U.S. Travel Association

Congratulations to U.S. Travel’s #ESTO24 Destiny and Mercury Awards finalists! 👏 The Destiny and Mercury Awards recognize destinations and state tourism offices for excellence and creative accomplishment in destination marketing and foster the development of imaginative and innovative campaigns. U.S. Travel will announce the winners in each of the 18 categories at the Awards Dinner and Presentation on August 13. Explore the full list of finalists here: https://lnkd.in/ezdiKfGq Join over 1,000 destination marketing professionals at ESTO in Columbus, OH from August 11-13: https://lnkd.in/eEKapNhv 

Our industry knows that travel is essential—it’s an economic engine, culture creator and a force for good. But travel is often overlooked and underappreciated by policymakers and opinion leaders. What will it take to make travel’s power resonate with key decision-makers? How can we convert critics to allies and pave the way for future industry success? What messages resonate…and which don’t? At U.S. Travel’s #ESTO24, Fred Dixon (President and CEO, Brand USA), Katherine Lugar (Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Hilton) and Kenny McDonald (President and CEO, Columbus Partnership) will share strategies to effectively communicate the power of travel in a conversation moderated by Geoff Freeman (President and CEO, U.S. Travel Association). Don’t miss out on the premier destination marketing event from August 11-13 in Columbus, OH. Secure your spot for ESTO now: https://lnkd.in/eR6Sd2SG 

Cheers to a fantastic week in Napa! 🍷 Over the past few days, U.S. Travel gathered 200 travel industry leaders and guests in Napa Valley, CA for our second-annual Summer Summit, our premier event designed to enrich industry leaders, spark innovation and shape the future direction of U.S. Travel and the broader travel industry. We’re grateful for the engagement and collaboration of our members and for their partnership in driving the future of travel forward. The week’s events began with a Board Briefing, where U.S. Travel leaders shared a vision for the future of our association, including legislative wins over the last six months, innovations in our event and education portfolio and a glimpse into upcoming research that will elevate our industry’s prominence and advocacy agenda. We also highlighted the latest efforts of the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel—and the development of a policy roadmap that will seek to reimagine and innovate the travel experience for decades to come. During the Summit, industry leaders were empowered with insights from world-renowned experts including Maziar Minovi, CEO of Eurasia Group; Chip Bergh, former President and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.; Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton; Vivek Sankaran, CEO of Albertsons Companies; among others. Their presentations sparked thoughtful discussions on empowering travel in times of political flux, emerging trends in consumer behavior and the science behind building iconic brands. Thank you to all of our Summer Summit speakers: Matthew R Howe (Morning Consult), Jean-Charles Boisset (Boisset Collection), Marc Casto (MVC Solutions Inc.), Margaret Smith (Accenture), Christine Valls (United Airlines), Jordan Zachary (Live Nation Entertainment) and Justin Dragoo (Latitude 38 Entertainment).

👥️ Do you captivate audiences with your emotional connection? 💡 Lead change with innovative ideas? 🚀 Or maybe push boundaries and create unforgettable experiences? Unlock YOUR unique advantage and learn how to leverage your archetype to build marketing strategies that attract more visitors to your destination. Register for U.S. Travel’s #ESTO24 and take THE FASCINATE® TEST, developed by global brand guru Sally Hogshead, for free: https://lnkd.in/g97-PayJ 

👏 A big congratulations to U.S. Travel’s 2024 Hall of Leaders honorees: William D. Talbert III, CDME., former President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Chris Thompson, former President and CEO of Brand USA. Induction into the Hall of Leaders is U.S. Travel’s highest honor, recognizing leaders who have made sustained, noteworthy contributions that positively impact the travel industry.    Bill worked tirelessly to transform Miami into a globally recognized travel gateway known worldwide to leisure and business travelers. His service extends far beyond the beaches of Miami to the countless organizations that have benefitted from his expertise. Under Chris’s leadership, Brand USA has flourished, increasing visitation to the U.S. and maximizing travel’s economic impact. His career in destination marketing showcases decades of incredibly effective work that enabled travel to thrive at the local, state and national levels.   Congratulations, Bill and Chris, and thank you for your lasting contributions to the travel industry! Read more about their individual achievements: https://lnkd.in/esxdEKkF

Ignite your team spirit at U.S. Travel’s #ESTO24 for a chance to win big! 🏆 Our second annual Destination Day competition, sponsored by Hopper, recognizes the creativity and enthusiasm of destination marketing teams nationwide.  One DMO and one State will win complimentary #ESTO25 registrations for two staff members each — plus bragging rights for the year to come. Email [email protected] by Monday, August 5 to let us know if your team will be competing!  ___________________________________________________________________ Learn more about Hopper: http://bit.ly/Hopper_ESTO 

Do you know what makes YOU stand out as a destination marketer? Discover how your unique strengths can propel your destination—and your career—forward at U.S. Travel’s ESTO, Aug 11-13 in Columbus, OH. When you register for #ESTO24, you will receive complimentary access to THE FASCINATE® TEST before hearing from New York Times bestselling author and global brand guru, Sally Hogshead. Don’t miss out! Join fellow Trendsetter, Secret Weapon and Avant-Garde archetypes already signed up. Secure your spot at ESTO to unlock your unique advantage: https://lnkd.in/eMrs7zxQ 

I scream, you scream, U.S. Travel screams for Jeni’s Ice Cream! 🍦 We are excited to welcome Jeni Britton, Founder & Chief Brand Officer, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, to the stage at U.S. Travel’s #ESTO24 on August 12. Gain insights into the art of building an iconic brand and creative approaches to strategic decision-making from one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business. Don't miss out on the industry’s premier destination marketing event! Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/eTTiQnt3

📊 Travel prices have declined for the second consecutive month, and at a steeper rate than the overall economy, according to yesterday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. U.S. Travel's Travel Price Index (TPI) revealed that prices dropped 1.4% from the previous month, driven by lower hotel, airline and gas prices. The bottom line: Today's prices are more favorable for travelers. “Now is the time for the travel industry to boost volume,” said U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman. “And it’s essential that the industry is equipped with the right funding, resources and technology—coupled with sustained government focus—to meet an increase in demand.”   More: https://lnkd.in/eK34x5TW

💼 🛩 Business travel continues to chart a steady comeback. As live events reclaim their place in the spotlight, conferences and seminars are dominating bookings—signaling a renewed and growing interest in meeting face-to-face. Fresh insights from Morning Consult reveal that 27% of business travelers plan to attend 3+ conferences in 2024, a 9-point jump from last year. 📈 Go deeper: https://lnkd.in/ew7ank-K