Meet The Sales Team
Plan With Confidence in Aurora, Colorado
The Visit Aurora Sales Team is dedicated to making your next meeting, conference, or event seamless, successful, and unforgettable. Whether you're planning an intimate executive retreat or a city-wide convention, our destination experts are here to connect you with the right venues, hotels, services, and local partners to bring your vision to life. From sourcing proposals and coordinating site visits to offering insider knowledge on Aurora’s diverse neighborhoods, culinary scene, and cultural experiences, we’re your one-stop resource for planning in Colorado’s most dynamic and globally inspired city. Let us help you craft an event that not only meets your goals but exceeds expectations. Contact the team here.
VISIT AURORA SALES TEAM
Amber Hejduk - Director Of Sales
Amber developed a passion for hospitality and travel at a young age, inspired by a childhood filled with frequent family moves and new destinations. With more than 20 years of experience in the hotel industry, she brings deep expertise, strategic insight, and a client-focused approach to every partnership. A trusted advisor and thoughtful planner, Amber excels at building meaningful relationships and creating experiences that make a lasting impact.
Amber relocated from Chicago to Colorado in 2023, where she continues to blend her love of travel with her passion for community. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places, hiking local trails, discovering breweries, indulging in great food, reading, and, true to form, always planning her next adventure.
"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."
Industry Affiliations: Board of Directors, Destination Colorado
Local Recommendations:
Restaurants: Boychik, Monsoon Cuisine of India, and Katsu Ramen
Favorite Outdoor Spot: Cherry Creek State Park – great trails for running & walking
Shopping: The Local in Southlands & True Clothing boutique at Stanley Marketplace
Breweries: Bent Barley Brewing Company & Two22 Brew
Brian-Douglas Stanwood - Senior Director of National Accounts
With over two decades of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, Brian-Douglas Stanwood has built and cultivated a dynamic career defined by his passion for people, travel, and creating meaningful connections and experiences. Brian-Douglas’s background includes key positions at Kimpton Hotels, Benchmark Hotels at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Event Travel Management, and Convention Sales at Visit Denver.
A New England native, he has called the Aurora/Denver Metro area home for over 20 years, serving on boards for MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter and Destination Colorado and earning Colorado Meetings & Events’ 2020 Best Supplier of the Year while at Visit Aurora. Outside of work, he spends time with his husband, John, their daughter, Quinley, and their dog, Goldberg, and enjoys traveling, cooking, volunteering, and the outdoors.
Local Recommendations:
Shopping: Stanley Marketplace and H Mart
Outdoor favorite: Cherry Creek State Park is a favorite spot of mine, as it is also an off-leash dog park, and right near 12 Mile Stables
Breweries: Second Dawn Brewery, as it also serves as a great coffee shop, as well as Cheluna Brewing Company
Coffee Shops: Jubilee Roasting Co. and Glissade Coffee Company (Coffee is a part of my bloodstream)
Restaurants: My favorite two places are Annette’s (Scratch to Table) and Banh & Butter Bakery and Cafe
Volunteering: Favorite place to volunteer is the Village Exchange and Project Angel Heart
Maggie Glass - Director of National Accounts
Maggie created and hosted her very first event at the age of seven, a “theatre festival” featuring multiple shows for neighborhood kids. That early spark grew into a career built on creativity, connection, and bringing people together. With more than 20 years in the hospitality, events, and tourism industry, she brings deep expertise, strategic insight, and a client-focused approach to every partnership. Known for her ability to connect planners with the right venues, partners, and experiences, Maggie is a trusted resource who helps create seamless, memorable events that leave a lasting impact, and she considers herself lucky to do what she loves every day.
With a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Denver, she approaches events like live performances: dynamic, thoughtful, and experience-driven. Her background includes leadership roles with the Brown Palace Hotel and the Denver Art Museum, as well as a range of premier venues in and around Aurora and across the Front Range. A huge hockey fan, Maggie spends her time with her husband and three sons, often at the hockey rink, and at home she’s known to turn up the volume and make music videos with her kids, complete with sets, lighting, and props. Let’s go Avs, and aren’t we lucky?!
Local Recommendations:
Arts & Culture: Aurora Fox Arts Center and Aurora History Museum
Best Places to Watch Hockey: Mountain Pass Sports Bar and Legends of Aurora Sports Grill
Awesome Ice Cream: Darlene's and Sweet Cow
Favorite Festivals: Arapahoe County Fair and Aurora Pride
Kellie McDonald - Director of National Accounts
Kellie’s passion for hospitality and travel has been shaped by a diverse career in tourism. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Florida, she developed an early appreciation for new places and experiences. She has called Colorado home for the past 17 years, where she enjoys an active, community-focused lifestyle.
Kellie began her career in aviation, building a strong foundation in customer service, logistics, and global travel. She went on to expand her expertise in the hotel industry before spending 20 years as an event manager, specializing in planning, coordination, and creating memorable experiences while building lasting relationships.
With unique experience across aviation, hospitality, and events, Kellie brings strategic insight, adaptability, and a client-focused approach to her role at Visit Aurora. She is known for building strong relationships, anticipating needs, and delivering seamless experiences.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending live music events, and traveling whenever she can.
She lives by the belief: “Excellence is achieved through preparation, passion, and a commitment to going above and beyond.”
Local Recommendations:
Restaurants: Bookmakers Burgers, Bourbon & Brews; Coloradough Pizza
Activities: Paddleboarding or biking at Aurora Reservoir; Topgolf
Shopping: Southlands; Stanley Marketplace
Beverages: Legends Coffee
Alexandra Gifford - Sales & Services Administrator
Alexandra and her family recently returned to Colorado after spending 10 years away. With a diverse background across hospitality and the arts, Alexandra brings curiosity and a deep sense of community to every project she tackles.
Industry Affiliations:
PCMA - incoming 2026 Board Member, Communications Director
Hobbies Away from the Office:
Birding, Reading, and Thrifting
Quote:
"Great experiences start with a genuine connection."
Favorite Place in Aurora:
Stanley Marketplace - it's a vibrant community hub for both locals and visitors alike.