Kristen Teufel
Background
Kristen joined DCI in 2009 with a background in journalism and public relations. As a former journalist for the Roanoke Times newspaper, Kristen knows how to identify and shape a newsworthy story, capture the attention of top editors and maximize publicity opportunities across traditional and new media platforms.
Since joining DCI, she has contributed to a diverse-range of travel marketing initiatives, from culinary promotions and family travel campaigns to archeological tourism events and media relations for international destinations. It’s Kristen’s precise attention to detail and unparalleled passion for delivering top-tier results that positions her clients as leaders in their respective communities. Kristen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from Virginia Tech University.
Kristen’s Passion for Places
As the daughter of a captain in the U.S. Navy, Kristen began experiencing the joys of travel at a very young age. Calling several states along the Eastern U.S. coast home, she learned that every place, large and small, had a story to tell and offered unique adventures for visitors and residents alike. Eventually, Kristen’s family returned to their hometown of Virginia Beach to live their “dream life” by the ocean. Kristen’s passion for travel has since taken her around the world, from the top of the Vatican in Rome and the peaks of Mount Pilatus in Switzerland to the Louvre Museum in Paris and white-water rafting down the rivers of Austria.
Notable Results
- Kristen played a key role in positioning both Massachusetts and Greater Williamsburg, Virginia, as leading Thanksgiving-themed travel destinations by securing national broadcast coverage on NBC. The segment reached more than 8 million viewers in 120+ US markets in all 50 states, promoting key historic and family travel messages
- Kristen’s natural ability to effectively pitch journalists over the phone has contributed to successful media events for the Egyptian Tourist Authority, Miami Conventions & Visitors Bureau, PromPeru, the Archaeological Institute of America and the Society of American Travel Writers
- Through her work in Washington, DC, as a strategic technology public relations representative for an international marketing firm, Kristen was responsible for coordinating the firm’s inaugural 8k race to benefit the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Equal Footing Foundation, providing underprivileged youth with the opportunity to learn new technologies.
Up Close
Kristen’s love for her hometown in southeastern Virginia is unparalleled. She is constantly looking for a “Virginia-quality” seafood restaurant in the city. Her passion for being by the water has even led her to secure an apartment directly on the East River in New York City.
Where You’ll Find Kristen on a Sunny Day
Always eager to learn, you can typically find Kristen exploring the streets of New York City looking for an adventure. From getting lost (intentionally) inside the walls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art or going for a run through Central Park, to taking photographs of intricate architectural structures and exploring new restaurants around town, there is nothing this girl isn’t up for!
Places that Kristen has Called Home
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Newport, Rhode Island
Jacksonville, Florida
Blacksburg, Virginia
Washington, DC
New York, New York
Surprising Facts about Kristen
Leader of the “Grand Tour”
Upon her graduation from Virginia Tech, Kristen coordinated and led a group of 45 fellow university graduates on a trip throughout Europe. The month-long journey began in London and ended in Greece. She wrote about her experiences along the way, publishing a series of articles and photographs in The Roanoke Times, a regional newspaper in Virginia. If you ever need help negotiating the best rates on airfare or accommodations or need tips on “how to travel like a local” in European destinations, Kristen’s your gal!
Her Sunday Ritual
Every Sunday morning, Kristen’s secret vice is to wake-up early for her Starbucks city “getaway”. There she orders a latte and picks up the Sunday edition of the New York Times. She then spends hours pouring over the articles, especially the Travel section, which she can recite word-for-word on Monday morning!
The Next Martha Stewart
Aside from traveling, Kristen’s next greatest passions are cooking and decorating. She loves not only spending time decorating her own Manhattan apartment and trying out new recipes on her friends and family, but checking out new décor and dishes at great restaurants around the city. Kristen and her mother swap recipes via email almost daily basis, and even call each other to discuss ways to improve them for the future.
