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Image courtesy Visit Greater Palm Springs
Timeline and Agenda
2025 Pre-Event Timeline
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June 1 — Registration opens for Go West Summit 2025
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November 30 — Deadline to modify profiles. Changes to your online profile made after this date will not be reflected in the resource manual.
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November 30 — Deadline for all advertising artwork
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December 3 — Appointment selection opens. Click here for more details.
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December 11 — How To Summit Virtual Meeting. Increase your chances of a successful Summit! Learn everything you need to know about appointment scheduling and the basics of navigating Go West Summit. Perfect for first-time attendees.
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December 5 — Hotel room reservation cut-off date
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December 20 — Deadline to modify appointment schedules
On-Site Go West Summit 2025 Event Agenda
Monday, January 6
1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Go West Summit Registration
Mesquite Room, Palm Springs Convention Center
Pick up your event credentials and meet the staff
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Buyer Welcome Reception - Sponsored by Travel Oregon
Buyers and journalists only, please
Tuesday, January 7 — Education Day
(Sessions Occur Between 9:15 AM - 5:15 PM)
7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Go West Summit Registration
Mesquite Room, Palm Springs Convention Center
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Buyer Site Tour​
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Join your Palm Springs hosts for an exciting day of site visits and world-class scenic splendor! Buyers and journalists are welcome to submit their RSVP by clicking the link on their landing pages. Additional details to come!
8:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.
State Caucus Sessions​
Smoketree Rooms, Palm Springs Convention Center
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States wishing to present a caucus will be announced soon.
12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
California Ballroom, Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
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Education Session
International Travel Forecast
David Huether National Travel and Tourism Office
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Primrose Rooms, Palm Springs Convention Center
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This session is designed to help suppliers focus their international promotion efforts in the right markets using the US Department of Commerce’s dashboard. Which countries had the highest inbound US visitation? To which states did they travel? Did Go West destinations see declines? What does the future hold for international tourism?
>>Learn more about David Huether
Education Session
National Parks Update - Managing Visitation
Primrose Rooms, Palm Springs Convention Center​
This popular GWS session will provide an update on the short- and long-term plans of the National Parks Service and the major National Parks, including the CUA program for Road-based Commercial Tours, reservation systems managing visitation and congestion. NPS, IITA and other tour industry associations are collaborating to find mutually beneficial solutions that will ensure the best possible visitor experiences.
In Partnership with IITA
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Education Session
Brand USA International Market Outlook
Peter Dodge, Public Affairs, Brand USA
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Primrose Rooms, Palm Springs Convention Center
Join us for a comprehensive global market update, offering valuable insights into current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the travel industry.
>>Learn more about Peter Dodge
Education Session
Ask the Inbound Operator
Primrose Rooms, Palm Springs Convention Center
Hear from a panel of IITA inbound operators about international market trends, their role in the inbound industry and how you can effectively work with them to build your international business. Learn what their expectations are and the opportunities they see ahead from inbound markets. This is an interactive session. Please come with your questions in-hand, as the operators are eager to answer them.
In Partnership with IITA
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Education Session
"Sustainable Tourism" A New Focus for Sustainable Tourism: Shaping Your Destination for Desirable Travelers
Cathy Ritter, Founder of Better Destinations and Trustee, The Travel Foundation.
Primrose Rooms, Palm Springs Convention Center
Destinations across the world are transforming their tourism offerings to meet rising expectations for sustainable travel, and forecasters expect this trend to accelerate in the wake of the world's hottest year on record. Learn how Go West's host destination has placed destination stewardship at the center of its tourism strategy and is on a path to be among the top 10% of the world's sustainable destinations. You'll also learn about ground-breaking initiatives for both destinations and tour operators to create low-impact travel offerings for high-value travelers who wish to leave a lighter carbon footprint.
>>Learn more about Cathy Ritter
Education Session
How to Summit - “Now that we are here - What to expect?”
Presented by: Barb Bowman, CEO, Bowman & Associates, LLC,
Lisa Bruening, Visit Denver
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Primrose Rooms, Palm Springs Convention Center
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Let us help you be prepared for tomorrow’s appointments. Learn everything from presenting your business card, to creative appointment tips. This session covers the basics of navigating Go West Summit. Moderated by Barb Bowman, CEO, Bowman & Associates, LLC, and Lisa Bruening, Visit Denver.
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>>Learn more about Barb
>>Learn more about Lisa
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** Tuesday, December 11, 2024
Join us for the How To Summit – Virtual Seminar​
Increase your chances of a successful Summit! This session covers the basics of navigating Go West Summit. GWS Vice President Bob Rebello will teach you everything you need to know about the appointment scheduling process, then you will go through appointment research, and what to expect during Go West Summit 2025...... Learn everything from presenting your business card, to creative appointment tips.
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Education Session
Additional Education Day sessions will be announced soon.
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Opening Event- Hosted by Visit Greater Palm Springs
Esplanade, Palm Springs Convention Center
All Go West Summit attendees are welcome. Additional details are coming soon.
Wednesday, January 8
7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Go West Summit Registration
Mesquite Room, Palm Springs Convention Center
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Marketplace II
Oasis Room 2, Palm Springs Convention Center
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Travel Nevada Happy Hour - Buyers and Journalists only, please.
Evening
On Your Own
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Use this free night to establish a relationship with a potential client or customer—ask them to join you for dinner! Visit the on-site information desk for ideas before exploring local cafés and restaurants.
Thursday, January 9
7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Go West Summit Registration
Mesquite Room, Palm Springs Convention Center
7:45 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
The BIG REVEAL Continental Breakfast
California Ballroom, Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Presented by our 2026 Go West Summit destination host. Don't miss the excitement as our next host is revealed!
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Marketplace III
Oasis Room 2, Palm Springs Convention Center
12:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.
Lunch - Presented by Visit Colorado Springs
California Ballroom, Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Speed Appointment Session
Oasis Room 2, Palm Springs Convention Center
Meet with buyers at their tables for one full hour of unscheduled5-minute appointments.
2:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Marketplace IV
Oasis Room 2, Palm Springs Convention Center
Friday, January 10 — Destination Day
Additional Information coming this summer for our brand new Destination Day.
FAM Trips
Buyers and journalists are invited to explore destinations and hotels across the American West before and after the show. Several multiday excursions are offered to registered delegates. Additional Information coming soon.