I've been on the Miles/Brand USA team since day one, working with partners in a territory that stretches from Washington, D.C. to the Northern Mariana Islands. I dive deep into every destination I represent because I love to learn about food, drinks, and activities wherever I go. My wife and I recently opened a restaurant and cottages in the lovely hamlet of Union, Washington, in 2023.

Favorite Travel Memory

In South America, 1995 (pre-cellphone era), we took a flight to La Paz, Bolivia, with $10K and no plans. We knew Machu Picchu and Patagonia were musts but had no fixed schedule. Since there was no work, our only obligations were occasional calls and postcards to friends and family. It was total freedom; we explored off-the-beaten paths and lived spontaneously.

Charity thrives on collaborating with clients to craft marketing strategies that showcase a destination’s distinct story. Away from work, she looks forward to being near the water, checking off her concert bucket list and finding new places to explore with her husband and dog, Nyota.

Favorite Travel Memory

My favorite travel memories are a mix of unplanned moments like our sea turtle encounter while snorkeling in Hawaii, stumbling upon a quirky Don Quixote museum in Spain, and bonding with locals at Munich's Marineplatz.

Julie is part of the Brand USA team and helps partners from Kentucky to Maine strategize and market themselves internationally. Outside of work, she loves to be on, near or in the water with her husband, whether it’s at the beach, lake, or river and of course, she’s always planning another trip.

Favorite Travel Memory

We recently went to South Africa, and one perfect evening, while on a safari game drive, we followed brother and sister lion cubs playing “hide and stalk” as they trotted along after mom for about 30 minutes. It was a magical moment.

Laura is a senior content director who has developed everything from state visitor guides to brand voice guidelines. She is passionate about establishing best practices for inclusive content strategy. In her free time, this Austinite can be found kayaking, hiking and birding.

Favorite Travel Memory

Celebrating New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai with chanting Buddhist monks as the night sky filled with illuminated paper lanterns.

C.A. is the vice president of AI and is based in New Zealand. He has been with Miles for over 20 years and has experience in just about every facet of digital destination marketing. A former expert motorcycle road racer, C.A. began riding motorcycles with his family at age 8. He’s owned dozens of motorcycles of every kind and attended training in nearly every type of motorcycle discipline.

In 2025, C.A. was named one of HSMAI's Top 25 Extraordinary Minds, a recognition that reflects his leadership in helping destinations and hospitality organizations navigate the practical implications of AI.

Areas of Expertise

C.A. has been at the very forefront of the travel marketing sector’s AI revolution. He has developed and deployed cutting-edge proprietary solutions—including AI Market Check, AI Site Search and AI Consulting services—each designed to enhance clients’ performance and positively influence their role in AI-generated travel planning.

But his impact reaches far beyond product innovation—he is shaping the industry's AI knowledge infrastructure. Through keynote talks, podcast interviews, published insights and educational collaborations with global partners like Group NAO, C.A. is a trusted advisor to travel brands seeking to understand this new technology and to implement it securely and effectively.

His influence is grounded in a core belief: that thriving in the AI era requires more than tools—it requires strategic transformation. Through his thought leadership, product design and policy-shaping guidance, C.A. is not only helping marketers use AI—he’s helping them rethink how they work, create and lead.

Speaking Engagements

• “Big Travel Tech Takeaways” studio interview session at The Phocuswright Conference 2025. Nov. 18-20, 2025.
• “Unlocking Tourism Data with AI” webinar in partnership with the Travel and Tourism Research Association. Nov. 13, 2025.
• “Beyond the Buzz: Turning Responsible AI Strategies into Practice” breakout session host at Colorado Tourism Office’s Governor’s Conference. Oct. 23, 2025.
• "AI and Travel" session host at 2025 Alaska Travel Industry Association Annual Convention, Oct. 21-23, 2025.
• "Getting Found in an AI World" session host at 2025 Alaska Travel Industry Association Annual Convention, Oct. 21-23, 2025.
• “Harnessing the Power of AI” webinar panel in partnership with Phocuswright. May 15, 2025.
• “Are We Overstating AI’s Environmental Impact?” podcast guest speaker for Destination Decisions Podcast Episode 48. Sept. 25, 2025.
• “Is it Ethical for DMOs to use AI?” podcast guest speaker for Destination Decisions Podcast Episode 7. November 2024)

Recognitions and Accolades

• In 2025, C.A. was named a Top 25 Extraordinary Mind in Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization, and Distribution by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
• C.A. was also nominated for ADWEEK’s AI Power 50 2026, which honors executives across marketing and advertising who are leading the way in the industry’s adoption of AI.

Published Thought Leadership

• “How to Prove Authenticity in the Age of AI Imagery” blog post on Miles Partnership website. Oct. 30, 2025.
• “Why You Need an AI Blueprint—and How to Build One” blog post on Miles Partnership website. Oct. 2, 2025.
• “AI Crawlers and Their Impact on Travel and Tourism Websites” blog post on Miles Partnership website. Aug. 26, 2025.
• “White Paper: Search and Discovery in the AI Era” white paper on Miles Partnership website. Dec. 18, 2025

Katie is a graphic designer on our creative team who works on creating visitor guides as well as other design projects that come our way. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors exploring a number of hiking trails across the state of Arkansas, as well as tapping into her creative side through painting, drawing and calligraphy. 

Favorite Travel Memory

Most recently, I had the opportunity to visit Taos, New Mexico where I went skiing for the first time. When I wasn't on the slopes (trying not to wipe out) I explored a number of art galleries in the town and got to see some extraordinary pieces created by locals.

Donna is a native of sunny Florida who channels her passion for design into vibrant creations influenced by her travels. With a keen eye for detail, she crafts unique visuals while finding joy in moments spent listening to music, reading, or playing with her beloved cat Maisie.

Favorite Travel Memory

Hiking on a glacier in Iceland, or spending a month exploring Colorado with my best friend!