Program

Start your day with a refreshing run or walk alongside fellow attendees. Meet at Palm Court, 2nd Level (next to the Registration & Attendee Services Desk) before setting off. Choose your pace - running or walking - and enjoy a scenic start to the morning.

Reserve your spot via the conference app.

Begin your day with a refreshing yoga session for all levels. A water station and hotel towels will be provided. Mats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Come ready to relax, breathe, and reset before the day begins.

Reserve your spot via the conference app.

The workplace has changed—and so have the expectations of top talent. Flexibility, trust and purpose-driven work are now essential. Meanwhile, Agentic AI, digital identity and evolving consumer behavior are reshaping the travel tech landscape, requiring leaders to adapt faster than ever.

This interactive session brings together industry leaders for small-group mentorship and a dynamic panel discussion focused on future-proofing teams, navigating uncertainty and leading with agility. Attendees will leave with fresh perspectives, valuable connections and actionable strategies to turn change into opportunity—and ensure their organizations are built for growth and success in the new era of work.

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Check in at the Phocuswright Reception, grab your materials, and dive into a buzzing showcase packed with innovators and exhibitors ready to connect.

The future of travel is no longer defined solely by destinations—it is defined by experiences that resonate and build lasting loyalty. Travelers today expect journeys that are deeply personal, intuitive, emotionally rich and purposefully designed. This interactive roundtable explores how businesses can blend empathy, intelligent design, AI and sustainability to reshape the end-to-end experience and cultivate a loyal customer base—from the very first dream of travel to the lasting memory after the trip concludes.

Welcome back to Day 3! Let’s kick things off by celebrating the newest Hall of Fame inductees and their impact on the travel industry.

Barry Diller is one of business’s most candid and visionary strategists. Two decades after his last Phocuswright appearance, the chairman and senior executive of IAC and Expedia Group returns to the stage at a moment of massive transformation for travel and media alike. In this candid conversation, Diller shares his unfiltered take on where travel is headed, how technology is changing the game and the bold moves needed to stay ahead when the playbook is being rewritten in real time.

Phocuswright's signature session dedicated to the intersection of finance, investment, M&A, IPOs and travel tackles markets in the face of uncertainty. Wall Street's leading analysts on digital, travel and hospitality share their perspectives on where the money, the market and its movers will go next.

Drawing on Phocuswright’s latest consumer research, this session explores how the travel payment landscape is evolving and how U.S. travelers are adapting to economic pressures, balancing cost-conscious decisions with aspirational pursuits. We’ll share data on how travelers pay for travel, from credit cards and digital wallets to BNPL, and how they continue to pursue luxury experiences despite financial caution. Discover how price sensitivity, payment innovation and shifting priorities are reshaping where, why and how Americans travel.

Political unrest, tariffs and border controls are reshaping perceptions of the U.S. as a destination. At the same time, the country is preparing to host two of the world’s biggest events—the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Can America deliver a true “welcome” in this climate? Join U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman for a frank discussion on the policy landscape, the industry’s response and the path forward to keep the U.S. open, trusted and competitive on the global travel map.

In a travel industry that's constantly being redefined, staying ahead requires a complete re-imagining of what's possible – and a fierce commitment to winning. Our Changemakers sessions shine a spotlight on the companies deploying cutting-edge technology to create transformative experiences and to challenge the status quo. Join us for a dynamic presentation and interview as these leaders share their insights into the strategies and opportunities shaping the next era of travel and setting the game’s new rules.

Travelers today expect more than a room: they want choice, flexibility and experiences that fit their lifestyles. That’s fueling rapid innovation across hotels, short-term rentals and emerging categories. Join this panel as they explore how new models, sharper tech and AI are rewriting the rules of hospitality to capture traveler trust and spend at a time when every stay is up for grabs.

In a travel industry that's constantly being redefined, staying ahead requires a complete re-imagining of what's possible —and a fierce commitment to winning. Our Changemakers sessions shine a spotlight on the companies deploying cutting-edge technology to create transformative experiences and to challenge the status quo. Join us for a dynamic presentation and interview as these leaders share their insights into the strategies and opportunities shaping the next era of travel and setting the game’s new rules.

The Bridge Series brings together executives from across the globe to dissect the modern travel playbook. This session crosses segments and digs deep into product, examining innovative business models and technologies that are rewriting the industry's rules. Get a firsthand look at how regional and global players are leveling up their strategies, winning new customers and adapting to shifting markets and cultures.

From inspiration to booking, travelers are turning to Google Search to plan trips faster and with more confidence than ever before. James Byers, product lead for Travel in Google Search, shares insights on how travelers are using Google Search and what this means for brands competing to capture demand in an AI-powered search environment.

Hosted by the Travel Technology Association at the 2025 Phocuswright Conference
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) invites you to its third annual Soapbox Industry Debate Session — an engaging, solutions-driven discussion at the intersection of travel, technology, and public policy.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is developing a new National Travel and Tourism Strategy, expected in 2027. Like earlier versions, it will seek input from industry stakeholders and agency leaders on how the federal government can best support travel and tourism over the next decade.

Travel Tech is urging the Department of Commerce, as part of its process, to convene travel technology experts for the first time ever to understand the industry’s digital fragmentation challenges – issues that hinder innovation, demand costly and complex integrations, and risk limiting the full potential of AI operating across travel sectors.

In this interactive session, Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech, will brief attendees on the forthcoming National Travel and Tourism Strategy and the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan. Then, participants will break into small groups to discuss the digital issues they face, share information about past or ongoing collaborative efforts to solve them, and propose potential solutions. The ideas gathered will be compiled by Travel Tech during the session and shared with all attendees after the conference.