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SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2024  |  JAVITS CENTER, NYC
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PUBLIC SEMINARS

All The Info You Need For Your Next Adventure

  • 7 Tracks: Cruise - Meet The Experts - Destinations - Resources - Traveling Better - Tours - Resorts 

  • 30+ Sessions  ​​​​​​​​

  • Keynotes

  • Cultural Stages Performances

  • Taste Of The World Presentations

AGENDA   -   10/29/22

10.00am - 5.00pm

EXHIBITION OPEN

For Public Attendees

10.00am - 6.00pm

PUBLIC SEMINARS

Keynote Panel and 5 Tracks of Seminars including: Meet The Experts, Cruise, Destinations, Traveling Better, and Resorts.

Cultural Stages located in regional Pavilions including the Taste Of The World Theater, Global Theater, World Theater and the CHTAEF Caribbean Auction.  

 

Presentations will take place in the Exhibition Hall throughout the day.

Schedule coming soon!

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS

10.00 - 10.50am

CRUISE TRACK

How To Choose the Right Cruise Now -

A panel of top cruise executives discuss how to select the right ship to meet your cruising needs. From contemporary to premium to luxury ships, from big ships to midsize ships to niche ships, ocean cruising has under gone a revolution in their design and the amenities they provide to guests. So how do you choose the right ship today? Panel includes representatives from Royal Caribbean, MSC, Seabourn, Celestyal and more.

Moderator: Liam Cusack

Royal Caribbean: Lisa Falango, director of sales, Northeast and Caribbean, Royal Caribbean International

MSC Cruises: Kris Endreson, vice president of strategic sales, MSC Cruises

Celestyal: Jon Grutzner, vice president-business development, North America, Celestyal Cruises

DESTINATIONS TRACK

Where To Go Now in Europe - 

A panel of top European travel experts and destinations helps you decide where to go in Europe, with a panel including representatives of Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Croatia, Ireland and more.

Britain: Paul Gauger, Senior Vice President, Americas, VisitBritain

France: Anne-Laure Tuncer, director-U.S.A., Atout France

Switzerland: Claudio Zemp, Director Americas, Switzerland Tourism

Ireland: Paul McDonagh, Trade & Industry Engagement Manager, Tourism Ireland

Spain: José Manuel de Juan, Consul for Tourism Affairs, Tourist Office of Spain

RESOURCES TRACK

How To Prepare For Getting Back On The Road -  

How the State Department can help travelers when they are on the road. A top State Department official talks about what resources the government has for Americans traveling abroad. U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary of State Angela Kerwin.

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

How to Plan a Life Changing Vacation—And One That Won’t Break the Bank - 

Frommer’s Travel Guides and Frommers.com President Pauline Frommer discusses the latest trends in travel that will shape your next vacation, as well as how to create meaningful vacation experiences.

TOURS TRACK

How to Travel Better With Tours - 

This panel of top tour executives, moderated by USTOA President & CEO Terry Dale, examines how escorted, FIT and packaged tours can provide more affordable experiences for travelers. Panelists include representatives from Tauck, TTC Tours, Collette and more.

Moderator: Terry Dale, president and CEO, U.S. Tour Operators Association

TTC Brands: Guy Young, chief engagement officer, TTC Tour Brands

Tauck: Jeremy Palmer, chief operating officer, Tauck

Collette: Willie Montano, Senior Director Global Brand Marketing, Collette

Central Holidays: Maria Merino, chief operating officer, Central Holidays

CRUISE TRACK

How to Experience the Hottest New Expedition Cruises -

Top expedition cruise experts tell you why this is the hottest category in cruising today and how to experience it, including a panel with representatives of Ponant, Seabourn, Hurtigruten and more.

Moderator: James Shillinglaw

Seabourn: Jen Martin, Seabourn’s director of expeditions operations

Ponant: Dale Woods, Ponant’s director of business development-Northeast

Hurtigruten: Becky Helms, U.S. sales director East, Hurtigruten Group

DESTINATIONS TRACK

Where To Go in New York City Now -

A panel of top New York destination experts talk about how to see the city through multicultural and ethnic lenses.

 

Rondel Holder – moderator, Senior Vice President, Content and Diversity at NYC & Company

Eunice Chen, Head of Partnerships, Asian Cinevision

Syed Adnan, Halal Tourism Expert. Co-Founder of AdnanSamia and HalalPointsGuy.

Samia Butt. Halal Tourism Expert. Co-Founder of AdnanSamia.

John Reddick

Harlem, Architectural and Cultural Historian and a founding member of Harlem PRIDE.

DESTINATIONS TRACK

Where to Go in the Caribbean Today -  A group of top Caribbean destination leaders discuss where to go in their destinations today. This panel includes representatives of Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Martin and more. Moderated by Michaela Guzy, founder + producer of OhThePeopleYouMeet, a content house focusing on people, places + purposes globally.

Bahamas: Rissie Demeritte, Area Sales Manager-New York

Jamaica: Philip Rose, Regional Director, Jamaica Tourist Board

Grenada: Petra Roach, Chief Executive Officer, Grenada Tourism Authority

St. Lucia: Richard Moss, senior sales manager, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK - 

Hidden Travel Gems

Travel TV host Darley Newman shares hidden gems in the USA and abroad, including quirky food finds, from national parks to unique places to stay and destinations with rich history and culture.

TRAVELING BETTER TRACK

What You Need to Know About Flying Today -

This panel led by aviation expert William McGee will examine the seismic changes that have overtaken the airline industry in the last three years, including the long-term effects of Covid and crew shortages. Panelists will discuss widespread delays and cancellations, flight refunds, recent DOT rulemakings, and more. Collectively the panelists have worked for airlines, travel agencies, corporate travel departments, consumer advocacy organizations, and the Federal Aviation Administration and they will bring all that experience to bear in assessing what has changed permanently and how passengers must adapt.

Moderator: William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation and Travel at American Economic Liberties Project Author, Attention All Passengers and Half the Child

Loretta Alkalay Adjunct Professor at Vaughn College of Aeronautics, Former FAA Regional Counsel

Mark Meader, Senior Vice President, Industry Affairs & Education at American Society of Travel Advisors

Barbara Peterson, President, New York Travel Writers Association, Special Correspondent, AFAR, Contributor, Wall Street Journal

11.00 - 11.50am
12.30 - 1.30pm

KEYNOTE PANEL SESSION

How Top Travel Experts See Travel in 2023 - 

Panel includes such experts Pauline Frommer, Darley Newman, Patricia Schultz, Nancy Barkley, Fiona Downing, Michaela Guzy, Barry Goldsmith and Karen Loftus (moderated by Annie Fitzsimmons).

2.00 - 2.50pm

CRUISE TRACK

Where to Cruise on the Rivers of Europe and Beyond -

A panel of top river cruise executives talks about the newest itineraries, ships and destinations offered and how travelers can best experience the rivers of the world. Panelists include representatives of AmaWaterways, Uniworld, American Cruise Line and more. Moderated by Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group. 

Moderator: Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group

Uniworld: Guy Young, group trade engagement officer, TTC Tour Brands/Uniworld

AmaWaterways: Kathie DeVincenzo, business development manager, AmaWaterways

Tauck: Jeremy Palmer, chief operating officer, Tauck

American Cruise Line: Sara Hamilton-Moran Southeast Business Development Manager, American Cruise Line

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Where to Honeymoon and Wed Around the World -

How to plan honeymoons and destination wedding travel with expert Nancy Barkley. 

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Discover the Intersection Between Food and Travel with Zita Keely - 

Zita Keely speaks about her travels filming her culinary travel TV show “All the best with Zita Keeley: onboard several Holland America Line cruise ships across Europe and the Baltics and also filming with Uniworld on the Danube River from Prague to Budapest.

DESTINATIONS TRACK

How to Discover the Travel Charms of the Middle East and Africa -

Where to visit if you look are going to the Middle East and Africa, including Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Iran and more. 

Michael Luongo, Moderator – freelance journalist and Purdue University School of Hospitality & Tourism

Gregory Khalil, President and Co-Founder, Telos Group, representing Israel and Palestine

Rene Du Terroil, Iran Doostan Tours, North American & Italian Market, representing Iran & Central Asia

Mahmoud Gebril Founder and President, Osiris Tours, representing Egypt

TRAVELING BETTER TRACK

How to Find the Best Vacation Ownership Home -

Moderated by RCI magazine editor Anna Reinert, travel experts from Club Wyndham and RCI will share the benefits of vacation ownership.

Moderator: RCI magazine editor Anna Reinert

Maria Ruiz, Senior Vice President, Training and Development, Wyndham Destinations

David Tanner, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Club Wyndham Midtown 45 resort

Tara Bergeron, Business Development Manager, RCI

3.00 - 3.50pm

RESORTS TRACK

How to Pick the Perfect All-Inclusive -

All-inclusive resorts are all the rage these days and the number of brands are expanding. Top all-inclusive resort experts tell you how to find the right resort to suit your needs, including Sandals, Club Med, Iberostar and more.

Moderator: James Shillinglaw

Club Med: Justin Heckman, director of sales strategy, Club Med

Iberostar: Justyna Chelstowski, director of national accounts, Iberostar Resorts

Palace Resorts: Antoinette Larman, Business Development Manager, Palace Resorts

Travel advisor: Stacey Cabell, owner of Starstuff Travel

Travel advisor: Samantha Hammond, owner of jusadventures

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Where to Travel by Patricia Schultz -

The author of the NYT #1 best-selling “1000 Places To See Before You Die” shares some of her favorite destinations around the world. This mix of backyard treasures as well as more remote choices covers all seven continents.

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Navigating the Complicated World of Credit Card Points and Frequent Flyer Miles - 

Join Dave Grossman to learn how to best use frequent-flyer miles, hotel points and credit card rewards points to the fullest. From flying in first or business class seats worth thousands of dollars, to staying in luxurious hotel suites with prime views of the world’s iconic landscapes, the opportunities to use your points for nearly free travel are endless. Learn how to make the best use of miles and points, and where they can take you next.

DESTINATIONS TRACK

Where to Go in Latin America Today - 

A group of top Latin America destination leaders tell you where to go in their countries, including suggested itineraries, top destinations and off-the-beaten travel discoveries. Panelists include representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico nd more.  Moderated by Michaela Guzy, founder + producer of OhThePeopleYouMeet, a content house focusing on people, places + purposes globally.

Brazil: 

Colombia: María José Maria Abuabara-Brülhart - Executive Director of Tourism PROCOLOMBIA

Nicaragua: Ana Carolina García, marketing director, Nicaragua Tourism Board

Mexico

Panama

RESOURCES TRACK

How to Travel Better: Top Travel Journalists Share Their Secrets -

The world has opened up, and we’re all eager to travel again. But how can you make the most of your trip and enjoy the local offerings that enrich your travel and make lasting memories? How do you find out about ever-changing entry protocols and travel restrictions for international destinations? How can you best deal with the long lines and crowded flights that have returned and get the best value for your travel dollar? And what do you do if something goes wrong? Get tips from people who travel for a living. Hear how some of North America’s award-winning travel journalists navigate the world effectively, and learn how to make your next trip your best trip ever. Presented by SATW (Society of American Travel Writers).

AGENDA   -   10/30/22

10.00am - 6.00pm

EXHIBITION OPEN

For Public and Trade Attendees

10.00 - 10.50am

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

How to Plan a Life Changing Vacation—And One That Won’t Break the Bank -

Frommer’s Travel Guides and Frommers.com President Pauline Frommer discusses the latest trends in travel that will shape your next vacation, as well as how to create meaningful vacation experiences.

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Navigating the Complicated World of Credit Card Points and Frequent Flyer Miles -

Join Dave Grossman to learn how to best use frequent flyer miles, hotel points and credit card rewards points to the fullest. From flying in First or Business class seats worth thousands of dollars, to staying in luxurious hotel suites with prime views of the world’s iconic landscapes, the opportunities to use your points for nearly free travel are endless. Learn how to make the best use of miles and points, and where they can take you next.

TRAVELING BETTER TRACK

Fashion, Gadgets and Other Products to Help You Travel Better

Travel expert Karen Loftus shows you what to wear, what to buy, and what to bring on your trips to make travel that much better.

11.00am - 11.50am

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACKS

Top Road Trips and Trails -

Travel TV host Darley Newman shares great road trips and trails to travel across the USA, including the Civil Rights Trail, Liberty Trail, Empire State Trail and beyond, combining food, cycling, walking, historic inns and local beer.

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACKS

Discover the Intersection Between Food and Travel with Zita Keely - 

Zita Keely speaks about her travels filming her culinary travel TV show “All the best with Zita Keeley: onboard several Holland America Line cruise ships across Europe and the Baltics and also filming with Uniworld on the Danube River from Prague to Budapest.

DESTINATIONS TRACK

More To Explore in New York City

New York City is full of hidden gems and unique experiences in every neighborhood. There is always more to explore from the iconic to the unexpected. Whether you live here or are visiting, new adventures await. You will want to add to your NYC bucket list after hearing from our panel of local experts.

Moderator: Kristen McGovern, Vice President, NYC & Company

Saloni Sharma, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Anthony Ramirez, Bronx Beer Hall

Rob McKay, Queens Tourism Council

Carolyn Johnson, Welcome to Harlem

2.00 - 2.50pm

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Traveling the World with Denella Ri'chard -

Award-winning travel host, Denella Ri’chard talks about some of the “living list” destinations featured in her television series, Traveling With Denella.  As one of the few travel TV hosts of color, Denella will take us around the world sharing her personal story and behind the scenes curated destination stories that will inspire you to get up, get out and live your best life – traveling the world.

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Why We Travel: 100 Reasons to See the World -

Best-selling author Patricia Shultz talks about her newest book, which is filled with personal insights, experiences, recommendations and a few great travel hacks. As the author of the best-selling 1000 Places To See Before You Die, the insatiable traveler shares some of her favorite places, both well-known and unsung.

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Exploring the World of Wellness Travel -

Travel expert Karen Loftus examines what you need to know wellness travel and how you can benefit from it. Wellness goes far beyond just spa and into longevity, transformation and living better. 

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

How to Find Adventure on Safari in Africa -

Craig Beal, owner of Travel Beyond, a well-respected professional in the safari industry, talks about a typical day on safari, offers recommendations for first-time safari goers and shares tips for planning the perfect safari. His tip of tongue knowledge is always a hit, with consumer and trade audiences alike.

3.00 - 3.50pm

TRAVELING BETTER TRACK

How to Find the Best Vacation Ownership Home -

Moderated by RCI magazine editor Anna Reinert, travel experts from Club Wyndham and RCI will share the benefits of vacation ownership to a consumer audience.

Moderator: RCI magazine editor Anna Reinert

Maria Ruiz, Senior Vice President, Training and Development, Wyndham Destinations

David Tanner, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Club Wyndham Midtown 45 resort

Tara Bergeron, Business Development Manager, RCI

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

How Travel Has Evolved Since This Show Got Started -

Travel expert and media personality Prof. Barry Goldsmith reviews the past 20 years of travel to tell you how travel has changed and what to expect in the future. Goldsmith has been speaking at previous shows, then called the New York Times Travel Show, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of travel and practical ways you should travel today.

MEET THE EXPERTS TRACK

Where to Honeymoon and Wed Around the World -

How to plan honeymoons and destination wedding travel with expert Nancy Barkley. 

10.00am - 5.00pm

CONSUMER SEMINARS

Keynote Panel and 5 Tracks of Seminars including: Meet The Experts, Cruise, Destinations, Traveling Better, and Resorts.

3 Cultural Stages located in Pavilions:  Taste Of The World Theater, Global Theater, World Theater and the CHTAEF Caribbean Auction.  

 

Presentations will take place in the Exhibition Hall throughout the day.

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS

ITS2022 CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN

James Shillinglaw, Editor in Chief of Insider Travel Report, winner of Travel Journalist of the Year and a leading authority in the travel industry.

Mr. Shillinglaw has compiled a comprehensive seminar program focused on The Future of Travel, featuring expert speakers from every facet of the travel and tourism industry.

12.30 - 1.30pm

KEYNOTE PANEL SESSION

Where to Travel in 2023 -

A keynote session with recognized travel experts, including Patricia Schultz, Darley Newman, Denella R’ichard, Pauline Frommer, Zita Keeley, Karen Loftus, Barry Goldsmith, Fiona Downing, and Michaela Guzy.

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