Speaker Stages

David McGuffin, Travel Enthusiast, Tour Operator, Musician, and Part-Time European, David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc.

Join European travel expert David McGuffin as he shares travel tips, favorite destinations, and lessons learned from forty-seven years on the road. David spends about four months a year in Europe leading his small group tours, writing about his favorite destinations, and sharing his adventures via his social media, travel blog, and videos. He is an advocate of avoiding crowds, living like a local, educated travel, and embracing the culture of the locale. His picture-packed presentation is loaded with pertinent travel information, suggested routes, sage advice, and information about his small-group tours in Europe.

Mickela Mallozzi, Emmy® Award-Winning Host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi

Sustainability in travel can be daunting, but it doesn’t mean you have to give anything up – instead, you gain so much from proactively seeking authentic travel experiences. Learn from world traveler and Emmy-winning travel host on PBS, Mickela Mallozzi, on how to make sure your next travels are culturally sustainable, by connecting with the locals and making the most authentic travel experiences into lasting memories wherever you go! Be sure to attend this session if you have a trip already booked or if you’re looking for travel inspiration for your next trip.

Peter Greenberg, Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter
& Producer & CBS News Travel Editor

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Muriel Wiltord, Director Americas, Martinique Tourism Authority

Martinique is the ideal Caribbean getaway for nature lovers, with awe-inspiring landscapes and remarkable biodiversity recognized by UNESCO. During this session, you’ll hear the latest updates from this one-of-a-kind destination. Please come and join us.  You may be pleasantly surprised!

Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Writer/TV Host, AngelsTravelLounge.com, YouTube Channel The Tour Guy

If you want to travel better, smarter and enjoy your vacation, you don’t want to miss this popular talk. The World and travel have dramatically changed. Angel Castellanos, who’s traveled almost one million air miles since 2020, delivers his updated popular and energetic talk on practical travel tips and savvy packing techniques. This highly informative talk is updated from Angel’s extensive travels and “packed” with the most up to date actionable travel tips and inspirational stories from all over the world to help travelers travel smarter, better, and cheaper. In this talk you will learn to plan, book & execute and even pack for the best vacation of your life!  Angel will deliver the best travel tips on changes in tourism, health safety, de-stressing the airport experience, saving money, sightseeing hacks, traveling with technology and of course updated packing tips for today’s world! No matter your level of experience, you are bound to come away with practical, current travel tips. The packing demonstration included in this talk is one you do not want to miss. Packing in a carry on? After this presentation, packing in any bag will not be a problem! Join us for this insightful and dynamic presentation. Travel smart, well and often! AngelsTravelLounge.com

Anthony Iozzia, Regional Sales Director, Northeast, Atlas Ocean Voyages

Come learn about all things Antarctica! With Atlas Ocean Voyages, venture to the seventh continent and see incredible wildlife such as penguins, seals, birds, whales, and many more. Travel on your fully guided expeditions via zodiac as you explore the varying landscape of the great white continent. With Atlas Ocean Voyages, you not only immerse yourself in the destination, but you do so in style and comfort of a small, luxurious yacht with fewer than 200 guests onboard. When you’re not exploring Antarctica, kayaking, or camping out on the ice, sit back, relax, and enjoy our all-inclusive atmosphere, educational programming, upscale dining, and elegant comforts of our yachts.

Andrew McCarthy, Actor, Director, Award-Winning Travel Writer

Russell Hannon, Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of ‘Stop Dreaming Start Traveling’ and Ultra Economical Travel Expert for BreakTheTravelBarrier.com

Known for WOW’ing audiences with untold budget travel tips, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert Russell Hannon offers 99 ways to quickly and easily find the best and least expensive options for you. No matter what your travel type is, or where you want to go, you will leave with dozens of practical tips and tricks you can put to work right away to save money on your next great escape.

Markham McGill, Director of Sales, The Florida Keys & Key West

Take a journey with us through the Florida Keys as we highlight the five unique regions here: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon,
the Lower Keys (also referred to here as “the natural keys”) and finally, the world-famous Key West.

Patricia Schultz, Author, “1,000 Places To See Before You Die”, “1,000 Places To See in the United States & Canada Before Your Die”, and “Why We Travel: 100 Reasons To See The World”

Patricia Schultz is the travel guru and author of the NYT #1 best-selling 1,000 Places To See Before You Die and 1,000 Places to See in the USA & Canada Before You Die. Continent by continent, she takes you along to some of her favorite destinations around the world – both predictable and surprising, well known and unsung – or perhaps some special place just a road trip away. Visually beautiful, Patricia’s presentation is filled with insights and practical tips she’s collected along the way, anecdotes and suggestions about how to make each trip a lasting memory.

Book Signing Immediately Following

Lauren Green, Director of Business Development, New England & Upstate New York, Viking Cruises

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture, and cuisine. Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated at the top of its categories for oceans, rivers, and expeditions by both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler.  No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.  Today’s presentation will introduce you to The Viking Way™ of experiencing destination travel.  You will learn about Viking’s award-winning ships, and the itineraries that will allow you to Explore The World In Comfort™.

Melanie Lieberman, VP, Hotel Editorial Content, Chase Travel

Tips and tricks for protecting your trips, saving time, and getting ahead, no matter where you’re going or how often you travel.

Kara Troglin, Tourism Sales Manager, Alaska Land & Sea Adventures

What drives traveler’s decisions when planning for an Alaska trip? In short, the numbers. Learn the distances (Alaska IS Big!), temperatures in all the seasons and when to go, money & how to get the best bang-for-the-buck! And lots of other facts about Alaska wildlife, culture & attractions from a seasoned expert. This engaging and entertaining presentation will get you excited to visit the 49th state!

Julian Douglas, Travel Writer, Photographer & Experience Curator. The Private Tour Connoisseur.

Whether you’re looking to explore ancient sights and museums or eat your way across the Italian countryside in a Ferrari, Julian will reveal his Top Private Tours around the world. Learn how to maximize what Private Tours have to offer, tips and tricks to find the best tours, save money and make them happen.  

Do the things you’ve always dreamed of doing, have once in a lifetime experiences, and check them off your bucket list. View the Mona Lisa in private, drive a vintage boat on Lake Como, go behind closed doors at Versailles and see Elephants on an African Safari so close you can hear them breathe. Today’s Private Tours are more attainable and less expensive than ever before, so skip the lines and fully experience all that your destination has to offer. If you can dream it, a Private Tour can make it happen.

Valerie Bryan, Reservations Manager, Poseidon Expeditions

Come explore some of the most remote and pristine areas of the world with us.  Learn about expedition cruising to the Arctic and Antarctic.  Follow Shackleton’s travels in the South and the path of the Vikings in the North.

Pauline Frommer, Editorial Director of the Frommer’s Guides and Publisher of Frommers.com

Pauline will discuss the smartest, most up-to-date ways of saving money on airfares, lodgings, sightseeing and more, advice that changes every year since the travel industry is so volatile. But it doesn’t really matter how much you save if the trip doesn’t feed your soul, right? Pauline will also cover methods of travel that allow you to dig deeper into the local culture and/or learn a bit about yourself; the most exciting destinations for 2024/2025; ways to reframe travel planning so it enhances your daily life; and much more.

Laurita and Lauren Portee, Hosts of WETA’s Get Out of Town

Mother-daughter travel series hosts Laurita and Lauren Portee share tips on travel, lodging, and food options within a few hours drive of the D.C. area.

Eloise Dyer, Marketing & Communication Manager, Borana Conservancy & Lodge, Kenya
Tatiana Dyer, Assistant Manager, the Borana Lodge

In a world of adventure travel sessions, one stands out as a transformative experience that combines thrilling escapades with profound conservation efforts. Join us to discover the magic of Borana, Kenya with Eloise Dyer.

Explore Borana, Kenya’s hidden gem, where adventure knows no bounds, and where every travel experience is a force for conservation. In this captivating session, Eloise will unveil the magic of Borana Lodge and Conservancy, its pristine landscapes, unparalleled wildlife encounters, and thrilling adventures that await you and your family.

David McGuffin, Travel Enthusiast, Tour Operator, Musician, and Part-Time European, David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc.

Join European travel expert David McGuffin as he shares travel tips, favorite destinations, and lessons learned from forty-seven years on the road. David spends about four months a year in Europe leading his small group tours, writing about his favorite destinations, and sharing his adventures via his social media, travel blog, and videos. He is an advocate of avoiding crowds, living like a local, educated travel, and embracing the culture of the locale. His picture-packed presentation is loaded with pertinent travel information, suggested routes, sage advice, and information about his small-group tours in Europe.

Jordan Campbell, Creator at Global Debauchery
Shenise Foster, Creator at The Munch Travelogue
Adrienne Barile, Creator at The Haphazard Traveler
Angeline Taylor, Owner of ACT3 Explorations & Wanderful DC Hub Leader

Peter Greenberg, Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter
& Producer & CBS News Travel Editor

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Derrick Strother, Regional Sales Director, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, and Emerald Cruises

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises has grown over its 36-year plus history to include award-winning river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys that take guests to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Join us to unveil the 2024 offers and learn how we can fulfill your dream vacations.

Patricia Schultz, Author, “1,000 Places To See Before You Die”, “1,000 Places To See in the United States & Canada Before Your Die”, and “Why We Travel: 100 Reasons To See The World”

As author of the best-selling travel book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, author Patricia Schultz has been telling travelers where to travel for 20 years. But her most recent book Why We Travel: 100 Reasons to See the World focuses on how travel enriches us and why we choose to do it. Leading with the idea that travel is food for the soul, Patricia passionately makes the case that travel is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have – and in this presentation using vibrant photos pulled from the book, she includes quotes, insights and anecdotes that feature some of her favorite destinations around the globe.

Book Signing Immediately Following

Hank Dearden III, Executive Director, ForestPlanet, Inc.

Every journey has a carbon footprint, but there’s a simple, easy, and affordable way to offset this reality: plant trees at 15 cents each!  Forest restoration projects quickly deliver benefits above and beyond greenhouse gas reduction: soil revitalization, water retention, income, and food security for local communities.  During this session we’ll visit example planting sites in Tanzania and Morocco and show how the trees are changing all our lives for the better.

Pauline Frommer, Editorial Director of the Frommer’s Guides and Publisher of Frommers.com

Pauline will discuss the smartest, most up-to-date ways of saving money on airfares, lodgings, sightseeing and more, advice that changes every year since the travel industry is so volatile. But it doesn’t really matter how much you save if the trip doesn’t feed your soul, right? Pauline will also cover methods of travel that allow you to dig deeper into the local culture and/or learn a bit about yourself; the most exciting destinations for 2024/2025; ways to reframe travel planning so it enhances your daily life; and much more.

Brian Cicioni, Travel Writer & NYC Tour Guide, IMayRoam.com

Travel writer and NYC tour guide Brian Cicioni will share his top picks for destinations in North America and the Caribbean. Brian has visited every state and spends more than 100 nights a year on the road looking for things that will surprise his audience and help you plan your future trips. He is eager to share the where, why, and how for some of his favorite North American destinations, including lesser-known highlights of famous cities like Houston and Toronto, as well as less-visited places like Alberta and the Dutch Caribbean. Whether you are a foodie who longs to slurp bison ramen in Rapid City or a beach person looking for diving experiences in Bonaire, Brian will share his 20-plus years of travel experience.

Russell Hannon, Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of ‘Stop Dreaming Start Traveling’ and Ultra Economical Travel Expert for BreakTheTravelBarrier.com

Known for WOW’ing audiences with untold budget travel tips, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert Russell Hannon offers 99 ways to quickly and easily find the best and least expensive options for you. No matter what your travel type is, or where you want to go, you will leave with dozens of practical tips and tricks you can put to work right away to save money on your next great escape.

Brandon Hughbanks, Agent Representative, Travel Insurance Center

Benefits, features, and pricing: Know before you buy.

Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Writer/TV Host, AngelsTravelLounge.com, YouTube Channel The Tour Guy

If you want to travel better, smarter and enjoy your vacation, you don’t want to miss this popular talk. The World and travel have dramatically changed. Angel Castellanos, who’s traveled almost one million air miles since 2020, delivers his updated popular and energetic talk on practical travel tips and savvy packing techniques. This highly informative talk is updated from Angel’s extensive travels and “packed” with the most up to date actionable travel tips and inspirational stories from all over the world to help travelers travel smarter, better, and cheaper. In this talk you will learn to plan, book & execute and even pack for the best vacation of your life!  Angel will deliver the best travel tips on changes in tourism, health safety, de-stressing the airport experience, saving money, sightseeing hacks, traveling with technology and of course updated packing tips for today’s world! No matter your level of experience, you are bound to come away with practical, current travel tips. The packing demonstration included in this talk is one you do not want to miss. Packing in a carry on? After this presentation, packing in any bag will not be a problem! Join us for this insightful and dynamic presentation. Travel smart, well and often! AngelsTravelLounge.com

Laura Powell, Founder, Tourism Well Defined

We look at the latest wellness travel trends and separate the woo-woo from the tried and true.

Raymond Bud Geissler, President GroupCollect

Join this session to hear everything you need to know about trip planning and traveling as a large group in your favorite city!