WHY CHOOSE GPS?

Being planful. Making it memorable. Delivering value.

Our vision is guided by our love of travel and creating transformative experiences.
Our team excels at seeing the big picture, understanding the market, considering the
options, knowing the trends and delivering a customized solution — so every event is
customized, personalized and on-target.

MEET OUR TEAM

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Mark Marino
PRESIDENT, MANAGING DIRECTOR
@ mark@gps-destinations.com

"When you lead with empathy and understanding, the world truly opens to you," reflects Mark's belief in the importance of deep connections with people. He approaches every interaction with empathy and understanding, fostering strong relationships with clients, partners, and team members.

35+ years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Mark loves the travel industry for its strong sense of community and connection. He sees his fellow industry members as a close-knit family who share a passion for travel and making lasting memories. Mark's outgoing nature makes him adept at building relationships and fostering connections with others. Mark enjoys volleyball, cycling, exploring new places, trying different cuisines, and chatting with strangers. He's also a proud dog owner of Buddy, affectionately known as the Budster.

Darryl Nielsen
GLOBAL DESTINATION MANAGER
@darryl@gps-destinations.com

Darryl's favorite quote is from Ben Rector's song 30,000 Feet, “Sometimes we can get lost living in the here and now sometimes it takes the sky to see what's on the ground”

20+ years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Darryl is an out-of-the-box thinker, and is known for his ability to initiate strategies that drive results for our clients. What he loves most about the industry is connecting clients to exceptional experiences by building relationships founded in trust.

On a personal note, he's a proud father, a founder of a non-profit organization that combats food insecurity, and when he's visiting your city and has an hour to spare you may find him digging in the soul, jazz and world sections of your local record shop. He'll also raise a glass with you and toast with a "Sociable!"

Guadalupe Polanco
ACCOUNT MANAGER
@ guadalupe@gps-destinations.com

"Do what you love and love what you do!"

13+ years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Guadalupe is a seasoned hospitality professional working with prestigious luxury hotel brands. What she loves about our industry is the ability to apply her meticulous attention to detail into her work, while nurturing meaningful, long-lasting relationships and connecting and learning from others.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is also a devoted mother of two, a proud military spouse, and a lover of travel, event planning, and cooking.

Samantha Steiner
EVENT MARKETING AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
@ sam@gps-destinations.com

Sam's favorite quote from Thomas S. Monson underscores the transformative influence of kindness and respect. She strives to apply this philosophy in all aspects of her work and personal life.

8+ years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Samantha is a rising star in the hospitality industry and member of the PlannerConnect by GPS Destinations team. Samantha started with wedding planning while in college and quickly moving up the ranks.

Samantha loves the chance to explore diverse cultures and unite people through travel, creating lasting memories. Apart from work, she enjoys interior design, personal shopping, and showers affection on her beloved dog, Bexley. Her motto: "If I can't bring my dog, I'm probably not going."

Brian Spence
EVENT MANAGER
@ brian@gps-destinations.com

“Be the change you want to see in the world” from Mahatma Gandhi reflects Brian's dedication to making positive changes both in his own community and the greater world.

20+ years of experience in the hospitality industry.

What Brian loves most about the industry is to create unforgettable experiences as he finds it incredibly rewarding to see the satisfaction it brings clients and guests.

Outside of work, Brian's love for travel shines through. He's always eager to explore a new destination, immersing himself in diverse cultures and landscapes.

Additionally, he's passionate about collecting unique artworks, particularly those with a storied past.

Melody Clark
SALES AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
@ melody@gps-destinations.com

"Humility is the Mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak."

29+ years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Melody has a passion for providing exceptional service to clients from all walks of life and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. She loves the travel industry for its diversity, working with colleagues and clients excited about exploring new experiences and cultures. Proud to help people discover new places and create memories, she's passionate about learning of different destinations, cultures, and traditions to better serve clients.

Outside of work, Melody is creative, enjoying art, music, container gardening, cooking, and mask making. She believes creativity is vital for personal growth and happiness.

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