Cathy Stapells
So a little bit about me and why I’m running for Associate-at-Large for SATW. I am the Senior Marketing & Communications Manager Canada for VisitBritain. The travel industry has been my world for more than 30 years. First as a Travel Editor and Writer, followed by a great opportunity with Destination Canada and now as a Marketing and PR professional with VisitBritain.
I understand ‘both sides’ of this incredible work we collectively do. I believe that experience makes me better in my job, and also provides me with the insight to best represent my Associate colleagues within SATW. As part of a global marketing organisation which operates in 21 markets around the world, I bring an international perspective to the issues we all face. The pandemic has put the travel industry into the toughest situation since 9/11. Yet, I firmly believe we can all get through this by working together to bring our industry back to brighter days. We all know the value of building relationships, and SATW helps us do that in spades.
I am a proud Canadian, and a proud SATW member. I hope I can count on your vote for Associate-at-Large. You can count on me to represent your interests and work hard on your behalf.
Sylke Neal-Finnegan
I am honored to run for SATW’s Associate-at- Large and, if elected, I will continue to support the organization’s diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity efforts. I’ve been a member since 2017, and currently participate in the DEAI committee, which was formed more than a year ago.
I strongly believe that having a diverse and welcoming membership is integral to its success. I will advocate for all Associates, as well as campaign for the diversification of the membership, including attracting more BIPOC and LGTBQ+ members, as well as members of all ages and abilities. As a member, and even before I became a member, SATW served an important role in my 25-year public relations career.
As a PR practitioner in Las Vegas–representing both the destination, as well as a major hotel-casino brand–then through my PR work with Oregon’s Tualatin Valley in the Portland Region, I cherish the professional and personal relationships I’ve developed with Actives and Associates over the years. I look forward to giving back to this organization that has given me so much in return.