For Immediate Release
For More Information, Contact:
Amanda Koone
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau
(830) 997-6523
communications@fbgtx.org
The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau (FCVB) has announced three new staff members and two new members to the Board of Directors.
New staff members
Taitum Trees joined the FCVB as the Marketing Manager in November 2023. She will work to produce and maintain content on VisitFredericksburgTX.com, the destination’s social media channels and collaborate on advertising campaigns.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communications from Texas Tech University in 2015. Her background includes TV news reporting, business development and tourism and hospitality marketing.
She was born and raised in the Texas Hill Country and currently resides in Hunt with her husband, Steven, and their Australian Shepherd, Pearl. She is a fifth-generation rancher, a die-hard Texas Tech Red Raider fan and a strong supporter of all things Fredericksburg. When she isn’t marketing Fredericksburg, she enjoys making memories with her husband, family and friends, kayaking the Guadalupe River and vacationing at The Gage Hotel and anywhere in the Trans-Pecos region.
Dianne Sassenhagen will serve as the National Sales Manager for the FCVB. She joined the team in January 2024 and will focus on increasing midweek group business in Fredericksburg. She will be based in San Antonio.
Sassenhagen graduated from Southern Methodist University receiving a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Corporate Communications & Public Affairs and Psychology. She has over 20 years of municipality and hospitality experience including working for the Cities of San Antonio and Seguin. She most recently worked for the City of San Antonio’s Economic Development Office as a small business outreach specialist. She worked at Visit San Antonio for over 12 years in national group sales and international tourism, promoting San Antonio as a top meetings and leisure destination.
Sassenhagen and her partner Doug are avid San Antonio Spurs fans and enjoy traveling and love to experience all things local.
Lauren Itz has been hired as the Sales Coordinator, Domestic Trade and Leisure in January 2024. Itz will work to create itineraries for tour, RV and wedding groups. She will also do tour bus welcomes, working with travel and AAA agents and will attend consumer shows.
Itz is a 6th generation Fredericksburg resident. She graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 2002. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas Tech University in 2006. Before coming the FCVB, she worked for 12 years as an account executive and general manager for Community Impact, the largest distributed publication in Texas. She also served as the manager of outside sales and events for Lost Draw Cellars for three years.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Hill Country, spending time outside, wine tasting, listening to live music and spending time around a campfire with friends. She has a dog named Dolly.
New board members
In addition to new staff members, the FCVB welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors. KK Welch and Chris Perrenoud will fill the expired terms held by Doug Cochran and John Dubea. “The FCVB thanks them both for their service and support,” President and CEO Brady Closson said.
KK Welch owns several businesses in Fredericksburg with her sister, Kelly Welch. After retiring from the Department of Health and Human Services in 2013, the duo opened Majesty Tours in 2013, Western Edge Cellars Cocktails and Kitchen in 2016, Majesty on Main in 2018, Townlot 164 in 2022 and Carousel on Main (former location of the Christmas Store) in 2023. In addition, they took ownership of the Rockbox Theater in 2020, with the goal of continuing to bring live entertainment to Fredericksburg.
KK graduated from Nueces Canyon High School and attended both Texas A&M University and University of Texas San Antonio. She lived in San Antonio for 30 years before moving to Fredericksburg in 2010.
She has been a member of Leadership Gillespie County, served on the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce board and Chamber Redcoats. She was selected as the Woman of the Year by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce in 2023. She has served on the board of the Fredericksburg Food Pantry and Nimitz Rotary Club.
Chris Perrenoud, co-owner of Airis’Ele Vineyards, was born in Fredericksburg and has a lifelong vested interest in the community. She attended Tarleton State University and has over 25 years of experience in tourism, hospitality and special events. Prior to starting Airis’Ele, she worked at Becker Vineyards for 24 years where she gained knowledge of tourism, customer service, wine production and product development and more.
Chris and her husband Bret are passionate about advocating for agriculture. She has fundraised and volunteered with several organizations including Texas A&M AgriLife Viticulture & Fruit Lab Research Center, Texas Hill Country Wineries Association, Flavory TX and local FFA, PTO and civic organizations.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, woodworking, traveling and raising show goats for youth stock show programs. She has two kids, both who are attending Tarleton State University.
The mission of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau is to market Fredericksburg and Gillespie County as a premier travel destination on the regional, national and international stage thereby creating a positive impact on the local economy and the quality of life here.