Speaker Stages

Cassandra Trezise, Head of Events and Marketing, Inspiring Vacations

From the alleys of eccentric Tokyo to the torii-lined streets of traditional Kyoto and the vast alps of Nagano, Japan dazzles travelers with its endless beauty. With a history as rich as its dynamic culinary scene, Japan is truly unmissable. Inspiring Vacations is your trusted travel partner. Delivering inspiring travel experiences at compelling value and Japan is no exception.

Russell Hannon, AZN #1 best-selling author, ‘Stop Dreaming Start Traveling’, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert for BreakTheTravelBarrier.com

Known for wowing TV and radio audiences with untold budget travel tips, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert Russell Hannon from breakthetravelbarrier.com offers 99 ways to quickly and easily find the best and least expensive travel 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.

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

We demand a lot from our travels. We want travel to relax us. We want travel to make us feel fulfilled. We want travel to bring us closer to our family and friends and reinforce our own sense of self. And we want all this to happen in the 5 days we have off. But travel really can do all that for you no matter where you go and how much time you have. I’ll talk about what I call the 4 types of travel that can be experienced in every trip for a more fulfilling travel experience. As well as give my best wisdom and advice after traveling extensively during and post covid.

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-five 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.

Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Writer/TV Host, AngelsTravelLounge.com

The World and travel have dramatically changed. Angel Castellanos, who’s traveled almost 500k 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

Arizona’s Route 66 Faces & Places

Arizona is a destination for travelers and bucket-list experiences beckon from every corner of the Grand Canyon State. Road trips and four-wheel excursions are always more memorable when they include little towns with big personalities take a look at Arizona’s stretch of historic Route 66.

Arizona is home to the longest remaining stretches of the original Route 66, which extends across the state from Holbrook (east) to Kingman (west). Fans of the hit-making band the Eagles will appreciate “Standin’ on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona.” Down the road in Kingman, day-trippers will find classic cars, neon signs and the Historic Route 66 Museum and meet the “Angel of Route 66 “in the town of Seligman. Join Arizona for the faces and places along Route 66 followed by open questions and answers to help you plan your upcoming AZ Road Trip.

Carmen Carbonell, President, Your Own Italy

For those who want to experience the real Italy, join me as I share my love for Italy, with the heart and soul of the culture and its people. Your Own Italy focuses on” living like a local” from staying in small boutique hotels, apartments in historic centers and villas in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. You’ll enjoy privately guided tours that include the main historical sites, archeological marvels, famous art museums, but also off-the-beaten path wine tastings and hands-on cooking classes in family-owned villas, walking city food tours, and cultural experiences like village festivals throughout Italy.

Brian Kelly, Founder and CEO of The Points Guy (TPG)

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Julian Douglas, Travel Writer, Photographer & Experience Curator, ListenJourneySavor.com

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 10 Private Tours around the globe. Best of all, he’ll remind you that your trip really is just that, “your trip” and how you can do the same.

Do the things you’ve always dreamed of doing, have once in a lifetime experiences, and check off that bucket list. View the Mona Lisa in private, enter the Vatican before it’s open to the public, 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.

Susana Romero, Director, Galapagos Sales & Communication, Celebrity Cruises

A cruise to the Galapagos Islands is infinitely different than other voyages. Smaller, more intimate, a gathering of people all bound by a fascination with exploration and ecology. All with renowned Celebrity service at every turn. Our Galapagos sailings prove that you can visit the most ancient places on earth wrapped in modern luxury.

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

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

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.

Ernest White II, Executive Producer and Host, Fly Brother

Sustainability is much more than a buzzword. With the negative effects of climate change and the widening income gap more evident than ever, the travel industry—and travelers themselves—have been called to think and act more responsibly to help mitigate and reverse environmental and social damage around the world. From green travel technology to empowering women-owned small businesses, we’ll look at new ways of traveling that create a net gain for our shared planet.

Tia Froehle, Senior Sales Manager, Alaska Land & Sea Adventures

There has been an explosion of new experiences you will love while visiting South-Central Alaska both North, South, and right in Alaska’s largest community, Anchorage. Pre or post cruise days or a land-only vacation, authentic adventures await. Learn from a local Alaskan on what’s new and how Alaska is open year-round for YOU!

Moderator: Stacy Ambrozich, Travel Director, EF Education First
Panelists: Kendra Kroll, Creator, PortaPocket
Natasha Nicholes – Founder, Houseful of Nicholes
Kristin Montgomery – Founder, Growing Global Citizens

Ever considered traveling alone? Whether you’re a veteran solo traveler or thinking about taking that first trip, solo travel is a special way to immerse yourself in the world around you, and many solo travel experts agree that you’ve just got to do it at least once.

Join the leading women’s travel community Wanderful (sheswanderful.com) and a panel of local solo travel experts and content creators who are going to divulge their top tips for going solo – from what to pack and where to go, to favorite travel hacks along the way to make your next solo trip your best one yet.

This session is for all genders, all ages, and all travel experiences! You’ll walk away with some helpful tidbits plus a free list of our most favorite travel gadgets for your next solo adventure.

Barry Johnston, Director of Business Development, Viking Cruises

Join us to learn about small ship cruising with Viking.  Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “The Thinking Person’s Cruise®” in contrast to mainstream cruises. With more than 250 awards to its name, Viking has been rated the #1 River Cruise Line and #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards and the #1 River Cruise Line and #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Travel & Leisure.

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

Pauline will discuss how to plan meaningful, regenerative, enjoyable vacations…and never pay more than you should. To do so, she’ll unpack current travel trends; look at the travel strategies that will help you save money on airfares, lodgings, and activities; and discuss the elements that make a vacation unusually rewarding.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Erin Douglas, Vice President of Field Sales, MCS Cruises USA

Learn about the world’s fastest-growing cruise line and discover why “It’s Time!” with MSC Cruises.  You’ll hear the most recent details about upcoming ships, new product enhancements, new itineraries, and other exciting company news. Plus, we have an exclusive offer just for YOU!

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

While Chicago’s fantastic, sometimes you just want to get out of town. In this session, inveterate road tripper Theresa L. Goodrich not only shares tips for planning an amazing road trip, but she also includes several destinations that are an easy getaway from the Windy City.

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.

Russell Hannon, AZN #1 best-selling author, ‘Stop Dreaming Start Traveling’, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert for BreakTheTravelBarrier.com

Known for wowing TV and radio audiences with untold budget travel tips, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert Russell Hannon from breakthetravelbarrier.com offers 99 ways to quickly and easily find the best and least expensive travel 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.

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

We demand a lot from our travels. We want travel to relax us. We want travel to make us feel fulfilled. We want travel to bring us closer to our family and friends and reinforce our own sense of self. And we want all this to happen in the 5 days we have off. But travel really can do all that for you no matter where you go and how much time you have. I’ll talk about what I call the 4 types of travel that can be experienced in every trip for a more fulfilling travel experience. As well as give my best wisdom and advice after traveling extensively during and post covid.

Oya Bekisoglu, Regional Sales Director, Central USA, Atlas Ocean Voyages

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ intimate, yacht-style cruises offer the ultimate way to experience the world — absent of crowds and brimming with luxurious amenities. On both cold-water expeditions and warm-water ocean voyages, guests explore the world’s most sought-after destinations on small, sleek ships in a highly personalized setting while enveloped in exemplary service.

Join Atlas Ocean Voyages for an exciting presentation that will inspire you to come along with us on a yacht-style journey aboard one of our new ships to explore the world. You bring the dream, and we’ll provide the excitement, pampering and adventure!

Arizona’s Route 66 Faces & Places

Arizona is a destination for travelers and bucket-list experiences beckon from every corner of the Grand Canyon State. Road trips and four-wheel excursions are always more memorable when they include little towns with big personalities take a look at Arizona’s stretch of historic Route 66.

Arizona is home to the longest remaining stretches of the original Route 66, which extends across the state from Holbrook (east) to Kingman (west). Fans of the hit-making band the Eagles will appreciate.

Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Writer/TV Host AngelsTravelLounge.com

Technology has changed travel for the better and travel has never been easier. There is no doubt that our smartphones can be the most important travel tool in today’s world. Learn about the best travel technology, travel apps and how-to-use your device abroad from full time traveler Angel Castellanos. This highly informative talk is updated every year and “packed” with the most up to date savvy travel tips to help you maximize your tech to travel smarter. Angel Castellanos, The Travel Ambassador, is a travel tech expert with tips to make traveling with your tech easy. Learn to unlock the potential of your device and travel easier and smarter without getting lost in your phone. This informative and popular presentation prepares travelers so they can confidently use their mobile devices as a tool to travel better. Angel will cover the best travel apps to enhance your travels and allow you to communicate effectively without breaking the bank. No matter how tech savvy you are, you will definitely come away with great advice and helpful apps to travel smarter and better with your technology. Join us for this insightful and dynamic presentation. Travel smart, often, and well! AngelsTravelLounge.com

Barry Johnston, Director of Business Development, Viking Cruises

Join us to learn about small ship cruising with Viking.  Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “The Thinking Person’s Cruise®” in contrast to mainstream cruises. With more than 250 awards to its name, Viking has been rated the #1 River Cruise Line and #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler

in the publication’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards and the #1 River Cruise Line and #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Travel & Leisure.

Karamel McCoy, CEO & Founder of Women Travel Abroad

Tour operators, vendors, and hotels are not keeping up with the changing travel landscape. No longer are people committed to traveling with a plus one. So why do most websites in the travel space automatically default to two people when booking? Pre-pandemic solo travelers were 11 million and now reaching more than 18 million. We are living in a post-pandemic world. More travelers have decided they do not need to wait for a travel companion. They are searching for people that thrive on travel just as much as they do. How are you connecting with the solo traveler? Are you aware of the resources available for solo travelers?

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

Pauline will discuss how to plan meaningful, regenerative, enjoyable vacations…and never pay more than you should. To do so, she’ll unpack current travel trends; look at the travel strategies that will help you save money on airfares, lodgings, and activities; and discuss the elements that make a vacation unusually rewarding.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

George Johns, Business Development Manager – Central USA, Aurora Expeditions

Join Aurora Expeditions for a look at small ship expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic. Find out how you can fully embrace the adventure during your expedition with tips from our Expedition Expert. From unexpected wildlife sightings to snorkeling in polar waters and late-night happenings, we’ve got the details on awe-inspiring adventures. Join the seminar for 6 chances to win!

Ralph Velasco, Founder and Chief Experience Officer, PhotoEnrichment Adventures

Everyone travels, and takes pictures, but few intentionally make travel photos everyone wants to see, and this is what separates casual hobbyists from those who can rightfully call themselves travel photographers.

In this session, Ralph shows you how to go beyond the postcard shots everyone else is taking and how to create interesting, storytelling images your friends and family will be begging you to see, not the other way around.