Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Chairman Gary Sherwin, CDME, and President and CEO of Visit Newport Beach, Inc., and President and CEO Don Welsh today announced the keynote speakers and official schedule for DMAI’s CEO Summit, an annual two-day conference for destination CEOs, presidents and executive directors. The 2017 CEO Summit will be held Monday March 20 through Wednesday, March 22 at the Westin Nashville in Nashville, TN. The annual Summit connects executive leadership with peers, economic development leaders and new world visionaries to advance the leadership and performance of destination marketing and management.

Featured keynote speakers include: James Gilmore, co-author of The Experience Economy, the book that spawned worldwide interest in experience design, customer experience management, and experiential marketing. In his latest book, Look: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Observational Skills, Gilmore introduces the metaphor of "six looking glasses." Each looking glass represents a particular skill to master in order to enhance the way we look at the world. Peter Greenberg, America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist, Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and producer, and travel editor for CBS News, appearing on CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley, and Sunday Morning, among other broadcast platforms.

"We appreciate the support and commitment from Butch Spyridon and his team during this collaborative process to deliver another successful CEO Summit," said Sherwin. "Nashville is a wonderful example of how the visitor industry continues to flourish and positively impacts communities around the world. In 2003, Butch and his team set a goal to become a $5 billion industry by 2015. Due to their tremendous efforts, they reached that goal one year ahead of schedule, and, as a result, Davidson County generated $5.7 billion in tourism spending."

This year’s agenda will look to tackle the most pressing issues impacting DMOs around the world including crisis readiness, destination security, and a global outlook for 2017. The comprehensive schedule with session speakers and content is available here.

“Innovation happens through collaboration. And if our industry is going to remain relevant in a hyper-competitive global marketplace, with an incredible pace of change, industry-wide collaboration, cooperation and consensus is essential,” said Welsh. “As a result of the continued vision and support of the Destination & Travel Foundation the team is well poised to develop and implement critical tools and initiatives for our members – many of which will be discussed during the program.”

DMAI is proud to work with a great team of sponsors who have made this Summit possible, including: Brand USA; Longwoods International; Miles; Simpleview, and STR.