Engage with the group and share your ideas!   Whether you're a seasoned tourism professional or new to visitor services, this rapid-fire high energy, 60-minute session will offer valuable insights and inspiration. We want to hear from you about cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, unique destination marketing strategies and engaging customer experiences ensuring your get a whirlwind tour of the latest trends and successes in tourism. 

Alyssa Poulin, Facilitator

Director of Content Development

Destinations International

 

 

 

 

Join us for a transformative session, where innovation meets inspiration, and witness firsthand the power of strategic branding in shaping unforgettable tourism experiences. We will delve into the dynamic narrative of how a state tourism office revolutionized its brand representation, igniting a powerful transformation across multiple locations. Discover the ingenious tactics employed to seamlessly integrate brand essence into physical spaces, leveraging state-of-the-art visuals, mesmerizing renderings, and immersive experiences to captivate visitors. 

Doug Ralston

President

True Omni

Becky Oswald

Brand Integration Senior Manager

Wyoming Office of Tourism

Seth Lieber

Visitor Services Coordinator

SoIn Tourism/Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau

Kenny Atha

Welcome Center Manager

Kentucky Tourism

 

Discover how your visitor center can become a powerful tool for building brand awareness and fostering community engagement. In this insightful session, through a series of compelling case studies, we'll explore how destination organizations have effectively utilized their visitor centers to create shared value for residents, visitors and their local community. We'll take a deep dive into the concept of community shared value and its importance using practical strategies for transforming your visitor center into a hub of brand promotion, education, and community involvement.

Alyssa Poulin, Moderator

Director of Content Development

Destinations International

Andrew Moore

Visitor Services Manager

Travel Portland

Michelle Wilson

Sr. Director of Destination Experience

Experience Columbus 

Missy Burkett

Visitor Experience Specialist

Visit Dublin Ohio

 

Join us for an illuminating session as you all dive into the challenges that keep tourism professionals awake at night when it comes to providing exceptional visitor services and experiences. In this engaging discussion, we ask you to share the critical issues facing your destinations as well as any strategies for overcoming them you've found to be successful, to ensure visitors have memorable and satisfying experiences.

Alyssa Poulin, Facilitator

Director of Content Development

Destinations International

 

 

 

 

Join us for an enlightening session that delves into how destination organizations leverage their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to harness visitor center and consumer data effectively. Discover how these insights are utilized to monitor traffic, inquiries, and Request for Proposal (RFP) distribution, ultimately enhancing engagement with travelers and stakeholders alike.

Mark Lynch

Chief Client Officer

Tempest

Randy Fortes

Business Development Manager

Tempest

Christine McInnis

Director of Services

Visit Jackson   

Mary Byrd

Visitors Center Manager & In Market Services

Explore Ridgeland  

Patty Shanley

Director of Visitor Services

Ridgeland Tourism Commission

In today's world, it is imperative that tourism destinations prioritize accessibility to ensure everyone can enjoy their experiences to the fullest. This session will provide insights into the diverse range of accessibility needs that visitors may have in order to understand how to best create inclusive environments, as well as practical strategies for designing visitor centers, services  and experiences that are inclusive and welcoming to all people with accessibility needs. 

Alan Fyall

Visit Orlando Endowed Chair of Tourism Marketing

Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida

Beth Erickson

President & CEO

Visit Loudon

Julie Schickel

Director of Visitor Services

VisitLEX

Emily Stuck

Director of Visitor and Partner Services

Visit Fort Wayne 

 

Join us for an insightful session exploring the evolving role of visitor centers beyond their traditional purpose. This session will delve into how visitor centers can transform into dynamic community hubs, fostering local engagement, cultural exchange, and economic growth. We'll discuss innovative strategies to repurpose these spaces to serve not only tourists but also local residents, offering educational programs, community events, and collaborative initiatives.

Cynthia Eichler, CDME

President & CEO

Visit Fort Collins