Timeline and Agenda

2025 Pre-Event Timeline

  • June 1 - Registration opens for Go West Summit 2025
  • November 30 - Deadline to modify profile. Changes to your online profile made after this date will not be reflected in the resource manual.
  • November 30 - Deadline for all advertising artwork
  • December 3 - Appointment selection opens. Click here for more details.
  • December 5 - Room Reservation Cut-off date
  • December 20 - Deadline to modify appointment schedules
  • January 7 - Education Day
  • January 8 & 9 - Marketplace - Two days of face to face pre-scheduled appointments
  • January 10  - Destination Day

On-Site Go West Summit 2024 Event Agenda

Sunday, February 25, 2024

1:00pm – 5:30pm Go West Summit Registration
Main Concourse, Tahoe Blue Event Center
Pick up your event credentials and meet the staff.
5:30pm – 7:30pm Buyer Welcome Reception - Sponsored by Travel Oregon
Opal Room, Bally's Lake Tahoe Resort
-Buyers and journalists only please

Monday, February 26 - Education Day

7:00am – 5:30pm Go West Summit Registration
Main Concourse, Tahoe Blue Event Center
8:30am – 4:00pm

Buyer Site Tour

Join your Lake Tahoe hosts for an exciting day of site visits and world-class scenic splendor! 
Buyers and journalists are welcome to submit their RSVP by clicking the link on their landing pages. Coaches will depart from the Tahoe Blue Event Center promptly at 8:30 am, ensuring a full day of exploration, and will return to your hotel by 4 pm. Full itinerary here.

8:00am – 9:10am

State Caucus Sessions
Tahoe Blue Event Center

States wishing to present a caucus include:
Arizona - Turquoise Room
Oregon - Azure Room
Utah - Edgewood Tower Room
Washington - Balcony Meeting Room

Tahoe Blue Event Center map available right here.

9:15am – 10:30am

International Travel Forecast - David Huether National Travel and Tourism Office
Lapis/Sapphire Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center

This session is designed to help suppliers focus their international promotion efforts in the right markets using the U.S. Department of Commerce’s dashboard. Which countries had the highest inbound-U.S. visitation? To which states did they travel? Did Go West destinations see declines? What does the future hold for international tourism?
>>Learn more about David Huether
>>Presentation available here

10:40am – 11:50am Global Travel and Tourism - Marcela Lizarraga​​​​, Engagement & Products Director, Membership & Commercial, World Travel and Tourism Council
Lapis/Sapphire Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center
Presentation will focus on:
·       Global Travel and Tourism contributions, Impact and Recovery
·       The World Travel and Tourism Council highlights
·       Travel and Tourism (T&T) contribution to the economy and jobs
·       Trends and challenges
·       T&T environmental and social impact
>>Learn more about Marcela Lizarraga
>>Presentation available here
12:00pm – 1:15pm

Lunch - Tahoe Blue Event Center

Sponsored by Brand USA

1:30pm – 2:30pm

United's Journey on Decarbonization - Frederick Thome, Director of Sales, Andean and Central America Region, United Airlines
Lapis/Sapphire Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center
United’s ambition is to play a key role in making air travel more sustainable. We are leading the way in reimagining the future of aviation with environmental responsibility and sustainability at the forefront.
>>Learn more about Frederick Thome
>>Presentation available here

1:30pm – 2:30pm

National Parks Update - Managing Visitation
Cobalt Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center

Moderator - Lisa Simon, CEO, International Inbound Travel Association, 
Presenters - Samantha Towery, CUA Manager, National Park Service; Peter van Berkel, President, Travalco; Lena Ross, IITA Vice Chairwoman and COO, America 4 You.
This session will provide an update on the short- and long-term plans of the National Parks Service and the major national parks, including the CUA program for Road-based Commercial Tours, reservation systems managing visitation and congestion. NPS, IITA and other tour industry associations are collaborating to find mutually beneficial solutions that will ensure the best possible visitor experiences.
In Partnership with IITA 
>>Learn more about Lisa Simon
>>Learn more about Samantha Towery
>>Learn more about Peter van Berkel
>>Learn more about Lena Ross

2:40pm – 3:30pm

Brand USA International Market Outlook - Peter Dodge, Public Affairs, Brand USA
Lapis/Sapphire Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center
Join us for a comprehensive global market update, offering valuable insights into current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the travel industry.
>>Learn more about Peter
>>Presentation available here

2:40pm – 3:30pm

Are You “International Ready?” Build Your Inbound Tourism from Soup to Nuts - Jennifer Ackerson President, Alon Tourism Solutions and Florian Herrmann, CEO, Herrmann Global
Cobalt Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center
From marketing plans to measuring ROI, learn how to work with the travel trade to create demand and build a measurable campaign targeting markets best suited for your destination and experiences. A combination of IITA’s International Inbound Steps to Success training and Hermann Global’s data-based campaign strategy, you’ll learn smart marketing strategies where data intelligence and masterful techniques in working with the travel trade yield a successful destination tourism plan!
In Partnership with IITA 
>>Learn more about Jennifer
>>Learn more about Florian
>>Presentation available here

3:40pm – 4:30pm

Sustainable Tourism - Moderator: Cathy Ritter, Founder of Better Destinations and Trustee, The Travel Foundation. Featuring: Carol Chaplin, President & CEO Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
Lapis/Sapphire Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center
Destinations across the world are transforming their tourism offerings to meet rising expectations for sustainable travel, and forecasters expect this trend to accelerate in the wake of the world's hottest year on record. Learn how Go West's host destination has placed destination stewardship at the center of its tourism strategy and is on a path to be among the top 10% of the world's sustainable destinations. You'll also learn about ground-breaking initiatives for both destinations and tour operators to create low-impact travel offerings for high-value travelers who wish to leave a lighter carbon footprint.
>>Learn more about Cathy
>>Learn more about Carol
>>Presentation available here

3:40pm – 4:30pm

Ask the Inbound Operator - Moderator: Ivar Hottentot, Meeting Point North America
Panelists: Viviane Jurgensen, Dream Vacation Builders; Pasquina DeCarlo, TeamAmerica; Karin Omojola, AmericanTours International    
Cobalt Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center 
Hear from this panel of IITA inbound operators about international market trends, their role in the inbound industry and how you can effectively work with them to build your international business. Learn what their expectations are and the opportunities they see ahead from inbound markets. This is an interactive session. Please come with your questions in-hand, as the operators are eager to answer them.
In Partnership with IITA 
>>Learn more about Viviane Jurgensen
>>Learn more about Ivar Hottentot
>>Learn more about Pasquina DeCarlo
>>Learn more about Karin Omojola

4:40pm – 5:30pm

How to Summit - We're Here, Now What?
Lapis/Sapphire Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center

Presented by: Barb Bowman, CEO, Bowman & Associates, LLC, Francisco Campos, Destination America, Lisa Bruening, Visit Denver
Let us help you be prepared for tomorrow’s appointments. Learn everything from presenting your business card, to creative appointment tips. This session covers the basics of navigating Go West Summit. Moderated by Barb Bowman, CEO, Bowman & Associates, LLC, and Lisa Bruening, Visit Denver.
>>Learn more about Barb
>>Learn more about Francisco
>>Learn more about Lisa

6:00pm – 8:30pm

Opening Event - "Get a Little Out There"
South Shore Room, Harrah's Lake Tahoe
Hosted by Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and Travel Nevada
Let's 'Get a Little Out There' to kickstart Go West Summit 2024 with a lively cocktail reception. Join us for an evening of music, photo ops, and much more as we embark on an unforgettable experience!

Tuesday, February 27

7:00am – 5:30pm Go West Summit Registration
8:00am – 12:00pm Marketplace I This is the first of four Marketplace sessions featuring 12-minute, one-on-one, pre-scheduled appointments.
Download your Marketplace map here and buyer table lists are available organized by table number, or alphabetized by company name. A map of the Supplier Lounge can be found here.
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch - Sponsored by Best Western International (BWH Hotel Group)
1:00pm – 5:30pm Marketplace II
5:30pm – 6:30pm Travel Nevada Happy Hour - Buyers and Journalists only please.
Edgewood Tower Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center
Evening On Your Own

Use this free night to establish a relationship with a potential client or customer—ask them to join you for dinner! Visit the on-site information desk for ideas before exploring local cafés and restaurants.

Wednesday, February 28

7:00am – 5:30pm Go West Summit Registration
7:45am – 8:50am The BIG REVEAL Continental Breakfast - Presented by our 2025 Go West Summit destination host. Don't miss the excitement as our host is revealed!
Tahoe Blue Event Center
9:00am – 12:00pm Marketplace III
12:00pm – 1:10pm

Lunch - Presented by Visit Colorado Springs

1:15pm – 2:15pm Speed Appointment Session
Meet with buyers at their tables for one full hour of unscheduled 5-minute appointments. 
2:15pm – 5:30pm Marketplace IV
5:30pm – 6:30pm GetYourGuide Happy Hour - Invited Guests Only
Edgewood Tower Room, Tahoe Blue Event Center
6:30pm – 9:00pm Closing Event - Visit Lake Tahoe - Awe and then Some
Club Blu, Bally's Lake Tahoe
Hosted by Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority/Visit Lake Tahoe
Wrap up another 'Awe and then Some' Go West Summit by getting together to mingle with familiar faces and new acquaintances, savoring delicious food, drinks, and music, and engaging in interactive party games.

 

Thursday, February 29 - Adventure Day

All Attendees Welcome! Multiple trips are presented - click here to view your options and log in to submit your requests.

FAM Trips

Buyers and journalists are invited to explore destinations and hotels across the American West before and after the show. Several multi-day excursions are offered to registered delegates.

2025 Pre-Event Timeline

  • June 1 - Registration opens for Go West Summit 2025
  • November 29 - Appointment selection opens. Click here for more details.
  • November 30 - Deadline to modify profile. Changes to your online profile made after this date will not be reflected in the resource manual.
  • November 30 - Deadline for all advertising artworkD
  • December 3 - Deadline to modify appointment schedulesD
  • December 5 - Room Reservation Cut-off date
  • January 7 - Education Day
  • January 8 & 9 - Marketplace - Two days of face to face pre-scheduled appointments
  • January 10  - Destination Day