Visit Quad Cities' Professional Staff

Email:  [email protected]
Phone: 309.736.6820
Social Media: LinkedIn | Twitter

A QC Must: Go see the oculus on the I-74 Bridge followed by a Hot Fudge Sundae at Lagomarcino’s

Favorite Quote: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Balboa Island, CA

Dave serves as the President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. Visit Quad Cities is the region’s official destination marketing organization (DMO) and is charged with driving positive economic development opportunities through tourism which positively impact quality of life. Herrell leads the vision, strategy, and day-to-day operations of the private non-profit, community-based organization. Visit Quad Cities is a 501 (c)(6) non-profit and operates two 501 (c)(3) affiliate divisions, Sports QC Powered By Visit Quad Cities and Quad Cities Destination, Inc. which are a part of the Quad Cities regional destination enterprise. Visit Quad Cities is certified through the globally recognized Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).

The Visit Quad Cities professional team is responsible for sharing the QC story as well as competitively positioning the bi-state, multi-community region for identity and growth while developing the overall visitor economy and experience. Under Herrell’s leadership, Visit Quad Cities has produced record annual visitor expenditures of $1.38B and has set an ambitious plan toward the future. A proven executive with more than twenty-five years of experience, Herrell has a background in destination and brand marketing, tourism, non-profit management, operations, strategic planning, business development, and government relations. He believes that tourism and the opportunity to host meetings, sporting events, group, and leisure travel provide community-building, economic, and social benefits.

Prior to Visit Quad Cities, Herrell led the City of Jacksonville’s Office of Sports & Entertainment as their Sports & Entertainment Officer. He was responsible for Sports, the Office of Special Events, the Film & Television Office, and the city’s public access venues. A Mayoral appointee, he served as the city’s senior level director within the sports, entertainment, and publicly owned facility space. Herrell led the operation of annual signature events such as the Florida-Georgia Game, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, and the Sea & Sky Airshow to name a few. He further managed the City’s Sports & Entertainment Complex Capital Maintenance Fund and was a principal on a $90M EverBank Stadium renovation project which included the creation of Daily’s Place (outdoor amphitheater and Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice facility). Herrell oversaw the management of lease agreements for the city including the NFL, ASM Global, minor-league sports franchises, the symphony, and all special events.

Herrell has held leadership positions with the Arizona Sports Foundation, the Nashville Sports Council and Music City Bowl, Inc. Throughout his career, he has been involved with hundreds of projects and events that have yielded nearly $1B in direct economic impact. He further served on the team that created Nashville’s post-season collegiate Bowl game, the Music City Bowl. He was involved with an NFL relocation (Tennessee Titans) and an NHL conditional expansion franchise bid (Nashville Predators).

Active in the industry and the community, Herrell was recently recognized as the most influential business leader for 2025 by the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal. He currently serves as Immediate Past President, Iowa Tourism Industry Partners (iTIP), Immediate Past Chair, Illinois Destinations Association (IDA), Iowa Tourism Advisory Group, John Deere Classic Board of Directors, Figge Art Museum Board of Directors, Trinity Health Foundation Board of Directors, and the Quad Cities Cultural Trust Board of Directors. He has served on the Board of Directors for the JAXSPORTS Council, Board of Governors for the JAX Chamber and as a Board Member of

Visit Jacksonville. He also served on the Economic Development Committee for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he was part of the inaugural class of Leadership QC and is a Leadership Middle Tennessee graduate and was further recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader Award Winner. He has been a guest lecturer and presenter at industry events, several universities, and civic organizations throughout his career. A native of St. Louis and a graduate of the University of Missouri, he earned a bachelor’s degree in communication. He and his wife Connie and their two kids live in the Quad Cities and are proud Quad Citizens.

Current and/or Recent Community and Industry Engagement:

• Immediate Past President, Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) Board of Directors
• Immediate Past Chair, Illinois Destinations Association (IDA) Board of Directors
• State of Iowa Tourism Advisory Group (IAG)
• John Deere Classic Board of Directors
• Figge Art Museum Board of Directors
• UnityPoint Health – Trinity Health Foundation Board of Directors
• Quad Cities Cultural Trust Board of Directors
• Past Chair, Advocacy Committee, iTIP
• Destinations International Committee Service (present and past): Co-Chair, Membership, Social Impact, Foundation Governance and Nomination, Foundation Development, Professional Development, Awards, Advocacy, and the Global Leadership Committee
• Chairman, Governor Reynolds Hospitality and Tourism Subgroup, Economic Growth Strategy
• RAGBRAI Advisory Board
• Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA)

Contact:

[email protected] (o) 309.736.6820, (m) 615.642.7121, Linkedin/in/dave-herrell @DaveHerrell

Contact:  [email protected]  309-736-6824

A QC Must: A ride on the bike trails followed by Zeke’s Island Café Crispy Shrimp Tacos and a Capri Sun from Atomic Coffee Bar

Favorite Quote: “Everything good, bad or indifferent happens for a reason.”

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Mexico

Mindy Chapman serves as the Vice President, Finance & Administration. She is responsible for leading the day-to-day financial management function, procedures, and human resources for the organization.

Mindy attended College at Western Illinois University with a double major, Accounting & Business Management.  She worked as an accountant for a local doctor for many years and then decided to take her talent for numbers to Visit Quad Cities where she holds down the fort and keeps us all on our financial toes. 

Her bio is short, because she doesn’t have time to elaborate on things.  She sticks to the numbers and that’s all!

Contact: [email protected]  309-736-6831

A QC Must: Happy Hour in the River Room at Sunset followed by The Chipper from Whitey’s

Favorite Quote: “Don’t Wait. Life goes faster than you think.”

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Chicago for a Chicago Cubs Game

Joan Kranovich serves as the Vice President of Business Growth and Director, Sports QC. She is responsible for leading the sales process including prospects, new business opportunities and client conversion, as well as overseeing our sports tourism efforts.

Joan is a two-time graduate of Western Illinois University Quad Cities. Once with her Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration and the next with her Masters in RPTA but focused on tourism administration. She began her career at Visit Quad Cities in 2009 as an intern.

In 2011, she obtained her Certified Meeting Professional Certificate from the Events Industry Council (EIC).

She obtained her Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification in 2022 and has completed the Wheel the World Academy and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Trainings in 2025.

She has been a Quad Cities Leader Under 40, a National Connect Magazine 40 Under 40 Award Recipient, Smart Woman in Meetings Honoree, Destinations International 30 Under 30 Award Recipient, as well as a National Public Broadcasting Volunteer Management Award Recipient.

She is an active leader in Sports Illinois, Team Iowa, United Way of the Quad Cities, Jaycees of the Quad Cities, the Rock Island Kiwanis Club, and the Quad Cities Lodging Association.

Contact: [email protected] 309-736-6828

A QC Must: An Old Fashioned or Rosey Posey from Devon’s Complaint Department followed by a show at the Adler or Capitol Theatre.

Favorite Quote: “Be the change you wish to see in this world.” - Ghandi

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Anywhere I have not already traveled where I can fully immerse myself in the local culture.

Nicki Brus serves as a Business Growth & Service Manager. She has been with Visit Quad Cities since 2016 and manages new business development with a focus on the growth of non-traditional social and leisure accounts.

Nicki feels that selling a destination is more fun than selling an inanimate object. She gets to be one of the many faces of the Quad Cities through relationship building with event organizers and planners, through networking with local, regional and national advocates of tourism, through researching fascinating group events, meetings & conventions and sporting events that you may not even know existed and then “sell” the Quad Cities to the decision makers. Through her role at Visit Quad Cities she generates new dollars through visitor spending, which goes directly into the community she loves.

Nicki graduated from Western Illinois University-Quad Cities with a B.A. in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration and a Certificate as a Certified Non-Profit Professional (CNP). She currently serves on the Associate Board at Impact Life advocating for life-saving blood donations, serves on the Iowa Tourism Industry Partners (iTIP) board to advance tourism in the state of Iowa, and is a mentor through iTIP, Lead(h)er, and the RPTA program at Western Illinois University. In her free time, you can find her volunteering with local non-profits, cuddling up with her cats and a good book, camping, kayaking, gardening, or taking in a live sporting or music event with her husband.

Contact: [email protected] 309-736-6829

A QC Must: A River Bandits baseball game with a cold beer and a hot dog on a warm summer night

Favorite Quote: Live a life filled with goodness and integrity so when your children think of these traits, they think of you.

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Up North near a lake, and a campfire surrounded by millions of trees and stars, and where walleye fly right into your boat.

Paulette Day serves as a Business Growth & Service Manager. She manages new business development with a focus on the growth of association, corporate, and government accounts.

Paulette assists in coordinating and executing events for our Quad Cities visitors.  Whether it’s pointing someone to a great local pizza place or helping plan and coordinate a city-wide sports tournament, it is all about creating a positive and memorable experience during their stay.

Paulette has over 25 years in the hospitality industry. 10 years as an Events Director for a large hotelier and 8 years as proprietor of Tailored Catering.

She obtained her Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification in 2022 and has completed accessible tourism trainings with Wheel the World Academy and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in 2025.

Her parents moved the family from a small farm in South Dakota to the Quad Cities because of Palmer College which offered alternative medicine options to a few family members with debilitating health challenges.  She also lived in Chicago and Des Moines but grew up in the Quad Cities.  

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, then eating it with friends/family and drinking good red wine.  She also loves gardens, flowers, dogs, spectator sports, and full contact badminton.

Contact: [email protected] 

A QC Must: Visiting local vendors at the Freighthouse Farmers Market or watching a Quad City Storm hockey game at the Vibrant Arena.

Favorite Quote: “I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.” - Mia Hamm

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Costa Rica

Bio: Jessica serves as the Business Growth and Sports Development Manager at Visit Quad Cities. She manages sport development and looks forward to growing sports tourism in our community.

Jessica graduated from Ashford University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and played goalkeeper for the university's soccer program. Following her tenure at Ashford University, Jessica worked in various customer service and sales-related careers selling anything from coffee and cars to sponsorships and events. When she's not at the office, she enjoys her role as an assistant soccer coach at PVHS and volunteering throughout the community, especially at the John Deere Classic. 

Contact: [email protected] 309-736-6830

A QC Must: Let the community motivate you to get up early and take part in a weekend 5k (there are so many!) or road race like the Bix 7!  Catch some live music on the lawn at The Tangled Wood in Bettendorf or hop on a bike and check out the riverfront views.

Favorite Quote: “Whatever you do, do confidently”

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Bio: Katrina Keuning is Visit Quad Cities’ Brand and Content Strategist, where she oversees brand development, marketing & advertising strategy, tourism product innovation, and storytelling initiatives that celebrate the region’s unique character and vibrant culture. She also serves as executive producer and host of the QC, That’s Where podcast.

Katrina was recently recognized by the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal as a 40 under Forty honoree, Class of 2024. She has shared industry-related insights for local groups, including the Rock Island chapter of Rotary International, and has been a presenter at the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference regarding Visit Quad Cities' initiatives in accessible tourism; specifically highlighting the destination's partnership with Wheel The World. She is a frequent guest on media outlets discussing topics such as destination marketing and tourism and works closely with Enjoy Illinois and Travel Iowa.

Her career roots run deep in journalism and storytelling, having spent years in TV news and digital content production. Her passion for communication and creative expression was fostered during her time at Northern Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in media production. While there, she competed as a collegiate athlete in track and cross country.

Katrina’s strong family ties to the Quad Cities inspired her to move to the region after college. With Swedish immigrant great-grandparents who settled in the area, she harbors a deep connection to the community and its rich history.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Katrina values quality time with her husband and two children. Together, they often travel to Michigan to visit family and explore the natural beauty of her home state. A former competitive runner, she now enjoys the simplicity of casual runs to stay active.

Current and Former Community and Industry Engagement:

• Quad Cities Cultural Trust Events Committee Member
• QC United Way Emerging Leaders Member
• Wheel the World Academy: Accessible Tourism Training - completed
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Training - completed
• Moline Sesquicentennial Planning Committee Member
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley
• DePaul University FOIA Fellow
• Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA)

Contact: [email protected] (o) 309.736.6830, (m) 810.923.9744

Contact: [email protected] 309-736-6821

A QC Must: An iced vanilla latte from 392 Caffe followed by a long walk in Crow Creek Park

Favorite Quote: “Greatness is a lot of small things done well.” – Ray Lewis

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The perfect place to watch the Phillies and Eagles play!

Bio: Lea Nelson serves as the Brand Innovation and Content Manager. 

She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, along with minors in General Business and Leadership Studies. While at ISU, Lea was a student-athlete on the softball team and led the university’s TikTok account where she discovered her passion for digital engagement.

A proud Quad Cities native, Lea is excited to share all the amazing things happening in the QC through engaging and authentic social media content. She is also a graduate of the Emerging Leaders: Think Like A Futurist program, a six-month immersive experience led by economist and futurist Rebecca Ryan.

In 2025, Lea was honored as one of Destinations International’s 30 Under 30, recognizing her as one of the rising leaders in the tourism and destination marketing industry.

A QC Must: The Family Museum is a great place to take the kids to visit. If you’re riding around solo, Abernathy’s is worth the stop to browse their store after you’ve enjoyed some coffee over at Dead Poet’s Espresso.

Favorite Quote: “When the world is falling apart, make art.”

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside of the Quad Cities): Southern Wisconsin

Bio:

Kayla Morath is Visit Quad Cities’ Content, PR & Communications Coordinator. She gets the newsletter in your inbox, sends out releases to the media, oversees the Destination Guides’ content, and plays a role in the storytelling that inspires people to experience the region. Originally from the Illinois, Kayla believes life is better when you try something new. You could go to your usual coffee shop, or you could visit that spot ten minutes away you’ve been curious about. There’s always something new worth discovering, and she encourages others to embrace that mindset. Outside of the office, Kayla enjoys making music and spending time with her daughter. From singing together to exploring new places and maybe grabbing a toy or two before the day is done, they always seem to end their adventures on a good note.

Contact:  [email protected] 309-736-6836

A QC Must:  A spicy Paloma from The Ridge Social Drinkery in Davenport, along with a peanut butter bacon cheeseburger from Riverside in Bettendorf. 

Favorite Quote:  Be strong, Be confident, Be the star of your own life  - Estee Lauder

Favorite Vacation Spot (outside the Quad Cities):  All things Florida!  Give me sun, sand, and saltwater.  What more could you ask for in a favorite vacation spot?

Bio:  Brittany serves as the Destination Experience Manager, where she plays a vital role in shaping positive first impressions of the Quad Cities for both visitors and locals. She oversees operations at our destination centers, including Union Station in Davenport— which became recognized as an official Iowa Welcome Center under her leadership.

Brittany manages our Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) program, a regional hospitality initiative that has trained and certified hundreds of individuals under her guidance. This program equips residents and frontline staff to deliver exceptional experiences and foster community pride.

She obtained her own Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification in 2022.  She also completed accessible tourism trainings through Wheel the World Academy and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in 2025.

She serves as the point of contact for the QC Coffee Trail and QC Ale Trail, two of our most popular self-guided experiences, and supports the broader suite of QC Trails that invite people to explore the region at their own pace. Every year, Brittany coordinates the distribution of nearly 80,000 destination guides to community partners, stakeholders, and businesses across the Quad Cities—ensuring they have the tools to welcome and inform guests.

During QC Restaurant Week, Brittany runs the highly anticipated “Surprise a Star” program, organizing special deliveries and recognition moments for hospitality professionals who go above and beyond.

She is a proud Moline native with more than 25 years of customer service experience, Brittany thrives on creating meaningful connections and delivering exceptional service.

When she’s not working, you can find Brittany poolside soaking up the sun, spending time with family and friends, or cracking a great joke. 

Contact:  [email protected]  309-736-6826
 

A QC Must:  During the summer, go to a River bandits game and watch the fireworks afterward. During the winter, go to a Quad City Storm game.

Favorite Quote:  Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Favorite Vacation Spot (Outside the Quad Cities):  Mo’orea (Tahiti’s Sister Island)

Bio:  Cassidy Darin serves as the Destination Experience and Operations Lead, and she is responsible for the coordination and execution of visitor services and events in the Quad Cities.  She works on several large-scale sports projects in the region each year, specializing in operations and logistics.

Cassidy is a 2021 graduate of St. Ambrose University, holding a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with a minor in Marketing. She was also a student athlete, playing on the Women’s Basketball team, from her first days on campus through graduation. 

She obtained her Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification in 2022 and completed the Wheel the World Academy and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Trainings in 2025.

In her free time, Cassidy enjoys reading professional development books, freshwater fishing during the summer, and spending time with her family.