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Program Schedule


What to Expect at ESTO

Each year, ESTO delivers bold content, dynamic learning formats and opportunities to connect and equip destination leaders with insights they can immediately put into action.

Session Format
  • Keynotes: Bold ideas and big-picture insights from industry leaders.
  • Mini Keynotes: Fast-paced spotlights on emerging strategies.
  • Presentations: Case studies and research-driven sessions.
  • Take-Off Talks: Short, story-driven talks with big impact.
  • Roundtables: Interactive discussions and peer exchange.

 

A Look Back at ESTO 2025

In Phoenix, the ESTO 2025 program set a new standard for how destination leaders learn and connect. Attendees experienced:

 

  • Immersive activations, including the hands-on AI Playground, where marketers explored practical applications of emerging technologies.
  • Fresh networking formats, such as Beyond the Classroom, designed to foster collaboration and exchange outside traditional sessions.
  • Purpose-driven engagement, highlighted by the expanded ESTO Cares initiative.

 

These highlights exemplify ESTO’s ongoing commitment to building programs that push boundaries and inspire action.

Event Policies

For full details including information around cancellations, substitutions, payments and photography, explore U.S. Travel’s general event policies and ESTO-specific guidelines.  

 

 

Monday, August 18
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8:15am - 9:00am

Concurrent Session: Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

  • Pre-Registration Required

    Social media never slows down—so how are you keeping up? Join fellow destination marketers in this collaborative roundtable to explore what’s really working in destination social media, from influencer partnerships to viral UGC moments. Swap ideas, dig into platform shifts and talk honestly about what it takes to stay relevant in a constantly evolving digital world.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule

  • Pre-Registration Required

    DMOs with growing budgets are navigating a complex and fast-moving digital landscape. This roundtable is for teams working with budgets over $5 million to share ideas, explore digital trends and discuss what’s connecting with today’s traveler. From social media to paid media and co-op programs, connect with peers to trade practical strategies and insights that drive engagement and impact.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

  • Pre-Registration Required

    Doing more with less is the reality for many destinations. Discover how to turn constraints into creative advantage in this roundtable for DMOs with budgets under $5 million. Share what’s working across digital platforms, and explore how peers are maximizing reach, managing priorities and driving results with focused, flexible strategies.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

  • Pre-Registration Required

    When you're managing a major budget, creativity and strategy both matter. This roundtable is for States with budgets over $10 million, looking to trade ideas, highlight bold campaign work and explore what’s delivering real results. From innovative tactics to scalable solutions, join peers to reimagine what’s possible in high-impact destination marketing.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

  • Pre-Registration Required

    States with mid-level budgets are uniquely positioned to test, adapt and scale with purpose. In this roundtable for those working with budgets less than $10 million, join peers to trade ideas, dig into digital trends and explore how to get the most out of your media mix. From co-ops to campaign planning, it’s a space for practical strategy, shared insight and smarter outcomes.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

-
10:30am - 11:15am

Concurrent Session: Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

  • Pre-Registration Required

    Behind every strong strategy is a solid foundation of data and insight. This roundtable, led by U.S. Travel’s Joshua Friedlander, invites tourism professionals to dig into the role of research in guiding destination growth. From identifying traveler trends to informing big-picture planning, explore how smart data leads to better decisions and stronger outcomes.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

-
1:00pm - 1:45pm

Concurrent Session: Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

  • Pre-Registration Required

    Driving long-term impact starts with rethinking how we lead and manage our destinations. This roundtable conversation dives into the evolution from traditional marketing to destination management and how culture, leadership and systems must evolve to keep up. Come ready to share, learn and collaborate with others navigating similar challenges, and leave with insights to inspire meaningful transformation at home.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

-
2:00pm - 2:45pm

Concurrent Session: Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

  • Pre-Registration Required

    Social media never slows down—so how are you keeping up? Join fellow destination marketers in this collaborative roundtable to explore what’s really working in destination social media, from influencer partnerships to viral UGC moments. Swap ideas, dig into platform shifts and talk honestly about what it takes to stay relevant in a constantly evolving digital world.

    To foster more focused, meaningful conversation, registration is capped at 60 participants.

    Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.