Are You Ready for ESTO?

As the summer winds down, one of the largest travel industry events of the year is just getting started.

The Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO)—the only national forum where destination marketing professionals at the state, regional and local level obtain critical tools and tips that will allow them to better market and grow their destinations—will take place from August 11-14.

850 destination marketing professionals will convene in Phoenix, Arizona, for four days of the ultimate learning and knowledge-sharing experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain invaluable insights during one of the many Learning Labs, listen to an array of nationally renowned speakers and network with some of the best and brightest in the travel industry.

Also a staple of every ESTO is the presentation of several prestigious industry awards: the Destiny Awards, the Mercury Awards and, of course, the State Tourism Director of the Year Award—an honor most recently bestowed upon the Louisiana Office of Tourism’s Kyle Edmiston.

New this year, we are excited to debut “Cocktails and Conversation,” an event broken down into two sessions that allows attendees to mingle in an informal setting. Share tips and tricks of the trade at the Hackathon, or commiserate with your fellow marketers over your destination’s best-laid plans that just didn’t work out at the Flip or Flop session. And of course, enjoy a cocktail (or two) while you swap stories. 

Attendees will walk away from ESTO with a wealth of relevant information—including the latest industry research and current trends—and will return home armed with solutions to common issues many destinations are facing. But don’t just take our word for it: check out what destination marketers from across the country have to say about the value of attending ESTO:

ESTO: Discover the Definitive Event of the Year for Destination Marketers from U.S. Travel on Vimeo.

It’s not too late for destination marketers to register for this can’t-miss event. Click here to get registered for ESTO—and we’ll see you in sunny Phoenix, Arizona.