Program of Events | U.S. Travel's ESTO

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM IN

Grand Rapids

August 22-25, 2020

2020 Schedule of Events

Take a look at this year's schedule.

PRINT DAY ONE PRINT FULL SCHEDULE

Speaker	Time & Location	Session
Bonin Bough	NCSTD Alumni Hosted Community Event: ESTO Cares 8:00am to 11:00am Devos Place Convention Center Recital Hall Other Details + Advance registration required. Register here to participate. Give back to the community with Heart of West Michigan United Way by assembling literacy kits for parents and teachers to use with young learners. Bonin Bough Details + Bonin Bough	NCSTD Alumni Hosted Community Event: ESTO Cares Details + Advance registration required. Register here to participate. Give back to the community with Heart of West Michigan United Way by assembling literacy kits for parents and teachers to use with young learners.
	Registration 11:00am to 5:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Other	Registration Sponsored by Longwoods International
	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge 11:00am to 6:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge Sponsored by Tempest Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.
	Destinations Council Board of Advisors' Meeting 12:00pm to 4:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Closed Meeting Details + The Destinations Council Board of Advisors' meeting is a time for members to review programs and services, discuss strategy and connect on critical policy issues. Destinations Council board members only.	Destinations Council Board of Advisors' Meeting Sponsored by Sojern Details + The Destinations Council Board of Advisors' meeting is a time for members to review programs and services, discuss strategy and connect on critical policy issues. Destinations Council board members only.
	National Council of State Tourism Directors' Annual Meeting 1:00pm to 5:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Closed Meeting Details + This meeting for the National Council of State Tourism Directors is a time for members to review programs and services, discuss strategy and connect on critical policy issues. NCSTD members only.	National Council of State Tourism Directors' Annual Meeting Sponsored by Sojern Details + This meeting for the National Council of State Tourism Directors is a time for members to review programs and services, discuss strategy and connect on critical policy issues. NCSTD members only.

PRINT DAY TWO PRINT FULL SCHEDULE

Speaker	Time & Location	Session
	First-Timers' Networking Lounge 8:00am to 5:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Networking	First-Timers' Networking Lounge Sponsored by Longwoods International
	Registration 8:00am to 6:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Other	Registration Sponsored by Longwoods International
	Connection Corner 8:00am to 6:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Other	Connection Corner
	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge 8:00am to 6:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge Sponsored by Tempest Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.
	NCSTD Open Forum 9:00am to 12:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Closed Meeting Details + NCSTD members only.	NCSTD Open Forum Details + NCSTD members only.
	Ideas and Inspiration 10:15am to 11:45am Devos Place Convention Center General Session Details + Join the Destinations Council for their annual Ideas and Inspiration session! Learn about the council’s recent engagement programs and newly-released advocacy tools. Then, engage in a discussion with U.S. Travel staff about U.S. Travel’s latest key policy issues. Finally, participate in a moderated open-forum discussion with your peers about your current DMO struggles or pain points. Powered by the Destinations Council. City, local and regional DMOs and CVBs only.	Ideas and Inspiration Sponsored by Exponential Details + Join the Destinations Council for their annual Ideas and Inspiration session! Learn about the council’s recent engagement programs and newly-released advocacy tools. Then, engage in a discussion with U.S. Travel staff about U.S. Travel’s latest key policy issues. Finally, participate in a moderated open-forum discussion with your peers about your current DMO struggles or pain points. Powered by the Destinations Council. City, local and regional DMOs and CVBs only.
	Innovation Hubs 12:00pm to 1:30pm Devos Place Convention Center Concurrent Session	Innovation Hubs Sponsored by Epsilon Data Management, Madden, MMGY Global, Nativo and Resonance
	Peer Open Forum Sessions (formerly PDNs) 1:45pm to 4:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Concurrent Session Details + Peer open forums (formerly the beloved ESTO PDNs) are geared toward a specific DMO or state area of focus, and provide open forums for learning and engaging with industry peers. Facilitators get the conversation going, but attendees drive the discussion. When you registered, you were prompted to choose a Peer Open Forum that you wanted to attend. This usually corresponds to your job function, and gives you the opportunity to learn actionable best practices from your counterparts at other organizations. Please notify esto@ustravel.org if you have questions about your chosen Peer Open Forum.	Peer Open Forum Sessions (formerly PDNs) Details + Peer open forums (formerly the beloved ESTO PDNs) are geared toward a specific DMO or state area of focus, and provide open forums for learning and engaging with industry peers. Facilitators get the conversation going, but attendees drive the discussion. When you registered, you were prompted to choose a Peer Open Forum that you wanted to attend. This usually corresponds to your job function, and gives you the opportunity to learn actionable best practices from your counterparts at other organizations. Please notify esto@ustravel.org if you have questions about your chosen Peer Open Forum.
	Agency Attendees Peer Exchange 2:15pm to 4:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Concurrent Session	Agency Attendees Peer Exchange
	Networking Refreshment Break 4:15pm to 4:45pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by Bandwango
Linda Nazareth	Megatrends for the Travel Industry 5:00pm to 6:00pm Devos Place Convention Center General Session Details + From global economics to climate change to transformed demographics, the travel industry is being buffeted by forces that are creating challenges - and opportunities. In this presentation, economist and futurist Linda Nazareth looks at the trends re-making the industrial landscape, with a view to providing players with actionable steps to stay ahead of the curve. Linda Nazareth Details + Linda Nazareth	Megatrends for the Travel Industry Sponsored by Destination Analysts Details + From global economics to climate change to transformed demographics, the travel industry is being buffeted by forces that are creating challenges - and opportunities. In this presentation, economist and futurist Linda Nazareth looks at the trends re-making the industrial landscape, with a view to providing players with actionable steps to stay ahead of the curve.
	Opening Reception 6:00pm to 7:30pm Networking Details + Join us for a delightful summer evening in Grand Rapids. ESTO attendees will enjoy a stunning view of the Grand River and the city paired with some entertainment. Drinks and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.	Opening Reception Sponsored by Brand USA Details + Join us for a delightful summer evening in Grand Rapids. ESTO attendees will enjoy a stunning view of the Grand River and the city paired with some entertainment. Drinks and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

PRINT DAY THREE PRINT FULL SCHEDULE

Speaker	Time & Location	Session
	Registration 7:00am to 4:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Other	Registration Sponsored by Longwoods International
	Connection Corner 7:00am to 4:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Other	Connection Corner
	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge 7:00am to 6:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge Sponsored by Tempest Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.
	Networking Breakfast 7:45am to 8:30am Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Networking Breakfast Sponsored by Pandora
	Opening Remarks 8:45am to 9:30am Devos Place Convention Center General Session	Opening Remarks
Bonin Bough	Keynote Session 9:30am to 10:30am Devos Place Convention Center General Session Details + Bonin Bough	Keynote Session Sponsored by Matador Network
	Networking Refreshment Break 10:30am to 10:50am Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by Smithsonian Media
	Concurrent Sessions 11:00am to 12:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Concurrent Session	Concurrent Sessions
	Destination Day Picnic Lunch 12:00pm to 1:30pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Destination Day Picnic Lunch Sponsored by Tripadvisor
	Brand USA 1:45pm to 2:15pm Devos Place Convention Center General Session	Brand USA
	ESTOx 2:15pm to 3:00pm Devos Place Convention Center General Session	ESTOx Sponsored by Entrada Insights
	Networking Refreshment Break 3:00pm to 3:20pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Networking Refreshment Break
	Concurrent Sessions 3:30pm to 4:30pm Devos Place Convention Center Concurrent Session	Concurrent Sessions
	Destination Family Feud & Reception 4:45pm to 6:00pm Devos Place Convention Center General Session	Destination Family Feud & Reception Sponsored by Expedia Group Media Solutions

PRINT DAY FOUR PRINT FULL SCHEDULE

Speaker	Time & Location	Session
	Registration 7:30am to 2:00pm Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Other	Registration Sponsored by Longwoods International
	Connection Corner 7:30am to 2:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Other	Connection Corner
	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge 7:30am to 7:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.	Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge Sponsored by Tempest Details + Stop by the Destiny and Mercury Awards Lounge to view our digital awards gallery that showcases submissions from the top three finalists in each category. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, August 25, at ESTO's Awards Dinner and Presentation.
	Networking Breakfast 8:00am to 8:45am Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Networking Breakfast
	General Session 9:00am to 10:00am Devos Place Convention Center General Session	General Session
	Networking Refreshment Break 10:00am to 10:20am Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by Food Network Magazine
	Concurrent Sessions 10:30am to 11:30am Devos Place Convention Center Concurrent Session	Concurrent Sessions
	Networking Lunch 11:45am to 1:15pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking Details + Enjoy lunch with your colleagues and hear about plans for ESTO 2021 from the future host city and state. The winner of the Meredith Travel Marketing Scholarship and State Tourism Director of the Year will also be announced.	Networking Lunch Sponsored by Arrivalist Details + Enjoy lunch with your colleagues and hear about plans for ESTO 2021 from the future host city and state. The winner of the Meredith Travel Marketing Scholarship and State Tourism Director of the Year will also be announced.
	ESTOx 1:30pm to 2:30pm Devos Place Convention Center General Session	ESTOx
	Networking Refreshment Break 2:30pm to 2:50pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Networking Refreshment Break
	Concurrent Sessions 3:00pm to 4:00pm Devos Place Convention Center Concurrent Session	Concurrent Sessions
	Closing Reception 6:00pm to 6:45pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Closing Reception Sponsored by Experience Grand Rapids
	Awards Dinner and Presentation 6:45pm to 9:15pm Devos Place Convention Center Networking	Awards Dinner and Presentation Sponsored by Miles Partnership and Pure Michigan

A MESSAGE FROM MICHIGAN

See You in 2021!

Los Angeles, California

Content like past webinars, attendee contact information and certain presentations are restricted. For access, contact esto@ustravel.org.