An Exclusive Gathering for Visionary Destination Leaders 

Smart Cities – Smart Tourism 

Technology is reshaping urban and tourism landscapes to create interconnected, intelligent destinations.    

Phil Xiang, Professor and Head of the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, will discuss how Smart Cities integrate data, innovation, and community to revolutionize tourism experiences. View Phil's presentation. 

Ryan George - Interconnected data can empower smart tourism ecosystems, showcasing the strengths and opportunity of the Granicus/Simpleview integration. View Ryan's presentation.

Vail Ross, Managing Director, 2synergize, will explore a data-driven approach to understanding what makes destinations appealing for meetings and events, offering insights critical for smarter planning in the MICE sector. View Vail's presentation.

AI: Where Are We and What Happens Next?   

As artificial intelligence transforms tourism marketing, content, and operational efficiency, how do we harness its power responsibly and effectively?    

Janette Roush, SVP, Innovation and Chief AI Officer at Brand USA, Janette will explore the critical topic of AI governance and its ethical application in tourism development, management, and marketing. View Janette's presentation.  

Andrew McCauley, Website Manager with Visit Greater Palm Springs will delve into AI's impact on marketing automation and content/data management. View Andrew's presentation.

The State of Engagement and Alignment   

Building lasting relationships with stakeholders and fostering community alignment are cornerstones of sustainable tourism.   

Adam Burke, CEO LA Tourism, LA and the UNWTO SDG’s 
View Adam's presentation.

Davis Meyer, VP Gov't Relations @ Visit Greater Palm Springs will share a case study on stakeholder engagement and shaping compliance with short-term rental hosts. View Davis's presentation.

Chris Seek, - As President and CEO of Solimar International, Chris leads the organization’s strategy, management, and implementation of sustainable tourism development and marketing services to tourism businesses, associations, development agencies, and national tourism authorities. View Chris's presentation.