We all want to see the world but traveling can be expensive. What will travel look like after the COVID-19 pandemic? Hear from experienced traveler Gabby Backford (B.S.’17/H&S), travel agent Ciera Pope (B.A.’10/A), former flight attendant Georgia Felopulos Smith (B.S.’17/H&S) and travel enthusiast Leila Khadrane (B.S.’15/H&S) who moderates.

The happy hour event will kick off with a mixology demo by Belle Isle Moonshine and Brandon Day (B.A.’15/H&S; B.S.’15/MC), Belle Isle’s director of marketing and former VCU student body president, as he shows you how to concoct Ram-themed cocktails. 

Register online today to be entered to win a Cocktail Kit from Belle Isle Moonshine. Must be 21 years old to win.

Moderator

Leila Khadrane (B.S.’15/MC) She has worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for 5+ years and was most recently the Social Media Manager for Visit The USA, the country's destination marketing organization. Prior to this role, she was the Social Media Coordinator for Hostelling International USA. Leila has visited over 20 countries and loves to share, teach, inspire and promote travel tips from her own experiences. Leila graduated from VCU in Spring 2015 with a Mass Communications - Strategic Advertising degree.

Ciera Pope (B.A. ’10/A), Owner/Travel Planner of Champagne & Cabanas Travel, has always loved to travel and visit new places. As she grew her wedding planning business, she saw a niche need for a reliable travel planner, thus Champagne and Cabanas, a custom honeymoon and destination wedding planning service for millennials, was created. This past year has had more emphasis on doing destination weddings.

Gabby Beckford (B.S. ’17/H&S), Owner Packs Light, is a VCU Alumnae and now a 25-year-old full-time digital nomad and travel entrepreneur. She uses her platform, Packs Light, to help young people seek, risk, seize opportunity and see the world! Her travel expertise has landed her in The New York Times, Good Morning America, National Geographic, and Forbes. Currently in Mexico City, Mexico.

Georgia Felopulos Smith (B.S. ’17/H&S) is a former flight attendant and active traveler. She is the Co-Founder of Spruce Space in Richmond. Georgia’s focus is in home organization and styling. She strives to help people get their homes back in order while maintaining style.Georgia has always had a passion for traveling and this past year she has had to get creative in finding ways to safely travel around the US.