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Wednesday Webinar #8: Reclaiming Inspiration: Using Tech to Bring Back the Heart and Soul of Tourism
November 5 | 9:15 - 9:45 AM
Join us on Wednesday November 5th at 9:15 AM for our Wednesday Webinar presentation from Jackie Saunders from Tiki to hear about going back to the roots of the tourism industry!
Somewhere along the way, our industry’s compass shifted. We became obsessed with transactions, conversions, and attribution models, while the very wonder that first drew people to travel began to slip away. We stopped inspiring. This session is a rallying cry to bring that magic back, powered by the possibilities of AI.
Why You Should Attend This Session:
- This session is about bringing that magic back and reminding the world that tourism isn’t just about where people go and how they do it, it’s about why they go. We’ll explore how artificial intelligence can help destinations create emotion-led, story-rich content that rekindles the traveler’s desire to explore. From crafting personalized, cinematic storytelling to unlocking imagery and narratives that ignite the imagination, AI can be the spark that returns us to the reason we joined this industry in the first place.
Key Takeaways:
- We’ve traded wonder for widgets. Understand how over-reliance on attribution erodes inspiration.
- Inspiration is measurable. Learn metrics that capture emotional impact, not just transactions.
- AI as the spark. Use AI to scale emotionally resonant, story-driven content.
- From data to desire. Transform traveler behavior data into narratives that inspire action.
- Reconnect with the ‘why.’ Rekindle the human motivations that lead people to travel.
About the Presenter:
Jackie Saunders is a seasoned travel marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in destination marketing, communications, and strategy. Prior to her role with Tiki, she served as the AVP of Marketing at National Harbor, a prominent destination just outside Washington D.C. In this role, Jackie led the marketing, communications, and sales strategies for the convention & visitors association, retail association, and special events and this included working with National Harbor’s iconic capital area and Maryland attractions. Jackie was also the VP of Marketing for Visit Loudoun in Virginia, where she was instrumental in establishing Loudoun’s brand as well as promoting product specific wine and beer experiences and earning national recognition. Jackie also spent 12 years with Destination Canada, where she led marketing and public relations efforts for leisure, meetings, and travel trade across the U.S. and supporting global markets.
About the organization:
Tiki is an AI-powered advertising platform that helps Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) connect with over 100 million active travel planners every month. Through our direct travel publisher integrations, we’ve created the first AI conversational marketing ad platform for DMOs, serving as a destination brand ambassador to engage travelers safely and effectively before they reach client’s websites.