
Global Week Schedule
Schedule of Events
March 31 – April 3, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky
March 26-31, 2025
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Media Pre-FAMs
Monday, March 31, 2025
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Registration Open
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Media Pre-FAMs Arrivals
Media Lounge sponsored by LRC –PR & Media Relations for Destinations
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Travel South USA Board Meeting
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Global Innovation Challenge Lunch
1:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Global Innovation Challenge
States Only. See event link for schedule details.
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
State Collaboration – “Horse Trading Time”
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Opening Reception
Sponsored by Kentucky Tourism & Go To Louisville
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Registration Open
Registration / Information Desk Open for Global Summit Suppliers
Global Innovation Lounge & Parade Ring Marketplace
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Welcome to Kentucky Breakfast – The Morning Line for the South
The Odds are Strong Welcome by Commissioner Mike Mangeot, Kentucky Tourism & Cleo Battle, President & CEO, Louisville Tourism
Hosted by Kentucky Tourism
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Press City Tours
Hosted by Louisville Tourism
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Master Class 1 – Modernize Your Marketing With the Four I’s
Keynote: John Gardner, President & CEO, Luckie & Co
9:35 am – 10:30 am
Master Class 2 – Get More Bang for You Media Buck
Moderator: Mathu Premaruban, Ruban Communications
Panelists: Jonathan Thompson, British freelancer/UK national newspaper/ Host Adventure Cities, Discovery Channel and Varsha Singh, Editorial Director, India Outbound Magazine
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Global Innovation Lounge & Parade Ring Marketplace
11:00 AM – 12:35 PM
Workshops 1-4
See event link for schedule details.
11:00 AM – 12:40 PM
State Round Tables
12:40 PM – 2:00 PM
Master Class Keynote & Lunch
Master Class 3 – Brand USA Innovation & AI Future Forward
Janette Roush, Senior Vice President, Innovation & Chief AI Officer, Brand USA
Esra Calvert, Data + Insights + Strategy, Esra Calvert Consulting
2:15 PM – 3:25 PM
Workshops 5-7
See event link for schedule details.
2:15 PM – 3:25 PM
State Round Tables
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Master Class 4 – Distribution & Sales Partners
Moderator: Jennifer Ackerson, President, Alon Tourism Solutions
Elliot Callaway, Bonotel Exclusive Travel
Julie Katz, TourMappers North America
Karin Omojola, Vice President, Product, AmericanTours International
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Travel South FY25/26 Strategic Framework
Presented by: Liz Bittner, President & CEO, Travel South USA
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Brand USA Reception & Press Briefing
Press Only
6:30 PM
Free Night for All Delegates
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Food for Thought
Culinary tourism has shifted from a niche trend to a burgeoning market expected to hit $80 billion in the U.S. alone by 2030. Food and drink are the fastest way to connect to a destination, its history and culture, and its local community.
9:40 AM – 12:15 PM
Media Marketplace Session #1
Break Sponsor by Alabama Tourism
12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Winner Circle Awards Ceremony & Luncheon
Ambassador Awards presented by Miles Partnership
Lunch program & entertainment hosted by Tennessee Tourism
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Media Marketplace Appointment Session #2
Break Sponsor by Louisiana Office of Tourism
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Closing Reception
Hosted by Kentucky Tourism & Louisville Tourism
Thursday, April 3, 2025
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM