Speaker Stages

Karolina Guilcapi, Owner of Sated Ventures Travel and Destination Expert

A Deep Dive into Multi-Country Itineraries

Join the owner of Sated Ventures, a boutique tour operator specializing in Latin America, for a deep dive into how to design seamless, multi-country itineraries across the continent. From pairing your Galápagos cruise with Machu Picchu, to crossing borders in Patagonia, road-tripping from Uyuni to the Atacama Desert, and choosing the best Amazon jungle lodges, this session covers it all. Learn how to travel in style with private, curated experiences—your own guides, your own dates, and plenty of culinary flair.

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.

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

TBA

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™.

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

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.

TBA

Kiara Di Paola CEO, NYC Travel & Tourism Expert, Award-Winning Content Creator, NYC Press, Storyteller

TBA

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

TBA

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Mini Kao, Senior Marketing Manager, Taiwan Tourism Administration
Taiwan, the waves of wonder. The new logo of the Taiwan tourism brand integrates imagery such as Taiwan’s mountains, oceans, winding roads, and railways, presenting a design with wave-like contours. Join us to hear about the top 10 reasons why you should visit Taiwan, the destination that will bring you promising endless surprises.

Clint Henderson, Managing Editor at The Points Guy

Hear how Clint finds the best possible deals on flights and hotels using cash or redeeming airline hotel and bank points. You’ll learn some booking tricks and a few of Clint’s favorite programs for scoring cheap business class flights using points.

TBA

TBA

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.

TBA

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

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

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.

Kathy McCabe, Host, Dream of Italy and Dream of Europe on PBS

Discover how to escape the crowds and experience the real Italy with travel expert Kathy McCabe as she shares insider tips for enjoying authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations. Learn practical strategies to avoid overtourism in traveler favorites while immersing yourself in genuine Italian culture and life.

Chris McCormack, Professional Traveler, Speaker, Humanitarian, Photographer

Chris McCormack didn’t ease into motorcycling. His first ride ever was a six-week, 3,200-mile journey across Mongolia—by himself. Along the way, he lived with the Tsaatan Tribe, known as the reindeer people, high in the mountains of northern Mongolia, and visited the famed Eagle Hunters of Sagsay Village in the country’s western region. He battled the harsh conditions of the Gobi Desert to reach Khongor Els, a 120-mile stretch of towering sand dunes rising nearly 1,000 feet, sculpted entirely by the wind. Through it all, Chris discovered the do’s and don’ts of traveling in Mongolia and the invaluable lessons that come from exploring one of the most remote and rugged landscapes on earth—completely solo.

Rodney Walsh, Leisure and Outdoor Marketing Specialist, Newfoundland & Labrador

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.

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

TBA

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

TBA

Ralph Velasco, Founder and CEO, Continental DRIFTER Experiences

Discover the Galapagos Islands, a must-see destination for families, couples, and solo travelers, where natural wonders and vibrant wildlife await. This talk highlights why the Galapagos should top your bucket list, revealing how your visit positively impacts the islands. Far from being harmful, tourism here supports the preservation of the Galapagos’ pristine beauty and aligns with sustainability goals, countering the overtourism narrative by showcasing responsible practices. By choosing the Galapagos, you contribute to conservation efforts and a sustainable future, making your journey part of a commitment to preserve this paradise for future generations.

Klaus Fielsch, Product Manager and Expert Naturalist in the Galapagos Islands

Discover the Galapagos Islands, a must-see destination for families, couples, and solo travelers, where natural wonders and vibrant wildlife await. This talk highlights why the Galapagos should top your bucket list, revealing how your visit positively impacts the islands. Far from being harmful, tourism here supports the preservation of the Galapagos’ pristine beauty and aligns with sustainability goals, countering the overtourism narrative by showcasing responsible practices. By choosing the Galapagos, you contribute to conservation efforts and a sustainable future, making your journey part of a commitment to preserve this paradise for future generations.

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

TBA

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Lizzie Gerecitan, Senior Public Relations Specialist, Road Scholar

Discover Road Scholar and find out how curious adults 50 and older are experiencing educational journeys throughout the world.

Ashley Westbrook, Adventure Travel Creator
Stephanie McKnight, Travel Blogger, Points 2 Wanderlus
Hannah Dixon, Founder, Digital Nomad Kit
Vanessa Fondeur, Founder of Latino World Travelers

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.

Laura Powell, Founder, Tourism Well Defined

TBA

TBA

Clint Henderson, Managing Editor at The Points Guy

Hear how Clint finds the best possible deals on flights and hotels using cash or redeeming airline hotel and bank points. You’ll learn some booking tricks and a few of Clint’s favorite programs for scoring cheap business class flights using points.

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

TBA

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

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.