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State of the Meetings Industry: How Meeting Planner Expectations Are Reshaping Destination Strategy

April 21, 2026
Combining data from Future Partners’ report with Miles Partnership’s thought leadership to create actionable insights for DMOs. What do nearly 1,500 meeting planners have to say about the future of...
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Emily Vanderhoof

Director, Human Resources

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Emily Vanderhoof

Director, Human Resources

A photo of Emily down an Italian ally.
A photo of Emily posing with a waterfall in Iceland.
A photo of Emily in the mountains of Hawaii.
A photo of Emily on a canoe at Glacier National Park.
A photo of Emily and her son in Montana.

Emily has spent much of her career in the hospitality and tourism industry and cannot imagine doing anything else. She loves supporting the people who make travel experiences possible. When she's not working, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, Jesse, son Henry, and their dog Poppy. Living near Glacier National Park means plenty of time outside.

Favorite Travel Memory

One of my most special trips was bringing our son to Belize - our favorite fly fishing destination, for the first time.  From his first passport stamp to a small plane ride, cruising in a golf cart, splashing in the ocean, it felt like experiencing a place we love all over again through his eyes. 

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Tiffany Anderson

Account Manager

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Tiffany Anderson

Account Manager

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A photo of Tiffany posing with a historical structure in Barcelona.
A photo of Tiffany in Greece.

Tiffany is an account manager based in Nashville, TN, who brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to connecting client goals with creative execution. Outside of work, Tiffany is a travel lover and new mom who married her best friend in 2023. These days, she spends her time soaking up life with her 5½-month-old son and their 3-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever, Nala, while dreaming up their next adventure.

Favorite Travel Memory

Tanzania will always hold a special place in my heart. I spent time there as a young girl, where my grandparents served as missionaries for many years and where my mom grew up as a missionary kid. The people are incredibly warm, and the wildlife and scenery are unlike anywhere else, truly breathtaking in every sense. 
 

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Kayla Salamon

Media Planner

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Kayla Salamon

Media Planner

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"The people at Miles are kind, passionate and intelligent."

Kayla combines creative and strategic thinking to build thoughtful, effective media campaigns. When she’s not working on the next strategy, you’ll usually find her traveling or planning her next trip. She’s drawn to culture, nature, incredible food, vibrant cities and new adventures. Each experience continues to shape her perspective and fuels a genuine passion for helping others discover the world.

Favorite Travel Memory

My trip to New Zealand is one of my favorite travel memories. It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, with experiences like bungee swinging, zorbing, ATV rides, paragliding, walking along the top of a skyscraper, wine tours and time to unwind at spas.

A photo of Lex posing in front of a structure in Vietnam.
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Alexis DeMelfy

Program Manager

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Alexis DeMelfy

Program Manager

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A photo of Lex holding fruit in Vietnam.
A photo of Lex posting with a statue in Malaysia.
A photo of Lex next to a sign in Vietnam.
A photo of Lex posing next to a Moab, Utah mural.

Lex is a program manager on our Brand USA team, where she leads projects with a strategic and detail-oriented approach. Outside of work, she enjoys getting lost in a great thriller on her Kindle, discovering new favorite restaurants and always planning future adventures with her fiancé.

Favorite Travel Memory

My favorite travel memory is backpacking across 9 countries in Asia with my boyfriend (now fiancé!) for five unforgettable months. It had always been a lifelong dream of mine, and getting to experience so many different cultures, cuisines and communities alongside the person I love most made it even more meaningful!

A photo of Micaela petting a Cheetah in South Africa.
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Micaela O'Mara

Program Manager

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Micaela O'Mara

Program Manager

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A photo of Micaela gliding in Switzerland.
A photo of Micaela and llamas in Peru.
A photo of Micaela running in Chicago.
"The team is incredibly welcoming, passionate and creative. Miles Partnership not only inspires travel among external audiences, but encourages a culture of exploration within its own team."

Micaela works on the Brand USA team and works as a program manager. Outside of work, she is usually running, skiing, reading or planning her next trip.

Favorite Travel Memory

Spending time in South Africa was one of the coolest and most unique experiences of my life. I spent two weeks exploring Kruger National Park with one of my closest friends. We were fortunate enough to see all of the Big 5: lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants and buffalo! 

A photo of Bryan hiking in Colorado.
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Bryan Sitinjak

Account Manager

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Bryan Sitinjak

Account Manager

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A photo of Bryan and his wife in Hawaii.
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"The Miles team stands out; curious, collaborative and invested in doing meaningful work. "

Bryan is an Account Manager on the hospitality team based in Denver. He’s focused on connecting client strategy with strong internal execution. Outside of work, he enjoys grilling, hosting, lifting, reading high fantasy, collecting sneakers and spending time with his wife, Erin, and their Bernedoodle, Joey.

Favorite Travel Memory

Three months into dating, I surprised my (now) wife Erin with a red-eye to red-eye NYC trip at Christmas. Less than 12 hours on the ground, but we did everything: bagels, coffee, Grand Central, the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and the 9/11 Memorial. It was chaotic, unforgettable and probably set the tone for how we do life now.

A photo of Shay on the Seattle ferry.
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Shay Read

Senior Art Director

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Shay Read

Senior Art Director

A photo of Shay on the Seattle ferry.
A photo of Shay outside Pike Place in Seattle.
A photo of Shay in Utah canyons.
A photo of Shay outside Olympic Park in Utah.
A picture of Shay at the Chicago bean.
"One of my favorite things about being a part of Miles is that our work not only inspires travel, but also expanded worldviews and more human connection."

Shay is a seasoned senior art director with a background in brand and campaign work, and her role focuses on finding a destination’s unique visual expression. When she’s outside the office, you can probably find her on a mountain or lacing up her roller skates in a big empty parking lot.

Favorite Travel Memory

Sitting above the clouds in the Andes, tea in hand, watching a sunrise on the Inca Trail near the Wiñay Wayna ruins.

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