Speaker Stages

Ginny Singer, Director of Sales – Mountain, Exoticca Travel

Join Ginny Singer, director of sales – mountain, for an in depth look at how you can make your dream bucket list trips a reality, all while staying within your budget. We will dive into our most popular destinations for 2026 while also getting participation from the audience. This is a session you won’t want to miss, so please join us while we teach you the ins and outs about some incredible trips in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Lauren Durie, Freelance Travel Writer and Influencer

Did you know there’s a shop in Arkansas that employs working bunnies? That horse surfing is an activity you can try in Florida? Or locally, that Longmont has a bar dedicated entirely to butter?!

The world is full of unexpected discoveries and the most surprising don’t always require a passport. With everyone craving more whimsical, analog experiences, we’ll infuse your bucket list with real inspiration — from unexpected corners of Colorado to regional road trips and under-the-radar gems across the country — to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and beyond in the most delightfully unconventional way. Because you need trips you’ll be talking about years from now, not another generic top 10 list.

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

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Tiffany Freitas, Field Sales Manager, San Diego, Las Vegas, St. George, Hawaii and Arizona

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.

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.

Charlie Slater, Owner and Director of Fun, Remote Recreation Safaris

The glossy safari brochures don’t tell the whole story. In this talk, I get candid insights and insider wisdom from the field. Learn what really matters, what to avoid, and how to craft an adventure that matches your dreams. Straight talk for travelers who want the ultimate safari experience. The truths, myths, and insider wisdom you need before you book.

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

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Donna Nightingale, Event Specialist, 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™.

Sherry Ott – Founder of Ottsworld.com and Ottsworld Tours

What if every trip you took was part of something bigger? Instead of checking destinations off a list, imagine turning your travels into a personal and purposeful quest—cycling between state capitols, following ancient trade routes, visiting cat islands, or travel the world’s volcanic ring of fire. In this inspiring and practical session, award-winning travel expert Sherry Ott shares how travel projects transform ordinary trips into extraordinary adventures. Travel projects give you direction, motivation, and deeper meaning. In this inspiring session, you’ll learn how to turn your travels into a personal quest—one that challenges you, excites you, and becomes part of your life story. You’ll walk away with dozens of creative ideas and the confidence to start your own no matter your age, budget, or experience level.

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.

Melanie Lieberman, Travel Expert and Writer

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

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.

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

Kristin Erz and Tim Amm, Directors of Expedition Sales, Silversea Expeditions

Journey to the planet’s most remote and breathtaking destinations, from Antarctica to the Galápagos, with Silversea Expeditions. Discover how luxury and adventure come together for an experience unlike any other.

Julie Frieder, Co-author Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling

Why This Session Works: This talk is all about making travel work for YOU. Whether you’ve got more time than money, traveling with grandkids, or just want to get more out of every trip, this session gives you practical ways to travel smarter. It’s less about checking boxes and more about having experiences you’ll actually remember and talk about for years.

What We’ll Cover:

• Finding your travel pace: when to slow down and when to pack it in

• Getting off the beaten path without getting lost or overwhelmed

• Deciding what’s worth your time and money (spoiler: it’s not always the famous stuff)

• Stretching your budget without feeling like you’re sacrificing the good parts

• Meeting real locals and making genuine connections

• Planning trips that match your energy, interests, and real-life constraints

Sample Practical Takeaways:

• The “3-2-1 Rule” for pacing: plan only 3 activities per day, allow 2 hours of unstructured time, take 1 full rest day per week

• How to find local favorites: ask your Airbnb host, hotel concierge, or rideshare driver where THEY eat and what THEY do on weekends

• Budget hacks: book accommodations with kitchens to save on meals, travel during shoulder season, use local transportation apps instead of tourist shuttles

• The “coffee shop test”: spend an hour at a neighborhood café just watching and chatting – you’ll learn more than any guidebook

• Simple phrases in the local language that open doors and create instant connections

• A customizable trip planning template that factors in your energy levels, must-sees, and flexibility

Norwegian Cruise Line Representative

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

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

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.

Charlie Slater, Owner and Director of Fun, Remote Recreation Safaris

The glossy safari brochures don’t tell the whole story. In this talk, I get candid insights and insider wisdom from the field. Learn what really matters, what to avoid, and how to craft an adventure that matches your dreams. Straight talk for travelers who want the ultimate safari experience. The truths, myths, and insider wisdom you need before you book.

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.

Maile Brown, Director of Sales & Marketing, Kauai Visitors Bureau

Discover how to plan your perfect Kaua‘i adventure in our Savvy Travel to Kaua‘i seminar. Learn how to determine if Kaua‘i is the right Hawaiian island for you, explore the island’s iconic attractions, and make the most of your visit with insider tips from the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. From stunning landscapes like the Nāpali Coast and Waimea Canyon to hidden waterfalls, pristine beaches, and local culinary delights, we’ll guide you through what you need to know to enjoy a seamless and unforgettable vacation.
From choosing the best time to visit, transportation and rental car options, or crafting a flexible itinerary that balances sightseeing, adventure, and relaxation, this seminar equips you with actionable advice, practical travel hacks, and resources to save time and enhance your experience. Perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike, unlock the full potential of your Kaua‘i vacation and make each moment count.

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.

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

Dian Holland, District Sales Manager, West/Southwest USA, Jamaica Tourist Board

This presentation will focus on on-island experiences, including tours and attractions, as well as annual events centered around food, music, and culture.

Laura Powell, Founder, Tourism Well Defined

Slow Travel, Agritourism, Cool-cations and Longevity programs are just a few of the wellness experiences you’ll be hearing more about in the coming year. This session will explain the art and the science behind the trends, along with offering up a plethora of suggestions for affordable wellness getaways.

Russell Gammon, Co-founder of World Wildlife Journeys, Wilderness Guide and Wildlife Photographer