GoWest Summit

Go West Summit is dedicated to connecting tourism industry suppliers with buyers and media from all over the world. Unlike other events, they focus solely on business-building and do not include superfluous activities. Their 37-year track record speaks for itself, as evidenced by the 2025 post-event survey, which revealed that attending buyers expect to bring 22.6 million visitors into the US over the next 18 months. Supplier attendees averaged 42 Marketplace appointments each, with an astounding 1:1.5 buyer-to-supplier ratio. Go West to build business. Stop by and see IITA at Booth 1160.

IITA will be hosting sessions on the Go West Summit Education Day, April 1:
 
NPS Update (10:40-11:50 a.m.)

Moderator:
Rafael Villanueva, CEO, Travel Nevada

Panellists:
Kurt Rausch, Chief, Commercial Services, National Park Service, Lance Syrett, General Manager, Ruby’s Inn, Peter van Berkel, IITA Advocacy Chair & President, Travalco

This popular GWS session will provide an update on the short- and long-term plans of the National Parks Service and the major national parks, including the CUA program for Road-based Commercial Tours, the new non-resident entrance fees, reservation systems and managing visitation. NPS, IITA and other tour industry associations are collaborating to find mutually beneficial solutions that will ensure the best possible visitor experiences.
  
Ask the Operator  (2:40 – 3:30 p.m.)

Moderator:
Lena Ross, IITA Chair & COO, America 4 You

Panelists:
Oswaldo Freitas, CEO, Easy Time Travel, Karin Omojola, Vice President of Product, AmericanTours International, LLC, Laura Davi, Escorted Tours Manager - West Coast, Team America

This year’s Ask the Operator session with IITA inbound operators will feature the different inbound operator business models – from group series operators to FIT and custom packagers. The panelists will share how they operate, types of travelers they serve and their role in the inbound industry. Learn how to recognize and effectively work with the various types of inbound operators to build your international business. This is an interactive session. Please come with your questions in hand, as the operators are eager to answer them.

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