University of Florida To Host D-TOUR, a Global Tourism Summit at Walt Disney World Resort April 26 and 27, 2017
4 Keynote Speakers Bring Messages of Disruption and Transformation as the Tourism Industry Encounters Its New Reality
When the 2017 UF Tourism Summit takes place later this month at Walt Disney World, four keynote speakers will tackle the four most disruptive issues the tourism industry faces; crisis management, world economics, political turmoil, and the impact of technology. Sponsored by the University of Florida, this two-day Summit will be held April 26-27 at the BoardWalk Inn at Walt Disney World.
The Summit kicks-off on Wednesday, April 26 with an Evening at Epcot, complete with fireworks and an opportunity to network and get to know the 20 + speakers on the agenda the next day.
Thursday brings a fast-paced and information-rich day of speakers divided into four topic sessions; each session will be led by a world class keynote speaker.
The day opens with Adam Sacks, Founder and President of Tourism Economics who will present an analysis of US and global economic environments and the implications for the US travel industry in 2017 as well as long term.
Topic 1 – Tourism Crisis Management will be led by Jamie McIntyre senior writer, Washington Examiner who will moderate two panels to analyze how agencies view incident preparation and response, followed by industry representatives who have ‘been there, done that’ and will offer an experienced perspective.
Topic 2 – Economics and Politics features Sarah Quinlan, Group Head of Market Insights at Mastercard. Quinlan uses the latest data to identify “the elusive profitable traveler, and where in the world is she”.
Topic 3 – Technology and Innovation will be moderated by Philip Wolf, president of Phocuswright and include experts from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Intel, WayBlazer, and other innovative technology companies.
Topic 4 – Disruption is the topic of closing keynote speaker Jeff Rosenblum of Questus who will wrap up the day by demonstrating a new approach to building brands that dominate the competition.
“The travel industry, like every industry around the globe is being completely disrupted. Search, social and mobile technology have fundamentally changed the relationship that travel brands have with customers. Trillions of dollars are at stake,” says Rosenblum.
Five world renowned writers will be recognized at the EFTI Gala Awards Dinner on Thursday evening as they are bestowed The Edith and Eric Friedheim Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Travel Literature. Edith Friedheim will present the awards and two-time Grammy award-winning journalist Dayvee Sutton will moderate the evening.
Tickets for the Summit include networking events, meals and the Summit. Individual tickets for the Evening at Epcot and/or the EFTI Gala Awards Dinner are also available at www.uftourismsummit.com. Click on register. Press badges are available upon request, http://www.uftourismsummit.com/request-a-press-badge.