SPEAKERS

Each year, the CalTravel Summit features more than 50 top-rated speakers and industry experts who have been carefully curated to help you stay on top of key issues and discover new possibilities.

Read on to see who’s confirmed to speak at the 2025 Summit, and check back later as more speakers are announced.

KEYNOTES

CAROLINE BETETA

President & CEO
Visit California

Topic: Inspiring Travel to California

Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta provides an update on the current state of tourism and how its hallmark campaigns and the debut of “California Loves Canada” have helped position California as a destination where visitors can feel welcome, safe, and inspired to explore.

RENE CARAYOL

Founder & CEO
The Everyone Group

Topic: Authentic Leadership

Leadership expert Rene Carayol explores why the best and most adaptable business leaders are the ones who build trust by creating authentic work environments—where colleagues can truly be themselves, are committed to each other’s success, and have the courage to seek support.

GEOFF FREEMAN

President & CEO
U.S. Travel Association

Topic: Federal Tourism Advocacy

U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman discusses the current state of tourism in America—providing an in-depth look at the latest trends, challenges facing the industry, opportunities that lie ahead, and the association’s efforts to facilitate long-term industrywide growth.

LEAH GEORGES

Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Leadership Program
Creighton University

Topic: The Art of Taking Away

Social psychologist Leah Georges encourages us to start thinking about innovation as an opportunity for subtraction, exploring how truly taking away—steps, processes, and old rules—can help people find renewed joy and meaning in both their professional work and personal lives.