TENTATIVE SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
Subject to change
Wednesday, January 21
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Welcome, Meet & Greet Reception
If your flight arrives prior to dinner, join us for a drink and light hors d'oeuvres. Meet the experts, connect with your peers from around the country, and make new friends before we kick it all off Thursday morning.
Thursday, January 22
7:15 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
Fuel up and get ready for a jam-packed couple of days.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Welcome and Introductions
Maura Gast, Irving CVB Executive Director, our official emcee and host, will introduce our experts, the attendees and guests setting the stage for an incredible experience.
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Governance & Community Advocacy
Just as the role that DMOs play in our communities has evolved, so has the role of the Boards that lead and govern them. To kick off the Symposium, sector consultant and author Bill Geist will chronicle that evolution and explain how Board Leadership can elevate the impact and significantly underpin the relevance of today’s DMO. Among the topics to be covered:
The importance of Purpose, Vision, Mission, Values, Stewardship and Advocacy
Why Community Influence is the primary currency of today’s best Boards
The critical need for Board cohesion into today’s volatile environment
That DMO CEOs can take Destination Development only so far; it’s the Board that brings it home (or starts the ball rolling…or is the first follower for a stellar idea).
The Role of the Board vs. the Role of the CEO … whose job is it?
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Visionary DMO Board Leadership: Seize Tomorrow, Today
Rick Antonson, former CEO of Tourism Vancouver and Destinations International Board Chair inspires Destination Leaders to envision the future. We are operating in a world of disrupted plans – a spinning new world where thinking like a Cathedral builder can provide a proven mindset for the coming years. This keynote is a catalyst to deeper, broader envisioning – and action.
Rick shares lessons from decades managing skeptics, taking on the enemies of fresh ideas and keeping a workforce focused, motivated and productive. He asserts that "Cutting Edge Leaders" adapt their tools, revise passions, anticipate the need for new markets, shift plans and embrace awkward ideas – to benefit current and future employees, and their community – beyond this quarter, this year — into the long term.
Rick believes Cathedral Thinking is best applied to all aspects of governance, uncertain finances, and political indifference. Every idea, every change, every commitment must resonate for immediate relevance while providing a building block toward a prosperous future. Alas, fortune favors the bold!
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Expert-Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
In our first of three Roundtable Discussions, we’ll break out and encourage participants to introduce themselves and then facilitate conversations in the CEO, Board Chair and Board Member Rooms by DMO budget size.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch and a Panel Discussion
Mix it up, sit with someone new and learn about the challenges and opportunities other Destination Organization Boards are facing. They may have a solution you’ve never considered.
While sometimes painful, it's always best to learn from our mistakes. And we’ll hear 2 case stories of DMOs that have emerged on the other side of serious setbacks. Destinations International CEO Don Welsh will facilitate this intriguing look at facing down challenges.
1:40 PM - 2:45 PM
Expert Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
Chairs: Topic > TBD
CEOs: Topic > TBD
Board Members: Topic > TBD
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Finance, Accountability and Transparency
Being on a DMO Board is about more than just sales and marketing. CFO by Design’s Julie Hart will help you to learn how to fulfill your fiduciary responsibilities…while also learning about the unique financial intricacies of a DMO.
Among the areas she will cover:
Uses and restrictions on funding streams
Fiduciary responsibilities of Board officers and members
Understanding financial statements (what you should be receiving) and the purpose and limitations of audits
And…why paying closer attention to the financials is not just your responsibility as a Board member, it’s critical to avoid being front page news for all the wrong reasons.
4:00 PM - 4:50 PM
Limiting Liability, Liquidity, & Legal Issues
To continue to strengthen and stay competitive in the tourism industry, DMO leaders and Board members need to become knowledgeable in sustainable funding, advocacy, public policy and compliance. John Lambeth will impart vital information on topics such as:
Board Planning for Diversifying and Stabilizing Funding
Strategies for Working with Your Board on Advocacy Issues (including funding advocacy)
Nonprofit Corporation Formation or Modification, including starting a (c)(3) Foundation
And, much much more…
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Dinner with New Found Friends
Explore and enjoy the Irving Las Colinas area complete with a variety of restaurants and entertainment options. Find out more HERE on the Visit Irving website.
Friday, January 23
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
More food. More conversation and networking. Maura will kick off with a recap of the day before and preview today’s content.
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Culture, Leadership, and CEO Performance: The Board’s Blueprint for Sustainable Success
Leadership matters. Chris Ihrig will share examples of thriving Organizations that have ignited a culture of purpose and performance. A workplace where values are foundational, relationships are key, clarity of success is defined and accountability is alive. It all starts at the top.
The importance of establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and working agreements between the Board and the Team
Disciplines of a healthy and thriving workplace culture
Hiring and managing the performance of your one employee (President, CEO, ED, etc.)
9:30 AM - 10:20 AM
Future-Proof Leadership: Board, CEO, and Leadership Succession Planning with Cross-Generational Trust, Diversity, and Sustainable CEO Contracts
Leadership transitions and board strategy are no longer just about “who’s next.” They’re about building organizations that thrive across generations, foster diversity of thought, and sustain trust at every level. In this interactive session, Mike Gamble, Chairman & CEO, and Cambria Jones, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer of SearchWide Global, share data, insights, and real-world lessons from working with boards and CEOs across the destination and tourism industry. Together we’ll explore:
Succession Planning: Practical strategies for preparing boards and organizations for smooth leadership transitions.
Diversity & Representation: Why a well-balanced board with varied perspectives drives growth and CEO success.
Generational Trust: How leaders can build bridges across generations, creating two-way trust that fuels collaboration.
CEO Contracts & Compensation: A first look at a new report comparing CEO contracts and what it means for boards and leaders.
Walk away with actionable tools, benchmarks, and frameworks to strengthen your board, retain top talent, and set up the next generation of leadership for success.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Expert Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
Chairs: Topic > TBD
CEOs: Topic > TBD
Board Members: Topic > TBD
11:45 PM - 1:00 PM
Closing Lunch and Panel Discussion on Destination Development
The most successful DMOs in North America have evolved from playing the hand they were dealt to playing an active role in envisioning the future asset and infrastructure development needs of their communities. Your host Maura Gast will lead our closing panel of DMO CEOs and Board Leaders who have spearheaded Tourism Master Planning initiatives and inspired community leaders to champion big projects.
“It was fantastic. I plan on attending next year..”
- Kristi Franz, Explore Siouxland
“My board members have talked about how it was very helpful in illustrating the broader DMO landscape and the highly competitive environment we operate in. They also noted that it was helpful for them to better understand the universal challenges DMOs face.”
- Tania Armenta, Visit Albuquerque