NJ Conference on Tourism

Name: NJTIA
Price range: $

Resorts Casino Hotel - Atlantic City
November 30 & December 1

Thursday, November 30th & Friday, December 1st

Our Annual Conference on Tourism brings together professionals from all sectors of New Jersey’s multibillion dollar tourism industry including associations, businesses, resorts, attractions, destination marketing organizations, transportation companies, as well as cultural, arts, and historic organizations to explore the latest trends and opportunities for the tourism industry.

Our conference will feature over 18 specialized speakers with vital industry topics such as NJ-focused tourism trends and forecasts, branding, education, heritage tourism, customer experience, film updates, podcasting, arts & cultural and more.

There will be ample time for new connections and business opportunities and an opening night Reception.

Thursday, November 30
	7:30AM	Registration Open
	8:00AM - 9:00AM	Breakfast, Opening Remarks and a NJ Tourism Division update with Jeff Vasser The conference kicks off with breakfast networking and a welcome that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Hear an uplifting update from Executive Director, Jeff Vasser of New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism. There has been a great deal going on this year, you won't want to miss a minute of it.
	9:00AM – 10:00AM	The Future Shape of Travel Adam Sacks, President and CEO Tourism Economics Both leisure and business travel have rebounded with impressive strength over the past two years. However, recession tremors and persistent inflation loom large and threaten the continued recovery of travel. Adam Sacks will share Tourism Economics’ latest views on the economy, the mindset of travelers, and expectations for the evolution of travel.
	10:00AM – 11:00AM	Spotlighting the Importance of a Brand Lindsey Norment, Brand Director Virginia Tourism Corporation Created in 1969, “Virginia is for Lovers” has stood the test of time as one of the longest-standing tourism brands. Join Lindsey Norment, the Brand Director for Virginia Tourism as she shares how “Virginia is for Lovers” transformed from a simple slogan into an iconic and enduring brand. This session will delve into the history of the brand, explore the impactful campaigns created by Virginia Tourism and share insights into the strategic steps taken to maintain the brand’s relevance over the years.
	11:15AM-12:15PM – Breakout Session 1	March to the 250th: Creating Partnerships Through History Ashley Abruzzo - Heritage Tourism Program Manager – Crossroads of the American Revolution Grant Jacoby - Marketing Manager - Morven Museum & Garden Marc Lorenc – Chief Public Historian – New Jersey Historical Commission Ashley Parker – Heritage Tourism Coordinator – New Jersey Historic Trust Heritage Tourism is a significant part of tourism revenue; panelists will highlight the economic impact of heritage tourism and hear how planning efforts for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026 fit into the state’s plans to market and promote tourism in New Jersey by leveraging partnerships and collaborations between Destination Marketing Organizations, historic places, and marketing agencies.
	11:15AM-12:15PM – Breakout Session 2	Public/Private Partnerships: Partnering to Achieve Your Organizational Goals Adam Perle, CEOArt Pride Foundation, Tourism Industry Professional Certificate Instructor. Sarah Grady, M.A., Assistant Director The Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism (LIGHT) Stockton University School of Business Mariah Duffey, M.A., Assistant Director Continuing Studies and Adult Education, Stockton University Learn how to identify synergistic partnerships and maximize their benefits for your tourism organization. Join Certified Tourism Industry Professional certificate program faculty, and President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, Adam Perle for a discussion of public/private partnerships and how they can be leveraged to achieve your organizational goals. The Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) will also provide an overview and answer your questions about the Certified Tourism Industry Professional program.
	12:15PM-2:30PM	Celebration of Tourism Luncheon & NJTIA Excellence Awards
	2:45PM – 3:45PM	The ROI of Customer Experience: How Customer Experience Can Save Tourism Liliana Petrova, CEO and Founder The Petrova Experience In this session, Liliana Petrova, CEO and Founder of The Petrova Experience, dives deep into what an elevated experience is in the current tourism landscape, and how to create and sustain those experiences. She will examine expectations along the customer journey, provide real-world comparisons of how major destinations embrace (or squander) opportunities for Wow Moments, and outline how to get the ROI of customer loyalty from today's traveler.
	4:00PM – 5:00PM	TAKE 2: Movies Return To The State Where Moviemaking Began Steven Gorelick, Executive Director David Schoner, Associate Director New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission The New Jersey film and television industry has exploded in the last several years, and Garden State locations are frequently seen on theatrical and television screens throughout the world. Steven Gorelick and David Schoner, the Executive Director and Associate Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, will detail all this exciting production activity, review popular film sites and discuss the new studio complexes and related businesses springing up throughout the state. Learn how your town can become film ready and picture perfect.
	5:30PM – 7:30PM	Networking Reception Join us at the Tourism Conference Kick-Off Reception, where the vibrant Jazz notes of the Andy Lalasis trio will set the stage. Savor a delectable array of food and drinks, and networking with your fellow tourism peers.
Friday, December 1
	8:00AM-9:00AM	Breakfast, Legislative & World Cup Update Final day breakfast kicks off with Matthew S. Halpin, NJTIA Executive Director providing a legislative update and special comments from Lauren La Russo, NY/NJ World Cup 2026 Host Committee, Co-Host City Manager. 8:30AM - Advancing Tourism Through Community Values Katie Stadius, Zartico There are now new sets of community indicators to help your destination organization measure the possibilities of place. Destinations need to determine what is valuable to the community, learn what data streams to use to measure KPIs and then track their effectiveness on their fellow residents. This session will be your ABCs of how to get started.
	9:00AM – 10:00am	Travel Storytelling: The Evolution of Inspiration. Trends in Social Media and AI Terence Gallagher. President. Lou Hammond Group Lynn Kaniper. President. DANA Communications Al is reinventing the art of storytelling, impacting how we create and consume stories. In this session, topic experts Terry Gallagher and Lynn Kaniper will discuss how technology is changing the narrative.
	10:00AM – 11:00AM	Arts as a Tourism Driver Jody Alessandrine, Jr., MPA Director & CEO, Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) Samantha Rutledge, Morris County Economic Development Alliance and Morris County Tourism Bureau Tom Loughman Executive Director, Morris Museum Diane Wieland Director, Cape May County Department of Tourism, Public Information and Culture and Heritage and Chairman, Southern Shore Region Destination Marketing Organization (SSRDMO)
	11:15AM-11:45AM	Podcasting to Extend your Marketing Reach Dan Schlossberg, Host/Executive Producer of Travel Itch Radio When considering media, think podcasts! Learn from a seasoned radio broadcaster on what it takes to create an interesting and exciting podcast. Hear how Dan interjects humor and travel tips about his destinations to engage his audience.
	12:00PM-1:00PM	Beyond the Credits Panel Chris Coyne Location Manager Tom Hall Co-Head/Artistic Director, Montclair Film David Levitt Television Development Executive Hear from those behind the camera and get a better understanding of the roles behind the camera. Hear from a location manager and producer on what’s important to them when bringing a film crew or production to your destination. Also, hear about a case study on the Montclair Film Festival and its success.
	1:00PM	Lunch to Go

Full Conference Registration includes Luncheon & Reception

Member - $350
Non-Member - $380

Thursday Only Conference (Includes Luncheon and Kick Off Reception)

Member - $250
Non-Member - $275

Friday Only Conference (does not include Luncheon or Kick Off reception) - Member/Non-Member

Member - $130

Non-Member - $150

Annual Tourism Luncheon Ticket Only

For Non-Conference Attendees, Thursday Night Kick Off Reception Ticket Only

Schedule

Interested in becoming sponsor, we have a wide range of opportunities:

Show Sponsor
$25,000

Six Full Conference Registrations
Two Full Page Ads in the Program
Tabletop Booth
Logo on all conference materials.
Three minute presentation before session speaker
Preferred, reserved seating at Luncheon
Free valet parking for two attendees
Web link from NJTIA Website for one year List of conference attendees
Eligible to provide gift or literature for attendees to include in Conference tote bag

Annual Tourism Luncheon & Awards Sponsor
$10,000 (Only 1 Available)

Two Full Conference Registrations
Two-minute address during luncheon
List of conference attendees
Eligible to provide promotional gift for attendees – will be placed at each place setting
Eligible to include literature in Conference Tote Bag
Corporate logo will be on place setting menu
Logo in onsite Program and on Website Program
Full Page Ad in the Program
Tabletop Booth

Kick Off Reception Sponsorship
$10,000 (Only 1 Available)

Two Full Conference Registrations
Four additional Kick-Off Reception Tickets
Two-minute address during reception
List of conference attendees
Eligible to provide promotional gift for attendees – will be handed out at reception.
Eligible to include literature in Conference Tote Bag
Logo on Reception signage
Logo in onsite Program and on Website Program
Full Page Ad in the Program
NJTIA to include a Conference Program ad that spotlights company as the Reception sponsor
Tabletop Booth

Premium Sponsor
$10,000

Four Full Conference Registrations
Four additional Kick-Off Reception Tickets
Logo in onsite Program and on Website Program
Full Page Ad in the Program
Tabletop Booth
Two minute presentation before a session
Reserved seating at Luncheon
List of conference attendees
Eligible to provide gift for attendees to include in Conference tote bag
Banner prominently displayed during conference

Platinum Sponsor
$7,500

Four Full Conference Registrations
Two additional Kick-Off Reception Tickets
Tabletop Booth
Eligible to provide gift or literature for attendees to include in Conference tote bag
Acknowledgement in conference materials
Full page Ad in the Program
Banner displayed during conference

Gold Sponsor
$3,500

Three Full Conference Registrations
Two additional Kick-Off Reception Tickets
Tabletop Booth
Eligible to provide gift or literature for attendees to include in Conference tote bag
Acknowledgement in conference materials
¼ page Ad in the Program

Silver Sponsor
$2,500

Two Full Conference Registrations
Tabletop Booth
Two additional Kick-Off Reception Tickets
Eligible to provide gift or literature for attendees to include in Conference tote bag
1/8 page Ad in the Program
Acknowledgement in conference materials

Bronze Sponsor
$1,750

One Full Conference Registration
Tabletop Booth
Eligible to provide gift or literature for attendees to include in Conference tote bag
1/8 page Ad in the Program
Acknowledgement in conference materials

Patron Sponsor
$1,250

One Full Conference Registrations
Acknowledgement in conference materials
Business Card Ad in the Program
Eligible to provide gift or literature for attendees to include in Conference tote bag

Friend Sponsor
$600

Acknowledgement in conference materials

Conference Tote Bag Sponsorship
$5,000(Only 1 Available)

One Full Conference Registration
Your Corporate logo on Conference branded tote bag handed out to all attendees of the conference.
- Can include literature or promo item
Tabletop Booth
Acknowledgement in conference materials
½ page Ad in the Program