The Texas Travel Summit is the largest annual gathering of travel professionals from all sectors across the state. Join your colleagues for three intensive, impactful professional education days where you'll hear from leading innovators in the industry and network with pros from across the State. You'll return from Summit full of implementable ideas for your business.
Monday, September 23 - Wednesday, September 25
Fort Worth, Texas
A teacher of peak performance, an author of impactful books and presentations, and a lifelong student of success, happiness, and achievement, Dan Thurmon is on a mission. To encourage attendees’ uniqueness and contributions. To discover a sense of purpose and greatness. To have meaning at work, and in their lives.
He has worked with organizations around the world, in every spectrum of business: Fortune 500 companies. Startups. Associations across hundreds of industries. Troops on the front lines. Students, teachers, and entrepreneurs. Through his presentations and workshops, Dan helps these organizations to accelerate improvement, facilitate true breakthroughs and enable and encourage greatness.
Jenifer has nearly two decades of experience in media relations, crisis communications, speechwriting, coalition building, and media and presentation skills training.
Her career has spanned the corporate, nonprofit and political worlds, helping clients develop messages that will resonate with their core audiences and create strategies for effectively delivering those messages through the appropriate communications channels.
In launching Sarver Strategies, Jenifer focused her skills on training and storytelling, helping clients develop a narrative that effectively conveys their core values, and then preparing them to effectively deliver that message.
Jenifer has extensive experience in media and presentation skills training, having conducted workshops and one-on-one trainings for a wide range of public figures including CEOs, foreign leaders, local and state political candidates and office holders, and nonprofit leaders.
Chris Davidson oversees MMGY Global’s travel insights division. He is responsible for the agency’s portfolio of syndicated and custom research products, including its Portrait of American Travelers series and its DK Shifflet suite of travel performance products. He also directs the organization’s substantial investment in travel intelligence and how it fuels marketing strategies that drive results.
Chris has 25 years of experience in market research, strategic planning, brand strategy and integrated marketing communications. Prior to joining MMGY, he was a senior executive with Caesar’s Entertainment at both the corporate and property management levels. In Las Vegas, Chris managed Harrah’s industry-leading Total Rewards® national loyalty card program. Following his time in Las Vegas, he became director of marketing for Harrah’s Casino and Hotel in St. Louis, Chris oversaw all marketing efforts for the property, one of the largest in the Caesar’s portfolio at the time, while leading its advertising, public relations, research, promotions and database marketing groups.
During his tenure at MMGY, Chris has had the pleasure of working with industry leaders in travel and tourism, including Tourism Vancouver, Choice Hotels, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls USA and SeaWorld Parks. He is also a recognized speaker at numerous industry conferences and events each year.
Chris is a graduate of Princeton University, from which he received a bachelor’s degree in history. He also has an MBA from Vanderbilt University with an emphasis in service marketing.
Aira’s vision is to take advantage of the brain’s ability to absorb information from multiple inputs,specifically auditory channels, to augment humans and give them superhuman capabilities. Suman Kanuganti is Founder and President of Aira Tech Corp, an emerging high-tech startupcurrently focused on bridging the information gap for those who are blind or low vision. UnderSuman’s leadership and guidance, Aira’s service is comprised of leading technologies – such assmart glasses, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality – integrated with a network ofhighly-trained remote agents. Through this platform, Aira is able to provide instant access to visualinformation, to anyone, at anytime, anywhere. Suman holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship / Entrepreneurial Studies from the UC San Diego RadySchool of Management, a Master’s in Computer Engineering from the University ofMissouri-Columbia, and a Bachelor’s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from KakatiyaUniversity, India. Under Suman’s leadership, Aira has received some of the industry’s top honors and awards,including: being named Best Mobile Innovation for Education, and Best Mobile Service for theConnected Life at Mobile World Congress’ 2019 GLOMO Awards; being named a winner in 2categories of Fast Company’s 2019 World Changing Ideas Awards; named in 2019 by Fortunemagazine as among the top global companies Changing the World, and being selected as one ofTIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2018.
A common challenge for organizations today is helping their employees bring more energy to work and not only embrace change but see it as an opportunity to lead.
Dan Thurmon believes the reason that people struggle with change is they think they have to compartmentalize their life and keep everything in balance. What if we lived Off Balance on Purpose? What if instead of resisting uncertainty, we leaned into it? And what if rather than bringing our “work-self” to the office, we brought 100% of who we are?
In this keynote, Dan excites his audience with an interactive performance while giving them a multi-dimensional view of success. He doesn’t stand behind a podium and talk about dealing with fear and change – he does handstands on the podium to demonstrate what being uncomfortable and living off balance on purpose actually looks like. Your audience will talk about this presentation for years to come!
As a result of attending this program attendees will:
• Learn to take ACTION when it is uncomfortable.
• Manage energy and time more effectively.
• Adopt an Off Balance On Purpose approach as a realistic
and empowering way to excel at work and life.
Join Travel Texas as they provide insights from the 2019 tourism efforts and reveal how the 2020 priorities and strategy will build upon this year’s success and increased funding.
Join us as we discuss Advocacy issues with two of TTIA’s strongest partners. Annie Spilman with NFIB Texas will discuss business ordinances and where we are headed looking forward to the next Legislative Session. Scott Joslove, TH&LA, will provide an in-depth look at Tourism Improvement Districts (TPIDs), and then we will “read the tea leaves” with TTIA’s lobby team: Ron Hinkle and Cheri Huddleston.
Party on the Plaza in the heart of one of the best downtown’s in America -- with food from renowned chef and triathlete Jon Bonnell and music from local artists. Sundance Square is 35 blocks of Fort Worth’s central city and a pioneer in urban redevelopment begun 30 years ago.
(Within walking distance of the host hotel; drink tickets provided; name badges required)
Join Fort Worth’s famous pedal-powered Mayor Betsy Price on an early morning Tour de Fort Worth on two wheels! We'll roll through Downtown and check out the Near Southside hubs of Magnolia Ave and South Main, following the Heritage Trails markers that detail historical events that have happened in Cowtown. You'll have fitness hybrid bicycles provided by Mellow Johnny's Fort Worth as your trusty steeds, just be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes for your morning miles.
(Registration required; attendees must arrive by 6:30am to be fitted on a bike.)
The business of your association; financial status, legislative update and membership update.
Adapting to a rapidly changing industry is no easy feat. Travel and tourism today is constantly evolving, and creativity and innovation are more important than ever. In this presentation, Guinness World Records (GWR) shares how, faced with a declining and quickly digitizing publishing market, it had to embrace disruption and remodel its strategy from a single best-selling book to developing new, multiple revenue streams and expanding its global IP brand presence. Page 3 of 6
Hear from VP Creative, Paul O’Neill, as he shares lessons learned from the GWR journey and get actionable tips on how to lead a company through a fast-changing business landscape.
Local, state and national law makers do not believe reported tourism ROI and economic impact numbers. Yet, as an industry we continue to try to sell our worth using these metrics. This presentation will explain why ROI is a lie, and inform the audience of better ways to sell the value of tourism.
What does the future look like for Short-term Rentals, Scooter and Air Taxis? How does the Travel Industry view compliance for these emerging technologies and what are the benefits or negatives? Matt Curtis will review growing trends of new Short-term Rental models and new Micro Mobility technologies such as Air Taxis, as well as give examples of local government success stories from around the world of Short-term Rental compliance tools. You will also hear an analysis of the growing trend of State pre-emptions of Short-term Rentals and Micro Mobility technologies such as Scooters.
The state of the packaged travel industry, which encompasses both group tour and FIT travel, is healthy and growing according to NTA tour operators. Looking forward, NTA operators continue to see the industry moving forward and gaining strength. But, NTA and its members are closely watching domestic and international affairs.The continuing fluctuations in the global economy and currency exchange rates are impacting international travel. Tour operators continue to adapt and adjust their products and services to meet the demands of today’s travelers.
Now in its 29th year, MMGY Global’s Portrait of American Travelers is the industry’s most respected and illuminating survey of the emerging vacation habits, preferences, and intentions of American leisure travelers. Chris Davidson, MMGY’s Executive Vice President of Insights & Strategy, will share the latest findings from this study, revealing a powerful profile of prospective travelers to the great state of Texas.
He will unveil where these travelers most want to visit in the year ahead, describe their evolving expectations of culinary experiences on vacation, and explain how travel has become a leading source of social currency. Chris will make the case against developing generic Millennials strategies, and he will reveal how marketers should seek to go beyond traditional demographic targeting to define, reach, and influence consumers based more on life stage priorities, interests, and values. The presentation is a must for any industry professional hoping to more effectively qualify, reach, and influence the Texas traveler.
Buses for each depart promptly at 3:30pm at the West Portico Lobby)
See the new Whiskey Ranch, the largest distillery in the Western U.S., where TX Whiskey and TX Bourbon are made. The ranch overlooks downtown Fort Worth and is built on the historic golf course where legends Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson grew up. Your tour will include a behind-the-scenes look into the making and bottling of these award-winning beverages, the hidden whiskey library and a taste to complete your experience. (Registration required; space limited to 40 ppl)
Saddle up for western adventure in the historic Stockyards. Glimpse the future as the district undergoes a $175 million renovation and expansion. See the famed backstage at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk. And meet the trail boss of the Fort Worth Herd, which draws millions of visitors to Fort Worth each year. (Registration required; space limited to 40 ppl)
Architecture legend Louis I. Kahn’s Kimbell Art Museum is hailed as one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements of the 20th century. See Michelangelo’s first painting, which he completed when he was just 12 or 13 years old, and take in the renowned masterpieces of this international collection. (Registration required; space limited to 20 ppl)
We may be known for steaks but there’s a whole other side to the Fort Worth food scene. Dive into the local taco craze at Del Norte in the historic Northside; Taco Heads, overlooking the new Dickies Arena; and Salsa Limon on Magnolia Ave., named by the American Planning Association as one of the best streets in the country. You might meet a margarita along the way. (Registration required; space limited to 20 ppl)
Join us on the beautiful rooftop terrace of the Worthington hotel for a gentle flow yoga class. Local instructor Leslie Prince is a Fort Worth yoga teacher who has studied Baptiste Power Yoga and Forrest Yoga for over 200 hours each. She blends elements of both styles to create a vinyasa flow suitable for all levels. Expect to move with your breath and leave feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Modifications will be provided so all levels and abilities can participate. Yoga mats, towels, and water will be provided. (Registration required; space limited to 30 ppl)
Come enjoy a donut and some conversation with Dan Decker, President & CEO of TTIA. Donuts with Dan is an informal communication format that Dan has used very successfully for most of his career. His intent with this time is to listen to members and answer any questions members may have. The only requirement is that you ask a question, even if that question is “may I have a donut?”
TTIA is excited to share with you what’s new at TTIA and in the works for 2020!
This timely subject allows tourism organization CEOs/Presidents, Executive Directors and Managing Partners and their senior management teams to more clearly focus on corporate/association, professional staff and community/destination outcomes through mutually-supportive enterprise and personal commitments, and excellence aspirations. Illustrated through the 2020 Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau Leadership Charter, 21 big goals to be achieved over the next 10 years are determined as a pledge to organization effectiveness and community benefit. The scope, benefits, preparatory approach and expectations of the charter are shared to allow for potential application and use.
This training gives DMOs and travel professionals technology tools that allow them to do easy research to understand positioning and competitive messaging. These tools allow you to see what your competitors ads look like, the message they're using, keywords they're bidding on, what marketing technology they're using, and directional budget information.
Mobile location data first came onto the DMO scene as a way to measure conversion 'without a cash register'. In 2019, however, the utility of this relatively new source of visitor data has evolved beyond just being a source of attribution. Join DMO industry veterans Ktimene Axetell and Matt Clement to learn how destinations in Texas and beyond are using location data to tackle tough issues like destination development, advocacy, event measurement, sustainable tourism and more.
Learn more about how TTIA members across the State can better partner with schools offering Travel & Tourism, Culinary, and Hospitality certification programs to train the next generations of leaders in the Industry.
Gene Phillips Memorial, Clara Wuest Heidemann, and Heidemann Wuest Scholarships to be presented during luncheon.
Scholarship awards sponsored by Natural Bridge Caverns, Inc.
Occasionally in life, there are snakes that are laying in wait for you. There may even be people who know they are there but don’t bother telling you. There may even be people who consistently push your buttons! How do you handle them? The reality is that the majority of us are perfectly content to simply do our jobs than to tell anyone who we are, why we do what we do, and more importantly, why it matters to THEM. The sad truth is, in the absence of our voices, those who don't know us, don’t understand us or don't like us are redefining who we are. No matter what part of the travel industry you are in, you MUST be Viable, Valuable and Visible to avoid the snakes, the button pushers and attract people to you!
Learn simple, strategic ways to apply the principles of great storytelling to your branding and marketing campaigns. We’ll talk about the ways PR professionals, copywriters, and branding managers are applying classic knowledge to new media to simplify marketing that connects on a deeper, emotional level with your best audiences—and doesn’t get drowned out in a noisy world.
The world of Google is an ever-evolving and critical space for every segment of Texas’ tourism industry. This session will highlight the latest trends and newest opportunities in Google Travel that destination marketers and other segments of the industry should know. In the last year, destinations around the country have become participants in the Google DMO Partnership Program to actively influence their presence in Google’s search and travel planning products beyond paid search and traditional SEO. Learn how their efforts have improved their market’s representation.
Turn your meeting planner customers into industry apostles who “preach the gospel” according to your organization and community. Connect discusses the importance of a customer-driven focus including key insights into using the first 30 days after a program has turned definite to create meeting planner intimacy, secure retention, and customer satisfaction.
Every day we have an opportunity to make an impact. Sometimes the smallest actions have long-term effects that impact people’s lives far beyond what we can imagine. Small, tangible actions can lead to big, audacious moves. Being poised, ready and able to take advantage of those opportunities is vital. And encouraging individuals to think collectively and take small civic actions that build stronger communities and create a more engaged civil society, can benefit us all. Through her own personal journey, historical examples, and relevant anecdotes Jenifer will talk about making an impact, no matter where you are.
Every day, millions of people use public transport, whether they’re traveling for business or pleasure. The fact is, nearly every one of us will be affected by age-related cognitive uncertainties – so finding ways to bridge this gap needs to become a priority. Aira is at the forefront of tackling challenges such as these and for creating next-level engagement and experiences.
Local, state and national law makers do not believe reported tourism ROI and economic impact numbers. Yet, as an industry we continue to try to sell our worth using these metrics. This presentation will explain why ROI is a lie, and inform the audience of better ways to sell the value of tourism.
This training gives DMOs and travel professionals technology tools that allow them to do easy research to understand positioning and competitive messaging. These tools allow you to see what your competitors ads look like, the message they're using, keywords they're bidding on, what marketing technology they're using, and directional budget information.
Learn simple, strategic ways to apply the principles of great storytelling to your branding and marketing campaigns. We’ll talk about the ways PR professionals, copywriters, and branding managers are applying classic knowledge to new media to simplify marketing that connects on a deeper, emotional level with your best audiences—and doesn’t get drowned out in a noisy world.
The state of the packaged travel industry, which encompasses both group tour and FIT travel, is healthy and growing according to NTA tour operators. Looking forward, NTA operators continue to see the industry moving forward and gaining strength. But, NTA and its members are closely watching domestic and international affairs.The continuing fluctuations in the global economy and currency exchange rates are impacting international travel. Tour operators continue to adapt and adjust their products and services to meet the demands of today’s travelers.
Turn your meeting planner customers into industry apostles who “preach the gospel” according to your organization and community. Connect discusses the importance of a customer-driven focus including key insights into using the first 30 days after a program has turned definite to create meeting planner intimacy, secure retention, and customer satisfaction.
A common challenge for organizations today is helping their employees bring more energy to work and not only embrace change but see it as an opportunity to lead.
Dan Thurmon believes the reason that people struggle with change is they think they have to compartmentalize their life and keep everything in balance. What if we lived Off Balance on Purpose? What if instead of resisting uncertainty, we leaned into it? And what if rather than bringing our “work-self” to the office, we brought 100% of who we are?
In this keynote, Dan excites his audience with an interactive performance while giving them a multi-dimensional view of success. He doesn’t stand behind a podium and talk about dealing with fear and change – he does handstands on the podium to demonstrate what being uncomfortable and living off balance on purpose actually looks like. Your audience will talk about this presentation for years to come!
As a result of attending this program attendees will:
• Learn to take ACTION when it is uncomfortable.
• Manage energy and time more effectively.
• Adopt an Off Balance On Purpose approach as a realistic
and empowering way to excel at work and life.
Adapting to a rapidly changing industry is no easy feat. Travel and tourism today is constantly evolving, and creativity and innovation are more important than ever. In this presentation, Guinness World Records (GWR) shares how, faced with a declining and quickly digitizing publishing market, it had to embrace disruption and remodel its strategy from a single best-selling book to developing new, multiple revenue streams and expanding its global IP brand presence. Page 3 of 6
Hear from VP Creative, Paul O’Neill, as he shares lessons learned from the GWR journey and get actionable tips on how to lead a company through a fast-changing business landscape.
This timely subject allows tourism organization CEOs/Presidents, Executive Directors and Managing Partners and their senior management teams to more clearly focus on corporate/association, professional staff and community/destination outcomes through mutually-supportive enterprise and personal commitments, and excellence aspirations. Illustrated through the 2020 Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau Leadership Charter, 21 big goals to be achieved over the next 10 years are determined as a pledge to organization effectiveness and community benefit. The scope, benefits, preparatory approach and expectations of the charter are shared to allow for potential application and use.
Occasionally in life, there are snakes that are laying in wait for you. There may even be people who know they are there but don’t bother telling you. There may even be people who consistently push your buttons! How do you handle them? The reality is that the majority of us are perfectly content to simply do our jobs than to tell anyone who we are, why we do what we do, and more importantly, why it matters to THEM. The sad truth is, in the absence of our voices, those who don't know us, don’t understand us or don't like us are redefining who we are. No matter what part of the travel industry you are in, you MUST be Viable, Valuable and Visible to avoid the snakes, the button pushers and attract people to you!
What does the future look like for Short-term Rentals, Scooter and Air Taxis? How does the Travel Industry view compliance for these emerging technologies and what are the benefits or negatives? Matt Curtis will review growing trends of new Short-term Rental models and new Micro Mobility technologies such as Air Taxis, as well as give examples of local government success stories from around the world of Short-term Rental compliance tools. You will also hear an analysis of the growing trend of State pre-emptions of Short-term Rentals and Micro Mobility technologies such as Scooters.
Mobile location data first came onto the DMO scene as a way to measure conversion 'without a cash register'. In 2019, however, the utility of this relatively new source of visitor data has evolved beyond just being a source of attribution. Join DMO industry veterans Ktimene Axetell and Matt Clement to learn how destinations in Texas and beyond are using location data to tackle tough issues like destination development, advocacy, event measurement, sustainable tourism and more.
The world of Google is an ever-evolving and critical space for every segment of Texas’ tourism industry. This session will highlight the latest trends and newest opportunities in Google Travel that destination marketers and other segments of the industry should know. In the last year, destinations around the country have become participants in the Google DMO Partnership Program to actively influence their presence in Google’s search and travel planning products beyond paid search and traditional SEO. Learn how their efforts have improved their market’s representation.
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The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel
200 Main Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
United States
Fort Worth is just 45 minutes from Dallas Fort Worth Airport. Rental cars and Uber are available transportation options.
The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel
200 Main Street
Fort Worth TX 76102
Cut-off Deadline: Friday, August 30, 2019 (unless sold out prior)
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