France, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, China, Germany, Australia, And South Africa To Join Arizona Governor’s Conference On Tourism 2025 In A Bold Move To Advance Cross-continental Partnerships And Reinvent Travel Marketing In A Globalized World

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

The Arizona Governor’s Conference connected Tourism (GCOT) is returning successful July 2025 pinch an invigorated schedule and a renewed committedness to shaping nan early of Arizona’s vibrant tourism economy. As nan premier acquisition and networking arena for nan state’s tourism sector, this year’s GCOT promises to beryllium a milestone gathering, offering unparalleled learning, collaboration, and ceremony for recreation professionals, destination marketers, and manufacture stakeholders. Attendees from much than 100 countries are expected, including cardinal representatives from nan United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, India, China, Australia, Brazil, Japan, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, South Africa, and nan United Arab Emirates

Scheduled to return spot from July 16 to 18, 2025, nan convention will bring together starring voices, insightful panelists, and renowned keynote speakers for an immersive acquisition designed to speech ideas, tackle pressing challenges, and animate growth. Held against nan move backdrop of Arizona’s tourism resurgence, nan arena will service arsenic a launchpad for strategical partnerships and transformative initiatives.

Elevating Excellence astatine nan Governor’s Tourism Awards Celebration

One of nan astir anticipated moments of nan convention is nan Governor’s Tourism Awards Celebration, which honors nan brightest innovators, marketers, and ambassadors who person made outstanding contributions to Arizona’s recreation industry. Set during an elegant sit-down meal connected Thursday evening, July 17, this ceremonial offers an opportunity to admit imaginative campaigns, collaborative partnerships, and exceptional work transportation crossed nan state.

Nominations are unfastened for individuals and organizations to spotlight excellence successful categories including trading innovation, customer service, organization engagement, and cooperative strategy. The awards not only observe past achievements but besides animate early excellence wrong Arizona’s competitory tourism landscape.

A Power-Packed Schedule of Ideas and Impact

The 2025 convention schedule is designed to screen nan afloat spectrum of tourism strategy, trading innovation, world engagement, and sustainable destination stewardship.

Wednesday, July 16

The convention opens pinch registration astatine noon, followed by an engaging Welcome Reception from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., offering attendees a first opportunity to web and link pinch manufacture peers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Thursday, July 17

With a packed schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday marks nan halfway time of GCOT. The time originates pinch a “State of nan Industry” update from nan Arizona Office of Tourism, followed by remarks from Zeek Coleman of Tourism Economics. One of nan day’s highlights includes a visionary convention led by Trever Cartwright of nan Coraggio Group, unveiling Arizona’s caller two-year strategical tourism plan. This convention will present a pioneering collective-impact attack involving shared ownership among manufacture stakeholders.

Breakout sessions delve into applicable and timely topics:

• International Travel Narratives: A sheet of world media representatives will analyse world perceptions of nan US and really Arizona tin position itself much efficaciously amidst geopolitical and economical shifts.
• AI and SEO Integration: A data-driven look astatine really destinations tin wed contented marketing, hunt motor optimization, and artificial intelligence to stay visible and competitory successful a digital-first world.
• Localized Sustainability: A hands-on sheet exploring really world sustainability models tin beryllium adapted to meet nan unsocial needs of Arizona’s divers communities and landscapes.

Additional sessions will screen world recreation waste and acquisition impacts, Gen Z and Millennial recreation behaviors, and leveraging section storytelling to elevate destination appeal. A item includes a convention connected Sports Tourism—featuring Visit Mesa, Tempe Tourism, and Visit Tucson Sports—which explores really sporting events tin go powerful tourism drivers.

Evening Celebration

The time concludes pinch a reception and nan Governor’s Tourism Awards Celebration from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.—a nighttime dedicated to networking, recognition, and manufacture pride.

Friday, July 18

The last time continues pinch engaging sessions focused connected economical forecasting and tourism trends. A keynote from Dr. Anirban Basu of nan Sage Policy Group will measure nationalist and location economical outlooks, followed by master sheet discussions to reason nan event.

A Strong Network of Sponsors and Exhibitors

GCOT 2025 is made imaginable by an awesome lineup of sponsors and partners representing Arizona’s tourism ecosystem.

Platinum Sponsor

• offmadisonave

Gold Sponsors

• Visit Glendale, Tourism Economics, Phoenix Raceway, Casual Astronaut, Experience Scottsdale

Bronze Sponsors

• Miles Partnership, Experience Hopi, Visit Mesa, Visit Tucson, Ampersand

Copper Sponsors

• Phoenix Sky Harbor, Birdman, Explore Pinal, Arizona Renaissance Festival, Western Spirit, Simpleview Inc., Arizona Indian Tourism, Arizona Lottery, Atmosphere TV, 12 News, Phoenix Convention Center, Fly Tucson, Travel Shows, Smithsonian Magazine

Exhibitors

• AAA, America Journal, Antelope Point Marina, Arizona Highways, Arizona State Parks and Trails, DestinationiQ, Electric Pickle, Elite Media Group, Key Data, Navajo Nation Shopping Centers, ON Media, RMI, Sojern, Texas Monthly, The Wander Media Group, True West Magazine

Accessibility Through Arizona’s Premier Airports

With fantabulous connectivity done its awesome airports, Arizona ensures easiness of entree for some home and world participants.

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport serves arsenic a cardinal hub pinch its modern terminals, robust amenities, and world connections.
• Tucson International Airport offers a relaxed alternative, featuring nonstop work to awesome US cities and prime world destinations.
• Yuma International Airport, operating jointly pinch Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, supports regular commercialized flights and businesslike entree for travelers successful nan region.

Major Airlines Supporting Conference Travel

Attendees tin scope nan arena done starring airlines specified as:

• Southwest Airlines, known for extended point-to-point connectivity and affordable fares.
• American Airlines, pinch a world web that links Arizona to cardinal markets crossed 5 continents.
• United Airlines, offering seamless connections done its expansive Star Alliance partnerships.

Exceptional Lodging Across Arizona

Participants will find an array of accommodation options to heighten their stay:

• Arabella Hotel Sedona provides a tranquil retreat pinch panoramic reddish stone views.
• Yavapai Lodge, nestled wrong Grand Canyon National Park, offers rustic charm conscionable steps from nan South Rim.
• Maswik Lodge, a serene wood lodge, delivers convenient parkland entree and historical significance.

Explore Arizona’s Cultural and Natural Treasures

Tourism professionals attending GCOT will besides person opportunities to research iconic Arizona attractions:

• Chapel of nan Holy Cross successful Sedona, a stunning architectural marvel built into nan reddish rocks.
• Palatki Heritage Site, wherever ancient pictographs and archeological wonders show nan communicative of early life successful nan region.
• Airport Mesa, a belief vortex and way offering melodramatic views and a relationship to Sedona’s metaphysical allure.

As Arizona continues to germinate arsenic a starring tourism destination, GCOT 2025 offers an basal forum to navigate change, harness opportunities, and build a resilient and forward-thinking tourism industry. With its broad agenda, celebrated awards, and influential participants, this year’s convention stands arsenic a powerful testament to Arizona’s tourism imagination and leadership.