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About Thomas Salley
Thomas Salley is a tourism, destination marketing, economic development, and communications professional based in North Carolina.
He currently serves as an Account Executive with Advance Travel & Tourism, where he works with destinations, attractions, wineries, hospitality organizations, and economic development partners across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. His work focuses on tourism marketing strategy, audience targeting, digital advertising, email marketing, public relations, stakeholder engagement, and business development.
Prior to joining Advance, Thomas served as Executive Director of the Wilkes County Tourism Development Authority, leading destination marketing, advocacy, community partnerships, and tourism development initiatives for one of North Carolina's most recognized outdoor recreation and wine tourism destinations.
Earlier in his career, Thomas spent more than a decade with Raffaldini Vineyards, one of the Southeast's premier wineries, where he led tasting room operations, hospitality, customer experience, and marketing efforts. During that time, Raffaldini was recognized as one of Wine Business Monthly's Top 10 Hot Small Brands, and Thomas was named one of the Triad Business Journal's 40 Leaders Under Forty.
Over the past twenty years, Thomas has built a career at the intersection of tourism, hospitality, economic development, marketing, communications, and relationship management. He has worked with local governments, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, destination marketing organizations, wineries, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to help grow visitor economies and strengthen places.
At his core, Thomas is a connector. He believes the most important opportunities in life and business often come through relationships, trust, and being willing to help others succeed.
Outside of work, Thomas enjoys writing, mentoring, exploring small towns, discovering local restaurants and wineries, and spending time outdoors with his wife, two daughters, and their rescue cats.
Areas of Expertise
Tourism Marketing
Destination Marketing
Economic Development
Hospitality Management
Public Relations
Strategic Communications
Digital Marketing
Email Marketing
Audience Targeting
Business Development
Community Engagement
Stakeholder Relations
Brand Strategy
Wine Industry Marketing
Tourism Advocacy
Relationship Management
Connect
803.664.4570
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