Steve Cohen

About Steve Cohen

I help organizations understand people—and use that understanding to make smarter strategic decisions.With a background spanning market research, consumer insights, and strategy development, I specialize in turning data into stories that drive action. My work is rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, and a belief that insight only matters if it’s understood and used.I’m an engaging public speaker and experienced focus group moderator, equally comfortable leading conversations in research settings or on a keynote stage. I value relationships and collaboration, and I’m known for creating environments where people feel heard and ideas can emerge.I speak on consumer behavior, market trends, destination strategy, and the future of travel and tourism, translating data into clear, engaging narratives for executive and public audiences.As a leader and talent developer, I enjoy building teams, mentoring others, and solving complex problems that sit at the intersection of brand, strategy, and consumer behavior.

Experience

1. Director, Research and Insights

   Travel Portland

   May 2023 — Present · Portland, OR, US

   Led Travel Portland’s first fully in-house assessment of resident sentiment, catalyzing the creation of a cross-functional team focused on elevating resident and community advocate voices.Reimagined weekly and monthly stakeholder reporting, increasing subscriber engagement by 60%+ and improving the accessibility and usefulness of insights across the organization.Designed and facilitated focus groups and listening sessions with meeting planners and key stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of sales, marketing, and advertising efforts.Delivered the Portland State of the Industry presentation to elected officials, local government leaders, Oregon Convention Center leadership, and hospitality stakeholders, translating data into clear, actionable narratives.Introduced a research-driven, data-informed approach to the citywide sales process, aligning strategies with market trends, pricing benchmarks, and industry best practices.Identified and advanced an opportunity to grow visitation among travelers of color, informing the development of a targeted broadcast campaign to support more inclusive tourism.

Education

• Florida Atlantic University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration and Management, General

• University of Florida

  BA, Marketing

• Florida Atlantic University - College of Business

  Hospitality and Tourism Management Certificate

Skills

• Market Research
• Product Development
• Consumer Insights
• Research
• Pricing
• Strategic Planning
• Customer Service
• Customer Insight
• Marketing Research
• Email Marketing
• Marketing
• Budgets
• Crm
• Segmentation
• Management
• Marketing Communications
• Leadership
• Quantitative Research
• Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Focus Groups
• Powerpoint
• Marketing Strategy
• Customer Relationship Management (Crm)