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Schedule



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

Explore the full schedule to start planning your experience at ESTO.

Download the mobile app by searching for ESTO 2026 in the app store, or use the web version to personalize your schedule.

Wednesday, August 26
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9:00am - 9:30am

Concurrent Session: Take Off Talk

  • Franklin 5-7
    Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

    Every destination, no matter the size, likely has some connection to a celebrity, whether a famous author was born there, or a movie star calls the city home. During this Take-Off Talk, Sarah Townes, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer for Experience Columbus, will share how Ohio’s capital city leveraged being the hometown of legendary horror author R.L. Stine of “Goosebumps” to create a PR-led moment that had huge results and drove visitation. Attendees will gain insights into how Experience Columbus’ “Get Goosebumps in Columbus” campaign came about, the incredible results and tips for how attendees can identify their own possible celebrity connections and generate creative campaigns to drive tourism. 

    Takeaways: 

    • Learn how to research and brainstorm what celebrity connections your destination has and create a compelling event or campaign around them. 
    • Discover what goes into partnering with a celebrity, from contracts to event planning.
    • Learn marketing and communications strategies for maximizing the impact of your campaign and how to work with national media to pitch your story idea and help facilitate coverage.