17th Annual Tourism Summit
Santa Monica Travel and Tourism is pleased to invite you to the 17th Annual Tourism Summit: The Road Ahead: Inspired by Route 66. Driven by What’s Next. Secure your seat to enjoy compelling speakers, while learning about what’s ahead for California and Santa Monica’s tourism industry and economy. Space is limited.
For sponsorship opportunities, business promotion, or any questions, contact [email protected].
Event Details
When
Thursday, June 4, 2026
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where
Hotel Casa Del Mar
1910 Ocean Way,
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Attire
Resort Wear
Program Highlights
- Keynote speaker Caroline Beteta, President and CEO, Visit California.
- Travel forecasts & economic updates.
- International market updates featuring SMTT representatives from Australia/New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany and United Kingdom/Ireland.
- Updates from Geoff Freeman, President and CEO, U.S. Travel Association.
- Updates from Erin Francis-Cummings, President & CEO, Future Partners.
- Tourism industry expert panel featuring:
- Rachel Michelin, President/CEO, California Retailers Association
- Jot Condie, President/CEO, California Restaurant Association
- Lynn Mohrfeld, President & CEO, California Hotel & Lodging Association
Directions
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Take I-405 N towards Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left onto Ocean Way
Hotel Casa del Mar will be on your right
From North of Santa Monica
Take US-101 S to I-405 S towards Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left onto Ocean Way
Hotel Casa del Mar will be on your right
From South of Santa Monica
Take I-405 N towards Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left onto Ocean Way
Hotel Casa del Mar will be on your right
From East of Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left onto Ocean Way
Hotel Casa del Mar will be on your right
Parking
Valet parking will be available at Hotel Casa del Mar for $27 per vehicle.
Caroline Beteta, Visit California
Caroline Beteta serves as President & CEO of the industry-led Visit California, a nonprofit organization created to market California as a premier travel destination to increase the state’s share of tourism-related revenues. She simultaneously serves as a strategic advisor for the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz). Beteta is responsible for implementing Visit California’s global marketing program on behalf of the organization’s 21,000 investors and serves as the lead spokesperson for California’s travel industry. In her tenure, she has overseen a decade of growth for California’s travel industry, peaking in 2019 with a record $144.9 billion in economic benefit to the state. She has shepherded the growth of Visit California into a global marketing franchise and helped restore travel and tourism following numerous natural and economic crises.
Caroline has received numerous awards for her creative work and leadership in the travel industry, including induction into the U.S. Travel Association’s Hall of Leaders.
Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in Public Administration/Intergovernmental Affairs from the University of Southern California. She also completed the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Marketing Management Program.
