SPEAKERS
Each year, the CalTravel Summit features more than 50 top-rated speakers and industry experts who have been carefully curated to help you stay on top of key issues and discover new possibilities.
Read on to see who’s confirmed to speak at the 2025 Summit, and check back later as more speakers are announced.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
TONI ATKINS
Former Senate President pro Tem
California State Legislature
Topic: Democrats & Republicans Working Together for California
Former Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (D) and Former State Senator Brian Dahle (R) offer their informed perspectives on some of California’s most challenging issues, and discuss how it’s possible to work with colleagues across the aisle, even when you don’t agree.
CAROLINE BETETA
President & CEO
Visit California
Topic: The Future of California’s Tourism Economy
Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta provides an update on global marketing programs that are accelerating recovery from the Los Angeles fires, breaking through brand tarnish, and driving demand for the Golden State.
RENE CARAYOL
Founder & CEO
The Everyone Group
Topic: Authentic Leadership
Leadership expert Rene Carayol explores why the best and most adaptable business leaders are the ones who build trust by creating authentic work environments—where colleagues can truly be themselves, are committed to each other’s success, and have the courage to seek support.
BRIAN DAHLE
Former State Senator
California State Legislature
Topic: Democrats & Republicans Working Together for California
Former Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (D) and Former State Senator Brian Dahle (R) offer their informed perspectives on some of California’s most challenging issues, and discuss how it’s possible to work with colleagues across the aisle, even when you don’t agree.
GEOFF FREEMAN
President & CEO
U.S. Travel Association
Topic: Federal Tourism Advocacy
U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman discusses the current state of tourism in America—providing an in-depth look at the latest trends, challenges facing the industry, opportunities that lie ahead, and the association’s efforts to facilitate long-term industrywide growth.
LEAH GEORGES, PH.D.
Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Leadership Program
Creighton University
Topic: The Art of Taking Away
Social psychologist Leah Georges encourages us to start thinking about innovation as an opportunity for subtraction, exploring how truly taking away—steps, processes, and old rules—can help people find renewed joy and meaning in both their professional work and personal lives.
RENATA SIMRIL
President & CEO
LA84 Foundation
Topic: The Lasting Legacy of Olympics
LA84 Foundation CEO Renata Simril discusses the impact that the 1984 Olympics continues to leave on the Golden State, what we can do to build upon that legacy, and how we can use the 2028 Olympics as an accelerator to improve communities—now and into the future.
SPECIAL GUESTS
TYLER FLORENCE
Chef, Author
Food Network
Event:
PAC Dinner
DARON RAHLVES
U.S. Olympic Freestyle Skier,
3x World Championship Downhill Skier
Event:
PAC Dinner
BREAKOUT SPEAKERS
TYLER CARTER
Park President
SeaWorld San Diego
Topic:
New & Seasoned Leaders
CATHY CARTIER
President & CEO
Visit SLO CAL
Topic:
New & Seasoned Leaders
ANDY CHAPMAN
President & CEO
Travel North Tahoe Nevada
Topic:
Public Land Management
JEFFREY CHURCH
President & CEO
Visit Berkeley
Topic:
New & Seasoned Leaders
AMY DEIFT
Regional Vice President
City Cruises
Topic:
New & Seasoned Leaders
BRICE ESPLIN
Director of Sustainable Tourism & Partnerships
Leave No Trace
Topic:
Shirley Canyon Hike
NICHOLE FARLEY
Executive Director
Explore Butte County
Topic:
NextGen Leadership
BILL GEIST
Chief Instigator
DMOproz
Topic:
Board Management
ASM. MATT HANEY
District 17
California State Assembly
Topic:
Distinguished Travel Champion Award
JENNIFER HIRAMOTO
Executive Director of Economic Development
City of Ontario
Topic:
Economic Development
JONATHAN HUGHES
Certified Facilitator
LEGO® Serious Play Method
Topic:
Building Connections
KERRI KAPICH
COO
San Diego Tourism Authority
Topic:
Corporate Advocacy Pros
TONY KARWOWSKI
President & CEO
North Tahoe Commmunity Alliance
Topic:
Public Land Management
DYANA KELLEY
President
California Outdoor Hospitality Association
Topic:
Shirley Canyon Hike
MISTI KERNS
President & CEO
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Topic:
New & Seasoned Leaders
TOM KIELY
President & CEO
Visit West Hollywood
Topic:
New & Seasoned Leaders
NIREE KODAVERDIAN, PH.D.
Research Manager
Beacon Economics
Topic:
Economic Outlook for California
MICHAEL KROUSE
President & CEO
GO-CAL
Topic:
Economic Development
JOHN LAMBETH
President & CEO
Civitas
Topic:
Destination Funding
SABRINA LOCKHART
Executive Director
CAPA
Topic:
Morning Yoga
ERIC MCGHEE
Policy Director
Public Policy Institute of California
Topic:
Redistricting Efforts
TAMI MILLER
Founding Partner
Political Solutions
Topic:
State Tourism Advocacy
LYNN MOHRFELD
President & CEO
California Hotel & Lodging Association
Topic:
New & Seasoned Leaders
BARB NEWTON
President & CEO
California Travel Association
Topic:
Welcome & Overview
NETTIE PARDUE
Managing Director
Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council
Topic:
Public Land Management
RHONDA SALISBURY
CEO
Visit Yosemite | Madera County
Topic:
Corporate Advocacy Pros
SERRELL SMOKEY
Chairman
Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California
Topic:
Native American Advocacy & Leadership
ENTERTAINMENT
PICKLE BARREL BAND
Tahoe-Based String Trio
Event:
Closing Cookout
