Destination Canada. In our interview, she shares how the country is using tourism to support economic resilience, community wellbeing, and national identity.
Lisa also introduces Canada’s new Tourism’s Wealth & Wellbeing Index — part of a broader effort to rethink how success in tourism is measured and achieved.
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Lisa also introduces Canada’s new Tourism’s Wealth & Wellbeing Index — part of a broader effort to rethink how success in tourism is measured and achieved.
Read the interview
Jibril Salifu
Jibril Salifu blends academic research, strategic communication, and real-world experience in sports diplomacy and citizen engagement.
A PhD researcher and lecturer at Middlesex University London, he reflects on digital storytelling, local narratives, and the enduring role of sport in shaping inclusive place identities.
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A PhD researcher and lecturer at Middlesex University London, he reflects on digital storytelling, local narratives, and the enduring role of sport in shaping inclusive place identities.
Read the interview
Jibril Salifu
Jibril Salifu blends academic research, strategic communication, and real-world experience in sports diplomacy and citizen engagement.
A PhD researcher and lecturer at Middlesex University London, he reflects on digital storytelling, local narratives, and the enduring role of sport in shaping inclusive place identities.
Read the interview
A PhD researcher and lecturer at Middlesex University London, he reflects on digital storytelling, local narratives, and the enduring role of sport in shaping inclusive place identities.
Read the interview
Hele Lõhmus
Tallinn is emerging as one of Europe’s most forward-thinking destinations for sustainable tourism — with Hele Lõhmus leading the charge.
As Head of Development at the Tallinn Tourism Department, she’s driving initiatives from phasing out single-use plastics to guiding the capital toward climate neutrality. In this interview, she discusses how branding and sustainability intertwine in Tallinn’s evolution.
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As Head of Development at the Tallinn Tourism Department, she’s driving initiatives from phasing out single-use plastics to guiding the capital toward climate neutrality. In this interview, she discusses how branding and sustainability intertwine in Tallinn’s evolution.
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Rossana Dresdner
As former head of Fundación Imagen de Chile, Rossana Dresdner has helped shape the country’s international presence through strategic nation branding.
In this interview, she reflects on the evolving role of values and trust in country branding, and how Latin America is responding to today’s global uncertainties.
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In this interview, she reflects on the evolving role of values and trust in country branding, and how Latin America is responding to today’s global uncertainties.
Read the interview
Liisa Kokkarinen
Liisa Kokkarinen has been instrumental in positioning Finland as a global leader in sustainable destination development.
At Visit Finland, she leads the Sustainable Travel Finland programme — aligning strategic branding with measurable impact. In this interview, she discusses key trends and challenges in the future of tourism and place branding.
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At Visit Finland, she leads the Sustainable Travel Finland programme — aligning strategic branding with measurable impact. In this interview, she discusses key trends and challenges in the future of tourism and place branding.
Read the interview
Kata Varblane
Kata Varblane is Director of Country Promotion at Enterprise Estonia, where she leads the nation’s evolving brand strategy. She is recognised for highlighting Estonia’s digital strengths and positioning the country as a forward-looking and globally unique nation.
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Read the interview
Mark de Greeff
Mark de Greeff is Director of Den Bosch Partners, where he leads the city marketing and branding strategy of ’s-Hertogenbosch. He is recognised for favouring long-term impact over quick wins, prioritising community engagement, and grounding decisions in research. Under his guidance, Den Bosch has strengthened its reputation for culture, community spirit, and thoughtful place branding.
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Read the interview
Michaëlla Rugwizangoga
Michaëlla Rugwizangoga is a strategist and World Economic Forum panellist, recognised for her leadership in advancing Africa’s nation branding. She previously served as Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board, where she helped shape Rwanda’s international profile. Her work connects tourism, trade, culture, and diplomacy to position African nations on the global stage.
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Read the interview
Elisenda Aguilera Cora
Elisenda Aguilera Cora is a PhD candidate at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, focusing her research on the role of the Sustainable Development Goals in place branding. As an emerging voice in the field, she contributes to linking place branding with sustainability, reflecting the growing importance of responsible development in shaping places.
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Read the interview
Yasmine Alaoui
Dr. Yasmine Alaoui is a professor and researcher at ENCG in Casablanca and a consultant with Gratiya Advisory. She has contributed to landmark initiatives such as WeCasablanca and is recognised for her work at the intersection of theory and practice. Her concept of “Arkh-Identity” positions territories not as brands to be invented but as stories to be revealed, with citizen participation, selfhood, and quality of life at the centre of strategy.
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Read the interview
Margareth Gustavo
Margareth Gustavo is Executive for Competitiveness and Branding at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). She is helping shape Namibia’s nation brand through a values-based approach rooted in governance, culture, and citizen participation. Her work emphasises alignment over slogans and highlights Namibia’s unique positioning at the intersection of environmental leadership, identity, and opportunity.
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Read the interview
Sara Seif Ibrahim
Sara Seif Ibrahim is a strategic communications expert and researcher specialising in cultural place branding in the Arab region. Known for her concept of “narrative co-creation dynamics,” she challenges traditional messaging control in favour of participatory storytelling shaped by digital communities. Her insights are helping destinations navigate inherited narratives and embrace authenticity in the social media age.
Visit her profile
Visit her profile
Sara Seif Ibrahim
Sara Seif Ibrahim is a strategic communications expert and researcher specialising in cultural place branding in the Arab region. Known for her concept of “narrative co-creation dynamics,” she challenges traditional messaging control in favour of participatory storytelling shaped by digital communities. Her insights are helping destinations navigate inherited narratives and embrace authenticity in the social media age.
Visit her profile
Visit her profile
Abdulrhman Alsayel
Abdulrhman Alsayel is a Saudi urban strategist and researcher whose work explores the evolving identity of Riyadh amid rapid transformation and centralised governance. Drawing on his doctoral research at Erasmus University Rotterdam, he examines how city branding can balance spectacle with substance—grounding strategy in lived experience rather than top-down design. His perspective offers a rare window into the tensions and opportunities shaping Saudi Arabia’s urban future.
Read the interview
Read the interview