Redefining business approaches during Covid-19
KSA Marketing and Commerce RI are working together to help Rhode Island-based businesses in the HOSPITALITY and TOURISM industries that were severely affected by the pandemic.
Destination Adaptation was formed to provide timely insights on the industry, identify where consumer behaviors are changing and how to adapt, and to personally help organizations that need support and guidance to return to a new state of success in the Ocean State.
Our Marketing Development Summits
What are our Marketing Summits?
We are offering three sessions, each targeting an industry segment that has been highly affected by COVID.
These sessions will explore:
- The state of the industry and how it affects you
- Changes in consumer behavior and how to adapt
- Best practices in the sector’s marketing development
Events & Festival Industry
Thursday, November 19th, 9 – 11:30am
Accommodations Industry
Tuesday, December 1st, 9 – 11:30am
Sports & Convention Industry
Thursday, December 10th, 9 – 11:30am
Virtual Office Hours Are Now Closed.
What are these Office Hours?
This is your opportunity to talk to our marketing experts one-on-one to discuss any particular question you have.
This can be a range of areas, such as:
- How should I change my current approach to social media?
- Do I need to worry about whether images I use show people in masks?
- Where should I put my advertising dollars now for my situation?
- Am I approaching our email marketing the right way?
- How would you shift our TV, Radio and Outdoor budgets now?
You’re welcome to join us and ask any question you would like. We’re here to help you adapt and move forward with momentum.
Twice-a-Week Office Hours
November 19 – December 17
Mondays 12-2 PM
Thursdays 3-5 PM
Closed Thanksgiving Day
How to Join
Please register by clicking the button above. The office hours will be held through Zoom, which allows you to join on your computer or by phone, with or without video.
MEET TEAM KSA
We’ve gathered a quick-witted team of risk-takers and change-makers with the stamina and strength to face any “oh sh*t!” moment. We continuously learn, adapt, and transform to rise above marketing challenges and have a hell of a lot of fun doing it.
Katie Schibler Conn - Founder
A seasoned hero to many of the world’s largest brands, Katie worked for top firms in NY and San Fran before a 15-month sabbatical around the globe led to KSA’s accidental founding. As KSA’s visionary and yak-farmer-in-chief (please ask), Katie fearlessly leads the way each and every day. Forbes Agency Council member, Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business Alumna and winner of numerous awards, Katie has transformed KSA’s dinner table roots into a Kick-Ass woman-owned force of nature. When not taking orders from KSA’s true boss, five-year-old daughter Madelyn, Katie can be found cultivating her green thumbs and spending time with all things Superman.
Laurie Lewis
Laurie is the glue that keeps the team together. She has done it all for KSA, from client management to administration to planning team outings. Her customer relations skills are unmatched, and her self-motivation and problem-solving abilities allow her to bring any project or vision to life. You can always count on her to work from nine to wine.
Karen Jedson
Former Director of Tourism, Culture & Economic Development for the City of Warwick, an expert in traditional media
planning/placement, marketing strategy, public relations and economic development.
David Bradley
Published marketing author, KSA’s internal
“professor”, and a methodical digital marketer with a relentless focus on pragmatic strategy decisions and evolving best practices. Rhode Island College adjunct professor.
Carrie Ann Stern
Carrie keeps things moving forward at KSA. She’s our project manager, diligently ensuring that projects, deadlines, budgets, and activities are organized the right way at the start of a project and throughout.
Matt Luongo
Our resident dinosaur aficionado, Matt brings almost 20 years of client, sales, strategy, and T-Rex management to Team KSA. Relentless commitment and dedication in service to clients and colleagues alike drive Matt, who can typically be found with a phone in one hand and a dark roast coffee in the other. Kicking ass for partners in almost 100 countries annually is Matt’s favorite part of his role.
Melanie Roberts
A California girl at heart, Rhode Island resident by transplant, Melanie brings passion, commitment, and just a little sass to every project. As part of Team KSA, she uses her savvy social, digital media, and writing skills to help clients build strategy-driven digital and traditional marketing campaigns. As a self-proclaimed cat mom, you can catch her in her spare time hanging with her fur baby Meredith Grey, watching Disney movies or listening to a new audiobook.
Taylor Butts
Taylor’s extensive background in digital marketing and education, coupled with a can-do attitude, allow him to execute client marketing needs with lightning speed, ensuring they not only understand what is being done but also the how and why as well. His speed in execution is also sometimes attributed to his fondness for his Powerslide inline triskates, which he sometimes wears during Zoom calls and on TikTok.
Amelia Oates
Amelia is a proud graduate of the quarantined class of 2020. She started at KSA in 2018 as a summer intern and will finally become a full-time team member in the fall. She tackles any task sent her way and always gives 120%. She gets shit done, whether it’s organizing volunteers, writing blogs, or figuring out a new system for the filing cabinet. Her passions include traveling the world, the Bachelor franchise, and her book club.
Steven Donlan
A proud graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Steven has spent the last seven years in the sports marketing and events industry working with some of the nations top programs and organizations. He has a fun, team first attitude that is combined with a competitive drive to be the best. In his free time you can find him playing with his two dogs, traveling or spending time with friends.
Olivia Marcello
Olivia joined the KSA team during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a graduate of Emmanuel College where she was a member of the Women’s Lacrosse team (Go Saints!). After graduating she took a job at Clark University working in their Athletics Department, covering all 17 of their Varsity Programs. She only works to fund her chocolate and travel addictions and is always dreaming of a new place to visit.
In Collaboration With
