March 2025 Presenters and Speakers
We are honored to bring some incredible talent, expertise, and heart to the stage this year!
Conference Co-founder, Sponsor, & Speaker: Chris Cavanaugh
Founder, Magellan Strategy Group
Full Bio
Prior to founding Magellan Strategy Group, Chris served as vice president of marketing for The Biltmore Company in Asheville, NC, the owner of Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home. For nearly 10 years he guided the company’s marketing planning, strategy, and execution. During his tenure, Biltmore doubled its annual revenue and became the most visited historic house attraction in the U.S. Cavanaugh also directed marketing for the Inn on Biltmore Estate, a four-star hotel on the property, and the Biltmore Estate Winery, the most visited winery in the nation.
Chris was appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to the state’s travel and tourism board in 2003 and reappointed in 2010. He is past chairman of that board, and also past chairman of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (overseeing the work of the Asheville CVB) and Blue Ridge Mountain Host, a regional marketing association. Chris received the 2014 Southeast Tourism Society Shining Example Award and in 2015, the Travel Industry Association of North Carolina presented him with the Tourism Excellence Award for an Individual for outstanding contributions to the development of the travel industry in the state.
Conference Co-founder & Speaker: Justin Belleme
Director of Strategy, JB Media Group and Co-Founder, JB Media Institute
Full Bio
A serial entrepreneur, Justin founded his first business, Asheville Now, an online magazine about the Asheville area for visitors in 2003. He continued to work in tourism marketing, holding interim positions in online marketing with the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City of Asheville in 2010 before launching the Internet marketing agency JB Media Group in 2011. As Director of Strategy, Justin oversees the strategic direction for projects in SEO, online advertising, social media, event marketing, email, and public relations for clients ranging from the Eastern Band of The Cherokee Indians to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Holistic Holiday at Sea and the Social Capital Markets conference. He and Sarah Benoit have also provided strategic consulting and training for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.
In 2012, Justin saw a need for training for marketing professionals and business owners in Internet marketing from industry professionals. He teamed up with Sarah Benoit to found the JB Media Institute shortly after that and under his vision and leadership, the program has trained more than 200 students in its first three years. Justin is also a frequent presenter on the more technical elements of Internet marketing including Google advertising for businesses and non-profits, SEO, and social media advertising. The recipient of the 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, Justin is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship, He has served on the Board of Directors of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce since 2015 and is a previous Board Chair for the NC Stage Company.
In early 2019 Justin led the acquisition of RomanticAsheville.com, the most visited travel and vacation planning website for the Asheville area with over 5.5 million site visits in the last year.
Conference Co-founder & Speaker: Sarah Benoit
Co-Founder and Lead Trainer, JB Media Institute
Full Bio
As the Lead Instructor for the JB Media Institute, Sarah leverages her 13 years of experience as an online marketing, SEO, and social media strategist to create training content that get results. She is dedicated to making the field of Internet marketing accessible and understandable to business and marketing professionals with timely, relevant, and engaging classes and seminars. Her Internet marketing experience includes work in the travel and tourism field for websites such as visitcherokeenc.com, the visitor site for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and BlueRidgeHeritage.com, the official site for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
In 2013, she co-founded the JB Media Institute, an Internet marketing training program with Justin Belleme. Last year, Sarah was instrumental in adapting the original curriculum offered in Asheville three times each year to an online program accessible to students from around the world. She now teaches sessions in both the in-person and online Institute programs and oversees continuous curriculum updates to keep up with the ever changing world of Internet marketing. Sarah has presented to groups local and national. She was inducted into Asheville’s Forty under 40 in 2013. A graduate of Leadership Asheville, Sarah is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the local community.
Sponsor & Speaker: Bob Peck
Owner & Operator, Mountainwater Films
Full Bio
Bob Peck is the owner and operator of Mountainwater Films, a full-service filmmaking company that produces original video content for destination marketing organizations. Their purpose is to help move communities of Appalachia forward in today’s modern landscape.
Bob knew from the age of 15 when picking up a guitar that he was destined to enter the field of audio and production. After graduating with a degree in Multimedia Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville, he has spent his entire career in the media production industry, since 2000.
With a background as an audio engineer/producer at a world-class voiceover production studio, Bob has worked with advertising and marketing agencies to produce thousands of radio and television commercials. He started a wedding filmmaking company in 2009, producing over 200 wedding films which helped develop exceptional storytelling skills.
Bob utilizes this skill set with strategic partners to tell the story of people and places in Western North Carolina and beyond. It’s his personal mission to create high-quality, captivating videos that make an impact in the region he’s lived his whole life and the place he calls home.
Sponsor & Speaker: Jay Bellamy
Director of Digital Sales, Vista Graphics
Full Bio
Jay Bellamy has been with VistaGraphics/Vista Digital Agency for 25 years. He has served as an Account Executive, Sales Manager, Corporate Trainer, and currently as Director of Digital Sales. He is highly proficient in the utilization of numerous digital tactics to aid customers in reaching their desired audience. These include SEO, SEM, website development/design, Programmatic Advertising, mobile solutions, a myriad of video streaming services, and Targeted Email Marketing.
Jay has experience working with online display dashboards including creating and recommending inventory, uploading ads, priority settings, and impression levels. Vista Digital Agency under his leadership was recognized in CIO Review publication as “One of the 10 most promising digital marketing companies” in 2022.
Jay is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In his spare time, Jay enjoys fishing , camping, and all outdoor activities. He is married to his wife, Jackie of 18 years. They have a 15 year old daughter who keeps them busy.
Sponsor & Speaker: Jeff Perkins
Digital Sales, Vista Graphics & Vista Digital Agency
Full Bio
Jeff Perkins has a well-rounded background in sales which VistaGraphics and Vista Digital Agency have benefitted from highly. He was recently promoted to Digital Sales for Lynchburg, VA, and the surrounding areas.
Jeff understands the Lynchburg area that is not easily matched. He understands what it takes to find the best solutions for any business. Jeff prides himself on his ability to predict digital trends and has the tools and wherewithal to develop a customized strategy for his clients.
Jeff’s role is the main point of contact for the client throughout the website production process.
Partner & Speaker: Stephen Ekstrom
CEO and Co-founder, Learn Tourism
Full Bio
Stephen Ekstrom is the embodiment of a passionate lifelong learner and a seasoned professional in the tourism industry, serving as the CEO and co-founder of the nonprofit academy at Learn Tourism | learntourism.org. With over 25 years of experience, he has cultivated a deep understanding of tourism development and education, driven by his commitment to advancing the industry and fostering sustainable economies.
Stephen’s insatiable curiosity and love for knowledge have led him to be a proud nerd, constantly seeking to expand his expertise and share his insights with others. Alongside his faithful furry companions, Rudy and Marjorie, he embraces the digital nomad lifestyle, traversing the globe and immersing himself in diverse cultures.
A dedicated advocate for continuous improvement, Stephen is a professional member of the Association for Talent Development, a member of Skal International, and holds prestigious certifications in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from USF and Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School.
Partner & Speaker: Josh Collins
C-founder, Your Main Street Mentor
Full Bio
Josh Collins, funder of Main Street Mentor, brings a wealth of expertise in branding and marketing within the travel and tourism sector, marked by a genuine passion for storytelling and community engagement. With leadership roles at renowned organizations such as Zartico and Visit Franklin, Josh has a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives that enhance visitor experiences and boost economic growth.
At Zartico, Josh served as Chief Product and Technology Officer, where he led innovative community engagement initiatives that significantly increased user participation and customer retention. His efforts in launching the Zartico Academy and other educational programs have set new standards in customer engagement and product adoption.
During his tenure at Visit Franklin, Josh orchestrated digital marketing campaigns that resulted in a remarkable 176% increase in visitor spending and a 48% rise in visitors. His ability to rebuild and launch websites that integrate seamlessly with marketing strategies led to substantial increases in website traffic and user engagement.
Josh’s deep understanding of the travel and tourism industry, combined with his creative vision and empathetic leadership, make him an invaluable asset in crafting compelling branding strategies that resonate with communities and visitors alike. His human-centered approach ensures that every project not only meets but exceeds expectations, fostering authentic connections and sustainable growth.
Partner & Speaker: Aisha Adams
Founder of Equity Over Everything and CEO, Aisha Adams Media
Full Bio
Aisha Adams is an influencer with a heart for community economic development who champions social change advocates, thought leaders, and courageous disruptors. She is the founder and program developer for the Lenoir-Rhyne Equity & Diversity Institute (LREDI). Aisha is the CEO of Aisha Adams Media LLC and partner organization Equity Over Everything, which advances also advances equity.
Aisha is widely recognized for her contributions towards cultivating spaces of diversity, equity, and inclusion and for her impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In 2020, she received both The Tzedeck Impact Award, The Martin Luther King Award, WomanUP Women Entrepreneur Best in Business Award, and the Jane Renfroe Award.
Aisha’s other ventures include a daytime-style talk show that addresses “hot button” issues in Asheville, Nappy Thoughts, a personal blog followed by thousands of people on social media, and The Entrepreneurial Accelerator, a business bootcamp that ties fledgling businesses to community resources. Aisha earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her Master of Science degree in Adult Education from Capella University.
Connect with Aisha and EOE
[email protected]
Equity Over Everything
(828) 275-9650
Speaker: Olivia Ward
Travel Marketing Consultant, OnWard Digital Media
Full Bio
Olivia Ward is the principal travel marketing consultant at OnWard Digital Media, specializing in digital advertising and social media strategy.
With more than 17 years of experience, Olivia has helped increase tourism and expand digital marketing capabilities for destinations and tourism partners, including the Colorado Tourism Office, Outdoor NC, and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.
When she’s not supporting clients, she’s trying something new on Tuesdays and sharing Western North Carolina travel adventures on her blog.
Connect with Olivia:
Speaker: John Hornsby
Creative Director, Hornsby Creative & Peak Promo
Full Bio
John Hornsby, Founder and Creative Director of Hornsby Creative and Vice President of AIGA Asheville, is a seasoned expert in brand strategy and experience design. For over 25 years, he has been the force behind crafting compelling branded experiences that inspire and captivate. His strategy-first approach equips organizational leaders to seize opportunities, drive growth, and resonate authentically with their target audiences.
Distinguished by a rich background in special events, design, and strategy, John shines in designing physical brand experiences and environments. He believes in the power of clarity and authenticity, fostering growth that aligns seamlessly with an organization’s core values.
Outside the design studio, John can often be found exploring the trails of the majestic Great Smoky Mountains, accompanied by his family and canine companions.
How to Get in Touch
[email protected]
828.407.0487
www.hornsbycreativegroup.com
www.peakpromownc.com
Connect with Hornsby Creative
Stay Up to Date with Peak Promo
Speaker: Sheila Neisler
Owner, Catalyst for Small Biz
Full Bio
Catalyst for Small Biz helps small businesses and local not-for-profit organizations cut through the marketing “noise” to make bigger profits AND impact!
Owner Sheila Neisler provides marketing strategy and execution on a fractional basis for clients – and their results speak louder than any words she can write. Companies and organizations that value marketing expertise without the expense of a full-time marketing executive work with Sheila to drive top-line sales with an eye on the bottom-line. It’s not about spending more money – it’s about spending it more effectively!
Catalyst helps business leaders get better results by leveraging a company’s unique story, corporate culture, core values, and their team’s skills and passions across a multi-channel marketing platform.
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