Speaker Stages

Justin Barnette, Head: Marketing & Communications North America, South African Tourism

From iconic Big Five safaris and sun-soaked coastlines to vibrant cities and rich cultural heritage, South Africa is a land of unforgettable experiences. Discover a soul-stirring journey filled with beauty, adventure, and the warm spirit of Ubuntu—where joy is just the beginning.

Daniel Armbruster, AAA Texas

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.

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

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Alex McNeil, Chief Expedition Officer/HX Expeditions

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.

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.

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.

Phil Keoghan, Host and an Executive Producer of CBS’ Emmy Award-Winning Reality Series THE AMAZING RACE and Critically Acclaimed Series TOUGH AS NAILS

Phil’s lust for adventure came from a near-death experience while shipwreck diving when he was only 19. Faced with his own mortality, Phil was suddenly filled with a sense of urgency, an overwhelming hunger to live life to the fullest. As a result, he developed a BUCKiT^® #TickitbeforeYouKickit mindset, a call to action to tick things off your BUCKiT^® list while you still can. BUCKiT^® is about swerving off the predictable road you’ve been following for years – on to a completely strange and bumpy path that will hopefully get you completely lost and toward a life full of adventure. In his talk, Phil will introduce his 8 steps to living the BUCKiT^® lifestyle.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Maria Landrau-Mackey, Strategic Account Manager

Michelle Eyrich, Travel Writer and Content Creator
Alyse Tatum, Travel Writer and Content Creator, Wanderful Austin Hub Leader
Audra Morris, Creator, The Nerd Traveler
Christina Trotter, Travel Advisor

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!

Allycia Auxier, Key Account Manager, Celebrity Cruises

Get an inside look at the newest ships, onboard experiences, and destination highlights from Celebrity Cruises. This session brings you up to speed on what’s fresh, exciting, and redefining premium cruising.

Deon Barnard, CEO, Go Touch Down Travel & Tours

Our tours depart every week. No middleman and solo friendly rates. Join me to learn why you should travel to South Africa.

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

Lizeth Pérez Marín
Promotion Manager, Quintana Roo Tourism Board (Mexican Caribbean)
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.

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.

Robert Alvarez, Executive Director Visit Big Bend

The Big Bend Region of Texas is home to one of the largest but least crowded National Parks in the country as well as the largest state park in all of Texas! Plan a visit to Big Bend and enjoy 1.2 million acres of the Chihuahuan Desert at its finest. Hiking, Mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, stargazing, ATV adventures and even championship golfing await you. This talk will introduce you to the area around Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park including the unique accommodations and local cuisine in the surrounding communities of Marathon, Terlingua, Study Butte and Lajitas.

Laurie Smith, Business Development Manager

Colleen Kugler, M.Ed., Founder, Special Education Exchange Nonprofit (S.E.E.), Family Support Specialist | Global Inclusion Consultant

Most travel advice focuses on destinations—where to go, what to see, and where to stay. But the real secret to great travel isn’t just planning for the place. It’s planning for the people traveling.

In this inspiring and practical session, educator and world traveler, Colleen Kugler, shares how thoughtful planning around real human needs— how identifying individual preferences while navigating anxiety, food allergies, sensory differences, family dynamics, and changing routines—can transform travel from stressful to unforgettable.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience supporting families, 22 years of parenting world travelers, and her global experiences with her nonprofit and as a returned Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia, Colleen offers practical strategies that help travelers of all kinds explore the world with greater confidence.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Plan trips that reduce stress and increase enjoyment

• Travel successfully with children, teens, or multi-generational groups

• Prepare for common travel challenges before they happen

• Adapt travel plans to different personalities and needs

• Turn unexpected travel moments into meaningful experiences

Whether traveling as a couple, with friends, or with family, this session will help you rethink how you plan your trips—and discover that the world becomes much more accessible and memorable when you plan for the people traveling.

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.

Jeff Bont, Sales Development Manager

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.

Jane Rooney, Corporate Account Manager, Cathay Pacific
William Wang, Sales Representative, Cathay Pacific

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.

Tracey McMahan, Director of Sales, South Central Region

Come Learn About Exoticca Tours, a leading provider of diligently curated tours to over 60 worldwide destinations, offering more than 300 magical tour itineraries along with Exoticca‘s unique selling proposition.

Deon Barnard, CEO, Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
David McGuffin, Travel Enthusiast, Tour Operator, Musician, and Part-Time European, David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe
Carmen Carbonell, Founder and President, Your Own Italy