Key Speaker

The Honorable Aaron Bean

U.S. Representative (FL-04)

Discussion Summary

On August 9, 2024, U.S. Representative Aaron Bean (FL-04) met with over 20 travel industry leaders in Amelia Island, Florida to discuss major policy priorities. Topics of discussion ranged from the need to lower wait times for U.S. visitor visas – especially for first-time applicants, which exceeds over 300 days on average in key markets – to reducing wait times for travelers at U.S. Customs at gateway airports.

Participants also discussed the need to permanently expand the H-2B worker visa program, especially in support of the small and seasonal businesses that depend on temporary workers; the benefits to travelers of innovative facial identity verification technology at TSA airport checkpoints; full funding for the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the importance of Brand USA, the official destination marketing organization for the United States.

Attendees

  • Bradley Bean, Mayor, City of Fernandina Beach
  • Paul Beirnes, Vice President, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Amber Bullington Tipton, Owner, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions / Amelia Island Ambassador
  • Mark Bullington, Owner, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions
  • Veronica Byrnes, Owner & Innkeeper, Amelia Island Williams House / Amelia Island Ambassador
  • Dan Cahill, Owner, Amelia Island Escape Rooms / Amelia Island Ambassador
  • Cari Cahill, Guest
  • Brandy Carvahlo, Director of Strategic Advancement, Nassau County BOCC
  • Greg Cook, General Manager, Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island
  • Phyllis Davis, Director, Amelia Island Museum of History
  • Maurie Dugger, Director, Community Engagement, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Regina Duncan, President & CEO, Nassau County Chamber of Commerce
  • Klynt Farmer, Nassau County Commissioner, District 5
  • Denise Gray, Guest
  • Jeff Gray, Nassau County Commissioner, District 3
  • Barbara Halverstadt, Chief Marketing Officer, Jacksonville Aviation Authority
  • Hupp Huppman, Nassau County Commissioner, District 2
  • Sherri Mitchell, Executive Director, Nassau County Economic Development Board
  • Nicole Porter, Vice President of Political Affairs, U.S. Travel Association
  • Dave Reese, President & CEO, Florida’s First Coast of Golf
  • Theo Schofield, General Manager, Omni Resort, Amelia Island
  • Joshua Summers, Hotel Manager, Omni Resort, Amelia Island
  • Bobbie Walker, Owner, Tuscan Rose Vineyards, Callahan
  • Will Wiest, Hotel Manager, Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island

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