October 22, 2025 - October 24, 2025
2025 TTRA CenStates Chapter Annual Conference
October 22-24, 2025
Weber’s Boutique Hotel & Restaurant – Ann Arbor, MI
Calling all travel industry leaders, researchers, and innovators! Join us in Ann Arbor from October 22-24, 2025 for the CenStates Chapter of the Travel & Tourism Research Association’s Annual Conference.
Discover the vibrant city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where innovation meets tradition. Explore world-class museums, charming shops, and renowned universities. All while we take a deep dive into the latest trends and insights shaping the future of travel.
Network with fellow professionals, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and gain cutting-edge research to propel your destination or business forward. Whether you’re focused on sustainable tourism, attracting new demographics, or leveraging technology to enhance the travel experience, this conference has something for you.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- In-depth Discussions: Engage in conversations that challenge and provoke thought.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, innovators, and researchers.
- Latest Research: Gain insights from cutting-edge research to drive your business or destination forward.
- Focus Areas: From sustainable tourism to leveraging technology, there’s something for every focus area.
REGISTER FOR THE CENSTATES CONFERENCE
Registration Includes:
Join us at the 2025 TTRA CenStates Annual Conference in Ann Arbor, MI, from October 22-24.
This event is an excellent opportunity for travel and tourism professionals to learn, network, and share insights. Secure your spot today and be part of this impactful event.
- Access to all sessions
- Networking events
- Conference materials
Registration Rates:
- TTRA Member: $425
- Non-Member: $475
- Student TTRA Member: $125
- Student Non-Member: $175
- Full-Time Professor with Student: $349
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 22
- 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Optional Stadium Tour (email ce*******@**ra.com for more details)
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Meet & Greet Happy Hour with Academic Papers & Exhibitors
- 8:00 PM: Dinner On Your Own
Thursday, October 23
- 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Breakfast
- 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Sponsor Exhibits Open
Morning General Sessions (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
- 8:45 – 9:30 AM: Unified Brand, Local Flavor: Crafting Countywide Identity
Speaker: Tim Crouson, CHIA, CAHTA, CTA (Destination Ann Arbor) - 9:30 – 10:00 AM: Mapping the Road Ahead: US Travel Trends and Shifts
Speaker: Kelsey Waite (Longwoods International) - 10:15 – 11:00 AM: What Does Fun and Fulfilling Look Like? Mobile Research Insights
Speaker: Kelly Heatly, MSMR (Root Research and Insights) - 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Tourism at a Crossroads: Addressing Rural Workforce Gaps
Speaker: Allyson Gutwein (Discover Boone County, CEO) - 11:30 – 12:00 PM: Pretesting of Advertising: How To Stay Out of Ad Jail
Speaker: Jane Ghosh (Discover Kalamazoo, President & CEO) - 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CenStates TTRA
Afternoon Sessions
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Vendor Speed Dating
- 2:15 – 2:45 PM: The Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community Program
Speaker: Spencer Zamora (Travel Texas, Office of the Governor) - 2:45 – 3:15 PM: Designing Insight: Data Visualization for Destinations
Speaker: Jordan Musall (Destinations International) - 3:00 – 4:00 PM: Attribution at Work
Speaker: Laura Speicher (Tourism Economics) with John Packer (Arrivalist) - 5:15 PM: Board Buses for “Walk-the-Talk Tour”
- 5:30 – 5:45 PM: Local Marketing/Research Showcase: “Walk-the-Talk Tour”
- 5:45 – 6:45 PM: Reception
- 7:00 – 8:30 PM: Dine-Around
- 8:30 PM: Board buses to return to hotel
Friday, October 24
- 7:30 – 8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast
- 7:30 – 10:00 AM: Registration
- 8:45 – 12:00 PM: Sponsor Exhibits Open
Morning General Sessions and Closing Remarks
- 8:45 – 9:30 AM: Ad Intelligence: The Confluence of Creative, Channels, and Conversion
Speaker: Dave Serino - 9:30 – 10:15 AM: The Total Accommodations Landscape: US and Regional Trends
Speaker: Bram Gallagher - 10:30 – 11:00 AM: Strategic Level Up: Evolving Strategy Beyond the Basics
Speaker: Camille Ziccardi (Karsh Hagan, VP Growth & Strategy) - 11:00 – 12:00 PM: Small but Mighty: How a Mid-Sized DMO is Making Big Waves
Speaker: Steve Trosin (Experience Jackson)
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
The CenStates Chapter Conference is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Their partnership helps us deliver valuable insights, connections, and opportunities for everyone in travel and tourism research. We’re grateful for their commitment to our community!
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSOR
UNIVERSITY SPONSOR
Sponsor the 2025 TTRA CenStates Annual Conference!
Central States TTRA has created a conference where attendees are open and willing to share with one another. By sponsoring this event, you will raise your visibility and have the ability to reach out and connect with so many different individuals and organizations spread out across a major part of the United States. Email ce*******@**ra.com for more details
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Conference Accommodations
Hotel Reservations
Restaurant in Ann Arbor, MI. Hotel reservations can be made online by clicking the link below or by calling the hotel at 734.769.2500 and ask for the TTRA conference rate. Our conference rates are $139/night for a standard one bed hotel room and $169/night for a double bed hotel room.
If prompted, please enter 4973077 as the room block code.
The room block closes Wednesday, October 1.
Questions?
Contact Sam Jankowski at ce*******@**ra.com
We can’t wait to see you there!