Speaker Stages

Stephanie M. Jones, Founder & CEO, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance/Blacks in Travel & Tourism

You’ll be surprised what you can explore and experience when you are intentional about taking the road less travelled or venturing off the beaten path when you visit destinations. Come discover why cultural travel can provide the most transformative experiences and help you gain broader perspectives about different cultures. Discover how you can make meaningful impact and deposit back into local businesses and communities that provide authentic engagements with locals, access to hidden cultural gems and little-known stories about the diverse people and places found off the beaten path when you travel.

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.

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.

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

Yael Golan, Consul, Director, South Region USA, Israel Ministry of Tourism

Long before anyone flew in a passenger airplane or even cruised the Atlantic, Israel was one of the world’s earliest tourist destinations. Indeed, travelers have come to the Holy Land for meaningful inspiration and spiritual connection for thousands of years. And we know that sounds pretty heavy. So, before you say that’s just too much for this year, you may also want to consider all of the FUN Israel has to offer. From the literal weightlessness of the Dead Sea to the young, vibrant lighthearted city of Tel Aviv with its unique culinary scene beautiful beaches and trailblazing tech scene, there is a universe of options to keep your trip exciting. You can even explore more than 300 wineries (after all, wine is mentioned more than 140 times in the bible) across this New Jersey-sized country. You can even mix up your sightseeing, snorkeling or diving at Caesarea to see the sunken ancient city or hike the Gospel Trail in the footsteps of the New Testament. Lastly, what is a place without its people? Israelis hail from more than 70 different ethnicities. They are always looking to share their story and live life to its fullest. Come learn a how Israel is the complete experience for any world traveler.

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

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Brian Cicioni, Travel Writer, and NYC Tour Guide, IMayRoam.com
Jasmine Norton, Restauranter, Urban Oyster

NYC-based food and travel writer Brian Cicioni and Baltimore restaurateur, Jasmine Norton discuss what’s new and exciting with the local food scene in Jasmine’s native city. The two met while Brian was in town working on a story and later collaborated on a local food guide. Since then, Brian has written another Baltimore food guide, while Jasmine has expanded her Urban Oyster portfolio to include the Urban Burger Bar and is working on opening a DC location for 2023.

Denise Reichwein Lees, Director of Sales, MSC Cruises USA

Learn about the world’s fastest-growing cruise line and discover why “It’s Time!” with MSC Cruises.  You’ll hear the most recent details about upcoming ships, new product enhancements, new itineraries, and other exciting company news. Plus, we have an exclusive offer just for YOU!

Peter Greenberg, Director, Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter and Producer and CBS News Travel Editor
Angel Castellanos, World Travel Expert, Writer/TV Host, AngelsTravelLounge.com
Mickela Mallozzi, Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi
Ernest White II, Executive Producer and Host, Fly Brother

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Donna Nightingale, Viking Event Specialist, 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.

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.

Julian Douglas, Travel Writer, Photographer & Experience Curator at 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.

Jason Yearwood, Business Development Officer with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Join us as to hear all about what makes Barbados so special and the ideal destination for travelers.

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

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

Jody Overstreet, Convention Sales Manager, 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!

Wendy Alexander, Executive Producer, Cooking & Entertaining with Wendy Alexander

Travel, Wine and Dine & Road Tripping with Wendy takes you on the ride of your life. From LA to New Orleans meet me at some of my favorite places by plane, car, and cruise. I will show you some of my favorite places to go and the best kept secret places to eat, especially in New Orleans which is my favorite place in the world to Dine in. Wendy loves food and finding the best places to eat is America’s first love.

Moderator: Kayla Baptiste, Travel Writer + Podcaster
Panelists: Katie Hart, Fulfilled Passport Travel
Liz Erhartic, Takeoff Travel Review
Sapphire Kharyzma, Luxury Travel Entrepreneur
Jordan Campbell, Global Debauchery

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.

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.

Linn Wilson, Business Development Manager, Southeast

Hurtigruten has the longest history and strongest legacy in polar waters, drawing on well over a century of pioneering experience. Let us immerse you in epic frontiers such as Norway, Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, the Northwest Passage, Alaska, West Africa, Galápagos and the remarkable seventh continent of Antarctica. This year, we will also celebrate our 130^thanniversary. We invite you to join us along the Norwegian Coast on one of our new immersive itineraries paying homage to our rich history. Our purpose-built ships offer a friendly, small ship ambiance and function as your comfortable base camp at sea. Being the world leader in expedition travel and the world’s largest adventure cruise company, we believe that comes with great responsibility, and why we have chosen to lead by example, aiming to raise the standards for the entire cruise industry. As a company focused on innovation and technology, sustainability is at the core of our operations and inherent in every detail of Hurtigruten.

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 McGuffin, Travel Enthusiast, Tour Operator, Musician, and Part-Time European, David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc.

Join European travel expert David McGuffin as he shares travel tips, favorite destinations, and lessons learned from forty-five 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 is an advocate of avoiding crowds, living like a local, educated travel, and embracing the culture of the locale. His picture-packed presentation is loaded with pertinent travel information, suggested routes, sage advice, and information about his small-group tours in Europe.

Peter Greenberg, Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter & Producer & CBS News Travel Editor
Scott Mayerowitz, Executive editor of The Points Guy
Scott McCartney, Co-host, Airlines Confidential podcast. Former travel editor and Middle Seat columnist, the Wall Street Journal

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Derrik J. Lang, Lifestyle Editor, Shondaland.com

Learn how to explore the jagged Irish island that doubled as Jedi temple in the latest Star Wars trilogy, the real-life valley in Washington state that inspired Twin Peaks, the California oasis that portrayed Shangri-La in the classic Lost Horizon, and several other exotic destinations depicted in popular film and TV series. In this session, you’ll also discover one-of-a-kind travel experiences that bring fantasy into reality, such as training like a Game of Thrones warrior and partying like the aristocracy in Bridgerton. derrikjlang.com

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.

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

Donna Nightingale, Viking Event Specialist, 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.

Julian Douglas, Travel Writer, Photographer & Experience Curator, ListenJourneySavor.com

Today’s Private Tours are more attainable and less expensive than ever before. Julian will not only share how he’s learned to maximize what Private Tours have to offer, but the ins and outs of making them happen. Those valuable resources that will turn you into an expert. So, whether you’re looking to explore ancient sights and museums, eat your way across the Italian countryside in a Ferrari, view the Mona Lisa in private, enter the Vatican before it’s open to the public, go behind closed doors at Versailles, or see Elephants on an African Safari so close you can hear them breathe. You can do the things you’ve always dreamed of doing, have once in a lifetime experiences, and check off that bucket list. It’s time to 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.