Speaker Stages

Rick Steves, Travel Writer, Host of Rick Steves Europe, and Travel with Rick Steve

Rick shares lessons from a lifetime of travel so you can learn from his experience and travel smarter. With his entertaining, information-packed talk you’ll learn the essential skills for smooth travel from itinerary planning to venturing off the beaten path. Get Rick’s pro tips on packing light, escaping the crowds, avoiding scams and pickpockets; and maximizing your cultural and culinary experiences.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mario Herrera, 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™.

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

The promise and the threat of the travel explosion globally ~ a look at how to navigate the world in a time of overtourism, the decline of seasonal travel, traveler rights you don’t know about, and the brave new world of artificial intelligence.

Diana Ditto, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Collette

Journey through 2025’s Most Undiscovered Destinations with Collette’s Small Group Explorations tours. Experience the charm of Umbria, Italy and the allure of Crete, Greece, along with other hidden gems that promise unique and unforgettable adventures.

Moderator: Beth Santos, Founder and CEO, Wanderful
Panelists: Jessica Rogers, Fora Travel Advisor
Avagail Lozano, Travel Creator @AvagailAdventures
Stefany Hernandez, Latina Luxury Travel Creator @WanderingStefany

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!

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.

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.

Gale Malic-Ozaeta, Marketing & Communications Manager, Belize Tourism Board

To encourage travelers to hold fast onto the reigns of their adventure and grab life…in Belize. To highlight everything Belize from the Blue Hole, to the 2^nd largest Barrier Reef in the World.

Rick Steves, Travel Writer, Host of Rick Steves Europe, and Travel with Rick Steve

Rick shares lessons from a lifetime of travel so you can learn from his experience and travel smarter. With his entertaining, information-packed talk you’ll learn the essential skills for smooth travel from itinerary planning to venturing off the beaten path. Get Rick’s pro tips on packing light, escaping the crowds, avoiding scams and pickpockets; and maximizing your cultural and culinary experiences.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Julian Douglas, Travel Writer, Photographer, and Experience Curator, Listen, Journey, Savor

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 Private Tours around the world. Learn how to maximize what Private Tours have to offer, tips and tricks to find the best tours, save money and make them happen.

Do the things you’ve always dreamed of doing, have once in a lifetime experiences, and check them off your bucket list. View the Mona Lisa in private, drive a vintage boat on Lake Como, 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.

Brendan Halcomb, Celebrity Cruises’ Alaska Expert

You’re invited to get to know the Last Frontier with an exciting presentation from Celebrity Cruises’ Alaska Expert! Learn about the differing itineraries, discover the top excursions, and find out what’s special about a land & sea Alaska experience. Explore Alaska’s incredible wilderness, wildlife, mountains, and glaciers.

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.

Rick Steves, Travel Writer, Host of Rick Steves Europe, and Travel with Rick Steve

Rick shares lessons from a lifetime of travel so you can learn from his experience and travel smarter. With his entertaining, information-packed talk you’ll learn the essential skills for smooth travel from itinerary planning to venturing off the beaten path. Get Rick’s pro tips on packing light, escaping the crowds, avoiding scams and pickpockets; and maximizing your cultural and culinary experiences.

Meet and Greet Immediately Following

Brandon Hughbanks, Senior Travel Insurance Specialist, Travel Insurance Center

We will dive into the benefits and features of travel insurance, and how to save money when purchasing.anda.

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!

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.

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.

Liana Pyne, Business Development Sales Manager, 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.

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.

Marc Muench, Professional Photographer, Muench Workshops

What attendees can expect to learn: Discover how travel, landscape, and nature photography positively impact your life. Learn how Incorporating travel and nature photography into your life can not only enrich your experiences but also foster a deeper connection to the world, enhance your creativity, and contribute to your emotional well-being.

Chris Burkard, Accomplished Explorer, Photographer, Creative Director, Speaker, and Author

TBA

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!

Damon Dominique, travel YouTuber, language course creator, author of You Are a Global Citizen, and American expat in Paris

Join Damon Dominique – travel YouTuber, language course creator, author of You Are a Global Citizen, and American expat in Paris – for an interactive audience brainstorm that’s equal parts deep discussion and practical Q&A. From philosophical dilemmas about traveling in low-cost countries to logistical questions like “How do I get US mail when I live abroad?”, this session will leave you with some of the answers you’ve been seeking—but perhaps even more questions worth asking.