Tom Shepard, former EVP of Global Merchant Partnerships and Sponsorships at Visa International, and most recently CEO of Festival Network, has joined Partner Concepts, an innovative strategic marketing agency specializing in the representation of tourism boards, partnership marketing, offers promotion and event marketing. Shepard will assume the role of Chief Partnership Officer, based in San Francisco, and manage numerous partners and programs on behalf of Partner Concepts. Tom has received numerous awards over the years, including the 2008 Tourism Industry Leadership Award from the Niagara University College of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the 1998 International Partnership Marketer of the Year by SME International. In 2004, Sports Business Journal named Tom the 5th most influential person in the Olympic movement. Tom is a guest lecturer at Stanford University and serves on the boards of the STEP Foundation (Sustainable Tourism for the Elimination of Poverty), Global Wines, and the SCA (Student Conservation Association). Tom is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. Sales & Marketing USA & Canada United States Maryland Annapolis