IMM 2026 Schedule

Two Productive Days

Day 1 January 21, 2026

  • Registration / Morning Networking
  • The Data Behind Desire
    Travel Trends for 2026

    Nick Bunker, Lead Economist, North America, Mastercard

    Sheridan Stavac, V.P. US Travel, Food & Fuel, Mastercard

  • The Rise of Independent Publishing
    What it Means for Travel Media

    Angela Berardino, Principal, The Brouhaha Collective (Moderator)

    Alicia Kennedy, Publisher, From the Desk

    Amy Cavanaugh, Editor, American Weekender

    Rachel Ayotte, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Late Checkout

  • Networking Break
  • State of the Industry
    The Survey is In

    Kim Grant, Global Media Director, TravMedia

    Nick Wayland, CEO & Founder, TravMedia

  • Battle of the Generations
    Creating Content for All Ages

    Joyce Kiehl, Director of Communications, Visit Greater Palm Springs (Moderator)

    Darley Newman, Host & Executive Producer, Travels with Darley

    Kelsey Knoedler Perri, PR Director, Road Scholar

    Kevin Kern, Vice President of Public Relations, Memphis Tourism

    Lauren Gay, Content Creator, Outdoorsy Diva

  • The Future of Wellness Tourism
    The Next Wave of Storytelling

    Dan Christian, Founder & Host, Travel Trends Podcast (Moderator)

    Camille Lopeo, Chief Marketing Officer, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery, and Emblems

    Josefin Haraldson, Country Manager & Senior PR Manager US, Visit Sweden

    Kathleen Booker, Breathwork Coach, Jedi of Calm

    Sharael Kolberg, Freelance Travel Writer

  • Sponsor
    Camille Lopeo, Vice President, Emblems Collection and The Purist
  • Networking Lunch - sponsored by Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection
  • Keynote: The Next Disruption of Media & What to Do About It

    Doug Shapiro, Founder, Doug Shapiro Media

  • Networking Break
  • The Role of Travel Editors
    From Perfect Pitches to Content Pillars

    Nick Wayland, CEO & Founder, TravMedia (Moderator)

    Johanna Jainchill, Incoming Editor-in-Chief, Travel Weekly

    Kat Craddock, Editor-in-Chief & CEO, SAVEUR

    Katherine LaGrave, Executive Editor, Afar

    Nikki Ekstein, Travel Czar, Bloomberg

  • Rewriting the Rules of Freelancing
    Futureproofing for PRs, Content Creators, & Writers
    Sponsored by Carlsbad, CA

    Birgitt Vaughan, Director of Public Relations, Sonoma County Tourism (Moderator)

    Alexandra Cheney, Freelance Travel Writer

    Jeremy Tarr, Digital Editorial Director, Fodors

    Martinique Lewis, Diversity Consultant & President, Black Travel Alliance

  • Cocktail Function
  • Finish

* schedule subject to change

Day 2 January 22, 2026

  • Exhibitors arrive to set up tables and register
  • Media Registration
  • Welcome Address
  • Six appointment slots with 15-minute appointments
  • Morning Networking Break
  • Six appointment slots with 15-minute appointments
  • Lunch
    Sponsored by CLIA
  • Six appointment slots with 15-minute appointments
  • Afternoon Networking Break
  • Six appointment slots with 15-minute appointments
  • Cocktail Function
    Sponsored by Visit California
  • End of the event