WITS is the largest gathering of women travel creators in the world and the premier event for travel's top marketing talent. Creative entrepreneurs, influencers, DMOs, and industry come together to discuss future innovations, build dynamic collaborations, and change travel worldwide, all while supporting and empowering a diverse community. All genders are welcome and invited to join us for important conversations about elevating women and underrepresented creators.
Still need to register? You can do so at witsummit.com/chattanooga
Already have a ticket? You will receive access to create your profile and book meetings for the Media Marketplace when they open. Keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation from YouLi with instructions!
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Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Visit Chattanooga has a fantastic lineup of day tours available for WITS attendees. A WITS ticket is required to register.
Book Day Tours (Bookings close May 19th)
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Visit Chattanooga has a fantastic lineup of day tours available for WITS attendees. A WITS ticket is required to register.
Book Day Tours (Bookings close May 19th)
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Many travel creators build audiences but never fully convert that attention into owned revenue.
This meetup is for those ready to move beyond brand deals and short term spikes and build income that is stable, diversified, and designed to evolve.
We’ll talk about what turns a travel platform into a real business: owning your digital home base, growing and nurturing an email list, creating offers beyond sponsored posts, and building systems that support revenue without constant hustle.
I’ll share lessons from building income in the travel industry through partnership driven experiences, evolving into web design and business consulting, and helping creators structure digital ecosystems that generate long term revenue.
Come ready to think bigger about what you’re building and how it can work for you long term.
Hosted by: Aubrie Canfield
More tour operators are working with content creators, and the best of these partnerships are good for both sides. The creator gets an experience they actually want to make something about. The operator gets content that reflects what the tour is actually like and reaches the right people.
We're getting operators and creators in the same place to talk about how that happens. What works, what doesn't, and how the good partnerships actually get built. A working conversation, not a panel. Come with the collaboration you're trying to figure out.
Food and drinks available to order.
Check in early and beat the Friday morning rush! Get your name badge, and ask any questions you have about the conference.
Hosted by: Kenya Johnson
The Happiest Happy Hour
You're not coming all the way to Chattanooga just to sit still.
Introducing an elevated, hop-on, hop-off evening designed exclusively for creators who know how to find the vibe and capture it. Limited seats. Intentionally curated. No overcrowding.
We’ll begin from the lobby at the Chattanoogan at 6:45pm to depart at 7pm as our chariot Chattanooga Trolley awaits.
Our visits include Chattanooga Whiskey, where you can choose to try a flight of bold flavors and a rich story to set the tone for the night. From there, we continue our ride in style aboard the iconic Chattanooga Trolley — a charming experience that lets you see the city differently while moving effortlessly between stops.
This isn’t your typical bar crawl. This is content, connection, and curated energy. As the night unfolds, we’ll make our way through a series of handpicked stops before ending at the beautifully designed Waymark Hotel, where we’ll slip into the hidden gem — The Vault Speakeasy — for your choice of signature cocktails and a proper close to the evening by 11pm.
Think:
SECURE YOUR SEAT NOW Once we’re full, we’re full. No add-ons, no squeezing in.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Check in, get your name badge, and ask any questions you have about the conference in the hotel lobby. Our volunteers will be available most of the day to assist you.
Also be sure to check out the WITS and Wanderful swag plus everything our speakers are selling in our onsite store!
This session is open only to Creator 101 ticket holders.
Presenters: Ashley Westbrook, Beth Santos, Jessie Festa
Creator 101 (formerly Beginner Bootcamp) is a pre-conference, half-day program designed for attendees who are new to digital content creation and want a clear, realistic foundation for starting their creator journey. This session is for creators who feel excited and overwhelmed—and want to understand how all the pieces fit together before diving in. Through a mix of short talks, hands-on workshopping, and guided discussion, you’ll learn from experienced creators and entrepreneurs about purpose, content creation, audience growth, monetization paths, and the basics of treating this work like a real business. Rather than focusing on hacks or quick wins, Creator 101 helps you see the big picture, clarify your goals, and walk away with tangible tools, clear next steps, and a plan you can actually stick with—so you leave feeling confident, capable, and ready to get started.
Lunch included.
Browse the exhibitor hall outside the Chattanoogan Ballroom to meet the people behind the tourism boards, travel organizations, tour operators, travel products, agencies, brands, and sponsors who are here to meet you. Explore partnership opportunities discover new destinations, and build relationships that can transform your creator business.
NOTE: Pre-scheduled Media Marketplace appointments are happening Friday, May 29 from 9:30am-1:30pm in the exhibitor hall.
Take a break and recharge at the Flex-N-Fly Wellness Zone, your personal sanctuary in the middle of all the action. Flex-N-Fly's wellness zones are intentionally designed to counterbalance the energy of conferences. They offer moments of calm between meetings, panels, and workshop sessions. Step away and into a calm, welcoming space designed to help you relax, reset, and recharge. Do some breathwork, meditation, quiet reflection, and grounding movement with all the cozy essentials included. Yoga mats, journals, pillows, blankets, and headphones provided. No experience necessary. Just come as you are, take a break, and then go back to the Summit when you're ready. Consider this your permission to take a break and not overwhelm yourself.
Hosted by: Flex-N-Fly
If you’re looking for a great way to meet brands or partners, you’re going to love the Media Marketplace. We have an incredible lineup of people coming to WITS and they want to meet with you! Now you can get the wheels in motion. The Media Marketplace has been carefully designed to facilitate 1-on-1 networking meetings between attendees and sponsors. All meetings are 10 minutes long, with a short break in between to move to your next appointment. We will make announcements to keep you on schedule as you meet with all of your appointments.
All registered Creators are eligible to meet with Brands at Media Marketplace.
Take a breather, meet our amazing exhibitors, and mix and mingle with future friends and partners.
WELCOME TO WITS!
Presenters: Ana Dominguez (Emcee), Susan Harris (Visit Chattanooga), Beth Santos (Wanderful), Youmie Jean Francois (Flex-n-Fly)
At this opening session, our dynamic emcee, Ana Dominguez, will help us break the ice and get ready to network, collaborate, and build together. We'll also hear from Susan Harris of Visit Chattanooga, Wanderful Founder & CEO Beth Santos about what we can expect from the rest of the weekend, and Youmie Jean Francois will lead us in an opening intention and acknowledgment.
30-Second Spark
Between mainstage sessions, the mic is hot. Anyone can jump onstage for 30 seconds to share a Give and a Get. Need a videographer in Puerto Rico? An accountability partner? Got a podcast? Wanna be on a podcast? Got an exhibitor booth? Presenting a WITS workshop? Whether it's a collab, a skill swap, a question, a resource, or a request, some of WITS's most magical connections ignite with one brave person stepping up to the mic. No formal pitch needed—just show up, speak your truth, and see what sparks.
CHATTANOOGA: WHERE COMMUNITY, CREATIVITY, AND CURIOSITY COME TOGETHER
Presenters: Briana Garza (Chatt Taste), Jennifer Holder + Shawanda Mason (The Chattery)
Moderator: Tami Fairweather
As North America's First National Park City, Chattanooga is shaped by its people's creativity, thriving local businesses, and connection to nature as the fabric of community. At WITS, we ask how the travel industry can authentically engage with communities with respect and understanding. Join local Chattanooga leaders in culinary tourism and lifelong learning for an honest conversation about what makes their city special, how intentional curiosity and the support of local entrepreneurs build belonging, how they believe visitors should experience their home—from food culture to neighborhood spirit —and the complexities that come with success.
30-Second Spark: Workshop Edition
Presenters: Breakout Workshop Leaders
Can't decide which workshop to attend? Let the leaders help you choose. Workshop facilitators take the stage and pitch their sessions in 30 seconds or less. It's your chance to hear directly from the experts before making your picks. Get ready for rapid-fire inspiration and clarity on where you'll spend your breakout time.
WHOSE OUTDOORS? ADVOCACY AND ACCESS TO NATURE
Presenters:Brian Smith (City of Chattanooga) + Lauren Gay (Outdoorsy Diva)
Moderator: Sunshine Loveless (SORBA Chattanooga)
Who gets to experience nature, and how can we make it more accessible? This conversation explores the types of barriers that keep people from enjoying outdoor spaces, such as prohibitive costs, physical accessibility gaps, and cultural exclusion. Panelists will share inspiring examples of equity in action and offer practical strategies for creating content that opens doors rather than reinforces exclusion. Leave equipped with hope, actionable tools, and the courage to advocate for an outdoors that truly belongs to everyone.
Wrap-Up + Group Photo
Presenters: Ana Dominguez, Beth Santos
Presenter: Marissa Strang
You explored Chattanooga--now let's turn those experiences into compelling content. In this hands-on workshop, receive expert guidance on angles, hooks, and storytelling techniques, then enjoy dedicated work time to actually create, whether drafting captions, editing photos, planning reels, or outlining blog posts. Leave with polished content ready to share, fresh inspiration from your peers, and a repeatable process for every destination.
Workshop Level: EVERYONE
Presenter: Alice Ford
In a crowded creator landscape, great storytelling is the one skill that never gets outdated. It’s also the key that unlocks real opportunities — from brand partnerships and tourism board campaigns to paid media features and even television deals. In this session, Emmy-nominated host, YouTuber, and award-winning filmmaker Alice Ford breaks down the storytelling techniques she used to grow her YouTube channel into a national PBS television series and build a thriving business as a travel creator, producer, and on-camera host. You’ll learn how to transform a simple itinerary into a narrative arc that captures attention, increases retention, and inspires action.
In this session, you will learn how to:
Whether you’re just starting out or are an established creator looking to level up, this session will give you the tools, frameworks, and real-world examples to tell stories that not only resonate… but sell.
Workshop Level: EVERYONE
Moderator: Jeannine Henderson
Kick off WITS with rapid-fire connections. In this social session, you'll be guided to rotate through quick one-on-one conversations, practicing and sharing your 30-second "Give and Get" with fellow attendees. No awkward mingling—just fun, energizing introductions designed to spark collaborations, friendships, and opportunities. Leave with new travel buddies, fresh ideas, and the momentum to make WITS magic happen all weekend long.
Workshop Level: EVERYONE
NOTE: This breakout session is in the Ballroom. Two other concurrent breakouts will be taking place in the conference rooms on the other side of the hotel lobby.
For speakers and VIPs only (no plus-ones allowed). See you there!
Elvis was here once. No kidding.
The Chattanooga Choo-Choo has been hosting travelers since 1909. It's seen a few things. Tonight, it's your turn. Live music — folk, soul, both — great food, drinks, and photo-ops inside one of Chattanooga's most iconic spaces. When the party ends, the night doesn't have to. Breweries and music venues are within walking distance.
Take some Chattanooga swag with you on the way out.
Consider yourself welcomed.
(WITS badge required for entry.)
TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE: Shuttles will pick up from the Chattanoogan Hotel (lobby at the Broad Street entrance). Loading begins at 6:45pm
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Check in, get your name badge, and ask any questions you have about the conference in the hotel lobby. Our volunteers will be available most of the day to assist you.
Take a break and recharge at the Flex-N-Fly Wellness Zone, your personal sanctuary in the middle of all the action. Flex-N-Fly's wellness zones are intentionally designed to counterbalance the energy of conferences. They offer moments of calm between meetings, panels, and workshop sessions. Step away and into a calm, welcoming space designed to help you relax, reset, and recharge. Do some breathwork, meditation, quiet reflection, and grounding movement with all the cozy essentials included. Yoga mats, journals, pillows, blankets, and headphones provided. No experience necessary. Just come as you are, take a break, and then go back to the Summit when you're ready. Consider this your permission to take a break and not overwhelm yourself.
Hosted by: Flex-N-Fly
Browse the exhibitor hall outside the Chattanoogan Ballroom to meet the people behind the tourism boards, travel organizations, tour operators, travel products, agencies, brands, and sponsors who are here to meet you. Explore partnership opportunities, discover new destinations, and build relationships that can transform your creator business.
Also be sure to check out the WITS and Wanderful swag plus everything our speakers are selling in our onsite store!
Saturday Kickoff
Presenters: Ana Dominguez, Beth Santos
Welcome to the first FULL program day of WITS! Let's get settled in for some sparks, secrets from the DMO and hospitality worlds, and thought-provoking talks about substance and impact before heading into an afternoon of networking and workshops before tonight's Bessie Awards.
30-Second Spark
Between mainstage sessions, the mic is hot. Anyone can jump onstage for 30 seconds to share a Give and a Get. Need a videographer in Hokkaido? An accountability partner? Got a podcast? Wanna be on a podcast? Got an exhibitor booth? Presenting a WITS workshop? Whether it's a collab, a skill swap, a question, a resource, or a request, some of WITS's most magical connections ignite with one brave person stepping up to the mic. No formal pitch needed—just show up, speak your truth, and see what sparks.
THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS: WHAT DMOs AND HOTELS WISH CREATORS KNEW
Presenters: Ashli Johnson (Hospitality Hued) + Sophia Hyder Hock (Destinations International
Moderated by: Ashley Hollis (DeFoor Hospitality Group)
Ever wonder what destination marketing organizations and hotels are actually thinking when creators send pitches? This panel brings attendees inside the room where decisions get made and partnerships are greenlit. Discover the real challenges keeping DMOs up at night—like invisibility among residents they serve—and how creators can help close communication gaps. Learn why hotels need authentic storytelling despite drowning in requests. Understand where budgets come from and how to position as a strategic solution, not just another ask. This candid conversation reveals nuanced partnership opportunities most creators don't know to request, transforming transactional sponsorships into win-win collaborations that elevate everyone.
SPEED VS. SUBSTANCE: TRAVEL STORYTELLING IN THE AGE OF ALGORITHMS
Presenters: Priyanka Juneja (Champagne Flight) + Eileen Ivette
Moderated by: Deepa Lakshmin (Lonely Planet)
Travel content moves fast—but what gets lost when speed becomes the standard? And how do we create responsibly when algorithms reward quantity? This nuanced conversation explores whether rapid content creation undermines authentic cultural storytelling or if speed and substance can coexist. Panelists share honest experiences about creating responsibly when algorithms reward quantity, what intentionality looks like in practice, and strategies for slowing down without falling behind. Leave with ideas and tools to create responsibly, even on a timeline.
ACCESSIBLE BY DESIGN: ESSENTIAL ACCESSIBILITY PRACTICES FOR EVERY CREATOR
Presenter: Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad
Travel has the power to transform how we see ourselves and connect with others—but not all creators or audiences experience the world the same way. Accessibility advocate Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad shares what's too often overlooked in travel media and the simple, practical shifts that make videos, photos, storytelling, and platforms more accessible to disabled, neurodivergent, and visually impaired audiences, broadening content's reach and impact.
Do you need a new professional headshot for your website, blog, or profile picture? Why not get one done at WITS, when you’re already made up and ready to go! Book your spot now, pose for your pics onsite at WITS, and come away with a lightly edited high-res digital file that you can use across all your platforms.
Photographer: Akemi Rico is a Los Angeles–based photographer specializing in portraits and personal branding imagery, helping people feel confident and natural on camera. She’s excited to return as a headshot photographer at WITS after participating last year.
Take a breather, meet our amazing exhibitors, and mix and mingle with future friends and partners.
Presenter: Olga Maria
Still trading content for "exposure"? There's a more sustainable way to monetize your travel expertise — and it doesn't depend on follower count. After almost 15 years of building Dreams in Heels through hosted trips and traditional brand partnerships, Olga Maria added user-generated content (UGC) as a strategic revenue stream — tripling her income in six months without growing her audience. Now she works with tourism boards and brands across travel, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle that want authentic travel-related content.
In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to:
Together, you'll review real examples, draft a UGC pitch, and break down rate structures so you can move from comped trips to paid contracts. You'll leave with a clear, actionable strategy to build a scalable revenue stream from your travel content — on your terms.
Workshop Level: INTERMEDIATE +
Presenter: Haylie Robinson
Short-form content gets attention. Long-form content builds authority. In this session, you'll unlock the secrets to turning quick clips into powerful, long-form storytelling at a time when YouTube is the second-largest streamed platform in the world, brands are developing in-house production studios, and more audiences are turning to long-form video for deeper storytelling and binge-worthy content. For creators ready to level up, this is an opportunity to expand your impact--and your revenue potential. Led by Haylie Robinson, Host of the Telly Award-winning, nationally distributed series Finding Festivals on PBS, who fundraises, writes, manages, shoots, and edits the entire series herself.
In this interactive workshop, you'll learn:
The session will conclude with a Q&A, allowing attendees to ask any additional in-depth questions.
Workshop Level: INTERMEDIATE +
Presenter: Meredith Shippee
Most travel creators start by focusing on content such as writing, photography, video, or social media, but the legal and business aspects of building a travel creator brand are often overlooked or set aside "for later." Without those pieces in place, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to serious problems down the line. Building a travel creator brand means building a business, and treating it that way from the start can save you time, money, and stress.
In this session, you will:
Attendees will receive clear explanations and real-world examples that demonstrate how these core legal and business concepts apply to travel content creation. We’ll talk about what’s required by law, what’s just smart business, and how to start thinking like someone who is the CEO of your brand.
Workshop Level: BEGINNER +
Ready to take a breather and see more of Chattanooga in community with other WITS attendees? Join us for our new Lunch Around experience. Sign up to dine with a small group of fellow attendees at a local restaurant (pay-your-own-way). It's the perfect mix of discovery, conversation, and supporting Chattanooga's local dining scene. We'll secure your table and have an organizer to help you stay on time. Stay tuned for more information on how to sign up!
Need a quiet lunch to yourself, a chance to take some meetings, or something else? Enjoy an extended lunch break to step outside the conference center for some fresh air.
However you spend this time, make it count. Community happens best when we slow down together.
Presenter: Malikah Kelly
True success isn't always about becoming a giant. This session offers a refreshing perspective for microinfluencers navigating the digital landscape, where you'll discover how to cultivate sustainable growth by prioritizing authentic engagement and community over sheer numbers and vanity metrics. International brand marketer and content creator Malikah Kelly will share practical strategies to help you maintain your unique voice, identify monetization opportunities that align with your values, and avoid the common pitfalls of burnout often associated with chasing viral fame.
In this session, you will learn:
If you want to intentionally build a fulfilling creator journey that prioritizes impact and personal well-being over scale, this session will help you learn to dance gracefully within your niche, twirling between others when inspired, and finding lasting joy in staying true to your roots.
Workshop Level: BEGINNER +
Presenter: Jeanine Romo
Creating consistent video content becomes much easier when you have a system that keeps your footage, ideas, and editing process organized. In this session, you'll learn how to build a streamlined workflow that starts with intentional pre-planning and shot lists and continues with an efficient folder system for raw footage and edits to save time. Jeanine is full-time creator producing a high volume of video content each month across multiple platforms and partnerships, who will break down steps for reducing overwhelm, improving editing speed, and helping creators work with more clarity and confidence across multiple projects and day-to-day posting.
Attendees will learn:
Workflow strategies that help you batch content, repurpose footage for multiple platforms, and stay on track when juggling campaigns, travel, and deadlines
Leave with a step-by-step system you can implement immediately, plus a downloadable one-sheet summarizing the workflow.
Workshop Level: INTERMEDIATE +
Presenter: Alexa Moore
Many established travel creators excel at securing brand partnerships, yet turning those opportunities into consistent, long-term collaborations requires a more sophisticated strategic approach. This session is designed for experienced creators who are ready to elevate their professional presence, strengthen their alignment, and position themselves as reliable partners that agencies and tourism boards return to repeatedly. This workshop will outline the complete creator-and-brand partnership lifecycle and provide clarity on the criteria brands and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) use when deciding which creators to rebook.
Learn how to enhance strategic positioning in a saturated creator landscape, including:
You'll leave this session with digital materials post-presentation, including pitch email templates and example campaign reports.
Workshop Level: INTERMEDIATE +
It's a quick one! We had to make room for that long lunch :)
Hustle up to get to your chosen breakout session in the conference rooms!
Presenter: Megan Black
Audiences crave deeper connection beyond social media, making in-person events increasingly valuable for creators. This workshop helps you bring your online community together through meetups, workshops, and gatherings that strengthen trust and long-term engagement.
In this session you will learn how to:
Assess your audience's readiness for IRL connection
Determine which event types match your brand and community needs
Create welcoming spaces and manage logistics so your community feels seen and valued
Deepen engagement and drive sustainable business growth through offline community-building
Maintain momentum and connection after the event ends
Leave with a clear framework to turn your vision into reality and build lasting community through real-life experiences.
Workshop Level: BEGINNER +
Presenter: Nina Zadeh
Is your fear of negotiating with brands leaving you with free swag, lowball offers, and contracts that give away your rights forever? It's time to get confident, stand up for yourself, and get paid what you deserve. In this hands-on workshop, Influencer Marketing Expert and Founder of 100,000+ creator community Sidewalker Daily Nina Zadeh will lead through the ins and outs of negotiating like a boss.
You will learn:
Attendees will practice strategies with each other and have some role play examples.
Workshop Level: INTERMEDIATE +
Presenter: Sojourner White
IG Reels, Tik Toks, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, and LinkedIn - so many platforms, so little time! Everyone’s attention span is short, so building a multi-platform brand can seem daunting. And that overwhelm can hinder your growth, because relying on one platform to build your brand is not a smart move if you want to break through the noise. In order to showcase your personality and expertise while telling an engaging story that leads to a devoted online community and partnerships, you need a system that will help you stand out.
In this session, creators will learn:
As creators, we need to know how to get into our flow state to create. This is ideal if you're looking to tighten your workflow, whether a blogger pivoting into social, or a creator struggling to stay organized! If you're a full-time creator looking to tighten up your workflow or even creating with a 9-5, this session is for you!
Workshop Level: ADVANCED
Calling all Wanderful members! Come join us for a pre-celebration ahead of the Bessie Awards. This is a great opportunity to mingle with other Wanderful members, swap travel stories, and make new connections. Some of the Hub Leaders, including Jen Hammel (Boston Hub Leader), Ashley Westbrook (NYC Hub Leader), and more will be in attendance. Food and drinks provided, come grab a bite before the Bessies!
MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO RSVP AND LEARN THE LOCATION
Not a member yet? Click to join Wanderful!
Your ticket to WITS also grants you a ticket to the Bessie Awards! Dress to impress and join us for an evening honoring women and gender-diverse people of impact in travel. Award recipients range from influencers to creative entrepreneurs, marketers, and other representatives who have contributed unique voices and work to the travel industry.
The Bessies were created by Wanderful, a global lifestyle brand and inclusive community of thousands of travelers and travel content creators. Our members offer support, share resources, and build sisterhood. We encourage the growth and success of women and marginalized people who are building businesses in travel and advocate for an industry that is equitable, inclusive, and thoughtful for all.
Learn more at bessieawards.org.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Presenter: Calix Quan
Join an intimate session with Pinterest’s Senior Strategic Partner Manager of Travel, created exclusively for WITS attendees. Learn why Pinterest is such a valuable platform for travel creators, explore strategies for optimizing your presence, and ask questions directly during this interactive conversation.
Come with questions and leave with practical insights and actionable tips you can put to use right away. Attendees will also have the opportunity to apply to the Pinterest Travel Community and, if accepted, receive “Red Check” verification.
Offered in partnership with Pinterest for WITS attendees, this special Sunday morning session is one you won’t want to miss.
Workshop Level: BEGINNER +
Take a break and recharge at the Flex-N-Fly Wellness Zone, your personal sanctuary in the middle of all the action. Flex-N-Fly's wellness zones are intentionally designed to counterbalance the energy of conferences. They offer moments of calm between meetings, panels, and workshop sessions. Step away and into a calm, welcoming space designed to help you relax, reset, and recharge. Do some breathwork, meditation, quiet reflection, and grounding movement with all the cozy essentials included. Yoga mats, journals, pillows, blankets, and headphones provided. No experience necessary. Just come as you are, take a break, and then go back to the Summit when you're ready. Consider this your permission to take a break and not overwhelm yourself.
Hosted by: Flex-N-Fly
Last chance to check out the WITS store and visit your new friends in the exhibitor hall before it closes!
Volunteers will be at registration to assist you.
Presenter: Cyndi Swall
Sadly, most retreats are primarily social events or merely training sessions in a pretty place. But true transformation is what keeps people coming back again and again. Let us show you how to ensure your clients return home with an epiphany or direction toward an improved life. There are tricks for creating an environment safe enough for vulnerability, while keeping it light and fun, without overstepping your area of expertise.
Learn from industry experience (and wisdom born of pain) how to:
This will be a fun, enlightening, and tactical journey towards building and hosting your own wildly successful retreats, designed to navigate you through the hurdles and provide you with the resources to make your retreat dreams a reality.
Workshop Level: EVERYONE
Presenter: Taima Ramsey
You start the year with big goals, but by March you're overwhelmed, off track, or burned out. The 12 Week Year flips that script. Instead of chasing annual resolutions, this system breaks goals into focused 12 week cycles that drive clarity, consistency, and results.
In this session, Taima will walk through:
You'll leave this session with your own 12-week plan outline, a repeatable system you can use quarter after quarter, and the confidence to hit bigger goals in less time without adding more hours to your day.
Workshop Level: BEGINNER +
Presenter: Shawanna Kendrick
This grounding workshop is designed for those seeking to slow down, reconnect, and return to themselves amid full, demanding lives. Grounding helps regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and create space for clarity, confidence, and intentional living. Participants will meet in the Flex-N-Fly Wellness Zone, then take a short, mindful walk led by the CEO and founder of H2O Life to historic Miller Park for guided breathwork and grounding practices rooted in presence and awareness.
You'll leave with:
This is your moment to pause, reset, and reconnect so you can move through life feeling more anchored, calm, and aligned.
A limited number of yoga mats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Walking distance is a little over one mile, round-trip on flat sidewalks.
Workshop Level: EVERYONE
It's our famous WITS-Family Brunch! Join your WITS community in The Chattanoogan Ballroom for a fellowship brunch before the closing session and WITS 2027 announcement. (Open to WITS ticketholders only.)
Closing Session
Presenters: Ana Dominguez, Beth Santos
Our Sunday gathering is about savoring our connections and all we've learned together. (And delicious food!)
30-Second Spark - Last Chance!
Between mainstage sessions, the mic is hot. Anyone can jump onstage for 30 seconds to share a Give and a Get. Need a videographer in Puerto Rico? An accountability partner? Got a podcast? Wanna be on a podcast? Got an exhibitor booth? Presenting a WITS workshop? Whether it's a collab, a skill swap, a question, a resource, or a request, some of WITS's most magical connections ignite with one brave person stepping up to the mic. No formal pitch needed—just show up, speak your truth, and see what sparks.
THE WHOLE LIFE CREATOR: SUSTAINABILITY BEYOND THE SCREEN
Presenters: Eileen Cotter Wright (Pure Wander) and Elaine Rau (RockPorch)
Moderator: Radiance Basden (Rooted in Radiance)
Travel often celebrates "living your best life"—but what about when life gets hard? In this honest, community-centered conversation, we'll explore the tensions marketing and creative professionals face in life's different seasons: parenting young children, supporting aging parents, navigating divorce, personal or global crises, health challenges, and major transitions. Panelists share vulnerable stories about building sustainable business models that honor their whole lives, balancing creativity with income, and resisting the demand to monetize or produce through every moment. How do we build careers that account for real life? What does work-life balance actually mean for creators? We'll close with practical techniques to manage overwhelm and permission to rest.
THE AI WE WANT: SHAPING A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE OF CONTENT CREATION
Presenters: Julie Thorner (Liquid Spark Marketing) + Shir Ibgui (Globe Thrivers)
Moderator: Inemeset Williams (RISE Travel Institute)
Every creator is grappling with AI—but who gets to shape how it transforms the travel industry? In this thoughtful conversation, we'll explore the complexities of AI beyond productivity hacks and automation. What are the real stakes for women and marginalized voices in content creation? From environmental impacts and algorithmic bias to attribution concerns and the critical need for diverse voices in AI development, we'll navigate the nuanced realities of this technology. This isn't about choosing sides; it's about choosing intentionally. How do we use AI as a tool for positive change rather than letting it be forced upon us? What does responsible AI adoption look like for creators who care about social impact? Join us for an honest, solutions-focused discussion that acknowledges both the opportunities and challenges ahead, and empowers creators to make informed choices about AI's role in practice.
SPACE2INSPIRE: A CLOSING POEM by DR. SIAN PROCTOR
As we close WITS 2026, join astronaut, artist, explorer, and geoscience educator Dr. Sian Proctor for a special poetic presentation that reminds us why we came together. The first African-American woman mission pilot and SpaceX Inspiration4's pioneering artist-astronaut, Dr. Proctor bridges art and science through her motto Space2inspire. Her words will celebrate the power of travel to help humanity connect, learn, and grow, and honor the work we do at WITS: expanding access, opportunity, influence, and space for voices too often left out of leadership. This is our moment to ground us in our shared mission to create an industry that reflects the diversity of people who shape it, and a reminder of what's possible when we create together and let our EarthLight shine into the world.
🌟 Wrap-Up and WITS 2027 Destination Announcement 🌟
Presenters: Ana Dominguez, Beth Santos
As WITS 2026 comes to a close, Wanderful CEO and Founder Beth Santos invites us to pause and reflect on the magic we've created together. Over the past few days, we've learned, connected, and sparked collaborations that will ripple far beyond Chattanooga. But how do we carry these sparks forward into our entrepreneurial journeys and an often-challenging world? In this heartfelt closing talk, Beth explores how the connections we've built, the hope we've cultivated, and our shared love of travel and humanity become the fuel we need to keep going. This is about more than content creation or business growth. It's about the power of women supporting women worldwide, the resilience we build together, and the difference we make when we choose connection over isolation. Leave inspired, grounded, and ready to infuse the WITS spirit into everything you create next.
Visit Chattanooga has a fantastic lineup of day tours available for WITS attendees. A WITS ticket is required to register.
Book Day Tours (Bookings close May 19th)
Visit Chattanooga has a fantastic lineup of day tours available for WITS attendees. A WITS ticket is required to register.
Book Day Tours (Bookings close May 19th)
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Visit Chattanooga has a fantastic lineup of day tours available for WITS attendees. A WITS ticket is required to register.
Book Day Tours (Bookings close May 19th)
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
Pre and Post-WITS FAM trips are offered for registered Creator attendees. A WITS ticket is required to apply.
Take your WITS learnings to the next level with our virtual Mentor Meetings! This year, Mentor Meetings are happening both virtually online in the weeks before and after WITS and in-person at WITS by appointment. Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS for an additional cost. You’ll be able to meet one-on-one with our experts to grow your skills on a wide range of topics, from content development to blog monetization to pitch writing and everything in between.
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Chattanooga, TN, USA 
