February 12, 2026
INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ ELECTIONS
2026-2027
Dear TTRA Members,
As a valued member of the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA), we would like to invite you to vote for the association’s next Officers and Board of Directors. Important Dates: Voting will be available until Friday, February 27th, 2026.
About the Open Positions
Second Vice-President (1 Position Available)
The elected Officer will serve as 2nd Vice-President for 2026-2027, then progress to 1st Vice-President, President, and Chair in the subsequent three years.
Board of Directors (3 Positions Available)
Elected members of the Board of Directors will serve three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029.
How to vote: You must be a current TTRA member in good standing to be eligible to vote. Review each person’s qualifications below and cast your vote below.
Why your vote matters: Your vote is essential to TTRA’s future as it ensures that the Board reflects our evolving membership and is well-positioned to address the changing needs of the organization and our industry.
About the Candidates: The TTRA International Board of Directors has presented a slate of candidates who are talented and dedicated volunteers, with diverse gender, race, ethnicity, chapter representation, and varied skills, perspectives, and career experiences. Please see the detailed list of candidates below.
TTRA 2nd VICE PRESIDENT NOMINEE
JEFF DALLEY
TOURISM INSIGHT LIMITED
I have been involved in the hospitality and tourism sectors continuously for over 40 years in a variety of roles in business, academia and government. I have established and operated a diverse range of tourism businesses, including restaurants, accommodation, information and reservation services, adventure and ecotourism activities, and transport.
Building on this rich experience, I established my own tourism management and research consultancy, undertaking research and developing strategies for a variety of private and public sector organisations. Along my research journey I have sat on the boards of several Regional Tourism Organisations, taught tertiary-level tourism management programmes, and presented leading-edge research at numerous conferences and seminars around the world. In 2019, I was the recipient of TTRA’s highly prestigious ‘Distinguished Researcher Award’, a highlight of my tourism research career.
I currently lead the social research programme for New Zealand’s largest tourism operator, the Department of Conservation. In addition, along with my chef wife, I own and operate an iconic hospitality business in the busy alpine spa resort of Hanmer Springs.
TTRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINEES
STEVE COHEN
TRAVEL PORTLAND
Steve Cohen has been the Director of Research and Insights for Travel Portland since early 2022. Steve leads the organization’s research, insights, and performance reporting function, driving data-informed decision-making across sales, marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
Before that, he spent seven years as the research lead for MMGY Global, reaching the level of Senior Vice President, Travel Insights. He led MMGY Global’s customer insights and industry research, its suite of travel performance data and analytics, as well as its custom research programs.
Prior to his role at MMGY Global, he directed research efforts for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Marriott Vacation Club International, The Ritz-Carlton Club and the travel practice for the AAA National Office.
Steve lives in Orlando, FL.
BING PAN
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
Bing Pan, Ph.D., is a Professor and Professor-in-Charge of the Graduate Program in tourism management at Penn State University, currently serving a one-year term as a board member. A dedicated TTRA member since 1999, his leadership within the organization includes serving as the founding president, chairperson, and treasurer of the Northeast Chapter (NETTRA), as well as leading the taskforce that established the TTRA Fellow Program. He presented 30 research papers and served as Co-Academic Chair for the 2021 Annual Conference. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Pan’s research focuses on big data analytics and smart tourism. He has managed over $2 million in research grants and previously directed the Office of Tourism Analysis at the College of Charleston, where he received the Golden Pineapple Award for industry service. A Fulbright Scholar and elected Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences, he aims to bridge the gap between academic inquiry and industry practice.
JACOB PEWITT YANCEY
ARRIVALIST
Jacob Pewitt Yancey is Head of Analytics at Arrivalist, where he leads analytics and product development that helps destinations understand visitor behavior and measure marketing effectiveness using privacy-forward spend and location intelligence. He previously spent more than seven years at VISIT FLORIDA as Director of Consumer Insights & Analytics, overseeing research and performance measurement programs for one of the largest destination brands in the world. Jacob has held leadership roles within the tourism research community, including service on the SETTRA Board from 2018 to 2024, and was selected for the U.S. Travel Association’s Emerging Travel Leaders program.
JOHN PICOU
VISIT ANAHEIM
I’m a results-driven Director of Business Intelligence at Visit Anaheim with 16+ years of experience helping destination management organizations (DMOs), tourism boards, and hospitality enterprises leverage data and artificial intelligence to achieve measurable business outcomes. My expertise spans business intelligence strategy, AI implementation, team leadership, budget optimization, and cross-industry problem-solving. I specialize in making advanced analytics and technology accessible to organizations of all sizes, regardless of budget constraints.
JOSEPH ST. GERMAIN
DOWNS & ST. GERMAIN RESEARCH
Joseph St. Germain, Ph.D. is President of Downs & St. Germain Research, a full-service market research firm specializing in travel and tourism. He leads a team that partners with state tourism offices and destination marketing organizations across the United States on projects including visitor tracking, economic impact, resident sentiment, workforce, brand perception, and other custom studies. His academic training and applied work come together in a focus on translating rigorous research into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers ranging from tourism boards to elected officials.
Joseph currently serves as President of the SETTRA chapter board, where he helps bridge academic and practitioner perspectives and supports emerging professionals in the field. He regularly presents at TTRA and other industry conferences and is committed to advancing research that strengthens communities and the visitor economy.
KIMBERLY VINCE-CRUZ
FUTURE PARTNERS
Kimberly Vince-Cruz, Chief Operating Officer, leads research operations and company operations at Future Partners. Kimberly has over 16 years of experience conducting market research for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry and brings a wealth of experience to Future Partners’ clients and their research projects, ranging from in-depth brand and personas research to visitor profile and ROI studies. She has served as lead facilitator and analyst for projects as diverse as the Bermuda Visitor Profile and Colorado Rural Assessment. Kimberly is a leader in the DMO industry for her additional expertise in website usability, audience profile and conversion studies.
Studying abroad in Madrid not only sparked her passion for experiencing different cultures and hanging out where the locals do, but also planted the seed for a career in travel.
Early on in her tenure at Future Partners, Kimberly was recognized as one of California Travel Association’s Tourism Emerging Leaders and is honored to continue her professional development within the tourism industry. She currently serves as a member of the International Travel and Tourism Research Association’s Board of Directors. Her favorite trips were a winter weekender at Joshua Tree National Park and an autumn vacation in the South of France. In addition to exploring Los Angeles farmers markets with her husband and two kids, she enjoys trying new restaurants and practicing Spanish and yoga.
Other ballot items:
- Proposal to add an emergency travel policy to the TTRA Bylaws for severe weather or natural disasters.
- Proposal to define expectations for members of the TTRA Board of Directors.
Article VII: Meetings
A. The annual conference will be held each year at a time and place to be selected by the Board of Directors. The annual business meeting will be held during the annual conference at a time and place clearly designated in the published program of the conference.
B. There is no required quorum for the annual business meeting. Decisions will be determined by a majority of the voting members in attendance.
C. At least three (3) meetings of the Board of Directors will be held each year at the call of the President, one of which will be contiguous to the annual conference. The Chief Staff Officer or his/her designee shall provide written notice of all meetings to the Board of Directors at least three weeks in advance of the meeting.
D. The required quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors is eight (8) voting members including at least three (3) Directors of the Board of Directors.
E. Meetings shall be conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order.
F. Electronic Meetings. In the event of a natural disaster, pandemic, declared state of emergency, severe weather, or other circumstances that make it unsafe or impractical for a quorum of the Board of Directors to meet in person, meetings of the Board of Directors and/or Executive Committee may be conducted in whole or in part by electronic communication (including telephone or video conference), provided that all participants can hear one another simultaneously. Participation by electronic means shall constitute presence in person for purposes of quorum and voting.G. In-Person Attendance Expectation. Members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend the three (3) annual Board of Directors meetings held in conjunction with the Marketing Outlook Forum, Annual International Conference, and any additional in-person meeting scheduled by the Board. Failure to attend two (2) consecutive in-person meetings without reasonable cause may constitute grounds for removal under Article V.E.(6).
(For your reference Article V.E. (6) states: Relieve a member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee of his or her duties by vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Directors if the Director misses two (2) consecutive meetings without reasonable cause or if there is a lack of adherence to the TTRA Code of Conduct and values.
Thank you for taking the time to vote for your association’s leadership! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Sincerely,
Sean T. Ruane
TTRA Immediate Past President & Chair of Nominating Committee