As a proud fourth-generation Arizonan, Lisa Urias has built her career on crafting and promoting the multi-faceted brand of Arizona through several companies, organizations, and roles. Lisa’s family has a long history of service to Arizona – a value she holds dear. Her more than 35 years as a marketing & PR professional have taught her that a strong organizational culture, a responsive strategic plan, diverse perspectives, and dedication to innovative ideas lead to sustained success.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

In this episode of From Persona to Personal, Roger Hurni welcomes Lisa Urias, CEO at Arizona Office of Tourism, you'll learn about her extensive career in marketing and PR, focusing on her role as the CEO of the Arizona Office of Tourism. The conversation delves into her approach to creating and promoting Arizona's brand by emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and a strong organizational culture. Lisa shares insights on how bridging opportunities to underserved communities can lead to remarkable achievements as illustrated by their success stories.

Additionally, the episode covers the significance of cultural understanding in tourism, particularly in engaging with Native American tribes and rural communities in Arizona. Lisa discusses the value of small, meaningful experiences in tourism, such as learning traditional practices from tribal guides, and the potential for these activities to create job opportunities and enrich visitors' experiences. The transcript highlights Lisa's dedication to inclusivity and representation in the industry, aiming to lift up diverse voices and talents to drive progress and innovation.

Tim Vennard - Vice President of Mazzone Hospitality with more than 15 years in company leadership. Tim’s been innovating the food industry through catering, restaurants, and corporate cafes. He was essential in growing Mazzone Hospitality with some of the biggest clients in the pharmaceutical, microchip manufacturing, and finance Industries. He has been recognized for his leadership by Restaurant Associates and Compass Group, as a trendsetter domestically and worldwide in food service. As leader of Mazzone Hospitality he has his eyes fixed on the growth of the brand and influence throughout the Northeast. He is also the company softball/volleyball/basketball coach and our Notorious B.I.G. karaoke king.

Ben Houck - Marketing Wizard - has served Mazzone for 7 years with his hand in not just marketing, but IT, HR, Accounting, Operations, and Sales. He took squeezing every bit of value out of his MBA quite literally. When Mazzone was tasked with what title should be put on a Chef coat, "wizard" seemed to be the only title fitting of Ben.

Recently, Ben has been writing for regional business journals on "Food as an Employee Benefit" and hopes to spread the culture of hospitality throughout business and organizations.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

In today’s landscape of modern business, companies are constantly seeking innovative ways to attract and retain top talent. Corporations and companies are turning break rooms and cafeterias into centers of collaboration and revitalization. High-quality meals not only nourish employees physically but also spark creativity and strengthen connections among colleagues. Furthermore, offering a variety of culinary experiences showcases a dedication to employee well-being, resulting in increased morale and loyalty.

In essence, food isn't just about sustenance—it's a recipe for success in cultivating a thriving workplace culture and securing top talent.

In this episode of From Persona to Personal, Roger Hurni welcomes Tim Vennard, VP of Mazzone Hospitality together with Ben Houck, their marketing wizard, to discuss how they transformed a company that began as a diner into a leading corporate dining brand catering to large corporations and hosting exclusive events. Their innovative perspective and marketing strategies have reshaped clients' perception of food from a basic necessity to a valuable employee benefit, fostering a stronger company culture and driving higher productivity.

Sonny Smith who is the Co-Founder of Jampack. Sonny has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, entertainment, and technology space. As an executive leader, he has built successful teams and achieved notable results with globally recognized brands such as Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Tao Group, and Hakkasan Group. His expertise includes large-scale venue pre-opening, revenue creation, brand positioning, and trendsetting practices in domestic and international hospitality marketing. Sonny is skilled in various aspects of marketing, including agency management, event production, and campaign development.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Discovering an untapped niche in today's highly innovative and AI-driven market is remarkable in its own right. Sonny Smith and his team achieved precisely this with the inception of Jampack.

A seasoned executive in the hospitality marketing industry, Sonny Smith explains how they capitalized the silver lining of the recent pandemic and took their time to meticulously strategized and give birth to Jampack, foreseeing the opportunity that came in with the resumption of normality, particularly in the event-based travel industry.

In this episode of From Persona to Personal, Roger Hurni welcomes Sonny Smith, the co-founder of JamPack, a company specializing in event and travel experiences. Sonny discusses the origins of JamPack and its unique approach to event-based travel, highlighting the company's focus on providing comprehensive, personalized experiences for event attendees. Sonny explains how JamPack evolved from a collaboration between individuals with backgrounds in hospitality, entertainment, technology, and event production. He describes the company's mission to streamline the event experience by offering a single transaction for event tickets and accompanying travel and entertainment options.