Collegiate DECA ICDC is more than competition. It’s an opportunity for members to grow, network and engage with professionals in the Louisville community.
The Professional Development Series gives members the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals with presentations focused on Business Management and Administration, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism and Marketing. This session is designed to help members gain a deeper understanding of the skills needed to succeed in today’s business world.
DECA is excited to introduce the speakers leading this year's Professional Development Series:
Anthony Gilmer
Anthony Gilmer is the Vice President of Air Service Development & Strategic Marketing for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, serving both Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU). In his role, he is responsible for driving growth and supporting air service, managing all marketing efforts and leveraging his 20+ years of industry experience to assist LRAA in other areas as needed.
During his 7-year tenure, Louisville has seen 5 of its 6 busiest years of passenger traffic, three new airlines, and over 20 new routes launched, including the airport's first regularly scheduled service to the West Coast.
Prior to his role in Louisville, Anthony was Director of Marketing & Air Service Development at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia SC, Director of Marketing at The Quotient Group and Marketing & Air Service Coordinator at Yeager Airport in Charleston, WV, where he began as an intern at age 14. He is extremely passionate about the aviation business and is a student of the industry. Anthony earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Charleston in 2013.
Stacey Yates
Stacey Yates is Chief Marketing Officer for Louisville Tourism, where she oversees the brand strategy and marketing communications that promote Louisville as Bourbon City, the global capital of bourbon tourism.
Since joining the organization in 2005, Yates has helped shape Louisville’s modern tourism identity. She played a key role in positioning the city as the Gateway to Bourbon Country, a strategy that helped fuel the bourbon tourism boom and ultimately evolved into Louisville’s current Bourbon City brand.
Her team created the Urban Bourbon Trail® in 2008, a pioneering experience connecting visitors to the city’s bourbon bars, distilleries and culinary scene, and helped elevate Louisville’s reputation as a premier food destination. Yates also led the campaign that resulted in the Old Fashioned being named Louisville’s Official Cocktail in 2015, and launched Old Fashioned Fortnight, an annual citywide celebration of the classic bourbon cocktail.
Before Louisville Tourism, she served as Vice President of Communications for the Kentucky Derby Festival, one of the nation’s largest civic celebrations. A lifelong Louisvillian, Yates is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, holds the Certified Festival Executive (CFE) designation from Purdue University, was and serves on the board of the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Brad Gordon
Brad Gordon is the Senior Director of Partnership Development at Louisville City Football Club and Racing Louisville Football Club.
He’s an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in sales and business development. He is a strong community and social services professional, skilled in sales, customer service, advertising and coaching.
Gordon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration from the University of Louisville.
