Part futurist and part Indiana Jones, Dustin Garis embarked on one of the most extensive research expedition of its kind, spanning 50 countries across 6 continents. From this, he uncovered the most powerful global trends that impact the future of travel for both leisure and business. This includes the "Life Profit" concept, which redefines the way people measure their life—not in dollars, but rather by richness of memorable experiences.

As federal and state government funding sources continue to be reduced, all eyes are turning to occupancy taxes and other tourism funding as the cure for general fund shortages. Now more than ever, tourism leaders need to be able to demonstrate their value and role in economic and community development. This session will discuss ways to protect your resources and to increase your budget rather than just defend it.
Session Takeaways:

1. New tools from the U.S.

With a variety of data tools and analytics platforms out there, how do you determine which ones to turn to in order to help drive your marketing strategies? What can all of these different platforms offer, and what do they not? How many different sources should you use?

The goal of destination marketing has always been to understand potential and existing visitors and engage with them directly. Traditionally, the only marketing channels that have allowed destinations to do this have been email and direct email, where personalized messages can be tailored on a one-to-one basis.
Now, using a people-based approach, destinations can persistently and accurately engage customers with personalized messages and measure improved campaign lift and return on investment across all digital and linear channels.
This panel discussion will explore why the people-based a

ESTO is taking the famous ESTO Debates to the main stage! Mark your calendars for this action-packed entertainment. Check back in to see what featured debate topics our debaters have in store.

The emerging field of decision science will soon have a game-changing effect on how marketers communicate. Evidence is uncovered every day by social scientists, neuroscientists and behavioral economists that proves people are hardwired to behave in certain ways. And even though consumers THINK they are in control, the fact is UP TO 95 percent of their purchase decisions are made subconsciously.
Even more importantly, these automatic behaviors can be prompted!

The importance of relationships cannot be overstated, but deep and meaningful connections take something many of us don’t have…time.

This session will provide you valuable insights from Longwoods and Miles on why this is a market that continues to grow in numbers and economic impact.  Destinations will share best practices on how to market to this growing segment, and you will learn who successfully developed product, sometimes across geopolitical boundaries, and reaped the economic impact benefits from it.
 
Session Takeaways:

1. Insights into the spending,  planning process and motivating factors from a joint Longwoods International and Miles Partnership research project on “The Great

Catch up with colleagues or mingle with first-time attendees before you hit the town. Libations and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.