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
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

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 
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 

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.

Update on the International Traveler

Parthenon
Join Explore Georgia's international agencies, KBC & LMG, to discuss the state of international travel and current visitor sentiment. This session will focus on the European traveler, and will be followed by an opportunity to meet individually with the agencies the following morning.

Best Practices for Improving you 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

Atrium

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

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

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 with NOMADNESS Travel Tribe and the Black 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. 

Back on Track: Meetings & Conventions Industry

Speaker:  Karl Ely, ASAE
Parthenon
Join leadership from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for an update on the current status of professional meetings and events, and the outlook on this important industry. ASAE is the organization for association management, with members and partners representing more than 48,000 association executives and 7,400 organizations.

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

Athena Ballroom 

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 Cory Lee
Johan Rempel, Georgia Institute of Technology
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

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

8:00am - 2:00pm | Registration Open

Atrium

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

Prefunction & Athena Ballroom

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

Speaker: Mark Jaronski, Explore Georgia 
Athena Ballroom
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

10:45am - 11:45am | Breakout Sessions

Olympia & Parthenon

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