Social Media Crash Course:

Adeta Gayah is the Senior Director of Social Media & Content at Visit Orlando. In this role, her team is responsible for creating social campaigns that build the brand of Orlando and creating all content for the organization. She is also responsible for social media strategy and focusing on cross-functional digital integration. Prior to her time at Visit Orlando, Adeta worked in Digital Marketing for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and Universal Orlando Resort. She has led successful large-scale influencer partnerships with social media influencers (like Zach King, Sophia Grace & Rosie from The Ellen Show and The Muppets) and lived in China for several months to serve on the grand opening team for Shanghai Disneyland Resort.

Jonathan Pinkerton, better known as JP, is a Senior Social Media Manager at Hyatt who oversees the social strategy for the Independent Collection brands along with the leading department’s paid execution and graphic design process.

JP joined Hyatt in May 2018, after spending four years in the digital advertising space, specifically around programmatic and paid social media. Prior to that, he spent six years working for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts with roles in both internal and external communications.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a core of JP’s daily beliefs and he currently serves as co-chairs for two of Hyatt’s Diversity Business Resource Groups: HyPride [LGBTQ+] and Asians & Pacific Islanders at Hyatt. Outside of work, JP also serves as Chairperson of Stonewall Sports - Chicago, an LGBTQ+ & Ally community-based, non-profit sports organization that includes more than 4,000 members that participate in six different activities.

Alan Black is the director of corporate communications for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, U.S. Navy, at Dahlgren, Virginia. A highly skilled and talented leader in the strategic communication and public relations areas, he has more than 30 years demonstrated success in improving communication between the Department of Defense and key audiences. Proven experience advising senior leaders and management at all levels on legislative, community, media, and internal communication issues as well as communication planning in major operations and contingencies around the world.

The U.S. Navy, at Dahlgren, Virginia is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council.

David Murray is the Manager of Social Media Strategy for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and has been a self-made professional in the social and community management space for over 15 years. Having experience in health care, franchise, non-profit, financial, and higher education, David has championed social media best practices. The results of his work have created best in class and award-winning programs.

Jess Zafarris is an author, content director, editor, journalist, social media engagement strategist and creator. Her 13 years of experience in this space have included such roles as the Director of Content at Ragan Communications, Audience Engagement Director at Adweek, and Content Strategist and Digital Content Director for Writer’s Digest and Script Mag. She moderated and emceed at events including Social Media Week and Brandweek, and presented at the Writer’s Digest Conference and State of Social. She is also the author of the etymology books WORDS FROM HELL (Hachette 2023) and ONCE UPON A WORD (Rockridge Press 2020) and an educational social media creator who speaks and creates entertaining content about word origins.