Employee Spotlight: Paula Vann
We’re excited to welcome Paula Vann to Advance Travel & Tourism as a Senior Account Executive. With more than a decade of experience across destination leadership and visitor intelligence, Paula brings a strong understanding of how tourism supports both travelers and the communities they visit.
A Career Grounded in Destination Strategy
Paula’s career in travel and tourism began in 2014 as Executive Director of a destination marketing organization in North Florida, where she saw firsthand how thoughtful strategy and storytelling drive economic impact and community vitality.
Most recently, Paula worked at Zartico, a visitor intelligence company, managing client relationships and translating traveler behavior data into actionable destination strategy. Her experience spans both analytics and narrative—an approach that closely reflects how Advance Travel & Tourism partners with destinations.
From Nashville to North Florida
Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Paula now lives in the Gainesville area, just outside the city in Lake City, Florida. Her connection to both cultural hubs and outdoor-driven destinations shapes how she approaches destination marketing and visitor experience.
Why Tourism Matters
What continues to draw Paula to tourism is its ability to create meaningful experiences for visitors while strengthening quality of life for residents. Sharing the story of a place, highlighting what makes it distinct, and supporting local economies through travel are central to her work.
Favorites & Life Outside the Office
Paula’s favorite destinations include Santorini, Germany during the Christmas season, and Glacier National Park—each offering a distinct sense of place. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family hiking, boating, fishing, and scalloping, along with concerts, college sporting events, reading, podcasts, and baking.
Looking Ahead
As Paula steps into her role at Advance Travel & Tourism, she’s looking forward to contributing to the team’s collaborative, destination-focused work.
“I’m honored to begin this journey with Advance Travel & Tourism. From my very first conversations, it was clear this team shares a thoughtful, collaborative approach to supporting destinations and the communities behind them. I look forward to contributing to that work as we move forward and grow together.”
We’re excited to have Paula on board and to see the impact she’ll help drive for destinations and communities within Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.
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