Sponsored by
Dotdash Meredith
Eisenman
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Tuesday, August 13
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7:30am - 2:00pm
Experience
Experience
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7:30am - 4:00pm
Experience
Experience
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Sponsored byLove CommunicationsUnion Station ConcourseGreater Columbus Convention Center
The Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge makes its annual return for you to take a look at each finalist's submissions, media files, and judges' comments. Stop by the lounge to view the top three finalists from each category in the digital gallery. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 13 at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation. The ESTO Awards enable states and destinations to showcase their creative accomplishments and foster the continued development of imaginative marketing and profitable promotional programs and campaigns in destination marketing. The Destiny Awards recognize marketing and promotion at the city, local and regional level. The Mercury Awards recognize state and territory destination marketing and promotion.
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Union Station ConcourseGreater Columbus Convention Center
Engagement Zones are opportunities for attendees to engage in experiences created by our sponsors. Learn more about what our sponsors have planned for you at each Engagement Zone:
AdTheorent
Please stop by to learn how AdTheorent uses machine learning and privacy-forward programmatic advertising solutions to drive business outcomes like visitation, in-market sales and bookings for travel and destination marketers.
CrowdRiff
Come say hello to some of the friendliest faces in the room at CrowdRiff's Engagement Zone. Caitlyn, Evan, and Vinita will be on hand all week to discuss working with local Creators, sourcing high-quality UGC, and their fav summer ice creams.
Set yourself a reminder to swing by at lunch on Monday when Columbus' fav Jeni's Ice Cream will be passing out local treats.
Longwoods International
Be sure to schedule a time or meet with our Longwoods International team members in our upstairs Engagement Zone at the Greater Columbus Convention Center! Have your questions about market research answered, find out what’s new, or just ask for an overview of our current offerings for destinations! Our team is here to help answer the questions that are on your mind! Our team and best in class methodologies are at your service!
Smithsonian Media
Baseball. Hot Dogs. Apple Pie. Smithsonian. And Cornhole? Beanbags will be flying at Smithsonian Media’s spot in the Engagement Zone. Join us for a quick game and learn more about Smithsonian Media while you enjoy one of summer’s favorite pastimes. Show off your skills and enter to win a free dedicated email blast to 100,000 Smithsonian Media subscribers. Smithsonian is America’s storyteller.
Tourism Economics
Knowledge is power. Come power up with the award-winning Tourism Economics team and benefit from the same strategic insights we offer to hundreds of destinations, travel businesses and associations worldwide. Bring your questions and be the first to know about game-changing new services, partnerships and tools—such as attribution and benchmarking—on the horizon.
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8:30am - 4:30pm
Experience
Experience
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Across from RegistrationGreater Columbus Convention Center
Visit the U.S. Travel Hub to engage with knowledgeable staff and connect with fellow travel professionals. The Hub will have specialty coffee service Monday & Tuesday from 11 to 2 pm, as well as plenty of space for meaningful conversations and strategic networking. The U.S. Travel Hub is where connections are made, ideas are born, and the future of travel is shaped.
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10:00am - 3:00pm
Experience
Experience
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A Pod ConcourseGreater Columbus Convention Center
Don’t leave Columbus without strolling through the pop-up shop experience, perfect for those searching for locally made artisan objects, retail and fashion items, goodies, and souvenirs. With a rotating slate of vendors each day, shoppers will get a peek at Columbus’ diverse and unique local businesses, including those from the Experience Columbus Minority Business Program.
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10:30am - 1:30pm
Experience
Experience
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Sponsored byFuture PartnersA Pod ConcourseGreater Columbus Convention Center
The Future Partners' Wellness Lounge is a place to relax, enjoy a quiet conversation, or reflect on the importance of travel and key insights from the conference.
Relax with a massage or get energized with a juice shot. There are many ways to show self-care and we invite you to take care of yourself while in Colombus.
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11:30am - 12:30pm
All Access
All Access
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A210 - A215Greater Columbus Convention Center
Collaboration or competition between destination partners is an age-old story. This session will explore coopetition and how to leverage these unique relationships to share innovative efforts, distribution channels, marketing campaigns, costs and risks, and much more. Hear how destinations have worked with their “competition” and the success stories of joint marketing campaigns to elevate not only their own destination but their neighboring destinations to create a valuable experience for all. Hear how destination leaders have worked together beyond advocacy and how to collaborate differently.
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A120 - A125Greater Columbus Convention CenterUnderstanding and adapting to new consumer demands and trends is essential for a destination’s success. This session will delve into the evolving consumer landscape and examine how leading travel brands are engaging today’s dynamic consumer. From luxury travel to culinary adventures to digital detoxes and everything in between, this session will explore how to use data-driven insights into the consumer trends reshaping how we connect with and market to travelers.
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A110 - A115Greater Columbus Convention CenterAs the United States gears up to host upcoming major sporting events over the next couple of years, including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, the spotlight turns to sports-related travel, along with the benefits and hurdles of this growing segment. Hear how the State Department is planning and preparing for a “mega-decade” of sports and the concrete steps needed to streamline aspects of the travel experience for millions of anticipated visitors. Best practices will be shared from the cities and organizations that are preparing to host. This session will delve into the implications for destination marketers and how to capitalize on the immense opportunities presented by sports travel.
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A220 - A222Greater Columbus Convention Center
Advocating for the travel industry begins at the grassroots level, where local efforts can significantly influence policies and perceptions. This session aims to empower travel industry professionals, destination marketers, and community leaders with the fundamental skills to effectively engage with elected officials at local and federal levels. Learn actionable insights from industry peers who have become advocacy experts so you can walk away with a better understanding on how to amplify your voice, build lasting relationships with policymakers, and effectively advocate for policies that support and promote the transformative power of travel.
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2:30pm - 4:30pm
Experience
Experience
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Sponsored byFuture PartnersA Pod ConcourseGreater Columbus Convention Center
The Future Partners' Wellness Lounge is a place to relax, enjoy a quiet conversation, recharge (yourself and your devices!), or reflect on the importance of travel and key insights from the conference.
Be sure to stop by for a massage during all open hours or get energized with a juice shot. There are many ways to show self-care and we invite you to take care of yourself while in Columbus.
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3:25pm - 4:25pm
All Access
All Access
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Sponsored byAfarA120 - A125Greater Columbus Convention Center
In a world inundated by screens, Millennials and Gen Z seek meaningful and authentic connections as gateways to understanding cultures beyond the surface. Community voices and immersive experiences resonate with today’s travelers and influence booking decisions. In this session, panelists will share successful approaches to engaging these consumers and driving record-breaking visitation, from partnering with local communities to showcasing unique experiences and bringing to life the heart and soul of a destination. Through case studies and discussions with experts, you’ll walk away with insights, best practices, and tactics for creating and supporting authentic travel, building community relationships, and promoting values-driven tourism that resonates with younger audiences and contributes to environmental and cultural sustainability.
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A110 - A115Greater Columbus Convention Center
Minority-owned businesses play a pivotal role in building vibrant communities and inclusive travel destinations. Discover practical approaches for fostering collaboration and partnership between destination stakeholders, community organizations, minority-owned businesses, and travelers. This session will explore a range of innovative strategies implemented by destinations that are driving positive change in fostering a more inclusive and prosperous business environment. Participants will gain valuable insights on effectively engaging with minority-owned businesses, securing funding opportunities, and cultivating a collaborative ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
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A210 - A215Greater Columbus Convention CenterThe world of meetings and group travel marketing is constantly in flux. This interactive session explores the most noticeable changes impacting the industry today. Uncover success stories from the past two years and gain firsthand insights from industry leaders who will share their own experiences and winning approaches. Learn how to adapt your marketing efforts and leverage partnerships with tour operators and event planners to remain competitive in this ever-evolving landscape.
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6:10pm - 8:30pm
Experience
Experience
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Sponsored byMiles PartnershipBattelle GrandGreater Columbus Convention Center
Illuminate the Night: A Glitzy and Glamorous White Party
Join U.S. Travel for a dazzling evening to celebrate this year’s best and brightest marketing visionaries at the 2024 Destiny and Mercury Awards. Come dressed in your bright whites and glitziest metallics and prepare to be captivated by the most creative destination marketing campaigns.