The Courtyard, photo credit: H Hotel
Monday, General Session 1
Headline News for All the Wrong Reasons
Presented by: Julie Hart, CFO by Design
We've all seen the headlines about our DMO counterparts and have
wondered "what happened?". In this session, we'll look at case studies
from the headlines and then provide guidance on DMO accountability,
fiduciary responsibility of the board, and best practices to protect
your organization. Come with your questions!
Monday, General Session 2:
The Art of Speaking, Actually Speaking, Advocacy!
Presented by: Josiah Brown, The New York Sherpa
Destination marketing organization’s budgets are either “being attacked” or “about to be attacked”. We can’t just tell our story, now we must sell our story.
To move people, you must be able to move them emotionally and be a compelling,
reasonable and educated voice. Learn skills on effectively speaking as well as how to craft the
message that you are bringing. This session will bring DI’s Tourism Lexicon alive while
training you to think and perform like a professional speaker.
Breakout Session 1:
Building an AI-Enabled DMO
Presented by: Matt Clement, Madden Media
This session explores how DMOs and tourism related businesses can leverage AI to drive value and innovation. It will cover integrating AI to enhance departmental synergy, transform data into strategies, and streamline operations. It also discusses empowering partners with insights for better decision-making and growth, using AI for strategic positioning, and delivering customized resources to highlight a destination's innovative edge. The goal is for DMOs to lead in AI evolution, turning challenges into opportunities.
Breakout Session 2:
A Guide to Discovering Gold in your Google Analytics (GA4 Edition)
Presented by: Nick Danowski, TwoSix Digital
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If you’re not regularly popping the hood on your website analytics you’re
definitely missing out. In this session, you’ll discover the data that has been hiding in plain
view that can help you jump start your understanding of your destination’s most engaged
audiences. Use this new information to optimize your upcoming campaigns for maximum
results. You’ll leave with a checklist of essential items to monitor and analyze moving
forward to ensure that your digital marketing efforts equal success..
Breakout Session 3:
What Bloggers Want Destinations to Know
Presented by: Amy Piper, travel writer/bloggers
Destinations are expected to achieve aggressive business goals with limited time, money, and staff. What’s a destination to do? Piper has a proven solution! Bloggers want to build long-term partnerships with destinations, but successful collaboration requires the right strategy. In this presentation, Michigan-based travel writer Piper shares tips for overcoming these challenges, provides recommendations for achieving measurable success, and highlights proven ways bloggers and destinations can work together to achieve their goals. Want to discover how strategic blogger collaborations can drive success for your destination? Don't miss this session!
General Session 3:
DMO Table Topics - Join one of four groups for discussion on a topic. There will be an opportunity to
rotate and join another group during this one hour rotation.
Visitors Guides/Print Publications
Dashboards
Working With Travel MI – PR Opportunities
Outdoor Recreation
Tuesday, General Session 1
Finance for Executives
presented by Julie Hart, CFO by Design
Come to learn about the most important pieces of financial management of a
DMO. From learning to understanding financial statements, what questions
to ask your accounting/finance team and what to expect from an audit, we'll
help prepare you to lead your finances with confidence.
Tuesday, General Session 2
How to Win More First Time Visitors
Presented by: Josiah Brown, The New York Sherpa
Tuesday, General Session 3
First time visitors don’t think in destinations first, they
think in personal interests first. Learn to talk in the language that entices a first-time visitor to
your destination.
After years of talking to 10,000 travelers per year in a mobile visitors center Josiah
Brown, or the New York Sherpa as he is called, has learned how to “Sherpa” interested
travelers into new destinations. Find out what words, images and stories travelers respond to
and how to position your destination to benefit from first time customers.
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DMO Panels: Speed Round
Three DMO panels will share tips/tricks/best practices during this fast-paced session on destination development, building shoulder season business and misc. tips. Continue the brainstorming with your peers as we move in to the shirtsleeves luncheon.
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Panelists: TBA
