Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Henson.
Hi Tricia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have worked in the travel, tourism, meetings & events industry in business development and sales roles for over 20 years. I relocated to Florida in 1998 to open a field office to support the Walt Disney World Meetings and Events as a vendor curating branded merchandise for the various conventions held on the WDW Property. From there, I worked for a local Destination Management Company to develop their merchandise division to support the meeting and event clients. Following that role, I took on a new role as a Corporate Regional Marketing Manager for Tommy Hilfiger/PVH based in Orlando covering the South Region and Puerto Rico. While this was meant to be a traditional marketing role, I became exposed to the tour and travel side of the industry due to the large volume of international F.I.T. and Group business coming into our Orlando and Miami locations. From Tommy, I took on a role with one of our largest receptive tour operators here in Orlando, GO PEGASUS as their Strategic Partnerships Manager. In that role, I continued to create awareness and network within the industry while developing partnerships with key partners. My most recent role was the Director of Tourism for Simon Property Group overseeing both of the Orlando Premium Outlet properties. This further strengthened my experience within the Tour and Travel Industry while continuing to nurture Corporate Group business. My role was eliminated due to the pandemic.
All of my roles have enabled me to build a tremendous network in the Orlando area. Taking all of my experience and contacts, I am now the President and CEO of my own company, Tricia Henson Consulting, Inc. Tricia Henson Consulting, Inc. works to maximize brand exposure to the unique travel & hospitality industry in Orlando, Florida, through business development, destination marketing, and market representation.
I have served since 2011 and continue to serve in an Alumni role for the Visit Orlando Membership Committee and I spent a year on the Visit Orlando Travel Industry Committee. I served on the Visit Florida Industry Relations Committee and am in my third term on the Board of Directors for the MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Greater Orlando Chapter as the President-Elect.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been smooth, especially experiencing layoffs, but each obstacle has made me more reliant on my own skills and has taught me perseverance.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tricia Henson Consulting, Inc.?
Tricia Henson Consulting, Inc. is a sales and marketing consulting business specializing in representation of brands in the travel, tourism, meetings, and events space. Services include business development, destination marketing, market representation, and trade show representation with specialty in the Orlando market. Industries we have represented include; retail, travel, events, medical, and Pharma. In addition to marketing, my company can assist with unique, curated shopping tours in Orlando! My experience in various roles in the Orlando area sets me apart as I have made many, many connections within the area and industry. I am most proud of taking the risk to go out and start my own business! It makes me feel aligned with my purpose!!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For someone just starting out, I would recommend learning about the many people you have the chance to meet. Find out where they work, what they do, and what drives them. You never know when you may need to connect with them or connect them to someone! It is also a great way to learn for yourself what it is that truly interests you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.triciahenson.com
- Instagram: triciahenson_
