Speaker Stages

Ralph Velasco, Founder and CEO, Continental DRIFTER Experiences

Tired of coming home from a trip wondering if you actually experienced the place—or just checked it off your list?
In this engaging talk, travel photographer, tour leader, and creator of the Continental DRIFTER^® brand,
Ralph Velasco, shows you how to slow down, travel deeper, and create truly memorable adventures.

Drawing from his Mindful & Intentional Traveler book series—including his brand-new release,
Bucket Lists for Travel: Places to Go Before Your Knees Give Out!—Ralph shares fun, practical ways to:

• Travel with more purpose and presence
• Use your 5+ senses to engage deeply with your surroundings
• Reflect on what truly matters—before, during, and after your trip
• Seek more meaningful experiences instead of rushing from site to site

Samantha Brown, Emmy Award-Winning Host, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love

Advice, Tips and Tricks that I have learned traveling for over a quarter of a century.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Casey O’Connell, Safari Consultant, Access 2 Tanzania

Access 2 Tanzania & Treks 2 Rwanda will help you make your bucket list safari adventure a reality, answering questions about when to go, what you should see and do, and how to get the most from your experience. The specific focus will be on experiencing the quintessential safari in Tanzania and trekking to visit the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Journalist & TV Host, YouTube Channel The Tour Guy

Want to travel smarter, stress-free, and actually enjoy your vacation? This talk is your chance to join an exclusive group of savvy travelers who know how to make every trip unforgettable. Angel Castellanos—seasoned traveler with 200k air miles in 2026 and expert who spends almost half the year traveling—will share practical, cutting-edge travel tips and hacks tailored for today’s world.

This high-energy talk is packed with actionable advice that has been the cornerstone of the Savvy Travel Stage for over 10 years, drawn from Angel’s global adventures. You’ll get insider tips on booking smarter, packing lighter (yes, even in a carry-on), and navigating the new technology landscape of travel with ease. Whether you’re a travel pro or just starting to explore, this talk will empower you to take control of your trips, save money, and easily elevate your experiences.

You’ll also discover how to tackle common challenges like stress-free airport navigation, sightseeing like a VIP, and game-changing apps—all while impressing friends and family with your effortless travel game. And that live packing demo? It’s a game-changer you don’t want to miss.

Travel smarter, better, and bolder. Join us for this dynamic, no-fluff presentation, and leave ready to plan the best vacation of your life. By the end, you will have a notebook full of actionable tips, game-changing apps, and real advice from experience. Your next adventure starts here.

Olivia Reinke, Public Relations Manager, Explore Branson

Explore all that makes Branson the ultimate destination for 250^th Anniversary of the United States of America, all year round!

Carl Crews, Director of Business Development, 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™.

Lanora Mueller, Travel Writer
Jamie Ward, Freelance Writer & Content Creator
Cassandra Washington, Founder of Sustah-Girl Chronicles, LLC
Adeina Anderson, Crafting and Home Decor Expert

Solo travel isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement empowering travelers to explore the world on their own terms. Join Wanderful, the global community of women travelers (sheswanderful.com), and a panel of seasoned solo travel experts and creators for an inspiring and practical conversation. We’ll dive into the newest solo travel trends, from emerging destinations and digital safety to mindset shifts and tech that’s changing how we explore. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas, insider tips, and a curated list of our must-have tools to help you plan your next adventure with confidence and joy.

This session is open to all genders, all ages, and all travel backgrounds!

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

TBA

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Carmen Carbonell, Founder and President, Your Own Italy

Your Own Italy is Tour company operating from Rome. We are proud to offer premier, private vacations throughout Italy, serving travelers who want to be guided through their time in Italy, but do not want to be part of a group, permitting us to personally share the Italy we have come to know and love over our 30+ years of experience in the country. We seek to create unforgettable vacations, with private tours, boat excursions, privately guided hikes, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more, making your trip unique.

Our team works with tested and proven restaurants, wineries, and more ensuring that Your Own Italy vacation excursion will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will remember forever and long to repeat with your new friends in Italy, Your Own Italy.

Theresa Goodrich, Traveler, Author, Publisher, Speaker, Emmy-Winner at the Local Tourist & Your Chicago Guide

TBA

Marcus Bobb, Tourism Senior Manager

Brief history of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and speak about our area as a tourist destination.

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

Join European travel expert David McGuffin as he shares travel tips, favorite destinations, and lessons learned from forty-eight 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 advocates avoiding crowds, living like a local, educated travel, and embracing the locale’s culture. His picture-packed presentation comes loaded with pertinent travel information, suggested routes, sage advice, and information about his small-group tours in Europe and beyond.

Jen Ruiz, Creator, Jen on a Jet Plane

Step beyond tourist hotspots and learn how to connect deeply with local communities through food, traditions, and everyday life, transforming your travels into meaningful cultural exchanges.

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

Pauline Frommer will discuss the best places to go in 2026; ways to save money on airfares, lodging, attractions, and dining; how AI is shaping travel pricing (and strategies for tricking it); and much more.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

TBA
Discover what’s new in this iconic destination—from the Maya Train to exciting new resorts and immersive experiences. This session will give you fresh tools and inspiration to confidently sell the Mexican Caribbean in 2026 and beyond.

Jennifer Broome, Multimedia Travel and Environmental Journalist

Go beyond the parks and visit some of the other units of the National Park Service. Visited 264 of the 433 units and will be going to all of them.

Adam Lackner, Owner of Brushbuck Wildlife Tours

In this session, audience members can expect to learn about our 9 day Alaskan Adventure that goes from the interior of Denali to the shores of the Kenai Peninsula and a special trip to see grizzlies like never before in Lake Clark National Park!!

Frederic Perrin, Global Business Development Manager, Lazy Bear Expeditions

Imagine a magical place where 1,000 polar bears rule the land, 60,000 beluga whales roam the sea, and the northern lights paint the sky 300 nights each year. In this presentation, we will introduce you – Up North and Personal™ – to one of nature’s wonders of the world.

Samantha Brown, Emmy Award-Winning Host, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love

Advice, Tips and Tricks that I have learned traveling for over a quarter of a century.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Paul Karemera, Owner and Tour Operator

Rwanda was once known for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.  Today it is know to be the safest country on the African Continent and a spectacular destination for trekking Mountain Gorilla, Golden monkey, go on Safari and learn about the conservation efforts that have returned lion and rhino to Akagera National Park and to see the amazing birders paradise, which at times will you may even find a Shoebill.  Join him in the Land of a Thousand Hills.

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

Pauline Frommer will discuss the best places to go in 2026; ways to save money on airfares, lodging, attractions, and dining; how AI is shaping travel pricing (and strategies for tricking it); and much more.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

TBA

Jane Rooney, Corporate Account Manager

Discover how Cathay Pacific elevates every journey through premium cabins, award-winning service, and a modern, thoughtfully designed fleet. As your gateway to Hong Kong and beyond, explore how Cathay Pacific makes every journey a part of your unforgettable adventure.

Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Journalist & TV Host, YouTube Channel The Tour Guy

Want to travel smarter, stress-free, and actually enjoy your vacation? This talk is your chance to join an exclusive group of savvy travelers who know how to make every trip unforgettable. Angel Castellanos—seasoned traveler with 200k air miles in 2026 and expert who spends almost half the year traveling—will share practical, cutting-edge travel tips and hacks tailored for today’s world.

This high-energy talk is packed with actionable advice that has been the cornerstone of the Savvy Travel Stage for over 10 years, drawn from Angel’s global adventures. You’ll get insider tips on booking smarter, packing lighter (yes, even in a carry-on), and navigating the new technology landscape of travel with ease. Whether you’re a travel pro or just starting to explore, this talk will empower you to take control of your trips, save money, and easily elevate your experiences.

You’ll also discover how to tackle common challenges like stress-free airport navigation, sightseeing like a VIP, and game-changing apps—all while impressing friends and family with your effortless travel game. And that live packing demo? It’s a game-changer you don’t want to miss.

Travel smarter, better, and bolder. Join us for this dynamic, no-fluff presentation, and leave ready to plan the best vacation of your life. By the end, you will have a notebook full of actionable tips, game-changing apps, and real advice from experience. Your next adventure starts here.

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

TBA

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

TBA

Casey O’Connell, Safari Consultant, Access 2 Tanzania

Access 2 Tanzania & Treks 2 Rwanda will help you make your bucket list safari adventure a reality, answering questions about when to go, what you should see and do, and how to get the most from your experience. The specific focus will be on experiencing the quintessential safari in Tanzania and trekking to visit the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.