Meet Michelle Conway. Interim President and CEO of the Sedona Chgamber Of Commerce and Tourism Bureau,

Tell us exactly what you do here in Sedona.

A: I am currently the interim president and CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and
Tourism Bureau.

Q: What inspired or led you to your current career?

A: My folks live in the area, and I was visiting them. At that time, I was between jobs in Las
Vegas, where I lived for almost 20 years. As I was flipping through the Red Rock News, I saw a
classified ad for the director of tourism position. The more I read it, the more I realized it was
marketing-oriented and that is my background. One thing led to another, I met Jennifer
Wesselhoff, who was the president at the time. It just really all fell into place. It’s funny because
I always wanted to come back to Arizona. I enjoyed my time in Nevada. I had a great career and
experiences and went to college there, but I always wanted to come back to Arizona. I just didn’t
know how or when it was going to be. It all unfolded effortlessly before me and I found myself
here.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Sedona?

A: I love going to Pump House for breakfast, Pisa Lisa for lunch, and The Hudson for dinner.
I’m just a big foodie so I pretty much like trying to rotate myself around but those are the top
three that come to my mind.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Sedona?

A: I’m not good with favorites because I always feel like it’s s really hard to pinpoint one. The most interesting person would be hard to answer, but Al Comello would be one. He’s s just such a warm-hearted person. He was someone I met early on at the Chamber. Al has been a
wonderful friend and now he’s our board chair, so we do a lot of work together. Patrick Schweiss
is also a very interesting person. Honestly, I love our Chamber team. I think we have such a
fabulous group of people that work at the Chamber and they’re all so genuine and are very service minded. I love being surrounded by them.

Q: What’s your favorite movie?

A: It depends on my mood. Only the people that are close to me know that I love horror movies.
I grew up with a brother six years older than me. He introduced me to the Exorcist and The
Omen. All of those are really scary movies from the 70s. Being around him and his fascination with those movies and science fiction molded my interests a little bit. One of my favorite movies
is called The Others with Nicole Kidman. It’s not quite a typical horror movie but it’s more of a thriller.
I am also a chick flick girl, I like all the romance movies too.

Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people in Sedona?

A: I think just being patient, getting grounded and trying to be open to what Sedona offers will
enhance you personally. I have seen it repeatedly, in myself and people that are new to the area. I think it exposes your strengths and weaknesses. You can’t hide in Sedona so go with it…that would be my
advice, just go with it, whatever it is.

Q: If you could choose anyone (dead or alive) with whom would you love to have lunch or
dinner with? Why?

A: Maya Angelou, the poet. I’m always amazed by her, the way she communicates, and what
she has shared in her life. I would even say Jim Morrison just because I love the music from that
era, and I would just love to pick his brain on what life was like back then.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Sedona? What do you like best about our little community?

A: Besides the beauty, I think the people.
Life has calmed down for me in a different way. I think that’s the interesting
thing about living here. Even though it is a small town in terms of population, there is so much
going on. It is not a sleepy little town and I like that. I like to be challenged. I like to grow as an individual and constantly improve and you  can do that in a place like this, people do challenge you here but embrace you at the same time.

Q: What is something people might not know about you?

A: I am an open book. So other than liking horror movies I really love dessert. Maybe that is not
so widely known, I have a sweet tooth.

Q: What is your favorite dessert?

A: I had this dessert last night at The Vault that is just incredible. It was a brown butter cake with
caramel and sliced bananas, fresh whipping cream and candy pecans. Anything brown,
sugary and caramel…more so than chocolate.

Q: How would your closest friend describe you?

A: Family-oriented, very organized, and creative.