Don Welsh

President & CEO

Destinations International

Don brings over 40 years of diverse experience across the travel and tourism industry, including leadership roles in major convention and visitors bureaus and hotel companies. His extensive background includes pivotal positions at Choose Chicago, Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, and the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as sales and leadership positions for Westin Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS

Renowned Urbanist and Advisor on City Development

Greg Clark is a writer, Board Chair, and Senior Advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. He is author of 10 books and 100 reports and has worked with 400 cities around the world.

Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS

Renowned Urbanist and Advisor on City Development

Greg Clark is a writer, Board Chair, and Senior Advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. He is author of 10 books and 100 reports and has worked with 400 cities around the world.

Eoghan Corry (Moderator)

Eoghan Corry is Ireland’s foremost commentator on aviation. A career journalist based in Dublin, he has authored over 40 books and is a former business, sports and literary editor who has specialised in travel and aviation since 2002. Many of the countries he has visited in a career spanning four decades no longer exist, but he says it is not his fault.

Lynne Embleton

CEO

Aer Lingus

Lynne took the helm at Aer Lingus as CEO and Chairman in April 2021, following four years as CEO of IAG Cargo, the group’s air freight business. A maths graduate, Lynne’s career in aviation started in operational research at British Airways before moving to roles including fleet and network planning, strategy, and leading BA’s business at London Gatwick. She was six years as Chairman of BA CityFlyer and was also Non Executive Director of Ofgem, the UK energy regulator.

Colm Lacy

Chief Commercial Officer

British Airways

In January 2022, Colm was appointed Chief Commercial Officer at British Airways. He is a member of the airline’s Management Committee, reporting to the Chairman and CEO and is responsible for Global Sales, Revenue Management, Distribution & Payments, Digital. A graduate of Nottingham University, Colm began his career with BA Cargo as a finance analyst in 1977.

Michael O’Leary

CEO

Ryanair

Michael O’Leary has served as a director of Ryanair since November 1988 and a director of Ryanair Holdings since July 1996 and was appointed Ryanair’s Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 1994. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he previously worked at KPMG, before joining Ryanair. Ryanair is Europe’s favourite low fares airline providing over 200m customers this year with the lowest fares and outstanding customer service including the most on-time flights of any major airline. Ryanair operates more than 3,600 low fare routes from 95 bases across 37 countries, connecting 234 destinations with a fleet of 340 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Ryanair currently employs a team of 27,000 aviation professionals each of whom are dedicated to extending Ryanair’s industry leading 39-year safety record.

Sophia Hyder Hock (Moderator)

Chief Inclusion Officer

Destinations International

With over 20 years of expertise in diversity, social inclusion, and gender empowerment, Sophia has cultivated transformative strategies and programs for international development and the travel industry. Integrating her human-centered design and mindfulness, she will be facilitating engaging conversations around social inclusion and accessibility.

Paul Kelly

Chief Executive

Failte Ireland

Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland since 2017, has led Ireland's tourism through significant challenges, focusing on sustainable recovery to enhance its cultural and economic impact. Recognized as Ireland's Most Trusted Leader in 2020, and the Public Sector Leader of the Year in 2024, he's celebrated for his transformative contributions to the industry, including the development of major tourism initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way.

Adrian Cooper

CEO

Oxford Economics

Adrian Cooper is responsible for coordinating and managing Oxford Economics' global economic analysis, forecasting and consultancy activities, and overseeing its global team of over 650 professionals including 450 economists and analysts.

Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS

Renowned Urbanist and Advisor on City Development

Greg Clark is a writer, Board Chair, and Senior Advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. He is author of 10 books and 100 reports and has worked with 400 cities around the world.

Don Welsh (Moderator)

President & CEO

Destinations International

Don brings over 40 years of diverse experience across the travel and tourism industry, including leadership roles in major convention and visitors bureaus and hotel companies. His extensive background includes pivotal positions at Choose Chicago, Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, and the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as sales and leadership positions for Westin Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Fred Dixon

President & CEO

Brand USA

Fred Dixon serves as the President and CEO of Brand USA, where he leads the national strategy to increase international visitation and market the United States as a premier travel destination. Previously serving as CEO of New York Tourism + Meetings, Fred leveraged his extensive travel industry experience to boost New York City's tourism sector, enhancing its global reputation and economic prosperity.

Marsha Walden

President & CEO

Destination Canada

Marsha brings extensive experience in strategy, marketing, and corporate social responsibility to her role. Since joining in August 2020, she has spearheaded innovative tourism development strategies and performance marketing initiatives, significantly contributing to Canada’s tourism industry during critical times.

Miguel Sanz Castedo

General Director, Tourspain and President, European Travel Commission

Miguel Ángel Sanz Castedo is the General Director of the Spanish Tourism Institute (TURESPAÑA) and President of the European Travel Commission (ETC). With a background in Business Studies and a Master's in Latin American Politics and Economics from the London School of Economics, he has significantly contributed to tourism marketing and cultural communication in Spain and held key roles in Madrid's tourism development. Since 2018, he has been a prominent member of the European Cities Marketing Board.

Greg Schulze

Chief Commercial Officer

Expedia Group

Greg Schulze is the Chief Commercial Officer at Expedia Group, overseeing Travel Partners and Media to ensure the company's global supply foundation. He leads Expedia's significant advertising business and focuses on fostering transformational industry relationships. With a background in pricing strategy for American Airlines and nearly two decades at Expedia, Schulze has also been recognized with appointments to influential boards like the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the WTTC.

Gretchen Hall

Chief Operating Officer

Destinations International

Gretchen brings over 20 years of travel industry experience to her role as Chief Operating Officer at Destinations International, where she leads strategic development and manages global membership initiatives. Her background includes impactful leadership at the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau and significant contributions to sports event management.

Jack Johnson (Moderator)

Chief Advocacy Officer

Destinations International

As Chief Advocacy Officer at Destinations International, Jack oversees public policy, educational initiatives, and key programs like DMAP and DestinationNEXT. He is a prominent advocate for the strategic value of destination organizations in their communities, with a background in shaping policy and civic engagement in the travel industry.

Mateu Hernandez

CEO

Visit Barcelona

Mateu Hernández is CEO of Visit Barcelona and an expert in urban and economic development. He previously led Barcelona Global and held roles at Casa Batlló and Barcelona City Council. He advises cities worldwide and serves on the Smart City Expo's International Advisory Board.

Martha Sheridan

President & CEO

Meet Boston

Leading the Meet Boston, Martha drives efforts to bolster the region’s tourism economy with over 1,200 member companies. Her extensive experience in destination marketing includes prior leadership at the Providence/Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and accolades for excellence in the tourism industry. She actively contributes to numerous national and regional tourism and hospitality organizations.

David Goldstein

Chief Executive Officer, Travel Alberta and Deputy Minister, Tourism and Sport

In his joint role as CEO of Travel Alberta and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sport, David spearheads efforts to position Alberta as a top destination. At Travel Alberta, he leads initiatives that highlight unique local attractions, successfully accelerating the tourism recovery timeline by two years. Previously, as President and CEO of Destination Canada, he crafted pivotal national tourism strategies and policy reforms. David holds a bilingual BA in History and Political Science from York University.

Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS (Moderator)

Renowned Urbanist and Advisor on City Development

Greg Clark is a writer, Board Chair, and Senior Advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. He is author of 10 books and 100 reports and has worked with 400 cities around the world.

Panos Tzivanidis

Corporate Events and Services Director

International Olympic Committee

Panos Tzivanidis and his team are responsible for a large variety of activities, including all events organised by the IOC worldwide, together with all accommodation, travel and accreditation needs for the Olympic family for all events around the Games period, plus the Olympic Club, the exclusive hospitality area for the Olympic family, heads of state, VIPs and dignitaries. He is also responsible for the operations of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne as well as the facilities and general services for all the IOC premises

Corinne Menegaux

Managing Director

Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau 

Corinne Menegaux is the Managing Director of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau since 2018. She has extensive experience in event management and trade fairs, having held senior leadership roles at Reed Expositions France, GEM, and easyFairs France.

Adam Burke

CEO

Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board

Adam leverages over 30 years of industry experience to promote Los Angeles as a prime tourism destination. He is deeply committed to enhancing tourism's economic and community benefits and is actively involved in numerous boards and committees dedicated to advancing tourism and economic development.

Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS

Renowned Urbanist and Advisor on City Development

Greg Clark is a writer, Board Chair, and Senior Advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. He is author of 10 books and 100 reports and has worked with 400 cities around the world.

Jane Cunningham (Moderator)

Director of European Engagement

Destinations International

With over 20 years of experience in the global meetings industry, Jane has a rich background in hotel management, convention center operations, and destination marketing, and has spent the last decade focusing on community engagement and meeting legacy projects across Europe.

Sherrif Karamat

President & CEO

PCMA

Sherrif Karamat is the President and CEO of PCMA, where he drives global economic and social transformation through business events. With a rich background in strategic leadership and extensive experience in event management, Sherrif also serves on various industry boards, contributing to the advancement of the global events sector.

Royce Chwin

President & CEO

Destination Vancouver

Royce Chwin, President & CEO of Destination Vancouver, has revitalized the organization since 2020, fostering agile and innovative strategies that strengthen Vancouver’s visitor economy. With over 30 years in the retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors, Royce has garnered significant wins for the city, including securing major events like the FIFA World Cup 26™. He actively contributes to various boards, emphasizing the power of partnerships in destination management.

Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS

Renowned Urbanist and Advisor on City Development

Greg Clark is a writer, Board Chair, and Senior Advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. He is author of 10 books and 100 reports and has worked with 400 cities around the world.

Don Welsh

President & CEO

Destinations International

Don brings over 40 years of diverse experience across the travel and tourism industry, including leadership roles in major convention and visitors bureaus and hotel companies. His extensive background includes pivotal positions at Choose Chicago, Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, and the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as sales and leadership positions for Westin Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.