Go West Summit Kicks Off 2025

IITA partner Go West Summit kicked off the new year with their annual trade conference in Palm Springs this week. Nearly 600 attendees and 200 international and U.S.-based buyers came together to develop product throughout 18 western states for international visitors. 

As part of the annual program, IITA provides an education series, and this year provided three sessions featuring inbound operator members on topics including the national parks and the forthcoming Road-based Commercial Tour CUA program, working relationships between hotels and operators, and best practices for working with the travel trade to develop international business. IITA’s speakers were:

National Parks Update, moderated by Lisa Simon, IITA, with panelists Peter van Berkel, Travalco, and Jason Murray, Southwest Adventure Tours.

The Importance of Relationships in Today’s High-Tech World, moderated by IITA Chairwoman Lena Ross, America 4 You, with panelists Quintin Blair, Blair Hotels; Hylton Fothergill, Bonotel Exclusive Travel; and Chris Pilley, Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours.

Ask the Operator, moderated by Robert Graff, Travel Nevada, with panelists Joe Blunt, Onward Group Travel; Julie Katz, TourMappers North America; and Brian Murphy, Utah Luxury Tours.

“We partner with Go West Summit because the western region of the United States, particularly the many iconic national parks, is a huge attraction for international visitors and tour buyers from around the world,” said Lisa Simon, IITA Executive Director. “A great number of IITA members attend Go West Summit and we’re here to support their marketing efforts as well as their professional development.”

Next year’s Go West Summit will be held in Las Vegas, March 31 – April 4.