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Tuesday, May 21
                                            

                           

8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Pre-Conference: Smartphone Photography Seminar
"Point and Shoot to Catch the Attention of the Visual-Loving Mobile Community"
Jack Hollingsworth, owner, Jack Hollingsworth World Photography
*This event is an additional fee and not included with basic conference registration. Space is limited to 20 participants.

6–8 p.m.

Opening Night Reception: The Rock 'n' Soul Museum
   

Wednesday, May 22
 

 
7:30–5 p.m.Registration

8:45–9 a.m.

Photo Presentation

9–10 a.m.General Session
  
"Creativity: Innovative Ideas Generate Great Results"
Jeffrey Ory, president, il Stratega
  

10:15–11:15 a.m.

Breakout Sessions: Set I

"Media Measurement Redefined: Implementing the Barcelona Principles"
Greg D'Andrea, research director, Cision Global Analysts
                 
"Maximizing Movie Making: Leveraging Film and Television for Media Coverage and Tourist Dollars"
Meghann Gibbons, communications director, Georgia Aquarium
Megan Mayo Ryan, senior communications & tourism manager, Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kathleen O'Connell, public relations executive, VisitBritain
Jenny Steuber, director of public relations, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau
  
"iPhoneography: Evolution or Revolution?"
Jack Hollingsworth, owner, Jack Hollingsworth World Photography
*This is a condensed presentation of the hands-on, all-day pre-conference session on Tuesday, May 21
  

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions: Set II

(Repeat) "Media Measurement Redefined: Implementing the Barcelona Principles"
Greg D'Andrea, research director, Cision Global Analysts
       
"Dark Tourism: Dark Magic or Tourism Boom?"
Kelly Schulz, vice president, communications and public relations, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
 Kate Fox, executive editor, Destination Salem
  
"DIY Marketing: Content Creation on a Shoestring"
Lara Kretler, vice president, social media lead, Fahlgren Mortine
      

12:45–2:15 p.m.

Keynote Luncheon
"Jack Daniel's Brand Secrets: The Myths, the Mysteries and the Man Behind the World's Most Famous Whiskey"
John Hayes, senior vice president & managing director, Jack Daniel's
Nelson Eddy, brand historian, Jack Daniel's
          

2:30–3:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions: Set III

"What a Trip! Tips, Trends and a Fresh Look at the Press Trip"
John E. DiScala (a.k.a. Johnny Jet), editor, JohnnyJet.com
Angela Berardino, vice president, travel & digital, Turner PR
Lori Holland, executive director, public relations, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
 
"Broadcast Media Training by the Media"
Paul Lasley, executive producer/editor, OnTravel Radio
Elizabeth Harryman, travel editor, Westways
       
"Generating Publicity for Your Destination Through Major Events"
Kevin Kern, director, public relations, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Derek Klaus, senior communications manager, Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
Liana Lopez, director of communications, Tampa Bay & Company
Kathleen O'Connell, public relations executive, VisitBritain
        

3:45–4:45 p.m.

Breakout Sessions: Set IV

(Repeat) "What a Trip! Tips, Trends and a Fresh Look at the Press Trip"
John E. DiScala (a.k.a. Johnny Jet), editor, JohnnyJet.com
Angela Berardino, vice president, travel & digital, Turner PR
Lori Holland, executive director, public relations, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
                                      
"Seeing is Believing: Video Tips to Sell Your Destination, Property or Attraction"
Regena Bearden, vice president, marketing, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau
Douglas Simon, president and CEO, D S Simon Productions
    
"In Search of...: Inside Strategies for Tying Public Relations and SEO/SEM Together to Drive Content to the Top"
Paul McLeod, search engine optimization analyst, Simpleview
A.J. Mistretta, public relations manager, Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau
        
5–6 p.m.SATW Associates Meeting
6:30–9:30 p.m.

Dine-Around in Memphis*

*Optional event. Not included in the basic conference registration fee.

Thursday, May 23

        
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Registration

     

8:30–9:30 a.m.

General Session
"Travel Media Maestros: How Travel Editors Conduct Business in the Modern Newsroom"
Spud Hilton, travel editor, The San Francisco Chronicle
Elizabeth Harryman, travel editor, Westways
Libby Smith, travel editor, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazelle
      

9:30–11:15 a.m.

Individual Roundtables

    

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Keynote Luncheon


"There are Trips and There are Journeys"
Andrew McCarthy, editor-at-large, National Geographic Traveler
   
1–1:30 p.m.Book Signing
 
Books available for purchase.
  

1:30–2:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions: Set V

"Over the River and Through the Woods"
Annette Thompson, freelance travel journalist; contributor, USA TODAY Go Escape, AAA Alabama Journey, Southeast Tourism's Escape to the Southeast and Midwest Living
Lisa Delaney, vice president and editor-in-chief, Spry/Spryliving.com
David Miller, senior editor, Matador Network
                              
"Priority Boarding: First Class Tips on Luxury Travel"
Jennie Nunn, contributor, Sunset, San Francisco Magazine, Afar, The San Francisco Chronicle, C Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine
Sandra Ramani, contributor, Travel + Leisure, Robb Report, Elite Traveler, Luxury Travel Advisor, Fodors.com, New York Magazine, Bridal Guide, Destination Wedding & Honeymoons and 002 Houston, and senior contributing editor, Organic Spa.
Brian Berusch, editorial director, Arts & Travel Magazine
                            
"How to Magnify Your Destination in Multicultural Media"
Kelsy Chauvin, contributor, Curve
Sandra I. Velazquez, contributor, American Airlines Nexos
David Lang, travel contributor, Sing Tao Daily News and The World Journal
Sonya A. Lowery, travel writer, Upscale

2:45–3:45 p.m.

Breakout Sessions: Set VI

"Culinary Travel"
Nancy Davidson, contributor, New York Magazine/NYMag.com, New York Post, Tasting Table, Time Out New York Kids, Tuxedo Road, Prime Living, Imbibe, In New York, Cooking Light and Edible Manhattan
Beth D'Addono, contributor, Southern Gaming & Destinations, AAA Travel, Wells Fargo Conversations, Southern Living, the Boston Globe, the Toronto Star, Philadelphia Daily News, Taste, Where Philadelphia and Jewish Exponent
                                  
"The Digital Divide: How Tablets and Mobile Devices are Diversifying the Editorial Landscape"
Susan Whitehead, editor-in-chief, Real Family Travel Magazine 
                              Peter Frank, director of editorial product development, Travel + Leisure        
Brian Berusch, editorial director, Arts & Travel Magazine
                                             
"Emerging Group Travel Markets"
Penny Whitman, editor-in-chief, NTA Courier
Brian Jewell, executive editor, The Group Travel Leader
Rick Martinez, editor, Group Tour Media
                         
3:45–4:45 p.m.Breakout Sessions: Set VII
   
"The Business of Travel: Working With Mainstream Business Media"
Hannah Elliott, contributor, Forbes Media   
Sean McLaughlin, news anchor/reporter, CBS 5 KPHO-TV
                            
"Casting a Wide Net: Fishing for Lifestyle Publications"
Kendra Williams, senior travel editor, Midwest Living
Jacquelyne Froeber, editor, Coastal Living
Erin Shaw Street, travel editor, Southern Living      
                       
"PR Helping PR: Working With Magazines' In-House PR Staff to Amplify Your Coverage"
Heather Wyatt, publicist, National Geographic Traveler            
Chadwick Boyd, owner/president, L+D Enterprises, Inc.
                            

6–8 p.m.

Media Mixer Reception — Graceland
 Transportation beginning at 5:45 p.m.
Tour: 6–7 p.m.         
Mixer: 7–9 p.m.

Friday, May 24

8 a.m.–Noon

Registration

          

910:15 a.m.

Breakfast Roundtables

    

10:30 a.m.–Noon

General Session

"Innovating the Economic Impact of Tourism"
Kirk Whalum, chief creative officer, Soulsville Foundation (Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, Soulsville Charter School)