Tourism Forum: Taking Tourism to the Next Level
Date and Time
Thursday May 10, 2018
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Thursday, May 10
8-12:00 p.m.
Location
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe
50 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449
Fees/Admission
Early Bird Ticket Prices (Purchase before May 1)
$30 Chamber members
$50 Non-members
Ticket Prices (After May 1)
$40 Chamber members
$60 Non-chamber members
Contact Information
Emily Abernathy, Director of Operations
Send Email
Description
Tahoe Chamber, in partnership with Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts, is pleased to present the annual Tourism Forum: Taking Tourism to the Next Level, on Thursday, May 10, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
This year’s event will feature two keynote speakers, as well as breakout sessions focusing on the lodging, retail, and culinary industries. Erik Wolf, Executive Director and Industry Founder of the World Food Travel Association will be the morning keynote, focusing on Food Travel and Why it matters to Tahoe. Mr. Wolf's dynamic presentation will touch on millennial visitors and demographics as well as trends and benefits in the food tourism industry. Following the morning keynote and breakout sessions, we will hear from Christina Erny. Senior Manager of Digital Marketing and Engagement for the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitor Authority, Christina will discuss the essentials of destination marketing.
Early bird tickets are on sale now through May 1. Prices are $30 for chamber members and $50 for non-members. When registering for the event, be sure to select the breakout session you would like to attend (hospitality, retail, or culinary). After May 1, ticket prices increase to $40 for chamber members and $60 for non-members.
For more information, please contact Emily Abernathy at Emily@TahoeChamber.org or 775.588.1728 x303.
Keynote Speakers:
Christina Erny
Ms. Erny is the Senior Manager of Digital Marketing and Engagement at the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (Reno Tahoe), where she has worked to promote visitation to the destination for the past seven years. In her current role, she is responsible for Reno Tahoe’s digital marketing and advertising, managing the website, directing Influencer marketing strategies, and overseeing photography for the organization. Christina has earned her CDME, Certified Destination Marketing Executive, a credential from Destinations International. Destinations International has also recognized Christina as one of their 30 under 30 “Future Leaders in Destination Marketing.” When Christina is not promoting Reno Tahoe or traveling with friends and family, you can usually find her outside - skiing, hiking or taking photos.
Erik Wolf
Mr. Wolf is recognized as the visionary founder of the world’s food tourism industry and the World Food Travel Association. He is a highly-sought speaker, thought leader, strategist and consultant, in the US and abroad, on food and drink tourism issues, and is considered the go-to food tourism industry resource for media outlets that include
Breakout Sessions:
The lodging and hospitality breakout session is sponsored by the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association, will be an interactive presentation from Booking.com detailing current South Lake Tahoe booking trends and how to convert more “lookers into bookers.” Booking.com Executives Sam Amberchan, Liam O’Gorman, and Lis Wert will facilitate the session.
The retail breakout session, What’s Next for Retail, will feature a panel discussion on strategies and tactics for retailers in a seasonal market. The retail panel is made up of local retail experts: Jacob Bender, store manager of Blue Zone Sports; Kelly Brosh, owner of Gaia-Licious Global Gifts; and Malena Winther, owner of Malena Boutique.
Erik Wolf, Executive Director and Industry Founder of the World Food Travel Association, will work directly with food Industry professionals in a intimate workshop dedicated to honing the food service for visitors.