Courage is not just a personal trait but a professional imperative. In this powerful opening session, acclaimed disability advocate, broadcaster, and change agent Sophie Morgan will challenge us to redefine what it means to lead with bravery in the face of inequity. Through her personal journey and global perspective, Sophie will inspire us to lean into discomfort, make space for new voices, and choose progress, even when it’s hard. 

Sophie Morgan

Award-Winning Broadcaster, Disability Advocate and Global Change-Maker

 

 

 

 

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs are facing unprecedented scrutiny at the federal, state, and local levels. From defunded initiatives to outright bans, the evolving regulatory environment has created a chilling effect for many organizations committed to advancing DEI. This timely panel brings together destination leaders to explore the real-world implications of these changes — and what DMOs can do in response.

Tony Hall

CFO

Discover Durham 

Ricky Thigpen, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Visit Jackson

Mia Blom

Sr. Director of Government & Community Affairs

Visit Baltimore 

 

 

As more destination organizations turn to outsourcing for critical functions like IT, HR, and Finance, success often hinges not just on the vendor—but on the internal champion who owns the relationship. Without a clear advocate inside the organization, even the best third-party solutions can falter due to misalignment, miscommunication or lack of accountability.

This cross-functional panel will explore:

• The role of an internal champion in ensuring outsourced services deliver value
• How to structure internal ownership when functions are managed externally
• Best practices for managing vendor relationships across departments
• Lessons learned from real-world outsourcing transitions in destination organizations

With perspectives from all three disciplines—technology, human resources and finance—this session will help you better understand the critical role of internal advocacy in outsourced success, and how to ensure every partnership has someone truly championing it from within.

Succession planning isn’t just about preparing for leadership transitions—it’s a strategic imperative that ensures continuity, protects institutional knowledge, and strengthens organizational resilience. In this session, we’ll explore how destination organizations of all sizes can build and implement effective succession plans across all levels of the organization. Learn how to identify critical roles, cultivate internal talent pipelines, and navigate sensitive conversations with confidence. Whether you're facing near-term retirements or building long-term bench strength, you’ll walk away with actionable tools and best practices to future-proof your team and your mission.

Pam Richardson

Vice President, Information Technology

Destinations International

Moderator

Meredith Darden, CDME

Chief Operating Officer

Corpus Christi 

Theresa Cunningham

Vice President, People, Culture & Purpose

San Diego Tourism Authority 

 

 

With up to five generations in today’s workforce, destination organizations face both challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive, productive, and engaged teams. This session dives into the dynamics of generational differences—how values, communication styles, and workplace expectations vary—and what that means for leadership, operations, and team culture. From recruitment and retention to feedback and flexibility, we’ll explore practical strategies to build cohesion, address generational tensions, and harness the strengths of a diverse team. Learn how to meet your staff where they are—and lead them where you want to go.

Professional development isn’t just a perk—it’s a strategic investment in your organization’s future. In this session, we’ll explore how destination organizations can create intentional, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments that empower staff at all levels. From low-cost development options to structured training programs and certification pathways, we’ll examine what works, what’s scalable, and how to align learning opportunities with organizational goals. Whether you’re building from scratch or enhancing an existing program, walk away with tools to assess your current approach, identify gaps, and advocate for ongoing staff growth and engagement.

Jennifer Schaal

Vice President, Operations & Strategy

Visit St. Paul

Moderator

Meredith Darden, CDME

Chief Operating Officer

Corpus Christi 

Donald Lilley

Director of Technology & Business Intelligence

Visit Baltimore

Charlotte Dunworth

Deputy Director of Finance & Compliance

Destin Fort Walton Beach 

 

AI is transforming the way destination organizations operate—touching every department from IT infrastructure to financial forecasting to human resources. This session will cut through the hype and focus on the real-world applications, risks, and opportunities of AI in business operations. Experts and peers will explore how AI can streamline workflows and automate repetitive tasks, enhance data analysis and decision-making, improve talent acquisition, training, and employee engagement and strengthen cybersecurity and operational resilience. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of AI’s capabilities, practical examples relevant to your role, and actionable steps to implement responsible AI practices that align with your organization’s goals. Whether you’re safeguarding systems, balancing budgets, or managing people, this conversation will equip you to leverage AI effectively—and ethically—across your organization.

Todd Brook

CEO

Unchained

 

 

 

 

I’m Drowning (and My CEO’s Still Talking): A Survival Guide

Ever been in a meeting where the CEO asks for dashboards, forecasts, and policy overhauls — all by next week — and the CFO is just trying to process payroll and close the month? This laugh-out-loud session brings that scenario (and more) to life, then breaks it down with real solutions to move from reactive to strategic without burning out your team. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, a few laughs, and maybe a new appreciation for your finance department. Join CFO by design as they walk us through a funny, but painfully real, scenario unfolding in DMO’s across the globe. They’ll share real examples of organizations, like your own, who have turned the CEO wish list into a reality without adding more workload to the team.

• Kimberly Hill, VP of Operations, CFO by design
• Daniell Gonzalez, MBA, Controller, CFO by design
• Debbie Russell, CFO, Director of Accounting Services, CFO by design

Continuity in Transition: How Symphony Steadies Operations at Visit Corpus Christi

When leaders or researchers change, operations cannot pause. In this case study with Visit Corpus Christi, we show how Symphony supports continuity across the organization by standardizing monthly board reports, executive summaries, and access controls. Hear practical steps, see examples of reporting, and learn how to protect institutional knowledge so your team stays board-ready during transitions. 

• Travis Napper, CDME, Director of Destination Partnerships, Tourism Economics
• Meredith Darden, CDME, Chief Operating Officer, Corpus Christi 

The Business of Destination Management

Destination professionals are no longer just storytellers — they are business leaders shaping the future of their communities. As the industry moves beyond campaigns and visitor counts, destination management calls for business-minded thinking, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic focus. This session explores how management is not about “doing more,” but about aligning operations, partnerships, and funding with the real needs of residents, visitors, and stakeholders. Through case studies of destinations at different stages — from early adopters building trust to mature DMOs measuring impact — attendees will gain a clear business case for destination management, practical inspiration, and actionable strategies to position their organizations as drivers of equitable, sustainable growth.

• Colleen Floyd, Senior Associate Principal, Coraggio Group

Why Meetings Industry Data Matters: Turning SSQ Insights Into Smarter DMO Strategy

Meetings industry data isn’t just for sales teams — it’s a strategic asset for your entire organization. In this session, experts from 2Synergize, a Granicus company, will explore the value of the Simpleview Sales Quarterly (SSQ) report, which draws from data across more than 200 DMOs nationwide. You’ll learn what kind of data is collected, why it matters, and how it can inform smarter decisions across departments — from leadership and operations to marketing and stakeholder engagement. Walk away with a better understanding of how meetings industry data can shape your destination’s broader strategy and long-term success. 

• Jeffrey Emenecker, Sr. Director Destination Insights, Simpleview, a Granicus company

One Feature to Rule Them All: Unlocking ROI with Team Activity

Behind every lead, booking, and dollar of impact is a record of what your team actually does day to day. iDSS’s Team Activity feature turns those touchpoints—meetings, calls, site visits, and follow-ups—into a powerful source of accountability and ROI measurement. In this session, we’ll show how Team Activity bridges the gap between staff effort, financial investment, and lead generation, giving DMOs a clear line of sight into performance. You’ll walk away with practical strategies, best practices, and a real-world case study demonstrating how this one feature outpaces competitor tools and helps destinations strengthen accountability, streamline reporting, and prove measurable results.

• Brent Foerster, Executive Vice President, Tempest

From cyberattacks to data leaks to financial fraud, no department is immune to the impact of an organizational compromise. The real test is not if it happens, but how you respond. In this session, we’ll walk through coordinated response strategies that bring together IT, Finance, and HR to minimize damage, protect stakeholders, and restore operations quickly. Through real-world examples and expert guidance, you’ll learn how to, recognize and contain security incidents, activate a cross-department response plan, communicate effectively with staff, partners, and the public, manage legal, financial, and human implications and implement post-incident reviews to strengthen future defenses. Whether you’re safeguarding systems, protecting financial integrity, or ensuring employee trust, this session will give you the tools and confidence to lead when your organization faces its most challenging moments.

Jenn Schaal

VP, Operations & Strategy

Visit Saint Paul

Moderator

Karen Fisher, CDME

CFO

Visit Pittsburgh

Chris Phillips

CFO

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau