General Presentations
2021 Travel Forecast & Hot Topics
A panel of national experts offer insights into what the Louisiana travel industry can expect in 2021 and discuss how we can plan for success. What does travel demand look like in 2021? How will economic recovery evolve throughout the year? When can we expect different segments of travelers to return? Click here to view.
Attractions Lunch & Learn
Creation and Integration of Content into Your Social Media and Marketing Strategy.
Compass Media
Experts from Compass Media explain how to reach your target market digitally through Custom Audience Targeting.
HOW MOBILE DEVICE ID MARKETING CAN DRIVE TARGETED TRAVELERS TO YOUR BUSINESS
AAA discusses how to successfully use and maximize mobile devices to market to travelers/customers. Click here for audio.
iExplore
iExplore explains why you don't have to be a massive organization to reach a large audience and to grab the attention of active US travelers. Download the presentation, then follow along with the audio.
Madden Media
This webcast presentation showcases some of the opportunities that Madden Media has with Louisiana via LTA. Download the presentation, then follow along with the audio.
Miles
Content experts from Miles explain how to do a keyword audit and develop a content creation strategy.
State of the American Traveler: 2016 Technology Edition
This presentation highlights the most positive and optimistic travel outlook for US leisure travel in the history of the 10-year study. Access the video to follow along.
THE ADVOCATE
The Advocate shares content tips and tricks and how to incorporate them into a successful marketing strategy.
Travel Summit-2021
Bob Wendover
Managing the Generational Divide in Today's Digital Workplace
Management
This entertaining and interactive session will show you how to foster engagement, communication and trust between today’s digital immigrants and digital natives. Learn how to balance the demands of emerging contributors with the practices of seasoned professionals. Loaded with practical examples from managers on the front line, you’ll walk away with simple but powerful strategies for integrating the most diverse workforce the nation has ever seen.
Work Wise: Boosting Productivity in Today's Driven, Demanding and Distracting Workplace
Professional Development
Do constant interruptions rob you of time and energy? Does discomfort fog your thinking when you’re making decisions? Let decisions expert, Bob Wendover, show you what the best thinkers do to manage the pressures we all feel in navigating today’s crazy-busy workplace. Attend this high-energy session and overcome the obstacles that thwart effective problem-solving.
Doug Bourgeois
LOT General Session
Assistant Secretary Doug Bourgeois will cover the sales and marketing plan for the Office of Tourism for 2021-2022 including programs, key market events, shows and opportunities for partnership
Facilitated by Mark Romig
Travel Talks
Join industy experts as they present "Tedx-style" talks on what's ahead for Louisiana's travel industry. This glimpse into the post-pandemic future will inspire attendees to take advantage of partnerships and find new ways to promote your destination, meeting space or attractions.
Jon Schmieder
Sports Tourism: COVID Happened, Now What?
Marketing/Sales
Sports Tourism is a major economic driver for many destinations across the country. Now that COVID has disrupted the marketplace, what should destinations do to bring sports tourism back to life in their communities? In this interactive session, sports tourism industry consultant Jon Schmieder of the Huddle Up Group will cover national trends and present action items for destinations to implement to strengthen sports tourism in their communities.
Kevin Snyder
BREAKFAST GENERAL SESSION
Become a Shift Thinker™: Leadership Amidst Adversity
We’ll kick Wednesday off with high-energy professional speaker and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Snyder who will energize, uplift and remind us all about the power we have to make a difference, lead others and grow amidst any adversity. Kevin will share ShiftThinker™ insights helping us and our organizations view change differently, envision new possibilities and achieve success in 2021 and beyond. Learn why developing a growth mindset is key to P.U.S.H.ing through adversity, how envisioning N.O. is actually key to building stronger teams and what types of A.C.T.ion are essential for achieving new heights. Get excited for a refreshing and uplifting keynote to start your day!
The E.D.G.E Factor: Four Keys that Unleash Success
Professional Development
Extraordinary success doesn’t just occur; rather it is a result and byproduct from applying four key action concepts within “The E.D.G.E. Factor.” Understanding E.D.G.E. and its four success strategies will ensure you are equipped with the problem-solving skills and strategies enabling you to excel in any situation while also empowering others to do the same. This motivational program will focus on leadership secrets from top performing professionals proven to ignite extraordinary motivation and a magnetic team culture at all levels. You’ll learn how to stand out, differentiate yourself and create intrigue and awesomeness within your organization!
Lisa Mitchell
Mastering Your First Impression
Professional Development, Communications
Join body language expert, Lisa Mitchell, as she shares with you the science behind first impressions. Learn how to improve your presentation skills, communicate confidence and power your presence! You’ll leave with applicable skills to help you master your first impression and increase your influence.
Rita Suiter
TRAVEL COUNSELOR LUNCH & LEARN
*Certified Travel Specialist (CTS) participants only
Interested in creating raving fans, customer advocates who go out of their way to spread the good word about the experiences they have had with you? Service-oriented organizations know and apply certain practices that other companies overlook differentiating them from the pack giving them a leading edge. These companies do things that exceed vs. meet customer expectations. They solve issues before customers even know they exist – they fill needs before customers know they have a need – they offer value without hesitation – the understand the customer is not always right and that the customer often doesn’t know what they want until they see it. How are memorable positive experiences rare to some – but a natural way of doing business for others? Customer service is not a department – it is an attitude – a culture – an exception vs. the norm.
Customer Emotions Drive the Customer Experience
For brands to compete and win in sales, service reps must focus on making emotional connections with customers and prospects. Emotive Customer Experience (CX) recognizes that our decisions are driven by deep-seated motivation – the things that really matter to us. Instilling safety, comfort, confidence, and competence at every touchpoint is more important than ever before in today’s emotional climate. This workshop will provide practical tools to give you a real advantage in today’s competitive marketplace.
What’s New With DCRT?
What's New With DCRT?
Marketing/Sales, Communications
Join panelists from Louisiana State Parks, the Office of Cultural Development and Louisiana State Museums to hear about the recovery effort throughout each department. Learn about new developments that are underway in Louisiana's State Parks, new ways visitors can experience arts and culture and new experiences that are popping up in our state museums.
Travel Summit-2020
Chris Thompson
Closing Lunch General Session
Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA, will discuss how the destination marketing organization is helping the U.S. travel and tourism industry reengage and attract international visitors in a post-COVID-19 era. Learn more about the international market and how Brand USA is deploying its innovative campaigns, best-in-class partnerships, and global voice to help navigate the industry through the “next normal.”
Doug Bourgeois
LOT General Session
Assistant Secretary Doug Bourgeois will cover the sales and marketing plan for the Office of Tourism for 2020-2021 including programs, key market events, shows and opportunities for partnership.
Facilitated by Jill Kidder
Workshop: Thought Leaders on Leadership & Advocacy
Management, Professional Development
Join us for the second of three roundtable workshops as seasoned tourism professionals share tips and trade secrets with emerging leaders in an intimate setting. Industry thought leaders on organizational leadership, advocacy and board management answer relevant open-ended questions and give participants the opportunity to discuss.
Facilitated by Laine Garner
Workshop: Thought Leaders on Sales & Group Tours
Marketing/Sales
Join us for the final roundtable workshop as seasoned tourism professionals share tips and trade secrets with emerging leaders in an intimate setting. Industry thought leaders on sales and group tours answer relevant open-ended questions and give participants the opportunity to discuss.
Facilitated by Laura Cating
Workshop: Thought Leaders on Communications & Marketing
Communications
Join us for the first of three roundtable workshops as seasoned tourism professionals share tips and trade secrets with emerging leaders in an intimate setting. Industry thought leaders on communications, PR, media and government relations answer relevant open-ended questions and give participants the opportunity to discuss.
Holly Russell
A Fresh Vision in an Altered Universe
Marketing/Sales
COVID-19 has not only altered our lives, it has also impacted how today’s consumer interacts and engages with media. Now is the time to wipe the slate clean and take a fresh approach in developing and implementing your marketing strategy. If you have maintained the same media plan year after year or have only made a tweak or two, this session is for you. Faced with smaller advertising budgets, it is more important than ever to ensure you are getting your message in front of the right audience.
Jim Mathis
Hire and Market like a Generational Genius
Management, Marketing/Sales
Millennials are the largest generation in human history and already playing a major role in successful management and marketing strategy, but they present challenges that have never been faced. Learn how to work with Millennials’ unique style as they enter your workforce, and how you can communicate with this group to make a more productive workplace.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
Lt. Governor's Luncheon
A state of the industry address is the best way to kick-off Summit and inspire your efforts moving forward. Learn how Lt. Governor Nungesser, working with the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, is elevating the state in the world marketplace in the midst of a pandemic.