16th Annual Tourism Summit
Santa Monica Travel and Tourism is pleased to invite you to the 16th Annual Tourism Summit: Santa Monica Tourism: A 360° Perspective! Secure your seat to enjoy compelling speakers, an awards ceremony and a delicious lunch while learning about what’s ahead for California and Santa Monica’s tourism industry and economy. Space is limited.
Know someone who makes Santa Monica unforgettable? Nominate them for the Thelma Parks Tourism Spirit Award!
For sponsorship opportunities, business promotion, or any questions, contact clientservices@santamonica.com.
Event Details
When
Thursday, June 12, 2025
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where
Jonathan Beach Club
850 Palisades Beach Rd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
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
Nominate This Year’s Thelma Parks Tourism Spirit Award Winner
Know someone who makes Santa Monica unforgettable for visitors? Recognize their outstanding service with the Thelma Parks Tourism Spirit Award! This award honors exceptional hospitality professionals—management or non-management—nominated by businesses, colleagues and visitors.
Named after Thelma Parks, a beloved 23-year Santa Monica Travel & Tourism employee, this award celebrates excellence, innovation and commitment in our industry. A committee of industry leaders will select winners, who will be honored on June 12th at the 2025 16th Annual Tourism Summit, in partnership with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.
Directions
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Take the I-405 N freeway towards Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left into the club
From North of Santa Monica
Take the US-101 S freeway
Take I-405 S towards Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left into the club
From South of Santa Monica
Take the I-405 N freeway towards Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left into the club
From East of Santa Monica
Take I-10 W towards Santa Monica
Continue onto CA-1 N
Turn left into the club
Parking
Parking will be available at Jonathan Beach Club.
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.
Excited for more?
2024 Tourism Summit Recap & Resources
Watch the Tourism Summit and see below for key resources, presentations, the economic impact studies and our fiscal year report.
Jeff King Tourism Champion Award
Congratulations, Caroline Beteta!
As President and CEO of Visit California, Caroline’s dedication and ingenuity have boosted tourism in the state and set the standard globally for destination marketers. Under her leadership, California has become a beacon of innovation, creativity, and inclusivity, welcoming travelers from all walks of life to experience the beauty and diversity of our state. We’re thrilled to celebrate Caroline and her fearless leadership.
