The Ohio Travel Association is proud to announce that Haley McFarland of Belmont County Tourism Council, Inc. graduated from the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy during the Ohio Conference on Travel. The conference was held October 1-3 at the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake in Geneva, Ohio.
The Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy is a six-month program designed to develop leaders in the Ohio travel industry. Programming explores travel and tourism’s role and contributions to outdoor recreation and conservation, transportation, economic development, heritage, historic preservation, and arts and culture. Sessions also focus on transportation, leadership skills, advocacy, and media. Including this year’s class of 28 graduates, there are now over 350 Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy alumni.
Executive Director of Belmont County Tourism, Jackee Pugh, and Group Tour Manager and Belmont County Heritage Museum Curator, Cathryn Stanley, are also both graduates of the program. The staff have brought the skills and knowledge gained from this program back to Belmont County to help promote our attractions, recreation, and historic assets.
“Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy graduates are well-versed on travel’s undeniable contributions to communities and the state of Ohio,” said Ohio Travel Association Executive Director Melinda Huntley. “Through meetings with state leaders, individual study, and group projects, these professionals are ready to lead and innovate.”
The Ohio Travel Association is the non-profit association representing attractions, destination marketing organizations, hotels, museums, suppliers, restaurants, campgrounds, and other businesses that make up Ohio’s $57 billion travel industry. For more information about the Ohio Travel Association and the 2025 Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy, visit ohiotravel.org.
