Destinations Wisconsin Fall Tourism Conference

Registration - Foyer

Opening Luncheon

Trailblazer Awards Ceremony & Travel Wisconsin Outlook

Speaker: Secretary Anne Sayers, WI Dept. of Tourism

Sponsored by Discover Wisconsin

Breakout Sessions

• DMO Roundtables – Sports & M&C sales, Motorcoach sales, Marketing Research, Social Media & Content Creation

• Native American Tourism: Cultivating Authentic Experiences And Empowering Communities - Presenters: Kirby Metoxen/Native American Tourism of WI, Melanie Tallmadge Sainz/Little Eagle Arts Foundation, Anne Katz/Create Wisconsin

• AI Tools & Tactics for Tourism & Hospitality - Presenter: Brian Matson/TwoSix Digital

Networking Break

Breakout sessions

• DMO Roundtables 2 – Visitor Centers & Services, Visitor Guides, Events, Partnerships/Membership

• The Sound of Success: Building a Music Tourism Scene - Presenters: Pam Seidl/Fox Cities CVB, Kenzi Havlicek/Visit Eau Claire, Ellie Westman Chin/Destination Madison

• Using LinkedIN to Land More Meetings and Sports Travel - Presenter: Brian Madsen/TwoSix Digital

Marketplace & Reception 

While networking with your colleagues, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and beverages.  Visit all the sponsor and exhibitor marketplace booths for a chance to win some fabulous door prizes. Hosted by Destination Madison.

Sponsored by: People.Inc., Epsilon, Simpleview/Granicus

Downtown Madison Dine Around - Enjoy your Thursday evening exploring Downtown Madison  

Registration 

Breakfast Buffet

Keynote Address: Navigating the New Era of Tourism: Agility, Collaboration, and Credibility, 

Are you ready to truly thrive in the new era of travel and tourism? The leader of Destinations International will share how the destination promotion and management landscape has dramatically shifted, demanding a bold new approach to leadership that transcends traditional marketing and embraces destination stewardship, community engagement and proactive advocacy. Whether you’re a destination professional, board leader or community or industry partner, be ready to discover how to shape the future of your destination and the travel industry.

Speaker: Don Welsh/Destinations International President & CEO

Breakout Sessions

• Local Tourism Funding Challenges and Opportunities - Presenters: Bill Elliott/WI Hotel & Lodging Association, Tiffany Gallagher/Civitas

• The Star Power Playbook: Leveraging Sports Personalities for Brand Growth - Presenters: Shane Brossard/Travel Wisconsin, Josh Albrecht/Visit Milwaukee

• How Tech is Transforming the Travel Journey - Presenter: Jennifer Griswold/Future Partners

• Downtown Madison Field Trip (Walking off site tour, 9:15 – 11:15 a.m.)

Networking Coffee Break

Breakout Sessions

• DNEXT: Navigating the Future for Destination Organizations - Presenter: Deb Archer/MMGY NextFactor

• How Tech is Transforming the Travel Journey (repeat) - Presenter: Jennifer Griswold/Future Partners

• Building & Promoting the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway - Presenters: Jamie Polley/Wausau/Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry, Tim White/Visit Wausau, Sydney Walter/Zartico

Closing Luncheon

Sponsored by TwoSixDigital & Future Partners