Dr. Hayes is an associate professor of advertising and public relations at the University of Alabama and Director of the Public Opinion Lab. Dr. Hayes is an expert in social media research and marketing communication having published more than 30 articles in top advertising, marketing, and communication journals. Dr. Hayes continuously works as a market research consultant.

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Dr. Hayes first traveled to Sint Maarten in 2011 and had returned several times since including leading the 2022 UA in the Caribbean program. Dr. Hayes is both Director of the UA in the Caribbean program and instructor for the APR 490: Social Media Analytics for Tourism Marketing.

Mr. Huffaker is an instructor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations with years of digital and social media agency and teaching experience. He will be teaching the APR 426: International Public Relations course.