About Us

Meet our PRPROS, folks who have been instrumental in reporting hotel industry news for over a decade.

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Barb Worcester

PRPRO Founder and President

Barb Worcester spent the last 40+ years working in the hotel business. While serving as an Editor for Hotel Management magazine (1990 – 2001), she was recruited to lead the PR effort for Richfield Hospitality. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Barb accepted the position in 2001 and never looked back. Twenty-three years later, PRPRO is thriving, and so are its clients.

Hospitality is, and always will be, the passion that drives Barb to succeed. While at Hotel Management she became the hotel media’s first dedicated “Technology Editor.” She was a frequent speaker at industry events, produced and directed one of the hotel industry's first integrated technology conferences, and established HM’s coveted Technology Advisory Board.

Prior to joining HM, Barb served as the Public Relations Director for the Greater Cleveland Better Business Bureau (1987 to 1990). Her hospitality career began in 1983 when she began working in hotels in sales, catering, publicity and management roles. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism with a major in Public Relations from Ohio University.

C. Elliott Mest

Content Contributor & Storyteller

Elliott Mest is PRPRO’s go-to-guy for contributed content. He writes. He edits. He even rewrites. More importantly, he makes our clients look and sound professional through thought-provoking Thought Leadership articles and attention-catching Press Releases.

Barb met Elliott in 2011 when he joined Hotel Management magazine as Associate Editor and Web Editor. An excellent writer, Elliott quickly began wearing additional hats, including that of content aggregator and web editor for Hotel Design magazine and Travel Agent magazine. Eventually he added Luxury Travel Advisor and Meetings International magazines to his long list of accomplishments.

Elliott is well known industry wide by hotel brand executives and vendors alike. He has often been seen at industry trade shows interviewing clients on behalf of HMTV alongside PRpro’s Videographer, Chase Worcester. Elliott is extremely comfortable in front of the camera, where his fun personality and deep industry knowledge shine.

John Jesitus

Content Contributor & Technical Writer

John Jesitus joined PRPRO in 2023. A former Hotel Management editor from 1990-1991, John worked alongside Barb managing the Special Report and Investor Outlook sections. In addition, John managed HM’s network of field correspondents and traveled extensively to interview industry experts. He also assisted in writing onsite convention coverage at the largest industry events. After moving out west, John served as a Denver-based freelancer for HM for much of the 1990s.

John later migrated to the medical field after being recruited by HM’s parent company, Questex, to serve as senior staff correspondent for its Dermatology Times, The Aesthetic Channel/Cosmetic Surgery Times, and THE Aesthetic Guide magazines.

A seasoned journalist, John welcomes a challenge. His main role at PRPRO is writing technical content for hotel companies and suppliers, such as Whitepapers, Executive Summaries, Research Reports, Corporate Marketing Documents, Case Studies, Press Releases, etc. Like technical writing, John’s humor is a bit dry, but his writing style and collaborative content will bring a smile to your face.

“I've worked with Barb Worcester for nearly 20 years as an Editor of Hotel Management and as one of the industry's leading PRPROS. She is passionate about hospitality and knows how to leverage her contacts to get published results. If you want a want a PR agent who is deeply connected in hospitality, call PRPRO."

- Amy Vaxman
Publisher, Hotel Management

“Being the hotel industry’s most widely read Technology Publication, Hospitality Upgrade often has dealings with PR firms that don’t have a clue regarding technology. PRPRO understands the unique needs of the technology providers and are very professional, extremely competent and an absolute pleasure to work with.”

- Richard Siegel
President/Publisher, Hospitality Upgrade

“Having great relationships with PR professionals is so very important—and Hotel Business is lucky to have that with Barb Worcester! Barb has worked closely with the team here for many years to ensure we’re up-to-date and informed about cutting-edge products, company announcements, and case studies that speak to the content we seek. She has a deep understanding of both PR and the hotel industry.”

- Christina Trauthwein
VP, Content & Partnerships, Hotel Business

"When it comes to PR, Barb Worcester is an industry icon. What makes PRPRO unique is more than four decades of experience: 10+ years working in hotels; 10+ years as a top hotel magazine editor; and 20+ years as a successful PR agent. She did a great job in helping us promote our first BITAC events, and I know she'll do a great job for you too."

- Rich Viola
Publisher, Hotel Interactive

"As the Editor of three industry publications, I have had the pleasure of working with Barb for the better part of two decades. She always advocates strongly for her clients and keeps in the know on what’s happening throughout the industry, particularly from a technology standpoint.”

- Dennis Nessler
Editor in Chief, Lodging Magazine

“I’ve had the pleasure to work with Barb Worcester since the early 1990s when I was spearheading technology initiatives for Marriott International. I am thrilled to be working with her again, now with HCN. Her longevity in the industry and depth of knowledge about hotel technology is nearly impossible to find in a PR firm. There is no company better than PRPRO to help us showcase our new tech stack, especially leading up to HITEC and The Hospitality Show.”

- Neil Schubert
Chief Product Officer, Hotel Communication Network

Barb has managed the PR strategy for Meyer Jabara Hotels for eight years and we could not be any happier with her and the results she delivers. She works exclusively in hospitality and truly knows the ins and outs of the business.

- Justin Jabara
President, Meyer Jabara Hotels

“PRPRO has been a real asset for us at Maestro. They've helped us effectively educate the industry about the current PMS landscape. Analytics clearly indicate that our content is some of the most widely read in the industry. PRPRO consistently delivers solid results."

- Warren Dehan
President, Maestro PMS

“Since partnering with PRPRO, we continue to hear ‘Nomadix is everywhere’ in both news coverage and advertising. Not only did PRPRO put us on the map, they were our guide throughout the whole process."

- Pam Goncalves
Chief Marketing Officer, Nomadix

“Since 2009, I have had the pleasure of working with Barb on several occasions and have appreciated her unique ability to build lasting relationships and consistently get published our news and events. If you are looking for a well-respected, hospitality industry public relations and communications professional, I will always highly recommend PRPRO.”

- Gregg Hopkins
Founder & President, Get Hoppy Consulting

“When it comes to PR in the Hospitality Sector, I highly recommend Barb Worcester and PRPRO. Barb’s ability to put people on the map is her superpower. She’s done it time and time again. Her long-standing experience and relationships in this space have been invaluable to the success of her clients, my company included.”

- Sarah Taveprungsenukul
Founder & CEO, merci-buku

"It was important to me to work with a group of people who not only have knowledge about the hotel industry, the world of franchising and hospitality in general, but also are well regarded in their field and who possess many contacts. PRPRO brings to the table a versatile group of people who understand the workings of the media and the field of public relations."

- Steve Belmonte
Former President of Lexington Hotels and Former President/CEO of Ramada Hotels

“The PRPRO team includes some of the finest, most reputable and respected group of writers and reporters in the lodging industry.”

- Joe Kane
Former Chairman of American Hotel & Lodging Assn.; Former Group President and CEO, Wyndham Worldwide Hotel Division

"PRPRO has been providing trade Public Relations services to Baymont Inns & Suites for several years. As veteran hotel journalists, this team spent decades making ‘our business, their business.’ Their proven writing skills and close media contacts command attention. From editorial coverage to private media events, we get it all - affordably - from PRPRO.”

- Dan Daniele
Former President, Baymont Franchise Systems