Corporate Member Registration Opens

Corporate Member Workshop: Building a Great Team: From Attraction to Advancement

Part of the High-Performing Teams series by Coach Quen®, based on her upcoming book.
This high-energy, interactive workshop brings Dr. Quendrida Whitmore’s Talent Lifecycle Model™ to life, equipping leaders with practical strategies to attract, develop, and advance top talent while building inclusive, high-performing teams. Participants will leave with an actionable blueprint for leading with intention—from hiring and development to succession and growth.

Board Lunch

General Attendee Registration Opens

Welcome & Event Kickoff

Holler At Your Life: Unlocking Creativity, Originality & Initiative from the Inside Out

In a world that rewards speed and decisive action, too many capable, committed people and teams are operating on autopilot—overthinking, hesitating and playing it safe when it matters most.

Not because they lack motivation.

Not because they aren’t capable.

But because they’ve been conditioned to question themselves before they move.

And in today’s environment, hesitation is costly.

Blending insights from the World Economic Forum’s future-of-work research with the experimental principles of improv, USA TODAY bestselling author and professional improviser Judi Holler introduces the HOLLER™ Method—a personal operating system for the future of work and practical approach to building courage, experimentation and self-trust.

Through powerful storytelling, interactive moments and immediately actionable tools, audiences learn how to stop waiting for clarity, start experimenting with possibility, and bring more originality to the work they do every day.

Because the most original ideas, boldest moves and meaningful contributions don’t come from playing it safe.

In this keynote, participants will learn how to:

• Strengthen courage and self-trust in high-pressure environments
  
• Move through overthinking and take action with confidence
  
• Activate the mission-critical human skills (flexibility, creativity, self-awareness) that technology cannot replace
  
• Build focus and adaptability in a fast-moving world
  
• Turn fear and uncertainty into forward motion, reclaiming creativity as an essential leadership skill

Executive Unfiltered: Courage & Change, An Ask Me Anything Conversation

An unscripted, rapid-fire exchange designed to surface real-world leadership lessons. In this candid audience Q&A, Dana Shapir Alviene responds to live questions on high-stakes decision-making, navigating career inflection points, building influence across teams and leading through growth and change — offering practical perspective in real time.

Power & Purpose: Turning Vision into Business Growth

A fast-paced, interview-led session featuring two short executive case studies followed by a Skift-facilitated conversation exploring real-world leadership decisions in action. Through guided discussion, the session surfaces practical insights and decision-making approaches on growth, purpose and organizational change.

The Women Behind the Curtain 2.0

Entrepreneurship: The Ultimate Journey, Destination Unknown

Reinvention & The Courage to Begin Without a Map

What if reinvention isn’t something we do once, but something we’re constantly becoming?

In this deeply personal conversation, Stephanie Sprangers, founder and CEO of Glamhive, explores the emotional reality of entrepreneurship, reinvention, and learning to trust yourself through uncertainty. From building a company in an industry she never expected to enter to witnessing the transformative power of personal style, Stephanie shares lessons on identity, resilience, risk-taking, and the courage to begin again, often before the path is clear.

This session is for anyone standing at the edge of a new chapter, personally, professionally, or creatively, and wondering what might happen if they finally gave themselves permission to evolve.

Networking Break

Tech That Travels: Women Leading Digital Transformation

From mobile-first booking to modernizing legacy infrastructure, this panel spotlights women driving meaningful tech and product transformation across travel. Panelists will explore how APIs, systems integration, operational efficiency and emerging AI applications are reshaping operations and guest experience — moving beyond buzzwords to focus on measurable business impact, smarter decision-making and scalable innovation.

Courageous Leadership: Navigating the Future of Travel & Hospitality

The travel and hospitality industry is facing unprecedented disruption — shifting traveler expectations, workforce shortages, rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, sustainability pressures and the growing demand for authentic human connection. In this dynamic environment, traditional leadership approaches are no longer enough.

In this powerful keynote, Cindy Solomon explores what it means to lead with courage during times of transformation. Drawing on global insights, real-world industry examples and forward-thinking strategies, she challenges leaders to embrace innovation, adaptability, empathy and bold decision-making to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Attendees will discover how courageous leadership can help organizations:

• Build resilient and future-ready teams
• Create exceptional guest experiences in a changing marketplace
• Navigate uncertainty with confidence and clarity
• Foster cultures of innovation, trust and accountability
• Lead through disruption while maintaining humanity and purpose

With engaging storytelling, actionable insights and an inspiring vision for the future, Cindy Solomon empowers hospitality and travel leaders to move beyond survival mode and become catalysts for meaningful change.

Day 1 Closing Remarks

Cocktail Reception

Join speakers and fellow attendees for a relaxed evening reception to close out the first day of the Women Leading Travel Forum. Raise a glass, reconnect with peers and continue conversations in a casual setting.

New Orleans Jazz Tour

New Orleans Walking Tour

Meet in the Ritz-Carlton lobby at 6:30 a.m. for a guided morning exploration of New Orleans' historic French Quarter. The group will depart promptly at 6:45 a.m. for a 60-minute sightseeing experience, including highlights of the neighborhood's iconic architecture, culture and history, as well as a walk to Jackson Square.

Self Defense Workshop

You’re a leader at work and the CEO of your family, but safety is a skill most professionals never train. Executive coach to Fortune 500 leaders (with 300+ client reviews) and Muay Thai practitioner, Elaine Lou Cartas (21+ years) teaches practical self-defense, situational awareness and how to respond to danger with calm, clarity and confidence.

Breakfast

Day 2 Welcome

The Confidence Cocktail™: 3 C’s to Command Any Room

Many women undermine their authority by second-guessing or over-explaining. This high-impact session equips leaders to overcome self-doubt and communicate with clarity, confidence and certainty in high-stakes moments, influencing any room you enter. Using The Confidence Cocktail™ framework, you’ll learn to build trust and credibility quickly, elevate your presence, and deliver concise and persuasive messages.

The Future of Travel is not Powered by AI

Power from Place: Building a World-Class Brand on Your Own Terms

Brewed for the Long Haul

In a fast-moving industry defined by constant connection, this session invites leaders to slow down and reflect on what truly endures: meaningful relationships, shared experiences and the human side of hospitality. Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, draws on the tradition of Turkish coffee, recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage, to remind us that the most lasting connections are often formed when we pause, engage and stay a little longer than efficiency demands.

Networking Break

Managing Up: The Rising Star Perspective

A dynamic panel of standout directors, rising leaders at the center of today’s talent pipeline, offering a window into the future of women in the workplace. Panelists will discuss how they’re shaping teams and culture, and what they need from the C-suite to grow, stay engaged, and succeed

The Mindset Shift: Meeting the Deliberate Traveler Where They Are

Travel demand is strong, but affordability pressure is reshaping how people book and pay. In this candid conversation, we unpack what's really changing on the ground, why responsible flexible payment is becoming a growth lever, and what travel brands need to rethink now.

Spilling the Tea on Gen Z

Gen Z may be one of the most discussed segments in travel, but they're also among the least understood. This session uses real data across business and leisure travel to set the record straight on the generation that's already reshaping the industry, the workplace and more. Leave with sharper instincts and smarter strategies for reaching, serving and collaborating with Gen Z.

Anxious but All-In: The Rise of the Intentional Traveler

Lunch

Coaching Workshops

WLT Forum attendees can participate in coaching workshops, choosing two of five one-hour sessions. These interactive, small-group workshops provide a deep dive into each coach’s expertise while addressing the unique needs of participants. In addition, each coach offers 30-minute one-on-one career coaching sessions, which can be booked through the event app and members receive first access.

Networking Break

Peer Group Breakouts

Participants will join one of our themed discussion tables, each focused on a key leadership topic in travel and hospitality. Attendees selected their preferred topic in advance of the Forum and will engage in peer-to-peer conversations guided by prepared discussion prompts. Each table will be facilitated by an attendee leader to encourage meaningful dialogue, idea sharing and networking.

Networking Break

Member Moment

A candid reflection from a Women Leading Travel member sharing how the community has shaped her leadership journey. From expanded networks and career advancement to peer support and perspective, this personal testimonial highlights the tangible impact of being in the room — and the power of investing in community at the executive level.

The Age of Orchestration: What Travel Leaders Need to Do Now

As traveler expectations rise, forward-thinking travel leaders are rethinking how people, AI, and data work together — from hiring and training to real-time customer interactions. This session offers a rapid-fire look at practical ways AI is already transforming CX, and what that means for the brands and leaders driving that change.

Industry Trends: What’s Shaping Travel’s Next Chapter

A forward-looking discussion on the forces shaping the future of travel and hospitality, featuring perspectives from across the industry.

Point–Counterpoint: The Future of Growth in Travel

A dynamic, moderated debate between two senior industry leaders exploring one of the most pressing questions facing travel today — from commercial strategy and brand expansion to distribution, loyalty and long-term profitability. Designed to surface differing perspectives and challenge conventional thinking, this session invites thoughtful disagreement, sharp insights and real-time audience engagement.

Why the Booking Moment Matters More Than Ever

Honoring 2026’s Top Women in Travel & Hospitality

Atlas Obscura Reception Welcome

Women Leading Travel and Atlas Obscura welcome attendees to attending the evening cocktail reception in the Ritz-Carlton Courtyard.

Golden Garden Party

Women Leading Travel and Atlas Obscura invite you to an evening of live music, signature cocktails and meaningful connections under the Louisiana sky. Join fellow leaders in the Ritz-Carlton Courtyard for a celebration inspired by the colors, culture and magic of New Orleans.

New Orleans Walking Tour

Meet in the Ritz-Carlton lobby at 6:30 a.m. for a guided morning exploration of New Orleans' historic French Quarter. The group will depart promptly at 6:45 a.m. for a 60-minute sightseeing experience, including highlights of the neighborhood's iconic architecture, culture and history, as well as a walk to Jackson Square.

Morning Yoga

Begin the last day of the Forum with a rejuvenating yoga class.

Breakfast

Day 3 Welcome

Regulate: Trusted Leaders Build Connected Teams

Trust is a leadership power skill and biological state of successful organizations. In today’s workplace, constant change has created widespread change fatigue, leaving leaders and teams operating in survival mode.

In this high-impact keynote, neurologist and Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Romie Mushtaq introduces the cultureSHIFT® framework: a brain-based system to help leaders diagnose change fatigue, regulate the nervous system, rebuild trust through empathy, and lead as Hope-Holders.

Audiences will learn how to:

1. Diagnose change fatigue using the Busy Brain Test and its impact on trust and performance
2. Regulate the nervous system to reduce reactivity and lead with clarity under pressure
3. Recognize patterns of disengagement driven by stress and uncertainty
4. Build trust through empathy and psychological safety
5. Lead as a Hope-Holder to create clarity, stability and direction

Member Moment

In this personal spotlight, a Women Leading Travel member shares how meaningful connection, trusted peer dialogue and access to senior leaders have influenced her career trajectory. This 1testimonial offers a firsthand look at the impact of community — and why being part of Women Leading Travel extends well beyond the event itself.

Women at the Top: Leading at the C-Suite Level

Top women executives share how they are steering their organizations through economic uncertainty, talent disruption, climate impact, shifting traveler behaviors, and an evolving competitive landscape. This candid conversation explores what’s top of mind in today’s C-suites — and how leaders are building resilient, future-ready businesses from the highest levels of decision-making.

Networking Break

Coaching Workshops

WLT Forum attendees can participate in coaching workshops, choosing two of five one-hour sessions. These interactive, small-group workshops provide a deep dive into each coach’s expertise while addressing the unique needs of participants. In addition, each coach offers 30-minute one-on-one career coaching sessions, which can be booked through the event app and members receive first access.

The Bet

Women Leading Travel Closing