Speaker Stages

Jennifer Broome, Multimedia Travel and Environmental Journalist

Want to travel solo but don’t know how to start?  Travel Journalist Jennifer Broome shares her top tips for traveling solo from a Southwest road trip to an African safari.  She’ll share pre-trip prep, safety strategies, and where to go to enjoy some of 2025 hottest travel trends like adventure trekking, Astrotourism and oenotourism.

Scott Mayerowitz, Reward Points Expert & Strategist, GlobeTrotScott Strategies

Join Scott as he shares tips from his years as a travel expert and frequent traveler. Learn how to maximize frequent flier and hotel loyalty programs. Follow his hacks for finding the best airfare and learn how to vet a hotel to make sure it is up to your standards. Discover ways to avoid being stranded during flight delays. And for those of you worried about airlines losing your luggage: find out the three simple steps you can take to protect your suitcase.

Kris Endreson, Vice President Sales, North America, Aurora Expeditions

TBA

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 2025 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 me 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.

Deon Barnard, CEO, Go Touch Down Travel & Tours

We sell tours to people who don’t like going on tours. We offer six spots on a tour. Safari and Cape Town adventures depart every week. Come learn why you should travel to South Africa.

Melanie Lieberman, Travel Expert and Writer

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

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

It’s not the bucket list or the Instagram ops. Travel connects us to the wider world and to ourselves—it can change how we view everything around us. And that connection has the power to transform us in ways we can’t begin to imagine while sitting at home on the couch. And the view is better.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Jessica Valek, Natural Resources Manager and Chelsea Conley, Destination Stewardship Coordinator, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Join us on an adventure exploring the crystal-clear waters off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Whether your family is considering trying out snorkeling, taking the plunge into SCUBA, or even if you’re an experienced diver yourself, Natural Resources Manager Jessica Valek and Destination Stewardship Coordinator Chelsea Conley will have you ready to go! During this interactive session you’ll be introduced to an extensive artificial reef system, which will soon be home to the world’s largest artificial reef, the marine life that call the Gulf of Mexico home, and even how you can play a role in ongoing coastal research as a citizen scientist.

Moderator: Beth Santos, Founder & CEO, Wanderful

Panelists:
Alyse Tatum, Travel Writer and Content Creator, Wanderful Austin Hub Leader
Michelle Eyrich, Travel Writer & Content Creator
Clementine Koa Affana, Award Nominee Adventure and Sustainable Travel Writer, Wanderful Toronto hub leader
Chrissy Trotter, Travel Writer, and Advisor

Dreaming of your next adventure but unsure where to go? Join Wanderful and a panel of savvy travel content creators as they reveal their top picks for 2025’s must-visit destinations. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems, sustainable travel spots, cultural immersions, or epic natural wonders, this session has it all! Our experts will dive into the best destinations across the globe, sharing why these places should be on your radar and how to make the most of your visit. Get insider tips on navigating these locales, and leave with a fresh list of places you’ll be excited to explore in 2025!

Oya Bekisoglu, Sr. Sales Director, South-Central & Key Accounts, 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.

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

European travel expert David McGuffin shares travel tips, favorite destinations, and lessons learned from forty-eight years on the road. David spends about six 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, 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.

Russell Hannon, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert; Best Selling Author ‘Stop Dreaming Start Traveling’

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, 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.

Meet & Greet and Book Signing Immediately Following in the Book Store.

Chris Burkard, Accomplished Explorer, Photographer, Creative Director, Speaker, and Author
Film Screening and Slideshow
Meet and Greet Immediately Following

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

Alaska is known for mesmerizing outdoor spaces, captivating arts and culture, sparkling glaciers, abundant wildlife, vast parks, and trails, and dazzling northern lights. This engaging and entertaining presentation will get you excited to visit the 49th state.

Lee Abbamonte, Travel Expert – Traveled to Every Country in the World

Rita Smith, Director of Tourism, Visit Glen Rose

Jacqueline Kavanagh, circumnavigated the globe with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is an adventure like no other, turning sailing novices into ocean racers. It’s a record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht, and the 2025-26 edition is set to kick off later this year.

This event is for those eager to test their limits beyond belief and find out what spending 11 months racing a yacht around the world is really like. Come and hear about it from someone who has been there, stared Mother Nature in the eye and taken all she can muster.  Jacqueline Kavanagh, a circumnavigator from the 2019-20 edition and now the Crew Recruitment Manager, will be sharing her experiences and how you could be taking on the #RaceOfYourLife.

You will find out more about the selection process, training, the race, the fleet, stopovers, personal logistics and most importantly, the Race Crew. You’ll either walk away scared, inspired, or motivated, and maybe we’ll see you on the start line for the next 25/26 edition!

Phoenyx Powell, Founder and Creator of Phoenyx Travels

Travel can be life-changing, but for those with mobility or sensory sensitivities, it can feel overwhelming. Join Phoenyx, an expert in accessible travel, to learn how destinations are evolving to make travel more inclusive for all abilities. This session will highlight the progress being made, areas that need improvement, and actionable tips for planning stress-free trips.

Whether you’re a wheelchair user, neurodivergent traveler, or have mobility challenges, you’ll leave empowered to explore the world with confidence.

Scott Mayerowitz, Reward Points Expert & Strategist, GlobeTrotScott Strategies

Join Scott as he shares tips from his years as a travel expert and frequent traveler. Learn how to maximize frequent flier and hotel loyalty programs. Follow his hacks for finding the best airfare and learn how to vet a hotel to make sure it is up to your standards. Discover ways to avoid being stranded during flight delays. And for those of you worried about airlines losing your luggage: find out the three simple steps you can take to protect your suitcase.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Tyler Chiles, Tourism Sales Manager, Explore Fairbanks

Explore Fairbanks Alaska all year long! The Midnight Sun shines all night in the summer. Aurora Season begins in late August. Our inland location makes Fairbanks the ideal place to see the northern lights. Alaska’s “Golden Heart” interior is the gateway to Denali National Park and the Arctic.

Karin Aaron, President and CEO and David Jackson, SVP, Business Development, Green Book Experience

Group and Family Travel got you down? Dive into the rich history of modern-day cultural tourism. Learn strategies to find discounts, streamline logistics without losing your mind!

Robert Alvarez, Executive Director, Visit Big Bend

The Big Bend Region of Texas is home to two international Dark Sky Parks giving “stargazing” a whole new meaning. If hiking, mountain biking, kayaking the Rio Grande or exploring iconic West Texas on horseback is of interest, over one million acres await. Add in the surrounding communities of Marathon, Terlingua and the Lajitas Golf Resort and you have a Texas vacation destination like no other in the Lonestar State.

Russell Hannon, Ultra-Economical Travel Expert; Best Selling Author ‘Stop Dreaming Start Traveling’

Can’t find a travel deal? Ultra-Economical Travel Expert Russell Hannon of BreakTheTravelBarrier.com reveals amazing and practical ways to travel inexpensively regardless of the ‘going rate’. Russell unpacks loads of practical tools that open new worlds of stunningly affordable travel opportunities. “There’s lots for the 5-star and cost conscientious traveler alike”. Attendees will get a digital blueprint you can use right away to save on every trip.

Meet & Greet and Book Signing Immediately Following in the Book Store.

Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Journalist & TV Host, YouTube Channel The Tour Guy
Sarah Dandashy, Travel Expert, Best-Selling Author, Creator, Ask A Concierge
Lee Abbamonte, Travel Expert

Join elite travel experts Lee Abbamonte, Angel Castellanos, and Sarah Dandashy as they dive into the biggest travel trends shaping 2025. From sports tourism to hotel innovations, European travel insights, cutting-edge travel tech, and the resurgence of road trips, this session will give you insider knowledge to elevate your next adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or planning your next getaway, don’t miss this essential discussion on how travel is evolving and what it means for you!

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

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

The Balkan Peninsula stretches south along the Adriatic Sea from Austria to Greece. Its people, places, and culture have shifted over the centuries, but its beauty and charm remain unchanged. Many have heard of the clear cruise waters along the Adriatic coast, but there is more! David McGuffin shares his adventures in Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and the Balkans in this picture-packed travel talk. You’ll leave this presentation with travel ideas, tour routes, timely advice, and information about his small group tours along the Adriatic and Balkans.

Peter Mayers, Director USA, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Discover why Barbados should be at the top of your travel list! From its pristine beaches and vibrant culture to its rich culinary scene and warm hospitality, this session will highlight five compelling reasons why Barbados is the perfect destination for your next getaway. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or authentic island experiences, find out why Barbados is always a good idea!