Key Experts Join Advisory Board, Bring Expertise to TravelAbility Summit 2020

A warm welcome to all of the new TravelAbility Summit Advisory Board Members who will join us in 2020. These subject experts further expand our expertise and understanding of the landscape at the intersection of disability, technology, and travel. 

Bonnie Lewkowicz, whose experience includes operating a special needs travel agency, has worked in the field of Inclusive Tourism for over 30 years specializing in lodging accessibility, accessible trails, customer service training with a disability focus and as an accessibility information specialist.  

Kathryn Speer-Shoaf is a dementia-friendly travel expert as well as a Supported Senior Travel and Accessible Group Travel Specialist. As an R.N. and experienced Group Travel Expert, Speer-Shoaf has created travel opportunities in a wide range of venues including exclusive cruise, land tour, and topical social itineraries. Speer-Shoaf also consults on Luxury/ VIP, Faith-based, accessible, senior, diabetes, cancer care, educational /CEU, and other topical group cruise events.

Dr. Nicole King-Smith is a generational expert whose work focuses on
training professionals and organizations on how to achieve their desired
results and overcome generational gaps in their workplace culture. As the
director of customer service training for Ft. Myers CVB, she developed and
incorporated one of the DMO industry’s first accessibility training modules.

Judi Durant, Director of Visitor Services, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel – Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, has extensive experience helping families to get the most out of vacation venues that they may have once avoided due to noise and other sensory issues. As Director of Visitor Services Durant is a pioneer in customer experience training for consumer-facing staff not only at the airport, where she is headquartered but also for hotels and attractions. Durant serves as chair of the ADA Advisory Board of Southwest Florida and works with community experts in the disabilities field.

Josh Loebner, director of strategy at Designsensory, specializes in brand planning and brings conviction, visibility, and voice to a rarely discussed topic—advertising and disability. He is based in Knoxville, TN.

Edward Harris, chief marketing officer at Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, has been the driving force behind the Valley Forge accessibility initiatives. In just six months the destination has researched and organized accessible attractions and hotel product and developed “Access Montco” an inclusive awareness video that wowed the crowd the annual meeting. Ed’s background in executive marketing positions with eBay, Under Armour, and Timberland will be quite valuable as the event moves forward.

Toby Willis, technical program manager at Expedia Group say: “My vision loss has made me a creative problem solver and diplomat. This, coupled with my strong work ethic gives me the relentless drive and dogged determination I have to break down the social and attitudinal barriers that allow people with disabilities to live full, rewarding lives. I am a tenacious, life-long-learner with a vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit. I love people and teamwork. I am currently building an Equal Productivity Access Program for the Expedia Group Information Technology organization.

Find a complete listing of TravelAbility Summit Advisory Board members on the Summit website.