Who We Are

Emily Cassell, MBA, CDME

Director

(703) 228-0875Emily has led Arlington's competitive strategy for destination marketing, sales and visitor services since 2006. In 2021, Arlington visitors spent more than $2.8 billion, with tourism supporting more than 12,000 jobs and $114 million in local tax receipts. With a lifelong passion for travel, Emily has 25+ years of tourism marketing experience. She holds an International MBA from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Journalism with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin. A long-time County resident, one of Emily’s favorite Arlington experiences is biking along the Potomac River on the scenic Mount Vernon Trail.

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Portia Conerly, CTIS, CDTP

Director of Sales

(703) 228-0873As Director of Sales for the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service, Portia has led Arlington County to the number-one position in visitor spending among Virginia counties for 12 consecutive years. Portia has over two decades in sales management and promotes Arlington as a destination to both the domestic and international markets. One of Portia’s favorite Arlington experiences is taking a stroll through the tree-lined streets of its Shirlington neighborhood. Her primary markets include Association, Government, Corporate and International.

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Scott Baker

Marketing Manager

(571) 305-0664With a degree in Marketing from Miami University (Ohio), Scott has spent the better part of the last 20 years in various marketing and communication roles within a few different industries. Most notably, Scott has worked in the travel and tourism industry for nearly a decade having spent over four years at J. Walter Thompson in Chicago on the Illinois Office of Tourism account prior to coming to the ACVS team in 2017 where he manages the branding, marketing and communications.

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Monica Cannon

Visitor & Convention Services Manager

(703) 228-0874When it comes to ensuring Arlington visitors are “in the know,” Monica sets the bar high. With 25 years of experience managing Arlington's non-traditional visitor services program, through its use of a mobile visitors center "serves visitors directly in the neighbors where they're staying' and creating the Arlington Hospitality College "educational sessions for hospitality professionals to gain up-to-the-minute knowledge about local attractions, restaurants, nightlife, stores, arts, venues and transportation options". With an educational background in business administration, federal government and a deep-dive study into Arlington's Black history, Monica uses her knowledge and experience to evolve Arlington's visitor services program to exceed industry standards. One of Monica's favorites is dining at Carlyle in Shirlington. Whether it's Sunday brunch or dinner matters not! The experience is always the same: undeniably lovely.

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Roxana Rivera, CTIS, CSTP

Destination Sales Manager

(703) 228-5108Roxana joined the ACVS team as Destination Sales Manager in 2022. With extensive experience in tourism sales and hospitality and a great enthusiasm for Arlington, Roxana is ready to assist group travel and meeting planners create the best possible Arlington experience for their groups. Roxana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from American University and enjoys learning about different cultures and languages. One of her favorite Arlington experiences is exploring all the unique and wonderful parks Arlington has to offer including Gravelly Point Park, where she enjoys watching planes take off and land from Reagan National Airport, and Bon Air Park Memorial Rose Garden, which features a great variety of roses. Her primary markets include social, military, educational, religious and fraternal.

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Paola Fernandez

Marketing Coordinator

(571) 752-9677Paola has worked in the field of destination marketing since 2019. She began her career as the Digital Marketing Coordinator for Visit Greater Palm Springs in her home state of California. Her training in journalism and passion for storytelling has allowed her to find innovative and creative ways to showcase destinations. She joined the ACVS team in November 2021, where she manages StayArlington’s social media channels and website content creation. As a coffee lover, Paola’s favorite thing in Arlington is visiting coffee shops in search of the perfect cup of Joe!

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Robert ​“Mo” Rouse

Visitor Services & Film Office Coordinator

(703) 228-0889Mo is a Visitor Services and Film Office Coordinator with Arlington Convention and Visitors Service with 25+ years of experience in hospitality and tourism. Mo uses that experience by informing, serving, and providing Arlington visitors with an exceptional visitor experience. One of Mo’s favorite Arlington experiences is strolling through the diverse Arlington neighborhoods and learning about their rich history and culture.

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