Economic Development Summit 2025 - Speaker Bios
Keynote Speaker
Ron Price
President & CEO
Visit Phoenix
As President & CEO of Visit Phoenix, Ron Price leads the organization in its mission to harness the transformative power of travel, elevating communities and inspiring visitors. Phoenix, the 5th largest city in the United States, is a dynamic hub for travel and tourism, consistently ranked as a top 10 destination for leisure travel and meetings & conventions. Under Ron’s leadership, Visit Phoenix champions the city’s appeal to global audiences, driving economic growth and enhancing the visitor experience.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the tourism industry, Price has long been an active proponent of tourism on national, state, and local levels. He currently serves on various industry and community boards and is a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the U.S. Travel Association, the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Board of Directors for Downtown Phoenix Inc., the Greater Phoenix Chamber, and is currently the Vice Chair of the Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board.
Prior to his arrival in Greater Phoenix, Price served as President & CEO of the Arlington Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau. He previously served as Assistant Executive Director of Visit San Antonio, a recognized leading convention destination. Before his time in the DMO world, Price spent over 12 years as a Marriott International executive.
Panelist Speaker
Latasha Causey
President
Phoenix Raceway
Latasha Causey is the President of NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway, overseeing the promotion and operation of the modernized facility that is a top motorsports and entertainment destination in the Phoenix, AZ, market. She is the first African American female to hold this role in NASCAR’s history.
Latasha is a Phoenix native and grew up in the West Valley. Prior to joining Phoenix Raceway she was the Community Development Officer for Bell Bank. She worked with key business leaders and community organizations to guide Bell’s efforts in helping minority-owned businesses, nonprofit organizations, underserved populations and neighborhoods. Causey had necessary conversations, in which she actively listened, built trust and took action to come together for the greater good of the community.
Latasha also worked for over a decade at USAA’s North Phoenix Campus. Holding various leadership roles, responsible for strengthening USAA's brand and culture in the Phoenix market. She was also responsible for leading the USAA local Foundation and employee volunteerism in the Phoenix community. During her tenure she was also part of the HR Talent Acquisition team, supporting and leading recruitment efforts across all USAA locations.
Over the last 20 years, Latasha has worked for various financial organizations having a vast knowledge of the Community Development and Human Resources fields. Latasha
holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Arizona State University, Master of Arts Degree with a concentration in Organizational Management and Professional Human Resources certification (PHR).
Latasha is very active in the Phoenix community, in 2024 she was named to the class of Sports Business Journal’s (SBJ) Game Changers: Women in Sports, 2023 Inspiring Sports Executive of the Year by Women in Sports and Entertainment (WISE), in 2021 as one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona, in 2018 Outstanding Women in Business by Phoenix Business Journal (PBJ). She has been a two time KNOW Book feature, on the cover of 85085 magazine (highlighting her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts) and highlighted in Front Doors magazine for her philanthropic work in the community. She is currently on the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board for Valley of the Sun United Way.
Latasha is married to her wonderful husband Sullivan; they have two beautiful boys, Sullivan III and Maysn.
Panelist Speaker
Jay Parry
President & CEO
Arizona Major Events Host Committee
Jay Parry is an accomplished business executive, board member and servant leader with a passion for sports and an even bigger passion for giving. In addition to serving as the driving force behind several major sporting events and professional sports franchises, she has remained equally committed to uplifting underserved communities throughout the country. Today, Jay is the President and CEO of the Arizona Major Events Host Committee.
After earning her degree from the University of Colorado, she held executive roles with Bank of America, the Phoenix Mercury, the Phoenix Suns, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Eventually, Jay returned to Arizona to create and lead the Arizona Major Events Host Committee, a nonprofit 501c3 entity, created to attract and execute significant events for the state. The Committee successfully hosted Super Bowl LVII in 2023, which showcased Arizona on a global scale and according to a study completed by the Seidman Research Institute, the total economic impact exceeded $1.3 billion and boosted the state’s GDP by over $700 million, in addition to donating over $2.5 million to charitable organizations across the state of Arizona. The Committee also led the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four and is now preparing for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four.
Panelist Speaker
Treena Parvello
Director, Government & Public Relations
Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise
Treena Parvello is the government and public relations director with the Nation’s Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise and is from the Baboquivari District. Ms. Parvello earned a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in public administration from the University of Arizona.
Panelist Speaker
Howard Weiss
Senior Vice President, Entertainment & Sponsorships
VAI Resort
Howard Weiss is a seasoned expert in the nightlife and entertainment industry with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and success across diverse venues and events. Renowned for his strategic vision and dynamic leadership, Howard excels in curating memorable experiences that captivate audiences and enhance brand prestige.
Howard’s career is marked by a proven track record of launching and revitalizing high-profile nightclubs, bars, and entertainment spaces. Howard’s exceptional ability to maintain strategic partnerships has resulted in successful collaborations with top-tier artists, promoters, and industry influencers. His keen insight into market trends and consumer behavior ensures that his projects consistently stay ahead of the curve, driving growth and profitability. With a strong commitment to excellence and an innovative approach to problem-solving, Howard Weiss is a key player in shaping the future of nightlife, entertainment and business as a whole.