1:00pm - 5:00pm | Registration Open

Atrium

1:00pm - 5:00pm | Early Sponsor Setup

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom

5:30pm - 7:30pm | Georgia Tourism Foundation Event

Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo
Sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts
Join the Georgia Tourism Foundation board of directors for a new pre-conference evening event! Enjoy fun with old and new friends in the intimate setting of the Rialto Room at the Hotel Indigo. This foundation fundraiser includes hors d’oeuvres, open bar and local Athens entertainment. Georgia Tourism Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit and contributions may be tax deductible. Additional registration required.  $150 per person.

8:00am - 5:30pm | Registration Open

Atrium

9:00am - 12:00pm | Sponsor Setup

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom

9:00am - 10:00am | Georgia Tourism Foundation Board Meeting

Empire 1

9:00am - 11:00am | Professional Development Network (PDN) Sessions

Moderated by Ashley Barfield, Brittney Gray & Regan Young, Explore Georgia
Grand Hall 2-5
Pre-registration required. Choose from marketing, research, or visitor services.  PDN Sessions open to partner attendees only.

11:00am - 12:00pm | Georgia Association of CVBs Board Meeting

Empire 2

11:00am - 1:00pm | Lunch on own for conference attendees

Downtown Athens

1:00pm - 1:30pm | Conference Welcome

Speaker: Mark Jaronski, Deputy Commissioner, Explore Georgia 
Athena Ballroom

1:30pm - 2:15pm | Connecting and Communicating in a New Normal

Speaker: Celeste Headlee, Headway DEI
Athena Ballroom 
Sponsored by Atlanta Magazine Custom Media
Making authentic connections can be difficult when so many of us are overworked and anxious. The challenge of communicating has become even more difficult since the onset of the pandemic. But making and maintaining authentic connections can be simple if we learn some basic principles of good conversation. Even in the age of Zoom calls and Slack, we can have conversations that are energizing instead of exhausting, and inspiring. Sociological and neurological research shows that conversation is good for us when we focus on listening and learning. 

2:15pm - 3:00pm | Refreshment Break

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Blue Sky Agency

3:00pm - 4:00pm | Breakout Sessions - choose one of the following:

Best Practices for Research-driven Creative

Speaker: David Seiferth, SMARInsights
Olympia 
While many destinations utilize research to provide an historical assessment of performance, in some ways it can be even more valuable as a tool to guide strategy, targeting and creative. Join David Seiferth, Ph.D., President and Founder of Strategic Marketing & Research, Inc. (SMARI), in a discussion that will explore some of the practical, tactical, and strategic applications research can provide through a series of case studies involving branding, image and creative testing. For 30 years, SMARI has provided full-service, customized market research to the travel and tourism industry.

Tourism’s Economic Impact and Navigating Your County-Level Data

Speaker: Greg Pepitone, Tourism Economics
Parthenon
Tourism is an integral part of Georgia’s economy. Join Greg Pepitone from Tourism Economics as he takes you through overall visitor trends in Georgia as well as hints and tips that can help you be more versatile and impactful when speaking in support of the local tourism economy. Greg will share Tourism Economics’ latest views on the overall economy and expectations for the year ahead, as well as a look into Tourism Economics’ Symphony platform and how to navigate state and county impact results.

Best Practices for Improving Your Conversation Skills

Speaker: Celeste Headlee, Headway DEI
Oconee River Ballroom
Celeste will outline specific, practical tips for improving conversation and allow participants to practice in a small group setting. 

4:00pm - 6:00pm | Welcome Reception: Bites & Brews

Sponsored by the Athens CVB & The Classic Center
Atrium
The Classic Center Atrium is the perfect setting to catch up with your tourism friends at the Welcome Reception. We’ll have passed hors d'oeuvres and give you the opportunity to sample local craft beer as we highlight the new Athens Beer Trail. Try crisp, light goses and sours, new twists on IPAs, or indulge in a fine stout to find your new favorite beer. (Wine will also be available, if that’s how you roll.)

6:00pm | Dinner on your own

Downtown Athens

8:00am - 4:30pm | Registration Open

Atrium

8:00am - 9:00am | Networking Continental Breakfast

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Tripadvisor

9:00am - 10:00am | The State of Travel & Hospitality

Speaker: Lindsey Roeschke, Morning Consult
Athena Ballroom 
Join decision intelligence company Morning Consult for key findings from its quarterly report, The State of Travel & Hospitality, tracking evolving consumer trends in the travel & hospitality sector and what they mean for the future of the industry. Based on survey interviews with more than 11,000 adults across the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, this report provides insight into how consumers are thinking about, planning and engaging in travel amid the ongoing pandemic.

10:00am - 10:45am | Refreshment Break

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Adara & Dotdash Meredith

10:45am - 11:45am | Breakout Sessions - choose one of the following:

Traveling Toward Inclusivity: Unpacking the Black Travel Movement

Speaker: Stefanie Benjamin, Tourism Reset
Olympia 
Join Dr. Stefanie Benjamin, Co-Director of Tourism RESET, as she unpacks the history of Black Travel and where the Black Travel Movement is today. Partnering withNOMADNESS Travel Tribeand theBlack Travel Alliance, Benjamin along with Tourism RESET Co-Director, Dr. Alana Dillette, have published numerous journal articles in top tier tourism journals, in AFAR Travel Magazine, and in Conde Nast Traveler. Their research dives deep into the intersections of Black travel – ranging from large survey data to intimate in-depth interviews with members of this movement. During her presentation, Benjamin will share highlights of their current research along with tangible suggestions to help make the travel industry inclusive – both authentically and honestly.

Secrets of the Email Strategist: Flash Edition

Speaker: Jen Capstraw, Women of Email
Parthenon

Email marketing is touted as the most powerful and cost-effective digital channel. But too often, email is used to blast an audience with offers and information, without much consideration of what subscribers want or expect.

In this abbreviated version of Jen Capstraw’s four-hour email strategy masterclass, you’ll learn how to boost the potential of your email program, build more meaningful relationships with your audience, and maximize ROI and subscriber sentiment. Top takeaways include:

• Tips for improving open rates in the crowded inbox
• The important engagement KPI you’re probably not tracking
• Free tools you can use to level up your email program
• The simplest strategy for supercharging campaign relevance
• Jen’s number one trick for getting the click

12:00pm - 1:00pm | UGA Spirit Luncheon

Speaker: Josh Brooks, J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics, University of Georgia
Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Athens CVB & The Classic Center
You’re sure to catch the spirit of our lively host college town, whether you are a Georgia Bulldog through and through or reminded of your glory days at your own alma mater. A great tailgate buffet spread will be accompanied by plenty of red & black UGA Spirit and some surprise “official guests.” If you're feeling inspired, wear your favorite red and black!

1:15pm - 2:15pm | Breakout Sessions - choose one of the following:

Building a Successful and Sustainable Social Marketing Strategy

Speaker: Jon-Stephen Stansel, Chaotic Good Studios
Olympia 
Navigating social media to promote your brand can often be time-consuming and frustrating. But it doesn't have to be! In this session we discuss how to best manage, grow, and sustain your social media presence. We will discuss how to set manageable goals for your social channels, which platforms to be on, how to build content that resonates with your audience, and how to make the most of social media even when you are on a limited budget. We will discuss real-life examples from major brands and discuss how these techniques can work for you. No matter if you are just starting your journey with social media or are a seasoned pro, you will find actionable advice that you can implement in your work.

What's Your Accessibility Stack?

Speakers: Cory Lee, Curb Free with Cory Lee; Johan Rempel, Georgia Institute of Technology
Moderated by Lindsay Isaacs, Explore Georgia
Parthenon
Accessibility has moved beyond just curb cuts and is a vital element of the entire journey of a traveler. Join Explore Georgia for a panel discussion about integrating accessibility into all aspects of your business. Learn about digital accessibility from the experts at Georgia Tech's Center for Inclusive Design, as well as creating content and curating accessible experiences from travel expert Cory Lee.

2:15pm - 3:00pm | Refreshment Break

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Georgia Humanities & Hearst Lifestyle Group

3:00pm - 4:00pm | Unlocking your Ingenuity in Marketing

Speaker: Neal Foard, Within Inc.
Athena Ballroom
In this one-hour session, creativity authority Neal Foard will provide fascinating tips on how to unlock your own spirit of innovation in the marketing of destinations.  From the art of lateral thinking, to the new age of storytelling, to better ways to brainstorm, the session will equip the audience with tools for looking at tourism marketing with fresh eyes.

4:00pm | Dinner on your own

Downtown Athens

5:00pm - 6:30pm | Happy Hour Drop In

Creature Comforts, 271 W. Hancock Ave., Athens, GA 30601

Meet & greet with old and new friends and get to know the Explore Georgia staff at this craft brewery. Enjoy a flight of beers featured in their taproom. Local kombuchas, sparkling waters, sodas, and nitro coffee from other producers will be available for guests who may not consume alcohol. Attendees pay on own.

Note: Please wear business attire for all Wednesday sessions.

8:00am - 2:00pm | Registration Open

Atrium

8:00am - 9:00am | Networking Continental Breakfast

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Undertone

9:00am - 10:00am | Explore Georgia Update

Speaker: Mark Jaronski, Explore Georgia 
Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Miles Partnership
Join Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Mark Jaronski for an update on the state of Georgia’s travel & tourism industry.

10:00am - 10:45am | Refreshment Break

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom
Sponsored by Arrivalist & Nativo

10:45am - 11:45am | Breakout Sessions - choose one of the following:

Authentic LGBTQIA+ Traveler Engagement

Speaker: Matt Wagner, Target 10
Olympia 

In this breakout session, meet a leading expert in LGBTQIA+ communications with fifteen years of experience leading the development and execution of innovative, authentic LGBTQIA+ campaigns that leverage queer cultural insights for cross-category Fortune 50 companies and brands and learn the most important aspects of how to engage LGBTQIA+ travelers meaningfully and responsibly.  This will include a breakdown of who comprises the community including definitions, demographics and trends; best practices for authentic engagement with corresponding best in class work; and a robust Q&A session where you can have your specific questions about the community and LGBTQ+ engagement answered live.

2022 State of the Media

Speakers: Jennifer Franklin, Writer; Sucheta Rawal, Writer; Starlight Williams, National Geographic Travel
Moderated by Cayla Shoup, Explore Georgia
Parthenon
During this breakout session, a panel of travel journalists and industry experts will discuss key findings from Cision’s 2022 State of the Media Report, addressing how communicators can better understand the overall media landscape and strengthen their relationships with journalists; travel trends and themes for 2022; and best practices for PR and communications professionals in the tourism industry.

House & Senate Joint Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

Speakers:  Chairman Ron Stephens, Georgia House of Representatives; Chairman Bruce Thompson, Georgia State Senate
Grand Hall 2-5
A working session of the joint committee that conference attendees are welcome to observe as Explore Georgia and others make presentations to these elected officials.

12:00pm - 1:30pm | Governor's Luncheon

Speakers: Pat Wilson, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Governor Brian P. Kemp, State of Georgia
Athena Ballroom 

1:30pm | Adjourn