Program Schedule

Pre-Registration Required

From visitor engagement to behind-the-scenes optimization, AI is reshaping how destinations show up. In this interactive discussion, connect with industry peers to explore real-world applications of AI—from chatbots and smart recommendations to campaign automation and data insights. Bring your questions, your wins and your work-in-progress strategies.

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

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

Pre-Registration Required

As destinations grow, so does the impact on communities, travelers and the people who help shape them. This interactive roundtable explores how to approach destination development with care—balancing tourism demands with local needs, enhancing experiences and building strong partnerships. Join peers to exchange real-world insights and rethink what it means to grow sustainably and equitably.

During this session, follow along using this link: https://www.scenicsedona.com/hike/

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

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

Pre-Registration Required

You don’t need a big budget to tell a powerful story. In this hands-on working session, the Smithsonian shares practical tips and digital strategies to help destinations craft compelling content that resonates. Get inspired by what’s ahead for the nation’s 250th anniversary—and walk away with tools to bring your destination’s story to life in meaningful, lasting ways.

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

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

Pre-Registration Required

Not all trends matter equally—so which ones are worth your attention? In this collaborative session, you’ll join fellow destination marketers to explore key developments in digital marketing, share real-world insights and discuss what’s moving the needle at the local level. Walk away with peer-tested perspectives you can apply immediately.

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

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

Pre-Registration Required

In today’s climate, political issues can quickly shape how travelers and stakeholders view your destination. This conversation will focus on how DMOs can respond with confidence—using thoughtful messaging, proactive planning and coordinated communication to maintain trust and clarity. Connect with fellow leaders to exchange best practices and hear how others are navigating shifting perceptions in real time.

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

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

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.

Is the influencer bubble about to burst? Are group tours dead? Is AI really coming for our jobs? This interactive, fast-paced session puts a cross-industry panel in the hot seat to address common rumors and bold predictions shaping the future of travel. Panelists will react to industry rumors live - confirming, denying, or reframing them, and sharing what shifts they are actually making in response, followed by a quick discussion of why, and how they are (or are not) adapting.

Youth sports travel is booming, and destinations are recognizing its value as a high-yield, high-impact segment. This session will explore how cities are building strategies around tournaments, enhancing the family experience, and forming strong partnerships with event organizers.

• Best practices for destinations to partner with rights holders and organizers
• Customizing the family experience (dining, downtime, marketing)?
• Infrastructure investments that can make the difference

Pre-Registration Required

Promoting U.S. destinations abroad takes creativity, coordination and constant learning. This peer-to-peer roundtable is a chance to exchange ideas, share best practices and explore how destinations are engaging international audiences. Come ready for an open, energetic discussion—complete with real-world wins, hard lessons and new ideas to take home.

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

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

The world of meetings and group travel marketing is constantly in flux. With data-driven insights and bold strategies, you can turn market shifts into next-level growth opportunities. Dive into real-world examples where sustainable strategies are winning traveler loyalty. Learn how to adapt your marketing efforts and leverage partnerships with tour operators and event planners to remain competitive in this ever-evolving landscape. In the session attendees will hear about:

• Understanding Travel Managers: Learn how their sourcing objectives and preferences can enhance targeted engagement.
• Buyer Priorities: Discover evolving priorities to align offerings with market demands and boost competitiveness.
• Effective Sourcing Strategies: Stay updated on buyer trends and tailor your approach with proven sourcing methods to meet travel managers' expectations.
• Adaptation to Market Changes: See how AI and automation can help you outpace demand changes.

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

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.