WITS Utah

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS FREE EVENT. REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beth-santos-wander-woman-tickets-805846417327

TKE welcomes the founder and CEO of Wanderful, a global women’s travel community and lifestyle brand, Beth Santos, who will discuss and sign her new book: Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo. This in-person event is open to the public and will take place at the bookshop.

Two-thirds of all travelers are women and women are responsible for making 80-85% of all travel decisions. Women are traveling solo more than ever, but the travel industry has been painfully slow to respond to the specific needs of female travelers. If you’ve ever wanted to travel solo, Beth Santos is here to tell you that you’re not alone. Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo is an empowering guide for women who want to see the world on their own terms. Travel isn’t just about how many passport stamps you have—it’s about your mindset. Wander Woman busts myths about who can travel, empowering women to uncover the confidence they need to see the world for themselves, by themselves. Beth offers readers lifelong tools to challenge their preconceptions, try something new, and get out of their comfort zone—whether that’s halfway around the world or just down the street.

Beth Santos is the founder and CEO of Wanderful, a global women’s travel community and lifestyle brand. She is also the driving force behind the WITS Travel Creator Summit, the Bessie Awards, which honor women in travel, and Wanderfest, the first major outdoor travel festival by and for women. Regularly recognized as a changemaker in the travel industry, Beth was named Godmother of the Azamara Onward cruise ship in 2022 and strives to amplify underrepresented voices through her work as a speaker, industry consultant, and small business coach. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and when she’s not traveling the world, she can be found exploring her home city of Boston with her husband and three daughters.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

From its humble beginnings in 1963 as the only professional ballet company between Chicago and the West Coast, Ballet West has grown into one of America’s leading ballet companies. For 60 years, the Salt Lake City-based company has entertained and excited audiences in Utah and worldwide by presenting great classical ballets, including America’s first and longest-running version of The Nutcracker. Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of the stage, academy, design area, and overall space, where you’ll see all sorts of fascinating displays, including the tutus from Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” music video.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Red Butte Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, is the State Arboretum of Utah. Located on 100 acres in the foothills on the eastern edge of the University of Utah campus, the Garden consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive natural area. The Garden is community-funded and renowned for its numerous plant collections, display gardens, and 560,000 springtime blooming bulbs (including a vast collection of daffodils), and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Want to know more about your ancestors, such as where they came from and when they lived? Visit the FamilySearch Library, where you can access millions of records, talk to experts, discover your history, and experience a feeling of belonging as you explore your family tree. Our tour guide will assist in setting you up with a FamilySearch account, teach you how to use the library’s resources, and be on call to assist with any questions you have along the way.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Want to know more about your ancestors, such as where they came from and when they lived? Visit the FamilySearch Library, where you can access millions of records, talk to experts, discover your history, and experience a feeling of belonging as you explore your family tree. Our tour guide will assist in setting you up with a FamilySearch account, teach you how to use the library’s resources, and be on call to assist with any questions you have along the way.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

In 2018, Salt Lake City and County joined forces to build awareness for downtown performing and visual arts organizations through a collaborative effort called THE BLOCKS. Join Britney Helmers, program director for THE BLOCKS, on a tour around the city, exploring its amazing arts scene, including art created by and honoring women.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Join us for an exclusive backstage tour of the Utah Opera Productions Studio! Since 1978, the Utah Opera has cultivated and entertained a growing audience of more than 150,000 annually around the intermountain area, producing opera with artistic standards of distinction and with a fresh vibrancy of both new works as well as the classics.

The Bessie Awards honor women and gender-diverse people of impact in travel, particularly influencers, 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 and see this year's finalists at bessieawards.org.

The Bessie Awards honor women and gender-diverse people of impact in travel, particularly influencers, 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 and see this year's finalists at bessieawards.org.

Host: Hema Ramsingh

Let's meet IRL! Grab a coffee or tea at the WITS coffee station and meet up in the lobby for real-life chats and photos. If you are interested in becoming a Wanderful Small Business Member, this is a great opportunity to meet other members and learn more about membership. See you there!

Presenter: Akemi Rico

Fuel up with coffee and gain insights for WITS newcomers! Don't worry — lunch will be served later in the day.

This session is open only to Beginner Bootcamp ticket holders.

REGISTER BY 9 APRIL 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/mentors

Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS. Our mentors are experts on a multitude of topics, including (but not limited to) monetization, social media, SEO, budgeting, photography, writing and editing, content planning, business planning, affiliate marketing, and more. Click through to read through each of our mentors' skillsets to find the one who’s right for your needs!

Presenter: Emily Cooper

In the captivating session, we'll dive into the art of building a compelling personal brand while exploring the world. Tailored for avid travelers aspiring to establish their unique identity in the digital sphere, this session offers actionable strategies and creative insights to transform passion into a powerful personal brand.

This session is open only to Beginner Bootcamp ticket holders.

Presenter: Alexa West

Come meet your new best friend at Glow Date: Speed Networking, where connection is easy! In this exciting 60-minute friend-making session, we ditch the small talk and dive into weird conversations. You’ll have 5-minute Glow Dates one-on-one with other fascinating WITS attendees! Then, we will have time to mingle and exchange information with those you genuinely connected with. Bring your business cards and Instagram handles, and get ready to expand your circle. Hosted by Alexa West, travel matchmaker, founder of The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide, and author of The One-Way Ticket Plan.

REGISTER BY 9 APRIL 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/mentors

Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS. Our mentors are experts on a multitude of topics, including (but not limited to) monetization, social media, SEO, budgeting, photography, writing and editing, content planning, business planning, affiliate marketing, and more. Click through to read through each of our mentors' skillsets to find the one who’s right for your needs!

Presenter: Tyra Hughley Smith

While everyone’s journey is different, as you start to think about taking your blog from hobby to business, there are certain legal and practical steps you should be taking into consideration. While often new business owners want to jump to the “fun” things like creating brand colors and media kits, making sure you’ve got a strong business and legal foundation is the best way to ensure longevity and profitability. In this session, attendees will learn about key legal considerations for starting up and leveling up their business, including formal business entities and ways to protect your creative work and brand.

This session is open only to Beginner Bootcamp ticket holders.

Presenter: Alexa West

Come meet your new best friend at Glow Date: Speed Networking, where connection is easy! In this exciting 60-minute friend-making session, we ditch the small talk and dive into weird conversations. You’ll have 5-minute Glow Dates one-on-one with other fascinating WITS attendees! Then, we will have time to mingle and exchange information with those you genuinely connected with. Bring your business cards and Instagram handles, and get ready to expand your circle. Hosted by Alexa West, travel matchmaker, founder of The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide, and author of The One-Way Ticket Plan.

Let's take a short break to fuel up with food and mix and mingle with future friends and partners!

This session is open only to Beginner Bootcamp ticket holders.

REGISTER BY 9 APRIL 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/mentors

Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS. Our mentors are experts on a multitude of topics, including (but not limited to) monetization, social media, SEO, budgeting, photography, writing and editing, content planning, business planning, affiliate marketing, and more. Click through to read through each of our mentors' skillsets to find the one who’s right for your needs!

Presenter: Jenna Passaro

So you’re going on a trip… but what’s your plan to make the most out of it and fund your next trip? Jenna Passaro, food/travel blogger of sipbitego.com and Disney blogger at jennalovesmagic.com, breaks down how to turn a one-week trip into a goldmine of profitable content. Learn the methods she uses to plan, create, edit, and produce at least 50 pieces of revenue-generating content. She'll walk you through all the technical details with an example of what she created with last year’s FAM trips from WITS 2023 in Puerto Rico.

This session is open only to Beginner Bootcamp ticket holders.

Presenters: Angela H. Brown, Ashley Cleveland, Beth Santos, Harry Hawkins, Jackie Biskupski, Megan Skiles, Monica Ortega

Let's kick off WITS Utah with coffee, friends, and a whole lot of fun! Our dynamic MC Monica Ortega will guide us through what we can expect throughout the weekend, help us loosen up and break the ice so that we can network at our best, and get us pumped for the rest of the summit. We'll also hear from some local Utah leaders.

Cultural Connection: Perspectives from Utah's Leaders: As media makers, we have immense power in our ability to showcase the places we visit to our audiences, followers, and even family and friends. And at WITS, we often ask ourselves how the travel industry can authentically engage with the communities in these places with both respect and understanding—in particular BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and others that have often historically been overlooked and underserved by mainstream media. Join us for an enlightening panel discussion featuring local leaders in government, education, and media who are helping to shape Utah’s cultural landscape. Our panelists will share their perspectives on the state’s diverse cultures and unique position, and provide insight on how they believe visitors should experience their home.

Take a breather, meet our amazing exhibitors, and mix and mingle with future friends and partners.

Presenter: Youmie Jean Francois

It’s no secret that the creator field is saturated, and even many established creators are living paycheck to paycheck. Many across the industry are using the same tools to get opportunities, and most aren’t sustainable in the long term. In this session, we'll look past outdated platforms, debunk past advice you may have been given, and work towards establishing financially stable futures. We'll focus on expanding your network and creating long-lasting connections, brainstorming out-of-the-box business ideas, launching physical products (and getting your brand into airports!), building your email list vs getting followers, the importance of certifications, and thinking about long-term and real impact that extends beyond social media.

Presenter: Angie Orth, Beth Santos, Jen Ruiz, Lisa Niver, Nikki Vargas

This panel celebrates the empowerment of women through travel while offering practical guidance on how to turn those transformative experiences into published memoirs. It emphasizes the importance of women's voices in travel literature and provides actionable steps for aspiring writers to make their mark in the industry. It highlights the power of travel not only as a means of exploration but also as a source of personal growth and transformation. We aim to inspire aspiring writers and travelers while fostering a sense of community and empowerment among women in the travel industry.

Presenter: Nate Coughran

Dive into the essentials of tax deductions specifically tailored for travel influencers in 2024. This session will guide you through the latest tax rules and how to apply them to your travel-related expenses. Learn how to efficiently track your expenses, identify what's deductible, and maximize your tax savings, keeping you financially savvy in the evolving landscape of influencer taxation.

This session is presented by Cookie Finance.

Join presenters Angie Orth, Beth Santos, Jen Ruiz, Lisa Niver, and Nikki Vargas for a book signing in our main ballroom immediately following their panel, Journeys of the Soul: Navigating the Path to a Book Deal.

Take a breather, meet our amazing exhibitors, and mix and mingle with future friends and partners.

Presenter: Dr. Vincie Ho

This session will delve into the historical context of travel writing, examining how colonial narratives have shaped perceptions of places and cultures around the world. Through a critical examination of our current approach to travel storytelling, participants will gain insights into the persistent power imbalances inherent in travel literature. The presentation will provide actionable strategies for content creators to actively engage in the decolonization of their work. By identifying language with colonial and oppressive undertones and intentionally amplifying marginalized voices, content creators can play a pivotal role in reshaping the discourse surrounding travel writing, fostering a more just and equitable representation of places and cultures.

Presenter: Elena Nikolova

Join 10-year expert travel blogger Elena Nikolova as she addresses the challenges faced by bloggers, from Google algorithms to external third party changes that threaten the hard work and dedication that blogging requires. Emphasising the need for long-term strategies and dispelling unrealistic expectations created by social media, come away understanding that blogging is a marathon not a race. Elena will teach you how to leverage social media and build authentic relationships with your audience, what diversifying platforms means, how to content batch for more productivity, how to prioritize self-care, how to make financial investments, what implementing monetization strategies looks like, and how to foster networking and accountability. Be inspired to navigate the blogging world with resilience and sustainable success.

Presenter: Raimee Iacofano

In this session, we will explore the power of TikTok and Instagram as platforms for personal brand building & monetizing through digital products. Discover effective strategies to establish a strong presence on both platforms, maximize your impact, and connect authentically with your audience. We will delve into the world of monetization through digital downloads, creating compelling digital products, and promoting them on TikTok and Instagram. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to grow your personal brand and generate revenue with digital products through these social media platforms.

Check in, get your name badge, and ask any questions you have about the conference. 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!

Presenters: Monica Ortega, Radiance Basden

Join us for a short morning session as a group before we depart for our full day of offsite excursions! We'll share some information and spend some time getting in touch with ourselves as we head out for a full day of immersing ourselves in Park City and its surrounding areas.

Navigating the World with Presence and Purpose: Traveling Mindfully: Let's talk about the profound impact of mindfulness and traveling with purpose, unlock practical exercises to maintain our inner balance while on the move, and identify valuable strategies to navigate the ever-evolving nature of travel. We'll leave empowered to stay purposeful, create balance, and find presence as we head out for our day in Park City and, more broadly, the world.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024 (ONLY ONE REGISTRATION PER TICKET HOLDER ALLOWED): https://witsummit.com/utah/parkcity

Buses for our full day excursions in Park City depart immediately after our opening session! Be sure to set your alarm and be there on time or else you'll miss your ride!

Presenter: Eileen Cotter Wright

The way you travel often changes over the years. Alongside your business model for your brand’s growth over time, you should also plan changes made to your lifestyle that might impact your content. Choosing a partner, having children, or even retiring into a solo traveler can all modify your trajectory. This session can help you outline how you’d like your content to continue into the future. Predicting the next decade or two of your business is difficult, but you can do some simple exercises to envision various scenarios to ensure your success in the evolution of your travels.

Presenter: Ketti Wilhelm

Are you interested in sustainability, but don’t know how to translate that into your work as a creator? It’s okay if you don't have time to become an expert on carbon offsets, microplastics, sustainability certifications… and everything else. In this session, we’re going to talk specifics, logistics and actionable advice to help you recognize the most common types of sustainability claims from the product and travel companies we work with. Then we’ll learn how to tell whether their claims are legitimate accomplishments that you should shout about in your content, or greenwashing that would just be embarrassing to promote.

Presenter: Ashley Westbrook

Are you looking to level up your short-form video content on social media? Whether you just started creating video content, or looking to elevate it, then this session is for you! We walk through creating sharable/savable travel content, how to leverage visual hooks and trending audio, tips/tricks for editing your videos, and more! By the end of this session, you will be excited to create your next piece of video content!

Take a breather, meet our amazing exhibitors, and mix and mingle with future friends and partners.

Join presenter Alexa West, author of The Solo Girl's Travel Guide series, for a book signing in our sponsor hall.

Presenter: Lindsay Mukaddam

Taking our online audiences offline and into the ‘real world’ can feel daunting — on top of the logistical considerations, women are also contending with imposter syndrome and feeling the pressure of ‘bringing the vibes’. Never fear. After hosting 11 group trips and inviting members of my online travel community to join me in places like Japan, Egypt, and Iceland, Lindsay Mukaddam (One Girl Wandering) will share how transformative hosting group trips has been for her community, what she believes it can do for you — and how to take your community everywhere in the world.

Presenter: Monica Ortega

As travel entrepreneurs and women, we tend to take every rejection as a blow to our ego. It's time to change the dialogue and start utilizing each no and turning it into more yeses! Leave with the ability to reframe rejection, feeling stuck, and finding yourself into seeing opportunities for more than you could have imagined in the first place.

Presenter: Jessica Serna

Niching down is a valuable process that goes to show “less is more.” As an entrepreneur, you may overextend yourself in an attempt to reach as many people as possible. In reality, this may put you and your business at a disadvantage. By niching down, you narrow your content focus while simultaneously establishing yourself as an expert in your niche. By specializing in one topic, you can better meet the needs of your audience, establish long-lasting trust, and encourage loyalty to your brand. Jessica of My Curly Adventures did just that and is now considered an expert in Texas travel!

Presenter: Marissa Strang

Artificial intelligence may feel like a “dirty word” in the world of content creation, but it doesn't have to be. Join this session to uncover strategies and tools that assist, rather than overshadow, your creative process. We’ll dive into practical AI applications, from editing to content strategy, and showcase a handpicked selection of essential AI tools. Walk away with the skills and ideas to improve your creation workflow while still keeping your unique and authentic voice at the forefront of your content. AI is a tool, not a replacement – let's unlock its potential together.

Take a breather, meet our amazing exhibitors, and mix and mingle with future friends and partners.

Presenter: Catarina Rivera

Why don’t brand partnerships feature more disabled travel creators? It’s time to make this happen! Join this session to learn more about how disabled creators and brands can develop successful partnerships. You’ll hear from an experienced disability inclusion expert and travel content creator. The session will discuss stories from previous partnerships, from negotiation to preparing for a partnership to filming/editing and finalizing the deliverables. A large part of the session will focus on detailing immediate concrete actions creators and brands can take to make brand partnerships more effective and less stressful.

Presenter: Ashley Peterson

In this session, you will learn the intricacies of plagiarism and copyright infringement in social media. We will discuss the difference between inspiration and plagiarism on social media platforms. You will learn how to avoid inadvertently stealing other creator's content, how to protect yourself from having your content stolen, and the options available to you if your content is stolen. You will also learn the importance of covering plagiarism and copyright infringement when hiring employees or contractors.

Presenter: Alex Schnee + Daniel Horowitz

All bloggers know that backlinking should be an essential part of their SEO strategy, but acquiring them and creating a backlink portfolio that increases traffic and income can seem overwhelming. This session breaks down how to acquire backlinks that show results for your blog, as well as why backlinking isn't the only answer when it comes to SEO.

REGISTER BY 9 APRIL 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/mentors

Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS. Our mentors are experts on a multitude of topics, including (but not limited to) monetization, social media, SEO, budgeting, photography, writing and editing, content planning, business planning, affiliate marketing, and more. Click through to read through each of our mentors' skillsets to find the one who’s right for your needs!

Join presenter Dr. Anu Taranath, author of Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, for a book signing in our sponsor hall.

Join presenter and WITS MC Monica Ortega, author of The Power of Pivoting, for a book signing in our sponsor hall.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Start with an appetizer and saketini upon arrival, then take a brief sake 101 class. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a flight along with pairings.

This tour is wheelchair accessible.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Join us for a walking tour over four downtown blocks in the heart of Salt Lake City. We’ll make 15 stops and see 24 different points of interest and historical intrigue from early Utah in the 1850s-1930s.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

We’ll begin this tour at 50 South State Street in front of the Social Hall, a center for social and cultural events in Salt Lake City, and finish at Ruin SLC Bar, with its dimly lit interior furnished with plush leather seating, where we’ll enjoy a flight of three local whiskies.

REGISTER BY 9 APRIL 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/mentors

Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS. Our mentors are experts on a multitude of topics, including (but not limited to) monetization, social media, SEO, budgeting, photography, writing and editing, content planning, business planning, affiliate marketing, and more. Click through to read through each of our mentors' skillsets to find the one who’s right for your needs!

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Learn what makes one chocolate “fine” and the other just “standard.” Find out how to identify flavors, get familiarized with great chocolate makers, and learn other priceless bits of chocolate know-how. Salt Lake Magazine recently featured Caputo’s Chocolate Class on its SLC Bucket List. Don’t miss out!

This tour is wheelchair accessible.

REGISTER BY 9 APRIL 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/mentors

Mentor Meetings are personalized sessions offered by some of our presenters at WITS. Our mentors are experts on a multitude of topics, including (but not limited to) monetization, social media, SEO, budgeting, photography, writing and editing, content planning, business planning, affiliate marketing, and more. Click through to read through each of our mentors' skillsets to find the one who’s right for your needs!

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Join us for a guided sunrise hike along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail to see a beautiful view of Salt Lake City! The Bonneville Shoreline Trail concept began in 1990 as an effort to preserve a heavily used mountain biking, jogging, and walking pathway along a corridor between Emigration Canyon and Dry Canyon on the east side of Salt Lake City. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes and clothes along with water.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

From its humble beginnings in 1963 as the only professional ballet company between Chicago and the West Coast, Ballet West has grown into one of America’s leading ballet companies. For 60 years, the Salt Lake City-based company has entertained and excited audiences in Utah and worldwide by presenting great classical ballets, including America’s first and longest-running version of The Nutcracker. Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of the stage, academy, design area, and overall space, where you’ll see all sorts of fascinating displays, including the tutus from Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” music video.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER BY 30 MARCH 2024: https://witsummit.com/utah/tours

Join us for a walking tour over four downtown blocks in the heart of Salt Lake City. We’ll make 15 stops and see 24 different points of interest and historical intrigue from early Utah in the 1850s-1930s.