Julie Hinson, TMP

Director of Communications

JulieHinson@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7967

Julie Hinson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2009 earning the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing. In 2011, she began her career with the Cabarrus County CVB as a Travel Counselor. During her time in the Visitor Services department, Julie was promoted to Visitor Services Coordinator and later Visitor Services Manager. She transitioned to the CVB’s Marketing team as Communication Manager in January 2013 and was promoted to Director of Communications in 2024.

In 2014, Julie completed the City of Concord’s “Concord 101” Citizen’s Academy program and she graduated from the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College program becoming certified as a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) in 2016. She is currently a member of the Public Relations Society of America as well as NC3C (North Carolina City & County Communicators).

Kristen Cranford

Marketing Manager

KristenCranford@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7977

With experience in customer service, project management and marketing, Kristen Cranford joins the Bureau as Marketing Coordinator, a new position added to support the marketing efforts of the CVB team. Kristen most recently served as Production/Account Manager for Concord-based Walker Marketing, Inc. working with many clients in the tourism industry. After serving as the Cabarrus County CVB’s Destination Marketing Coordinator, Kristen was promoted to her current role of Marketing Manager in January 2022.

Kristen is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and minored in Communications/Public Relations.

Anna Saunders

Digital Content Creator

AnnaSaunders@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7964

Anna Saunders joined the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau team in December 2025.

Anna brings nearly a decade of storytelling experience to the Digital Content Creator role. Before stepping into this role, Anna was a TV reporter in West Virginia, her home state. She started first at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, West Virginia. She finished her TV career at WCHS-TV in Charleston, West Virginia, the state’s capital city.

Anna graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia with a degree in Media Arts & Design.