June 3, 2026 - June 3, 2026
Webinar Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM ET
Location: Online
Building Resilience through Storms
Presented by SETTRA
When a crisis hits, does your destination bounce back or break? Resilience is not luck. It is a plan.
Join the TTRA Southeast States Chapter for an important conversation exploring how destinations can prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruption. From hurricanes and severe weather events to broader operational and reputational challenges, this webinar will examine how tourism organizations can build resilience strategies that strengthen recovery, support communities, and protect long term destination success.
This panel brings together leaders from destination organizations, academia, and industry to discuss crisis preparedness, recovery communications, tourism impacts, traveler behavior, and the role of research and collaboration in building stronger destinations.
Attendees will gain practical insights into how destinations can move beyond reactive responses and develop proactive resilience strategies that support both communities and visitor economies.
What You’ll Learn
- How destinations can prepare for and respond to tourism disruptions and crises
- The role of research and data in resilience planning and recovery
- Best practices for destination communication during and after storms
- How traveler sentiment and behavior shift following crisis events
- Strategies for collaboration between destinations, researchers, and industry partners
- Lessons learned from real world destination recovery efforts
- How resilience planning can strengthen long term destination competitiveness
Webinar Panelists:
Ignatius P. Cahyanto, Ph.D., University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Dr. Ignatius P. Cahyanto is a faculty member at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette whose research focuses on crisis management, tourism resilience, traveler behavior, and destination recovery. His work examines how destinations can better prepare for and respond to natural disasters and other disruptive events impacting tourism systems and communities.
Tamara Pigott, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
Tamara Pigott serves as Executive Director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau in Florida. She has extensive experience leading destination recovery and tourism communication efforts, particularly in the aftermath of major hurricane events impacting coastal destinations and visitor economies.
Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray, University of South Carolina
Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray is a recognized tourism researcher and thought leader specializing in tourism crisis management, risk perception, destination resilience, and visitor safety. Her research and industry collaborations have helped destinations strengthen preparedness and recovery planning across the tourism sector.
Chris Kam, Omnitrak TravelTrak America
Chris Kam is a tourism research and insights leader with Omnitrak TravelTrak America, specializing in traveler sentiment, market intelligence, and tourism trends. His work supports destinations and travel organizations in understanding traveler behavior and adapting strategies during periods of uncertainty and disruption.
Marlise Taylor, Visit North Carolina
Marlise Taylor represents Visit North Carolina and brings expertise in destination marketing, communications, and statewide tourism strategy. Her work includes supporting destination resilience initiatives and helping communities navigate tourism recovery and long term growth.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM ET
Location: Online