Here you will find recorded versions of our 2021 educational sessions and related PowerPoint presentations. Check back for updates on our 2022 sessions.
| Monday, February 22 11:00am-12:00pm MT |
The Current State of International Travel | Karyn Gruenberg, Sr. Vice President, Partner Marketing & Strategic Alliances, Brand USA; Rosina Barbastefano, Director, Consumer Research, Brand USA | This session is designed to help suppliers focus their international promotion efforts in the right markets using Brand USA's data. Which countries had the highest inbound-U.S. visitation? To which states did they travel? What does the future hold for international tourism? Presented by Brand USA’s Karyn Gruenberg, Sr. Vice President, Partner Marketing & Strategic Alliances and Rosina Barbastefano, Director, Consumer Research and moderated by Julie Heizer, Deputy Director, National Travel and Tourism Office. | |
| Monday, February 22 2:00-3:00pm MT |
How to Virtual Summit | Barb Bowman, CEO, Bowman & Associates, LLC; Alex Wong, Corporate Sales Manager, The Hotel Captain Cook & Voyager Inn; Bob Rebello, Vice President, Go West Summit | How to conduct a successful virtual summit! Learn everything from virtual meeting enhancements to creative appointment tips. This session covers the basics of navigating a virtual Go West Summit. Presented by Barb Bowman, CEO, Bowman & Associates, LLC; Alex Wong, Corporate Sales Manager, The Hotel Captain Cook & Voyager Inn and Bob Rebello, Vice President, Go West Summit. | |
| Tuesday, February 23 9:00am-10:00am MT |
KEYNOTE SESSION: Reshaping the Future of Global Tourism - Getting it Right, Together! In Partnership with IITA |
Helen Marano, Founder & President, Marano Perspectives; Caroline Scarles, Professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, University of Surrey |
After the coronavirus pandemic, economic and social challenges will once again shift into global focus. Tourism can bring opportunities for destinations but, when not well managed, it can create long term problems for local residents and environmental damage. How could tourism benefit local people while protecting the environment in the future? How can the travel and tourism industry establish elevated goals of regeneration? What can be done to reshape the future of global tourism? Presented by Helen Marano, Founder & President, Marano Perspectives and Caroline Scarles, Professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, University of Surrey. |
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| Tuesday, February 23 11:00am-12:00pm MT |
Restoring Traveler Confidence with WTTC's Global Safe Seamless Traveler Journey Protocols In Partnership with IITA |
Helena Bononi, Commercial Vice President, WTTC; Christopher Imbsen, Director of Sustainability and Destination Stewardship, WTTC; Keith Snode, COO, Kaleidoscope Adventures; Janet Uttley, Head of Business Support Transformation, Visit Britain. | While travel companies and governments struggle with how to open travel safely and rebuild traveler confidence, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is working to harmonize the approach throughout the global travel industry. WTTC leaders will share innovative technologies for traveler digital identity, initiatives for contactless travel, and consistent health and hygiene protocols. Learn how U.S. destinations and travel businesses can adopt and implement these global standards to prepare for the return of international visitors. Presented by Helena Bononi, Commercial Vice President, WTTC; Christopher Imbsen, Director of Sustainability and Destination Stewardship, WTTC; Keith Snode, COO, Kaleidoscope Adventures; and Janet Uttley, Head of Business Support Transformation, Visit Britain.  |
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| Tuesday, February 23 2:00-3:00pm MT |
Building Back Better in New Zealand | Chris Adams, Head of Research & Insights, GM – South Pacific, Miles Partnership; Bruce Bassett, Strategy & Policy Manager, Tourism Industry Association for New Zealand | Lessons & Insights for the West from New Zealand’s tourism future post COVID-19: Join us for critical insights and takeaways from Aotearoa/New Zealand and its ‘Tourism Futures Taskforce’ which is planning both a recovery and a refresh of international tourism in the South Pacific nation. Long branded ‘100% Pure’ in its tourism marketing, New Zealand is focused on coming out of the COVID-19 crisis with a visitor industry that is more sustainable in environmental, social and environmental terms – and with better management of tourism’s growth. Join Bruce Bassett, the Strategy & Policy Manager of the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand (TIA) and Chris Adams, Head of Research & Insights at Miles Partnership for critical insights and takeaways from New Zealand’s Tourism Futures – a range of important ideas for building tourism ‘back better’ – both across the West and around the world. | |
| Wednesday, February 24 11:00am-12:00pm MT |
Rebuilding International Flight Connectivity | Laura Jackson, Vice President, Air Service Development & Aviation Research, Denver International Airport; Kazue Ishiwata, Sr. Manager, Air Service Development, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; Daniel Pauli, Sr. Manager, Intercontinental Network Planning for the Western US., Lufthansa Group | The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted global aviation like no other event in history. International travel demand in particular has been devastated as a result of travel bans, border closures and mandatory quarantine requirements. This session will provide insight into efforts by both airlines and airports to rebuild international flight networks, with a focus on the American West. The panelists will also discuss the outlook for future international connectivity in the region. Presented by Laura Jackson, Vice President, Air Service Development & Aviation Research, Denver International Airport; Kazue Ishiwata, Sr. Manager, Air Service Development, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Daniel Pauli, Sr. Manager, Intercontinental Network Planning for the Western US, Lufthansa Group. | |
| Wednesday, February 24 2:00-3:00pm MT |
Technology Trends and Standards Shaping Post-Pandemic Travel In Partnership with IITA |
Jeff ErnstFriedman, Executive Director, OpenTravel Alliance | OpenTravel Alliance Executive Director Jeff ErnstFriedman moderates a panel of technology experts discussing the technology trends that are moving businesses to adopt open interoperability standards. What does that mean for the travel industry, particularly in the post-pandemic restart of inbound travel? |
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| Thursday, February 25 11:00am-12:00pm MT |
Managing Visitation to National Parks within the Constraints of the Pandemic In Partnership with IITA Moderator: Lisa Simon, CEO, International Inbound Travel Association |
Panelists: Dennis Copyak, Vice President, Le Bus; Michele Michalewicz, CTP, CEO/Owner, Western Leisure; Kurt Rausch, Chief of Commercial Services Program, National Park Service; Marco Jahn, Vice President of Operations, Destination America |
Hear how the National Park Service and some of the major national parks have adapted to Covid-19 health restrictions, and what it means for group tours and potential international visitors. With restrictions in some parks on commercial tour operators, including limitations in group size, vehicle size and number of CUAs issued, NPS and the tour industry are collaborating to find mutually beneficial solutions that will ensure the best possible visitor experiences. Moderated by International Inbound Travel Association CEO Lisa Simon and presented by Dennis Copyak, Vice President, Le Bus; Michele Michalewicz, CTP, CEO/Owner, Western Leisure; Kurt Rausch, Chief of Commercial Services Program, National Park Service; and Marco Jahn, Vice President of Operations, Destination America |
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| Thursday, February 25 2:00-3:00pm MT |
Transforming the Future of Inbound Travel Distribution In Partnership with IITA Moderator: Peter van Berkel, President, Travalco |
Panelists: Ray Thomas, Co-Founder and President, City Tours USA; Gloria Lan, President and Owner, Tour America; Adam Rogers, CEO, Meeting Point North America; Peter Dorner, President, New World Travel; Nick Hentschel, COO, AmericanTours International |
International Inbound Travel Association Chair Peter van Berkel facilitates a discussion among a panel of inbound travel leaders about the return of international travel to the U.S. What’s different? How do operators and the U.S. travel industry need to evolve with the new norms? And how do we prepare for the unknowns in the post-pandemic world? Panelists include Ray Thomas, Co-Founder and President, City Tours USA; Gloria Lan, President and Owner, Tour America; Adam Rogers, CEO, Meeting Point North America; Peter Dorner, President, New World Travel; and Nick Hentschel, COO, AmericanTours International. |
