TENTATIVE SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
Wednesday, January 21
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Welcome, Meet & Greet Reception
If your flight arrives prior to dinner, join us for a drink and light hors d'oeuvres. Meet the experts, connect with your peers from around the country, and make new friends before we kick it all off Thursday morning.
Thursday, January 22
7:15 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
Fuel up and get ready for a jam-packed couple of days.
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Welcome and Introductions
Maura Gast, Irving CVB Executive Director, our official emcee and panel moderator, will introduce our experts, the attendees and guests setting the stage for an incredible experience.
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM
Governance & Community Advocacy
Just as the role that DMOs play in our communities has evolved, so has the role of the Boards that govern them. To kick off the Symposium, sector consultant and author Bill Geist will chronicle that evolution and explain how Board Leadership can elevate the impact and underpin the relevance of today’s DMO. Among the topics to be covered:
The importance of Purpose, Vision, Mission, Values, Stewardship, Advocacy
Strategic Organizational and Destinational Analysis and Action
Board Role vs. CEO Role vs. Staff responsibility; whose job is it?
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Finance, Accountability and Transparency
Being on a DMO Board is about more than just sales and marketing. CFObyDesign’s Julie Hart will help you to learn how to fulfill your fiduciary responsibilities while also learning about the unique financial intricacies of a DMO.
Uses and restrictions on funding streams
Fiduciary responsibilities of board officers/members
Understanding financial statements (what you should be receiving) and the purpose and limitations of audits
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Expert-Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
In our first Roundtable Discussions, we’l break out and encourage participants to introduce themselves and then facilitate conversations in the CEO, Board Chair and Board Member Rooms.
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch Conversations
Mix it up, sit with someone new, learn about another Destination Organization Board.
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
TBD
The battle for relevance for Destination Organizations has never been more urgent than it is today. From state capitols to town halls, everyone is looking for dollars from every corner. And often, visitor-generated revenues become easy targets.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Expert Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
Chairs: Topic > TBD (Chris/Mike)
CEOs: Topic > TBD (Bill/Maura)
Board Members: Topic > TBD (Julie/John)
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Organizational Culture and Leadership
Leadership matters. Chris Ihrig will share examples of thriving Organizations that have ignited a culture of purpose and performance. A workplace where values are foundational, relationships are key, clarity of success is defined and accountability is alive. It all starts at the top.
The importance of establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and working agreements between the Board and the Team
Disciplines of a healthy and thriving workplace culture
Hiring and managing the performance of your one employee (President, CEO, ED, etc.)
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Succession Planning and Board Diversity
A well-balanced board equipped with diverse expertise and backgrounds is pivotal in driving CEO retention, fostering growth, and ensuring organizational effectiveness. A solid succession plan ensures seamless leadership transitions, promotes continuity, and cultivates the next generation of visionary leaders. Mike Gamble, Chairman & CEO, and Cambria Jones, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer of SearchWide Global, the leading Executive Search firm in the DMO space, will share their lessons and insights on:
Board Diversity and Succession Planning
Board Representation in a Multigenerational Workforce
Evaluating and Measuring Your CEO
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Dinner with New Found Friends
Explore and enjoy the Irving Las Colinas area complete with a variety of restaurants and entertainment options. Find out more HERE on the Visit Irving website.
Friday, January 23
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
More food. More conversation and networking. We’ll kick off with a recap of the day before and preview today’s content.
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
Limiting Liability, Liquidity, & Legal Issues
To continue to strengthen and stay competitive in the tourism industry, DMO leaders and Board members need to become knowledgeable in sustainable funding, advocacy, public policy and compliance. John Lambeth will impart vital information on topics such as:
Board Planning for Diversifying and Stabilizing Funding
Strategies for Working with Your Board on Advocacy Issues (including funding advocacy)
Nonprofit Corporation Formation or Modification, including starting a (c)(3) Foundation
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
TBD
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Expert Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
Chairs: Topic > TBD (Julie/John)
CEOs: Topic > TBD (Chris/Mike)
Board Members: Topic > TBD (Bill/Maura)
11:45 PM - 1:00 PM
Destinations International Update and Mayoral Panel Luncheon
We’re closing it out with Destinations International CEO Don Welsh. He will update attendees on the new resources being developed by our sector’s trade association…and then host a fast-paced panel discussion with a trio of Mayors.
Then we’ll wrap it up and head into the weekend.
“It was a great symposium, I appreciate having board members involved. It was eye opening for them.”
- Donna Price, Visit Geary County
“My board members have talked about how it was very helpful in illustrating the broader DMO landscape and the highly competitive environment we operate in. They also noted that it was helpful for them to better understand the universal challenges DMOs face.”
- Tania Armenta, Visit Albuquerque