Adventure A Catalyst for Economic

Tourism Development

August, 26 - 29

LIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT
visit mex ico.com

atmex.mx
*Program subject to change
 Adventure Travel Mexico 2014 (ATMEX 2014),
extends a warm welcome to all the professionals
attending this event.
In this occasion San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas,
will be the host city of this great event, which in
its third edition has the objective of boosting the
commercialization of the wonderful nature and
adventure destinations in Mexico.
highly appreciated cloud forests.
Mexico has a lot of activities, like swimming with
whale sharks, diving in cenotes, falling into rivers,
kayaking, gray whale and monarch butterfly
watching, anºSd caving, among others, which are
only some examples of domestic products to be
present in ATMEX 2014 to be held in San Cristobal
de las Casas, Chiapas, from August 27 to August 30.

ATMEX 2014 is an event that promotes and sells May your stay be successful!
just one destination, unique for its natural beauties,
culture and history: MEXICO! Mtra. Claudia Ruíz Massieu Salinas
Secretary of Tourism
ATMEX 2014, consolidates in this edition as a
professional, dynamic and highly productive
event (first of its kind in the world), in which the
main suppliers of the Mexican tourism industry,
specialized in ecotourism, along with buyers from
The Adventure Travel Trade Association first We focus this year on adventure travel as a catalyst
various countries, interact with pre-scheduled
appointments for 2 days.
came to Chiapas to host the 2011 Adventure for economic development, not because it’s all
Travel World Summit. We are pleased to return about business, but because we want Mexico to
this August for ATMEX 2014. This is the third take a close look at the adventure travel possibilities
The almost two million square kilometers that make
year that Visit Mexico has partnered with the it has to offer the world and to see its outfitters,
up the geography of Mexico are home of a rich
ATTA to host ATMEX as a way to showcase tourism marketers and travel professionals as
cultural and natural diversity. From Baja California
Mexico’s adventure travel offerings and ambassadors of their home country. We want the
Peninsula to the Yucatan Peninsula, scenery and
provide opportunities for long-term business international operators and buyers who come to
history are interwoven to give Mexico a matchless
partnerships. ATMEX to walk away so inspired by Mexico’s story
appeal. Its territory is divided into 32 states, is
that they take steps to ensure its viable future.
encircled by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the
The ATTA designed this event in collaboration
Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to the east.
with our partners in Mexico to feature A warm welcome to ATMEX 2014!
educational sessions that showcase the latest
Because of the variety of its different climates and
trends, best practices and success stories from Mr. Shannon Stowell
ecosystems, Mexico is one of the 12 megadiverse
adventure industry professionals around the President
countries of the world. It has 176 protected areas,
world. The goal is to inspire operators in Mexico Adventure Travel Trade Association
of which 41 are biosphere reserves, and is the first
to continue to pursue adventure travel as a
country in terms of diversity of reptiles and second
viable, sustainable and lucrative way to offer
in mammals, fourth in amphibians and flora. The
their cultural and natural riches to adventure
variety of habitats goes from the snowy peaks of
travelers worldwide. ATMEX is the only event of
the volcanoes to the mangrove coasts, forests and
its kind in Latin America.

2 ATMEX
 THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
ADVENTURE MARKETING with Provincial, Federal, and municipal governments.
DG Room 3 Teresa Ryder

How can I create a video, printing material or a

I NEED TO GROW. HOW CAN I GET RESOURCES
post in social media which connects with the target TO FOR MY COMPANY?
consumer? What are the specific attributes consumers
from the US and Europe markets look for which help us Room 2
convey a clear and convincing message? This panel of financing experts will explain which
Kat Reese / Tess McBride mechanisms are available in the market to be able to
procure some resources for your company. “Angel”
TOURISM INDUSTRY AND INSURANCE MARKET
TO Room 2
Investors, risk capital, commercial debt, development
bank special support programs, are some of the topics
that this panel will cover.
What do current mexican regulations say in terms Agustín García Villa Río
of civl law? What are the current elements of risk
identified by insurance agencies today? What
SAN LUIS POTOSÍ
insurance options are avialalble to operators? What are
the most competitive policies out there?
BM Room 1
Gerardo Camarena
Come and fall in love of the adventure tourism product
that this State has to offer.
UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE IN CHIAPAS
BM Room 1
Victor García / Tlachtli / Expediciones Huaxteca / MS
Xpediciones / The Muddy Boot
Thanks to this state´s geological configuration, Chiapas 11:15 -
in one of the regions of the world with the largest 11:45
COFFEE BREAK & TRANSFER

ADVENTURES!
cave systems with an amazing natural, biological and
cultural heritage. After 30 years of exporation, only a 11:45- MARKETPLACE SESSION #1
fraction of the system has been explored. This makes 13:45 DE LA PAZ & DE LOS ARCOS PLAZAS
this natural wonder a unique proposition for adventrue
AUGUST 22-26 20:30 - WELCOME DINNER travellers who are interested in a soft, medium or 13:45 -
TRANSFER
23:00 PARADOR SAN JUAN intense underground experience, any time of the year. 14:00
ADVENTURE FAMS THROUGHOUT MEXICO
Tulio Bernabei
Please visit www.atmex.mx for more information.
23:00
TRANSFER TO HOTELS
10:00 -
14:00 - LUNCH
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 PARADOR SAN JUAN
10:15
COFFEE BREAK 15:15 CASA MAZARIEGOS CONVENTION CENTER
TRANSFER
CONCURRENT SESSIONS #2
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
10:15 -
Transfer to Chiapas (Tuxtla Gutierrez) 11:15 15:30 - MARKETPLACE SESSION #2
17:30 PLAZAS DE LA PAZ Y DE LOS ARCOS
ROOTS AND CULTURE. HOW ARE THEY PART OF
co
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 THE TOURIST’S EXPERIENCE?
REGISTRATION AND NAMETAGS Room 4 17:45 -
PLENARY SESSION
DAY OF ADVENTURE
6:00 - 08:00 - 19:15
15:00 18:00 PALACIO MUNICIPAL EXPLANADE
A fundamental differentiator for Mexico, facing A GLIMPSE TO CONSERVATION THROUGH THE
Delegates will have the opportunity to divide unto EYES OF A RED BOAR
other destinations, is our culture... specially our “live”
CONCURRENT SESSIONS #1
small groups and visit some of the unique attractions 09:00 -
10:00 cultures. How do we include this cultural component CASA MAZARIEGOS CONVENTION CENTER
the region has to offer.
to our adventure and nature offering without
EXPERIENTIAL COMMUNITY TOURISM
CO Room 4
undermining our escence? In this session we will hear the story of a woman who’s
had dedicated her whole life to the protection and
10:00 - REGISTRATION AND NAMETAGS Stephanie Schneiderman / Raúl Manuel
18:30 PALACIO MUNICIPAL EXPLANADE conservation of the Sierra Gorda and its people. On a
The demands and expectations of today’s travellers very personal interview, the prestigious communicator
STRATEGIC TOURISM PARTNERSHIPS
DG
are changing. They are driving a sºhift from mass and adventurer Paty Everbusch will open a window
17:30 TRANSFER TO OPENING CEREMONY tourism toward ‘new tourism’, which offers a more Room 3 into the life of Pati Ruiz Corzo (or the Red Boar) whom
individual, flexile, customised and caring approach. is full of courage, passion, music, great women, and
OPENING CEREMONY This session will focus on product development for This session highlights the experience of the Aboriginal
18:00 love for the land of knowledge they will share with us
HERMANOS DOMINGUEZ THEATER the experiential cultural travelers. By the end of the Tourism Association of BC (AtBC), a highly successful
in this unique panel.
session, participants will have a clear understanding of indigenous tourism trade association. It looks at the
Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo / Interviewed by Paty
what the experiential cultural traveler is seeking in an important role of governments in the marketing and
19:00 - TRANSFER TO PLAZUELA DE SAN FRANCISCO Everbusch
indigenous tourism experience in Mexico. development of indigenous tourism in Canada and
19:30
Judy Karwacki throughout the world. The focus will be on partnership
FREE DINNER
development, one of AtBC’s key strategies, and the 19:15
19:30 - Suggestions: (to be defined)
”CALLEJONEADA” TO WELCOME DINNER* practical steps AtBC has taken to leverage partnerships
20:30

4 ATMEX *The “Callejoneada” is subject to good weather, if the rain doesn’t allow the event to take place, the transfer will be directly from Hermanos
Dominguez Theater to Parador San Juan for the Welcome Party.
CO Community Operators DG Destinations / Governments TO Tour Operators BM Buyers / Media atmex.mx
 FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR OAXACA
BM Room 1 BM Room 1

Come and fall in love of the adventure tourism product Come and fall in love of the adventure tourism product
that this State has to offer. that this State has to offer.
Luis Palacios / Chris Presenti / Cabo Adventures Javier Portillo / Angelina Martínez / Guadalupe
Cervantes / Myrna Vargas
12:00 -
12:15
COFFEE BREAK
13:15 -
13:30
COFFEE BREAK & TRANSFER
12:15 -
13:15 CONCURRENT SESSIONS #4
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN PROTECTED 13:30 - LUNCH
co NATURAL AREAS
14:45 CASA MAZARIEGOS CONVENTION CENTER
Room 4

Building a business is a challenge. Creating a company 15:00 - MARKETPLACE SESSION #3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
09:00 - PLENARY SESSION
10:30
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL
CASA MAZARIEGOS CONVENTION CENTER
Sharing the stage will be Paula Froelich, Editor in Chief
of Yahoo Travel and Shannon Stowell, President of
the Adventure Travel Trade Association. The two will
have a candid discussion about big picture industry
issues and opportunities from both a consumer and
trade perspective. Adventure tourism will be the focus
and how Mexico can shape the future of its tourism
offerings by recognizing global trends.
Shannon Stowell / Interviewed by Paula Froelich
10:30 -
COFFEE BREAK & TRANSFER
11:00
CONCURRENT SESSIONS #2
LOCAL AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
co Room 4
Take advantage in a positive and respecful way of your
community´s cultural and natural values, designing
true authentic local experiences for tourism purposes.
Through a simple experimental product design
methodology incorporate the economic, cultural and
daily activities of your community into unique and
genuine local experiences fit for today’s adventure
traveler profile.
Allan Rhodes
DG SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Room 3
In Mexico we have explored several mechanisms with
the purpose of creating adventure destinations and
products procuring local communities with equipment
and infraestructure. Most of these efforts have failed.
In this panel we will learn about some successfull
models in different parts of the world.
Soraya Shattuck
SELLING WITH STORIES: HOW STORYTELLING
TO CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW
Room 2
Professional storytellers share practical tips on how
operators and destinations can use storytelling to grow
their businesses. Speakers will share case studies and
best practices on how good writing, compelling video
and photos and thoughtful social media plans can give
companies exposure and confidence to compete on
the global tourism stage. Learn how tour operators and
travel brands big and small use storytelling through
traditional and new media outlets to get the word out
about their business.
Juno Kim / Pam Mandel / Jenn Pemberton
19:30 DE LA PAZ & DE LOS ARCOS PLAZAS
that is not only profitable, but that also generates
positive social and environmental impact is incredible.
The “Rutas del Agua” is a trip following the course
19:30 - CULTURAL CELEBRATION
of where water is born, where it flows and where it 21:30 DE LA PAZ & DE LOS ARCOS PLAZAS
is sustainably utilized.  This hybrid business model
shows how you can penetrate new markets, diversify
FREE DINNER
your product offering and guarantee social and 21:30
Suggestions: (to be defined).
environmental sustainability.
Mauricio Miramontes
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH FOR TOURIST
DG DESTINATIONS
Room 3
In this presentation, we will review why good
sustainable practices support not only a long-term
increase in visitation, but also provides immediate
short-term benefits on a destination’s marketing for
different outbound markets. Sustainable practices
provide savings in operating costs, enhance the
marketing message of destinations, and preserves
the destination for future generations. Government
leaders who embrace GSTC principles for sustainability
and put GSTC programs into place -- as Sierra Gorda
and Riviera Maya are doing -- enjoy national and
international acclaim for following good management
practices.
Randy Durband
ATTA TOOLS AVAILABLE TO OPERATORS
TO Room 2
Who is ATTA, what tools are available and how
to access this key information which is critical for
competitiveness in the international landscape.
Rebeca Yañez / Jenn Pemberton

6 ATMEX atmex.mx
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
ALLAN RHODES
Allan Rhodes is an independent consultant with over 15 years of experience, specialized in
planning, managing and developing sustainable tourism in protected natural areas. Allan has BA
in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Park Administration, Tourism and Recreation.
He founded the NGO “Proyecto de Educación Alternativo Caminando Unidos A.C.” (Walking
Together, Alternative Education Project) as well as the experiential travel agency “Tienda de
Experiencias Local” (Local shop of experiences) and his consulting firm “Ecoturismo Genuino, S.C.”
(Genuine Ecotourism).
Allan currently works as General Coordinator of Ecoturismo Genuino in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Ecoturismo Genuino has participated in consulting projects for Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Sinaloa
and Coahuila among others. The firm has also worked in other projects related to sustainable
tourism and experiential tourism for Isla de Pascua, Chilean Patagonia, Atacama Desert and
Andacollo, as well as some educational projects in the Brazilian Amazonas
ANTONIO DEL ROSAL
Antonio was born in Mexico in 1974 to a Mexican father and an American mother. He was raised
in a bi-national, bi-cultural environment which has made him particularly sensitive to the multi-
national issues as seen from local perspectives. He received his formation as a Civil Engineer at the
Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and later obtained an MBA from Georgetown
University in Washington D.C. This led him to become a consultant for the IDB “Inter-American
Development Bank” and advisor to the largest Private Equity firm in D.C., focusing exclusively in
Latin America. Some years later, he was invited to collaborate with CEMEX, one of the largest
Mexican conglomerates as strategy, finance and planning manager. At this point is where Antonio
decides to make a huge leap of faith, follow his passion, and accept a position as partner
and  Executive Director for, one of the largest and most reputable adventure travel companies in
Mexico.  In 2008, he starts his own adventure travel business in México, and in 2010 is invited to
the Mexico Tourism Board to act as Marketing Coordinator, and adventure travel specialist. Today,
Antonio serves as Executive Director for Latin America for ATTA.
GERARDO CAMARENA
He began his career in the insurance industry almost 20 years ago, forming in one of most
prestigious office of brokers in Mexico, with several studies in the insurance sector from the ITAM
(Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México) and the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselors)
Program from The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. In 2012 he founded his
own insurance agency offering a wide range of products in different categories such as Corporate,
Personal and Surety.
8 ATMEX
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JENNIFER PEMBERTON
Jen manages communications and media relations for ATTA. She has been working in the online
travel industry since 2005 in all the communications roles imaginable from writing destination
brochures to web and business development to social media management. She’s lived in China,
the Philippines, and Sweden, but the Western U.S. has always been home. Jen is currently based in
Logan, Utah, where she can be heard on Utah Public Radio, reporting on environmental and
community issues and sometimes telling stories about the places she’s been.
JUDY KARWAKI
Judy Karwacki has over 30 years of experience in travel, including over 28 years as a travel agency
owner and 20 years as a sustainable tourism consultant. She is a Mexico aficionado, and has
travelled to many parts of the country for the travel agency business, consulting, language study
and adventure. Judy is recognized internationally as an expert in indigenous tourism, ecotourism
and other forms of tourism that sustainably connect conservation, communities and culture.
She has worked with indigenous communities and enterprises in Canada, Central America, South
America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific region. Her work
focusses on destination marketing, experiential tourism, strengthening tourism enterprises and
forming strategic connections with international industry partners. Judy speaks regularly at
industry conferences on indigenous tourism and other sustainable tourism topics. She lives with
her husband and cat in North Vancouver, Canada, in the super natural Traditional Territory of the
Squamish First Nation.
JUNO KIM
Juno Kim is an award-winning storyteller, writer, and photographer at Runaway Juno Media
(RunawayJuno.com). Originally hailing from Seoul, South Korea, Juno set off for the wider world
to pursue her passion for international travel and storytelling. Since leaving her engineering job,
she has been living out of a backpack, writing, and photographing her way through more than 30
countries for the last three years. She believes there are always stories to tell, in any corner of the
world. She’s been participating in numerous global-wide new media campaigns as a digital
influencer. She also opened several photography exhibitions. Juno initiated the Asian Women’s
Empowerment Organization and hosted its first annual conference in Kuala Lumpur to empower
Asian women to pursue their passions and a more independent lifestyle. She and her team are
preparing AWE ‘14 in Kota Kinabalu for later this year.
atmex.mx
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
KAT REESE
As an Account Director at Sparkloft Media Kat is responsible for developing cutting edge social
media concepts for clients in the travel and outdoor industry. She has worked with organizations
like South African Tourism, One&Only Resorts, Ski Utah and Keen Footwear and has won several
awards for campaigns she developed. One of her focus areas at Sparkloft is creating strategic
partnerships between travel and outdoor adventure brands, an area very dear to her heart. Before
joining Sparkloft Kat worked as a professional photographer. In March 2014 her gallery show
opened featuring “Discoveries”, her latest project of night sky photography. When she is not
spending nights taking photos of the milky way Kat likes to ski, hike, rock climb or use any other
excuse she can find to spend time outside.
TERESA RYDER
Teresa Ryder is of Musqueam descent, born in the Lower Mainland and raised on Vancouver
Island. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Criminology from Simon Fraser University.
Before starting at the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC), Teresa worked in the
Hospitality Industry for eight years. A passion for working with people arose, making tourism a
natural fit. Teresa has worked at AtBC since the spring of 2011. During this time, she has worked
with as a project manager at Klahowya Village in Stanley Park.
Currently, Teresa is working in Training & Development working directly with communities and
entrepreneurs to bring their tourism experiences to market.
MAURICIO MIRAMONTES
Mauricio has three passions: adventure, nature and his community. Since he was 17 years old, he
has worked towards bringing his passion together through his work in ecotourism, adventure and
environmental education. He applies his knowledge on these topics to encourage preservation
and development within Protected Natural Areas.
He has received awards such as the Award for Diversification on Adventure Tourism Product in
Mexico (SECTUR), Best program to promote culture in Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and New
Social Company with best impact potential in Mexico (Generación Impacto). He has also been
invited to share his experiences in 7 countries of Europe, África and South America.
Since 2008, he is the leader of La Mano del Mono, a company that has the objective of creating
jobs in rural communities through diversification of eco touristic products. His career path
includes training over 50 community companies in over 20 Protected Natural Areas, the development of over 10 touristic products
in collaboration with international organizations, government, schools and local communities. He is also the founder of Xaman
Expeditions Chiapas; a tour operator company specialized in Adventure Tourism.
10 ATMEX
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
PAM MANDEL
Pam Mandel is an early adopter of blogging and social media -- she’s been part of the travel-
focused web since 1996.Pam has written stories for Afar, Conde Nast Traveler (Online), Lonely
Planet, The San Francisco Chronicle, World Hum, a handful of in-flight magazines and custom
publications, guidebooks for Thomas Cook, and so much more. She won a Solas Best Travel
Writing Award for her work with Travel Wild, a small Arctic/Antarctic tour operator based in the
Pacific Northwest.
Pam also works as a freelance documentation and user experience architect -- this allows her to
combine her love of the web with a solid technical understanding of how it all works.
Pam has been to all seven continents but she calls Seattle, Washington home. Keep up with her
adventures at www.nerdseyeview.com.
PATI RUIZ CORSO
Martha Isabel “Pati” Ruiz Corzo With 30 years experience in innovative conservation and
community engagement, Pati is one of Latin America’s most respected environmental leaders.
Born in Mexico City, she worked as a professional violinist and music teacher in Queretaro City
before trading her middle-class lifestyle for Roberto’s old family homestead high in the Sierra
Gorda mountains.   Seeing the environmental destruction being wrought, she began working to
unite the communities of the region to preserve the Sierra Gorda and became the first Biosphere
Reserve in Mexico to achieve the federal degree in response to citizen action. Ex-president Ernesto
Zedillo determined that the leader of the civil conservation movement should become the federal
director of the protected area; Pati Ruiz Corzo was appointed from 1997- 2009, before returning to
GESG. 
Today, Pati continues to lead the GESG and advocate the holistic management of the area through
regulating ecotourism, raising environmental awareness, recycling, and building sustainable
productivity to combat the challenges posed by extreme poverty and climate change. Her efforts and the achievements of the
local alliance have been recognised internationally, receiving the 2013 UNEP Champions of the Earth award for “Inspiration and
Action”, and the National Geographic Society/Buffett Award for Leadership in Latin American Conservation,  amongst other
accolades. She is also a Social Entrepreneur of Ashoka: Innovator for the Public, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs
and Associate Laureate of the Rolex Prize for Enterprise.
PAULA FROELICH
Paula Froelich, Editor in Chief of Yahoo Travel 
She is also the New York Times best-selling author of the novel, “Mercury In Retrograde” and was
the deputy editor of the New York Post’s gossip column, Page Six, for ten years. In January 2012
she won a Gold Medal award from the North American Travel Journalists Association for her piece
in Playboy on Iraq, “Down And Out In Baghdad.” Paula is originally from Ohio and Kentucky and
loves to travel to places where the USD still means something.
atmex.mx
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
RANDY DURBAND
Randy Durband is the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
He brings to his leadership position of this important UN-supported NGO a unique blend of skills
and experience based on the two career paths he has taken in travel and tourism – twenty-four
years in senior leadership positions at some of the finest U.S. tour operators, plus five years in
sustainable tourism. His first career included serving as President for Travcoa, INTRAV, and Clipper
Cruise Lines, (all brands within TUI Travel plc), and Executive Vice President of Tauck World
Discovery.
Randy now supports Sustainable Tourism as CEO of the GSTC and has also worked as an
advisor, consultant, and speaker. He brings his knowledge of the business of travel, his global
network of travel professionals, and a passion for sustainability to support sustainable tourism,
poverty reduction through tourism development in emerging destinations, and tourism
destination stewardship. He has served as technical advisor for tourism for the UN agencies ILO and UNESCO, other development
organizations, and the TRIP Foundation; during which he worked in the development and promotion of community-based
tourism destinations in Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peru, and Jordan.
RAUL MANUEL
Born in 1967 in the Chinanteco community of Rancho Grande, Valle Nacional, Oaxaca, Raúl
Manuel emerged as a community leader in his 20’s. In 1995, Raúl was the recipient of the National
Award, “Indigenous Youth of México”. It was his vision and goal to recognize, preserve and share
the unique cultural expressions and great biodiversity of his community, located in a region called
La Chinantla, in Oaxaca’s transition region between the Sierra Juarez mountains, the Papaloapan
River basin and the Sotavento on the Gulf of México.
In 1998 he was invited to attend the Organic Products Market in Frankfurt, Germany and in 2000
he was named the Slow Food International award recipient, in Bologna, Italy, for his work on the
revival of the original Mesoamerican vine: vanilla. While vanilla today is most associated with
Veracruz (Papantla), its origins are in the region of La Chinantla. Later, in 2002, 2004 and 2006 he
was invited to Torino, Italy to further share his efforts and initiatives in the revival and preservation
of the biodiversity of Rancho Grande, Valle Nacional. It was in 2012 that he and other community members recognized the
value of their cultural expressions and ecological diversity as a valuable asset and value adds for Cultural Tourism. As such, the
community organization: Ecotorismo: Rancho Grande was created, where today he serves as President.
REBECA YAÑEZ
Rebeca Yañez is ATTA´s Membership Director for Latin America. She has a Bachelors and Masters
Degree in History by Georgetown University. Rebeca has been part of the Adventure Travel
Industry for 8 years, first as the Academic Adventure Program Director for one of the oldest and
most important Adventure Travel companies in Mexico, and later she founded her own
Adventure Travel tour operator and travel agency which she has been running as their Executive
Director. Four years ago Rebeca became part of the ATTA team as its Membership Director for
Mexico and later for Latin America. She is mainly in charge of increasing ATTA´s presence in this
regions through different actions and opportunities, as well as identifying new opportunities of
collaboration between the ATTA and the Latin American destination. Rebeca takes care of
ATTA´s members helping them to get familiarized with the membership program benefits and
tools. In her effort to spread the word on the importance of Adventure Travel and ATTA´s global
efforts, she has traveled around Latin America participating in different events and Seminars in
countries like Peru, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Mexico.
12 ATMEX
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
SHANNON STOWELL
Mr. Stowell is president of the ATTA, the largest professional organization for adventure travel
companies, destinations and organizations worldwide with over 930 corporate and governmental
members from 80+ countries. The ATTA has held ten Adventure Travel World Summits in the
Americas, Africa and Europe and is a global hub for adventure travel professionals. The ATTA
publishes AdventureTravelNewsTM and operates an online community for the sector. The
Summits are on average attended by 650 adventure travel professionals from more than 50
countries gathering to learn, network, inspire each other and drive the industry forward on issues
such as best practices and sustainability. Mr. Stowell also advises numerous industry
organizations and leaders in regards to utilizing adventure tourism for their destination’s benefit.
He has supported governments, NGOs and private companies operating in North America, Latin
America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Shannon has 8 years experience in environmental
testing, 6 years experience in outdoor recreation retailing and 10 years in tourism. Roles have included president, marketing,
business development, public relations, public speaking, consumer retail, strategy and development.
He has also negotiated existing partnerships with a wide range of organizations, including but not limited to WWF, UNWTO, REI,
GSTC, TIES and many others.
SORAYA SHATTUK
Soraya’s mission is to use the tourism industry as a tool to create sustainable communities,
enhance environmental protection, and generate economically thriving businesses. She recently
launched Sustainable Tourism Solutions (STS), an organization that matches her passion with her
skills. Soraya has spent the past eight years working with organizations to optimize their
operational efficiency and improve their triple bottom line performance. With a B.A in Operations
Management, and an MBA in Sustainable Systems, Soraya seeks to inspire positive change and
drive increased environmental and social responsibility within the tourism industry, while
advancing economic success.
Since moving from Kenya, where she spent her first 15 years, to the Pacific Northwest, Soraya
has become a devoted climber, adventurer and travel enthusiast. She holds an extensive travel
resume, having visited over 30 countries before the age of 30.
To learn more about Soraya and her organization, Sustainable Tourism Solutions, visit www.sustainabletourismsolutions.com.
STEPHANIE SHNEIDERMANN
Stephanie was born in Havana, grew up in Mexico City, lived and studied in Miami, went to
Graduate School in Phoenix. She has a B.A. in Political Science/International Relations, a Certificate
in Latin American/Caribbean Studies from Florida International University, and received a Masters
Degree from The Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Latin blood
runs through her veins. Stephanie has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and, given her
cultural and language fluency, has gained access to many off the path locations and communities.
When friends ask her why she always goes back to Mexico, she replies, “Mexico is a vast country
with so many diverse regions. You could spend a lifetime visiting Mexico and never see it all.” Tia
Stephanie invites you to share her passion for Mexico and the Mexican people, our neighbors to
the South.
atmex.mx
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
TESS MCBRIDE
As an Account Director at Sparkloft Media, Tess leads a team of social media strategists and
community managers to develop and implement innovative social media campaigns for travel
and lifestyle clients around the world. Her client roster includes destinations like Travel Oregon,
airlines like KLM and cruise lines like Crystal Cruises.

Tess has a BA in journalism from the University of Oregon, where she was a full-time reporter for
the University’s daily newspaper, and an MA in communication from Portland State University,
where she crafted multiple pieces of original research accepted and presented at both national
and international communication conferences.

When Tess is not in the office creating award-winning campaigns, she can be found exploring
both far away jungles and coastlines, as well as Oregon’s local running trails and wineries.

TULLIO BERNABEI
Tulio is a journalist, writer and documentary director, born in Italy. He started climbing mountains
when he was 13, and exploring caves by 17. He specialized in Geology and was Italy’s director for
Speleology Rescue for 15 years. He is one of the founders of the Geographic Association La Venta.
Tulio has organized over 60 exploring expeditions in countries such as México, Venezuela,
Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Filipinas, Vietnam, Australia,
France and Switzerland. He has explored caves over 1000 meters deep, establishing the Asian
record in 1989 with 1350 meters.

As a writer and journalist, he has published 7 books and over 100 articles. 3 of his books and
a number of editorial articles have been about Adventure, and among them, he wrote about
Chiapas’ natural beauty and its caves. He is the author and director of several documentaries for
National Geographic TV, Discovery Channel, Art Europe, SBS Australia and other Italian, Spanish
and Swiss networks. His work has awarded him important award in Italy, France, Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, United States and
Brazil.

As an expert in speleology, he has been visiting Chiapas since 1981. He contributed to the exploration of the Canyon of La Venta
river, and hundreds of caves all over Mexico. He currently divides his time between Italy and Chiapas.

14 ATMEX atmex.mx
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