Justin Taillon

Justin spent 8 years in hospitality operations prior to moving to academia. His hotel management career began with Starwood and culminated in an AGM role with Hilton. He departed hotel management to further his education, graduating from the University of Guelph (MBA) and Texas A&M University (PhD). He maintains an academic and applied focus in his research and outreach by serving as an Associate Editor for Anatolia (research journal), being Global President for HFTP (Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals), and working with local industry partners through grants and financed projects such as Starbucks, Food Innovation Network, Port of Seattle (i.e. SeaTac Airport), USA Department of State, and many more. Justin is particularly passionate about the role of DMOs (Destination Management/Marketing Organizations) and professional associations in guiding business and management disciplines to make communities better places to live, work, and play. His research areas of emphasis are market-based socio-cultural conservation and negotiation theory. His research is highlighted by projects he has completed in South Korea, Peru, Costa Rica, Canada (e.g. Quebec, Toronto), USA (e.g. Myrtle Beach, Lake Travis), Ireland, Brazil, Bolivia, Kenya, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turks & Caicos, Montenegro, numerous projects in Texas and Washington (i.e., the two states he has lived/worked in extensively), and more.