Will Samolis

Skilled marketer with a proven track record of integrating digital marketing approaches to create a synthesized strategy that delivers increased ROI. Unique perspective acquired from working with diverse markets, including government-funded organizations, marketing agencies, and B2B SaaS.

As the Director of Industry Alliances, I lead Amtrak’s marketing strategy for domestic and international travel agencies and B2B distribution channels. I work with the Sales Distribution team on cost-effective booking systems and travel agency commission costs including various global distribution systems (GDS), online travel agencies (OTAs), national travel agencies and government agencies. I am responsible for implementing marketing strategies that increase ticket sales and control cost through new and existing partners both domestically and abroad. I also oversee Amtrak’s relationship with the State of Virginia, ensuring that the Amtrak routes serving the Commonwealth are reaching revenue and ridership goals. I am directing Amtrak Train Days (formerly National Train Day) this year, a multi-month tour that celebrates why trains matter and reasons to ride with local communities.

Selected Achievements:

-Developed and introduced a new Government Fare Program to increase government travel in the Northeast Corridor.

-Increased International Sales by 19% while decreasing Amtrak’s commission payments by almost 25%.

-Completed migration of Amtrak Virginia’s microsite to the Amtrak.com national website. This set the bar for providing service to Amtrak’s state partners across the country. The effort brought the state of Virginia well over $325,000 in savings in FY14.

-Amtrak Virginia continues to be one of the highest performing state supported routes in Amtrak’s system.