SFEA Summer Seminar - Tishomingo County, MS

Ashley Elkins is the President and Founder of Vitality South, a creative marketing agency, and the Owner of Active DataComm, an I.T. solutions company specializing in tech support, cybersecurity, and custom software. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and a strong background in organizational leadership, Ashley brings a rare blend of strategic insight and technical expertise to every project. She holds a Marketing degree from Mississippi University for Women and an MBA from Georgia State University with a concentration in Organizational Leadership and Development. A dynamic speaker and community leader, Ashley is passionate about helping tourism professionals harness the power of technology and AI to drive engagement, efficiency, and growth. Based in Tupelo, Mississippi, she lives with her husband Chris and their two ambitious daughters, balancing innovation in business with a deep commitment to family and community.

Amy has worked for the City of Suwanee for 17 years. She started as a part-time employee with 27 events and now oversees over 40 events a year. Unless there is a pandemic – then there were 3 events in person and 4 virtual events! Suwanee’s events have won many awards over the years and continue to grow and diversify. Amy is also responsible for creating community engagements by connecting residents with volunteer opportunities. When not at work, Amy and her husband Dan,who have lived in Suwanee 27 years enjoy spending time with their three children. In 2015, Amy earned one of her favorite titles, “survivor” as she battled and beat breast cancer! Amy has spoken at Southeast Festivals and Events Association one-day seminars and annual conferences for several years. She spoke at the Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference and has worked with the Georgia Department of Tourism, Georgia Alabama Rural Tourism Conference, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association, and the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development as a speaker. She also speaks each year at the Southeastern Tourism Society’s Marketing College. Amy has spoken at one-day seminars in Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Kentucky. Amy has earned her Travel Marketing Professional certification in 2013 from the Southeast Tourism Society. Amy was also in the inaugural class of the Festival and Events Planner certification program with STS. Amy completed her Management Development Program Course with The University of Georgia in 2014. Amy loves to share her event and festival knowledge and experience. Amy also served on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Festivals and Events Association and even served as the board chair. Amy is also a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2020 and was named the SFEA Event Director of the year in 2020. When not planning events or volunteering, she can be found reading, playing tennis, walking around Suwanee or eating all the tacos!

Emily Presley is the current opiate overdose awareness peer support specialist for Communicare in Oxford. She is currently the Narcan trainer and travels to different regions of Mississippi educating and bringing awareness to our communities about the importance of Narcan, which reverses opioid overdoses. Originally from Memphis, TN, she graduated from St. Agnes Academy and attended Mississippi State University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration. After working in public relations for a large obstetrics and gynecological practice in Memphis, Emily pursued a career in the medical field. She graduated from Baptist College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2006 and practiced nursing for 10 years until an addiction to opiates derailed her life. She obtained her certification through Mississippi State Department of Mental Health and became a certified peer support specialist. Emily has 3 years of experience helping others with substance use disorders through her experience, strength, and hope to live a new way of life. When the opportunity became available to use her medical background to train people on Narcan and opioid reversal, she jumped at the opportunity. She is passionate about saving as many lives as possible and being an active participant in fighting the opioid crisis that is affecting our country. Emily enjoys her family and friends, and being active and of service in her 12-step fellowship. Her new Shih Tzu puppy has also brought joy to her life.