Speaker Stages

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.

Brian Cicioni, Travel Writer, and NYC Tour Guide, IMayRoam.com

There’s a reason that the welcome sign on the Brooklyn side of the Carey Tunnel boasts, Brooklyn: Name It… We Got It! NYC-based tour guide and travel writer, Brian Cicioni, will be sharing ten years’ worth of suggestions from exploring Brooklyn’s food scene. Get ready for some perspective-shifting tips and mouth-watering shots from some of his favorite restaurants in NYC’s most populous borough!

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.

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.

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

Anthony Iozzia, Regional Sales Director, Atlas Ocean Voyages

As your Captains expertly navigate amid the icebergs, glaciers, and ice floes, they bring you up close and personal to incredible wildlife and otherworldly landscapes. Conquer the Drake Passage and find a moment of reverence in the pristine environment of Antarctica. Join me to learn more about all the fascinating experiences we offer in Antarctica.

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

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Deon Barnard, CEO, Go Touch Down Travel & Tours

Our tours depart every week. We send more than 200 North Americans to South Africa each month. Come see why people that don’t like going on tours like traveling with us.

Sarah Dandashy, Travel Expert, Best-Selling Author, Creator, Ask A Concierge

Travel expert, author, and former award-winning Concierge, Sarah Dandashy shares the inside scoop on what the travel landscape looks like from a hotel insider’s perspective–what’s changed, what can you expect moving forward, how can you increase your chances of getting that coveted hotel upgrade and who you should always remember to tip! She’ll cover exclusive insights that only a former hotelier can reveal, best practices for a smooth trip, the current travel experience, as well as some of the biggest travel trends we can expect moving forward. You’ll leave this talk ready to make 2023 your best travel year yet.

Natasha Lee Soy, Sales Manager, NY NJ & CT, US, Aruba Tourism Authority

Most vacations end. But Aruba is not like most vacation destinations. The warmth you soak up on our small paradise island changes you from within, bringing out a happier, brighter you. When you leave, you are a little more Aruba than when you arrived.

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.

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

Diana Ditto, Sr. Director of Product Marketing at Collette

You know the stereotypes of guided touring. You’ll be herded like cattle! You’ll have no free time! Your entire vacation will be spent ON A BUS! Back in the day – this worked. This was how travelers experienced iconic sights and new cultures. Today’s savvy traveler wants more – and Collette’s Explorations tours meet them there. From perfected pacing to stand-out accommodations and truly engaging experiences with locals, come find out how this travel style has ushered in an era of touring that is handcrafted for today’s travelers.

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.

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.

Beth Santos, Founder and CEO, Wanderful
Ashley Westbrook, Outdoor Adventurer and Travel Content Creator, Adventuress Ashley
Brandielee Johnson, Educator, World Traveler, and Travel Coach
Rachel Miller, Travel Blog Author, Blond Wayfarer

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.

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

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

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.

Lidia Bastianich, Host, Lidia’s Kitchen
Ellie Krieger, Host, Ellie’s Real Good Food
Christine van Blokland, Host, Host, Curious Traveler

Join Create channel hosts Lidia Bastianich, Ellie Krieger, and Christine van Blokland as they share their experiences and insights on the best approaches to dining when traveling. Available in the New York Metro area as WLIW Create, this 24/7 channel is public television’s home for series and specials on food, travel, home and garden, arts and crafts, fitness, and other lifestyle interests.

Diana Ditto, Sr. Director of Product Marketing at Collette

You know the stereotypes of guided touring. You’ll be herded like cattle! You’ll have no free time! Your entire vacation will be spent ON A BUS! Back in the day – this worked. This was how travelers experienced iconic sights and new cultures. Today’s savvy traveler wants more – and Collette’s Explorations tours meet them there. From perfected pacing to stand-out accommodations and truly.

Lisa Niver, Award-winning Travel Writer, and Founder, We Said Go Travel

Ready to get out of your comfort zone and enjoy more enriching, memorable travel experiences? Travel expert Lisa Niver tackled her fears and overcame 50 challenges before she turned 50. She will share tips, tricks, and tools on how to be courageous in the world of travel. You can reinvent yourself and find deeper meaning, whether you’re exploring solo or going with friends and family, traveling thousands of miles away or staying in your own backyard. Learn how to take small steps that lead to big change and make your bucket list a reality.

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

Panelists: Seth Kugel, Tripped Up columnist and former Frugal Traveler columnist for the New York Times

Tonya Fitzpatrick, Co-founder, World Footprints

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.

Beth Santos, Founder and CEO, Wanderful

Ready to build a career as a travel content creator? There’s so much to love about sharing your journey with a devoted audience and getting to travel for free is definitely a high perk on the list! But don’t pack your backpack just yet — there’s a lot to do to build up your creator career first, and you don’t want to miss any of it.

In this workshop, led by blogger-turned entrepreneur Beth Santos who’s the founder of leading travel creator community Wanderful and the annual WITS Travel Creator Summit, you’ll learn some of the key time and energy-saving steps to starting your career as a travel creator. You’ll get a kickstart in identifying your purpose and pitch, tips to zeroing in on your channels, and a look at the many ways to make money and build a lasting business. Plus, you’ll leave with a worksheet and loads of freebies to get your brain churning!

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.

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

David Kasser, Senior Vice President of Sales, 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!

Peter Greenberg, Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter & Producer & CBS News Travel Editor
William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation & Travel at American Economic Liberties Project, and author of “Attention All Passengers” and “Half the Child”

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Melanie Lieberman, Global Features Editor, The Points Guy

Kirstie & Christine, co-founders On Airplane Mode

Learn what it takes to run a successful presence (for consumers) and/or business (B2B) on social media and how to edit pictures and ways to utilize Lightroom and other apps to elevate your content no matter who you are or what you are trying to achieve on social media.

Mari Masuda, Sr. Director of Trade & Promotions, Tahiti Tourisme

Located in the South Pacific, The Islands of Tahiti are just eight hours by air from California. Located halfway between California and Australia, on the same side of the International Date Line as North America and in the same time zone as Hawaii. Surrounded by pristine, crystal-clear blue waters, the 118 islands and atolls offer natural beauty, authentic island culture, and unique French Polynesian style. The Islands of Tahiti are world- renowned for their white-sand beaches, stunning turquoise lagoons and varied landscapes ranging from coral atolls to volcanic mountain peaks. Each island offers a variety of accommodation experiences from luxurious resorts with overwater villas, to family guesthouses, to sailing via private yacht charter or scheduled cruise. Join us to learn more about the islands and let us help you plan your dream vacation to The Islands of Tahiti.

Mickela Mallozzi, Emmy® Award-winning Host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi

Authentic Travel” and “Experiential Travel” are recent buzz terms, but what do they actually mean?  And how can YOU guarantee that you’ll experience these on your next trip?  Learn from world traveler and Emmy-winning travel host on PBS, Mickela Mallozzi, on how to connect with the locals and make the most authentic travel experiences into lasting memories wherever you go!  Be sure to attend this session if you have a trip already booked or if you’re looking for travel inspiration for your next trip!

Valerie Bryan, Reservations Manager, Poseidon Expeditions USA

Come explore some of the most remote and pristine areas of the world with us. Learn about expedition cruising to the Arctic and Antarctic. Follow Shackleton’s travels in the South and the path of the Vikings in the North.

Patricia Schultz, Author, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, 1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die and new release Why We Travel: 100 Reasons To See The World
Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Diego Alexander Velez, Strategic Account Manager, Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International invites you to learn to cruise to destinations like the Bahamas (including Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island), Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada & New England and many more from its home port here at Cape Liberty Cruise Port located in Bayonne, New Jersey.  The Anthem of the Seas, the Liberty of the Seas, or the Oasis of the Seas offer from 5-night up to 11-night cruise vacations.  Furthermore, get ready to learn more about the iconic vacation arriving in January 2024, the Icon of the Seas.  This is more than a vacation upgrade. It’s the best family vacation in the world.