2026 CEO Summit

Welcome ashore. The Welcome Port serves as your home base throughout the Destinations International CEO Summit—a place to pause, get your bearings, and chart what’s next. Much like the harbors that connect our coastal communities, this space is designed to support connection, ease of navigation, and thoughtful guidance throughout your time in Newport Beach. Whether you’re seeking schedule details, local insights, transportation assistance, or recommendations beyond the agenda, our CEO Concierge team is here as a steady hand—helping you move seamlessly from one moment to the next.

Consider this your first and final port of call during the Summit. We’re glad you’re here!

Visit Newport Beach welcomes guests to a refined reception celebrating 120 years of hospitality, heritage and leisure, ushering in the destination’s anniversary year. A vintage-inspired seaside display sets the tone, paired with curated moments and an elevated coastal setting designed for meaningful connection. An evening to drop anchor, exchange ideas and celebrate over a century of the art of leisure at its most elevated.

Welcome ashore. The Welcome Port serves as your home base throughout the Destinations International CEO Summit—a place to pause, get your bearings, and chart what’s next. Much like the harbors that connect our coastal communities, this space is designed to support connection, ease of navigation, and thoughtful guidance throughout your time in Newport Beach. Whether you’re seeking schedule details, local insights, transportation assistance, or recommendations beyond the agenda, our CEO Concierge team is here as a steady hand—helping you move seamlessly from one moment to the next.

Consider this your first and final port of call during the Summit. We’re glad you’re here!

Welcome to CEO Summit from your emcee, Brad Weaber.

Brad Weaber

Summit Emcee

Don Welsh

President & CEO

Destinations International

Gary Sherwin

President & CEO

Visit Newport Beach

Lauren Kleiman

Mayor of Newport Beach 

 

Deepak Malhotra is the Eli Goldston Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and an internationally recognized authority on negotiation, deal-making and conflict resolution. Named MBA Professor of the Year by Poets & Quants and twice selected by Harvard MBA students to deliver their end-of-year address, Malhotra is known for translating complex negotiation theory into practical, high-stakes leadership insight.

A trusted advisor to CEOs, global organizations and governments, his work focuses on navigating uncertainty, resolving conflict and negotiating outcomes when the stakes are highest. He is the award-winning author of Negotiating the Impossible, Negotiation Genius, and I Moved Your Cheese, and currently serves as Faculty Chair of Harvard’s Owner/President Management Program.

Deepak Malhotra

Professor of Business Administration

Harvard Business School

 

 

 

 

Destinations operate in a world shaped by global economics, policy decisions, geopolitical shifts, and traveler sentiment. In this opening session, leaders offering U.S., Canadian, and global perspectives examine the broader forces influencing the visitor economy today. Together they will explore emerging risks, industry resilience, and how destination organizations can position themselves for what comes next, setting the stage for a day of deeper conversations on strategy, adaptation, and opportunity.

Gloria Guevara

President & CEO

World Travel and Tourism Council

Ellen Davis

Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President

U.S. Travel Association

Leslie Bruce, CDME

President & CEO

Banff and Lake Louise Tourism

 Norbert Kettner

CEO

Vienna Tourist Board

Gretchen Hall (Moderator)

Chief Operating Officer

Destinations International

Destination leadership has entered a new era — one where expectations are higher, scrutiny is broader, and confidence is harder to earn. CEOs are no longer operating behind the scenes; they are leading in full view of boards, elected officials, residents, and stakeholders who are asking tougher questions and expecting clearer answers. In this environment, the way destinations define success — and prove it — matters more than ever.

This moderated panel features destination CEOs who are leaning into that reality and choosing to lead differently. The discussion will unpack the pressure created when organizations rely on familiar but increasingly questioned approaches, including reporting results that feel disconnected from tangible community outcomes. Panelists will share how they are navigating the discomfort of change, addressing skepticism head-on, and evolving their organizations to meet the expectations of today, not yesterday.

Moderated by Chuck Davison of Tourism Economics, the session is designed to be candid, thought-provoking, and future-focused. It challenges the audience to reflect on what leadership looks like when everyone is watching, and how transparency, strategic insight, and economic relevance can become tools for reducing pressure rather than amplifying it. The goal is not incremental improvement, but a fundamental shift in how destination leaders think, decide, and deliver value to their communities.

Chuck Davison (Moderator)

Vice President of Commercial Strategy & Partnerships

Tourism Economics, An Oxford Economics Company

Michael Crockatt

President & CEO

Ottawa Tourism

Daniel Kuperschmid

President & CEO

San Diego Tourism Authority

Kara Franker, CDME

President & CEO

Visit Florida Keys & Key West

 

Against a backdrop of global economic forces and rising uncertainty, destination CEOs are being asked to operate as systems leaders—aligning public and private partners, balancing community expectations, and preparing their organizations for technological and market disruption. This fireside chat will explore how CEOs can translate macro‑level trends discussed earlier in the morning into local strategy: navigating policy shifts, strengthening organizational resilience, and enabling teams to move with greater clarity, confidence, and alignment.

Adam Boscoe

General Manager, Destination Solutions

Granicus

Cara Frank

VP of Marketing

Simpleview, a Granicus company

 

 

 

The Next Revenue Lever for Destination CEOs: Why Midweek, Business Travel and AI Visibility Are the CEO Conversation Now - Riviera Ballroom

The Next Revenue Lever for Destination CEOs Leisure may drive volume — but midweek drives resilience. As destinations navigate AI-driven discovery, evolving business travel patterns, and increased board scrutiny around economic impact, the traditional separation between leisure and group strategy no longer holds. The most competitive destinations are not simply growing visitation — they are optimizing their calendars. In this 15-minute Flash of Brilliance, Mya Surrency, Founder of Go Fish Tourism + Business Events, explores why midweek compression, business travel stabilization, and AI-era visibility are quickly becoming CEO-level mandates. Drawing from conversations with Chief Sales Officers and destination leaders nationwide, she challenges CEOs to rethink alignment between sales, marketing, and digital infrastructure. This is not a marketing session. It’s a leadership conversation about revenue mix, resilience, and the next competitive advantage.

• Mya Surrency, Founder, Go Fish Tourism + Business Events

A Destination Vibe Check: Rethinking Visibility in the Age of AI Discovery - Amalfi Salons 1-3

For years, destination marketing strategies have focused on rankings, sessions and click-through rates. But as travelers increasingly turn to AI tools for trip planning, the rules of discovery are changing. Instead of traditional search results, travelers are receiving synthesized answers shaped by large language models. This shift raises new questions for destinations: Are you being cited? How often are you mentioned? And what sources are shaping the narrative about your place? In this session, we’ll explore how AI-driven discovery is changing the way travelers find and evaluate destinations. We’ll look at emerging metrics such as citation frequency, presence across AI-generated responses and the role destination websites play as authoritative sources. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how discovery is evolving and how destination marketing strategies may need to adapt.

• Laura Libby, President of Destination Marketing, Miles Partnership

AI is Easy. People are Hard. - Amalfi Salons 4-5

AI platforms and processes are proven to drive new business outcomes when deployed effectively. The challenge is stewarding organizational culture to get buy-in from staff across all departments. In 2026, there are still many myths and misperceptions suppressing AI adoption, and CEOs are asking for insights related to change management, AI governance, ROI, and how best to lead staff to embrace AI intentionally and effectively. This session will share takeaways from Matador Network & GuideGeek’s ongoing AI Roadmap project with Visit Mesa, Tourism Richmond (BC) and Visit Florida Keys. The 5-phase Roadmap has been effective helping CEOs lead AI strategy and adoption with a structured process focused on empowering teams across all departments, as well as community and industry partners. We will also share takeaways from the new Matador AI Council, comprised of CEOs across North America. The Council was designed for CEOs only to have a safe space to share best practices related to AI integration at a strategic level with measurable ROI and proven business development opportunities.

• Greg Oates, Director of AI Advocacy, Matador Network & GuideGeek

This fireside chat sets the stage for the afternoon's conversations with a forward-looking perspective on the future of travel and tourism. Designed to spark ideas and surface critical questions, this session invites attendees to think differently about what’s ahead and prepares the ground for deeper dialogue and peer exchange to follow.

Don Welsh

CEO

Destinations International
 

Rob O’Leary

Deputy Assistant Secretary 

National Travel and Tourism Office
 

Sophia Hyder Hock (Moderator)

Chief Impact Officer

Destinations International

 

 

This interactive session brings leaders and partners together for an open, candid exchange grounded in the day’s key themes. Building on insights from the morning sessions, participants will explore what these ideas look like in practice, share real-world perspectives, and surface the challenges that are top of mind right now. Through guided conversation, attendees will also dive into the question, “What’s keeping you up at night?”, creating space for honest dialogue, shared problem-solving, and stronger alignment across stakeholders.

Sophia Hyder Hock

Chief Impact Officer

Destinations International
 

 

 

 

 

Sips, Sunshine & Sea Breeze

Set sail and experience Newport Beach from its most iconic vantage point—the water. Step aboard a classic electric Duffy boat and cruise through the picturesque Newport Harbor, where luxury waterfront homes, charming bayside enclaves, and sun-drenched marinas create a truly unforgettable backdrop. This relaxed, eco-friendly experience invites you to unwind as you glide along calm waters, take in coastal breezes, and enjoy meaningful conversation with fellow attendees. Whether you’re sipping a glass of wine, spotting sea lions, or catching some sun, a Duffy boat tour offers the perfect blend of leisure, connection, and quintessential Newport Beach charm. Transportation will be provided.

OR

California Riviera: A Style Experience

Located just across from VEA, Fashion Island offers a vibrant setting to experience the best of Southern California’s coastal lifestyle. During this hosted outing, attendees will have the opportunity to connect and unwind while exploring the area and enjoying a curated in-store experience with Orlebar Brown, one of Fashion Island’s newest boutique retail offerings, including a premium spirit tasting.

One attendee will receive a $200 gift card as part of the experience.

Activity is limited to the first 50 participants and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Transportation will be provided.

OR

The Art of Leisure

VEA invites you to embrace Newport Beach at your own pace—where relaxation becomes an experience in itself. Whether you choose to unwind at Spa VEA, lounge poolside under the California sun, or simply take a moment to recharge, this is your time to indulge in effortless luxury. From serene escapes to sun-soaked moments, enjoy the freedom to curate your perfect afternoon in true coastal style.

No signup necessary.

Set against the coastal elegance of The Resort at Pelican Hill, this special evening brings together destination leaders from across the country and beyond to honor Caroline Beteta as she closes a chapter in her remarkable career.

For three decades, Caroline has been a guiding force in shaping California’s brand, elevating the voice of DMOs statewide, and championing collaboration, innovation, and stewardship across the travel and tourism industry. Her leadership has strengthened California’s global standing and created a lasting imprint on the people and places she supported along the way.

You’re invited to gather in celebration and sincere appreciation—recognizing a legacy defined by vision, partnership and an enduring commitment to the industry she serves.

Welcome ashore. The Welcome Port serves as your home base throughout the Destinations International CEO Summit—a place to pause, get your bearings, and chart what’s next. Much like the harbors that connect our coastal communities, this space is designed to support connection, ease of navigation, and thoughtful guidance throughout your time in Newport Beach. Whether you’re seeking schedule details, local insights, transportation assistance, or recommendations beyond the agenda, our CEO Concierge team is here as a steady hand—helping you move seamlessly from one moment to the next.

Consider this your first and final port of call during the Summit. We’re glad you’re here!

In this fireside chat, Sports Events & Tourism Association President and CEO John David will share early insights from new industry research exploring the expanding role of sports tourism in destination strategy. As destinations compete for visitation, investment, and community impact, sports events are increasingly becoming a powerful driver of economic development and long-term positioning. In conversation with emcee Brad Weaber, John David will discuss key trends emerging from the research and what destination leaders should be considering as they evaluate the role of sports tourism within their broader growth and development strategies.

John David

President & CEO

Sports Events & Tourism Association

Brad Weaber

Summit Emcee

 

 

 

In today’s environment, relationships are no longer important — they are strategic infrastructure. Power is more distributed, stakeholders are multiplying, government policy shifts faster, and AI is disrupting norms. It’s not about the largest contact list but managing your network with vision and discipline. How do you sustain legacy relationships, build new ones, and improve strained connections…in a way that positions you and your organization to thrive in an era of new risks and challenges.

There is both art and science to how executives initiate, evaluate, cultivate, and sustain strong relationships. This session will explore the who, what, when, where, and how…providing an updated compass for fortifying ties to elected officials, hotel leaders, board members, and other key constituents. This presentation will challenge conventional thinking, highlight the latest research, and call out new, practical strategies that can refresh you and your team’s approaches. 

Rodney Schlosser

Principal

Schlosser Consulting LLC 

 

 

 

 

Selling into the DMO and CVB landscape requires more than strong products and attractive pricing. Buying decisions are influenced by numerous constituents, and relationships are not just helpful  — they are strategic assets. This interactive session focuses on understanding decision rights, balancing existing relationships while building credibility with emerging leaders, and identifying hidden risks and opportunities. We’ll unpack obstacles that detour good intentions, and focus on strategies and tactics that deliver durable success for you and your teams.

Rodney Schlosser

Principal

Schlosser Consulting LLC 

 

 

 

 

In this focused 10-minute talk, a CEO introduces the Destination Influence System — a practical lens for understanding how power actually moves within a destination. Beyond org charts and formal titles, influence flows through five critical domains that shape funding, policy, reputation, community, and long-term strategy. The session then transitions into peer-to-peer exchange, where CEOs reflect on the framework and explore how influence is operating within their own destinations.

Ellie Westman Chin

President & CEO

Destination Madison

Kristen Reynolds

President & CEO

Choose Chicago

 

 

 

In this focused 10-minute talk, a CEO introduces the Credibility Stack — a practical framework for how DMOs earn trust, relevance, and support when scrutiny is highest. CEOs will examine the outcomes stakeholders actually care about, pressure-test what proof truly resonates, and refine the narrative they rely on in high-stakes moments.

The session then transitions into facilitated peer-to-peer exchange, blending real-world application with strategic dialogue. CEOs leave with a clearer, more confident way to articulate value to boards, funders, and communities — beyond traditional metrics.

Brook Kaufman

CEO

Visit Corpus Christi

Royce Chwin

President and CEO

Destination Vancouver

 

 

 

The most important question about AI isn’t what it can do — it’s what it demands of leaders. As technology accelerates faster than trust, expectations of CEOs are changing in real time. In this forward-looking session, Todd Brook draws on his work helping organizations move from experimentation to maturity to explore how leaders navigate this shift with clarity and confidence.

Rather than focusing on tools or prompts, this conversation centers on leadership choices: where AI creates real strategic leverage, what must remain human, and how CEOs guide teams through change without losing credibility or culture. Todd will share patterns emerging across organizations that are successfully embedding AI into decision-making, governance, and workforce evolution — and where leaders often get it wrong.

CEOs will leave with a future-ready perspective on their role in an AI-driven world, a clearer understanding of the leadership behaviors this moment requires, and confidence in how to lead change without chasing the noise.

Todd Brook

CEO

Unchained AI

 

 

 

 

The Future-Ready Destination: Why Accessibility is a Leadership Decision - Riviera Ballroom

Over the past six years, Travel Oregon has invested more than $8 million in accessibility initiatives, grants, and marketing—making accessibility a core pillar of its destination strategy. In partnership with Wheel the World, Oregon also became the first U.S. state verified for accessibility, setting a new benchmark for the industry. In this fireside chat, Kevin Wright, President & CEO of Travel Oregon, and Álvaro Silberstein, CEO of Wheel the World, discuss why having a clear accessibility strategy is no longer optional. As traveler expectations evolve and new markets emerge, the destinations that lead on accessibility today will define the next decade of tourism—unlocking growth, strengthening reputation, and building truly future-ready destinations.

• Alvaro Silberstein, Co-Founder & CEO, Wheel of the World
• Kevin Wright, Vice President, Brand Stewardship at Travel Oregon

The Budget Waste Nobody’s Talking About - Amalfi Salons 1-3

Destination budgets are tighter. Scrutiny is higher. And there’s a quiet inefficiency built into the way most organizations spend their marketing dollars that few leaders have ever been shown. In this 15-minute session, Zeek Coleman reveals where budget is being lost before it ever reaches the market, and why the reporting you’re getting may not be telling the full story. Adapted from a standing-room session at DI’s MarComm Summit that shook up the room, this CEO version is built for leaders who need to protect every dollar, hold partners accountable, and answer with confidence when boards and legislators ask: what are we getting for this investment?

• Zeek Coleman, President, Ad+genuity

Mapping Discovery to Decision: How Access is Changing Destination Demand - Amalfi Salons 4-5

Travel decisions begin at the moment travelers ask a simple question: “How do I get there?” Rome2Rio sits at this critical point of discovery, where hundreds of millions of travelers evaluate whether a destination feels reachable before they ever choose where to go. Drawing from Rome2Rio’s global mobility intelligence — analyzing billions of potential multimodal journeys each year — and new research, CEO Wendy Olson Killion will share emerging patterns shaping destination discovery, decisions, and demand opportunities. In this rapid session, Wendy will highlight three shifts destination leaders should understand: - the rise of discovery that drives inspiration to explore beyond the known - the acceleration of surface transport like trains, buses, and ferries - the growing importance of journey visibility in destination choice The takeaway: when access feels clear, travelers explore more — and destinations that tell the mobility story of their regions gain a powerful competitive advantage.

• Wendy Olson Killion, CEO, Rome2Rio

The Sky Is Not Falling... Travel Sentiment During Unsteady Times - Riviera Ballroom

Join Amir Eylon, President & C.E.O. of Longwoods International, a premier tourism market research consultancy, as he shares some of their latest research about American travelers during the current industry headwinds. Attendees will of this shirt and powerful session will learn: 1. What is the American Traveler currently thinking & planning? 2. Where are the opportunities to leverage? 3. How to connect with them?

• Amir Eylon, President & C.E.O., Longwoods International

Would You Sign Your Name and Personal Brand to That Number? - Amalfi Salons 1-3

We have more data in tourism than ever before. Dashboards. Credit card feeds. Mobility insights. Media reports. ROI calculations that look impressive on paper. And yet confidence in reported results is under greater scrutiny than ever. Boards are asking harder questions. Elected officials are looking closer. Communities are demanding clarity. In this environment, volume of data is not the same as validity of insight. This 15-minute session challenges a core assumption many organizations still operate under: that reporting activity is the same as proving contribution. It is not. Credit card transactions are not economic impact. Exposure is not influence. A large ROI ratio does not automatically equal credibility. More data does not mean better decisions. And any system that measures itself deserves closer inspection. Designed specifically for destination CEOs and senior leaders, this conversation raises the standard from What can we measure to What can we defend. This is not a product presentation. It is a leadership challenge. It asks what happens when familiar metrics no longer hold up under pressure, and what responsible, defensible reporting must look like in the next era of destination leadership.

• Chuck Davison, Vice President, Commercial Strategy & Partnerships, Tourism Economics

The Trust Alliance: Building Your Trust Moat in the Post-Megaphone Era - Amalfi Salons 4-5

Today, 42% of destination organizations report their funding could be at risk in the next three years. Why? Because we are still trying to buy “attention” in an era that demands “belief.” When you rely on traditional, siloed marketing, your stakeholders see a discretionary expense. But when you build a Trust Building Alliance, your community sees essential economic infrastructure. In this fast-paced, 15-minute “Flash of Brilliance” session, Madden Media and Karsh Hagan CEO Dan Janes will share how traditional media funnels are failing both local stakeholders and modern AI discovery engines. The goal is to discover how to build an impenetrable “Trust Moat” and build real movement for your destination.

• Dan Janes, CEO, Karsh Hagan and Madden Media

No destination is immune from unexpected disruption, especially when events unfold without warning and quickly shape public perception. This session begins with a brief case study from Meet Minneapolis President and CEO, sharing first-hand reflections on navigating heightened media attention, community impact, and evolving safety narratives tied to ICE presence.

The conversation then shifts to a candid fireside chat with CEOs from Minneapolis and Portland, exploring what it means to lead when established plans fall short — from preparing for inevitable disruptions of all kinds to balancing transparency, destination reputation, and community realities, while sustaining personal resilience and supporting teams through uncertainty.

Melvin Tennant

CEO & President

Meet Minneapolis 

Megan Conway

President & CEO

Travel Portland 

Norbert Kettner (Moderator)

CEO

Vienna Tourist Board

 

 

In this interactive session led by Destinations International, participants will explore real partner challenges and work together to identify practical ways to strengthen engagement and collaboration. Through peer-to-peer discussion, attendees will examine where common challenges arise, share tactics that have proven effective, and surface ideas for how DI can better support and connect partners.

The session concludes with shared insights and key themes, helping identify priorities and actionable next steps to strengthen partner engagement moving forward.

Sharon Houghton

Chief Revenue Officer

Destinations International

Kim Bach

Senior Director of Partnerships

Destinations International

 

 

 

As Destination Organizations grow, so does complexity. Roles expand, reporting lines evolve, and structures that once worked can begin to slow decision-making or dilute accountability. Led by a CDME Human Resources instructor, this facilitated working session is designed for organizations with 20 or more team members navigating growth, restructuring, or leadership evolution. Participants will explore how organizational design influences strategy, where role clarity and decision rights often break down as teams scale, and how to align reporting structures with current priorities rather than historical precedent. 

Jennifer Johnson, CDME, SHRM-CP

VP of People and Culture

Visit Dallas

 

 

 

 

Designed for Destination Organization leaders with fewer than 20 team members, this interactive Leadership Exchange focuses on building structure, clarity, and impact with lean teams. Through facilitated peer discussion, participants will explore effective org charts, role alignment, compensation considerations, and strategies to maximize results without expanding headcount. This working session emphasizes candid dialogue, practical models, and real-world solutions for leading small but high-performing teams.

Linda John, CDME

Executive Vice President and SW Regional Director

FiredUp Culture

 

 

 

 

What happens when destination leaders and hotel ownership align around a shared vision for destination success? As destinations explore new ways to fund sales and marketing initiatives, strengthening the relationship between DMOs and hotel ownership has become increasingly important. Visit Newport Beach introduced an innovative approach through the creation of the first-ever private Meetings Assessment Partnership (MAP)—a model designed not only to generate incremental resources for group sales, but also to bring hotel owners into closer alignment with destination-wide goals. In this session, leaders behind the initiative will discuss how the concept emerged, how ownership groups and destination leadership worked together to shape the structure, and how the partnership is fostering stronger collaboration, shared investment, and strategic alignment across the hospitality community. Attendees will gain insight into the framework behind the partnership, the process of building consensus among stakeholders, and lessons learned from launching a first-of-its-kind model. The discussion will also explore how other destinations can strengthen relationships with hotel ownership while unlocking new opportunities to fund destination sales efforts. Moderated by Gary Sherwin (President & CEO, Visit Newport Beach), the panel features Kory Kramer (Eagle Four Partners), Debbie Snavely (General Manager, VEA Newport Beach and Chair of the Visit Newport Beach Board), and Michelle Donahue (SVP of Sales, Visit Newport Beach)—the leaders who helped bring this collaborative funding model to life.

Gary Sherwin

President & CEO

Visit Newport Beach 

Kory Kramer

Partner

Eagle Four Partners 

Debbie Snavely

General Manager, VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa and Chairman of the Visit Newport Beach Board 

Michelle Donahue

SVP of Sales

Visit Newport Beach

 

Executive compensation within destination organizations continues to be closely examined by media, policymakers, and community stakeholders. At the same time, expectations placed on destination leaders have expanded significantly, requiring expertise in economic development, public policy, community engagement, workforce strategy, and crisis management.

As part of Destinations International’s ongoing research and benchmarking efforts, emerging findings suggest a growing need for clearer frameworks, stronger board alignment, and more proactive communication strategies around executive compensation. Leaders are navigating increased scrutiny while also competing for top talent in a complex and highly visible environment.

Andreas Weissenborn

SVP, Advocacy & Destination Advancement

Destinations International 

 

 

 

 

 As destination organizations evolve, so do expectations around leadership structure and compensation. CEOs are navigating increased scrutiny, board dynamics, pay compression, incentive design, and talent competition — often within political and funding constraints that benchmarking data alone doesn’t capture.
This 45-minute Leadership Exchange creates a confidential, peer-driven space for CEOs to explore how executive structures are shifting, where compensation pressure is most acute, and what obstacles are making pay scale decisions more complex.

The goal is not to share salary figures, but to surface structural trends and real-world barriers that can inform both peer strategy and broader research in the compensation space.

Julie Hart

President & CEO

CFO By Design