Kelly Craighead, in her new role as Excutive Director of the NTTO, attended her first Witti brunch Sunday at Hard Rock Café Orlando, welcoming over 60 women leaders to Orlando.

 The brunch was started nearly 20 years ago by Sharon Gaiptman and has become a long standing tradition before the official opening of IPW. Sharon asked if the newly formed Women in Travel and Tourism, founded by Laura Mandala, would resume the brunch as Sharon focused on new initiatives.

 Since founding Witti Laura Mandala and sustaining partners Las Vegas CVA, Louisiana Tax Free Shopping, Shop America Alliance, and the U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, and Chicago's First Lady Cruises have established several initiatives to support women's advance to leadership roles in the travel industry.

 With generous support from Las Vegas CVA, the group is conducting a study on the status of women in the industry, providing a snapshot of where women are excelling and where they may be falling behind.