The theme for THE 2026 forum is Fortune Favors the Bold.

Thursday, April 16

3:45PM - 4:30PM

CHECK OUT THE WORKSHOPs BELOW.

Mountain Lodging Trends and Insights

Join moderator Tom Foley of Inntopia by Outside and leading lodging executives for a data-driven look at what’s next for hotels, short-term rentals, and resort accommodations. From shifting traveler expectations to evolving distribution, pricing, and occupancy patterns, the panel will unpack the bold strategies driving occupancy and revenue. Walk away with actionable insights to stay competitive in a rapidly changing lodging landscape.

Moderated by Tom Foley, SVP, Business Intelligence, Inntopia by Outside
Jim Deter, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Gravity Haus

AIO, SEO, and AI Search: A Step-by-Step Playbook to Get Found (and Booked)

In this in-depth follow up session to the general session segment, Mike Lannen from Eternity goes beyond theory and shows exactly how to position your brand to be discovered by AI. You’ll see live demos of how AI tools choose which properties to recommend and learn the specific content, data, and on-site strategies that make your listing rise to the top. You’ll get an actionable game plan you can take back to your team.

What You’ll Walk Away With:

Live demos of AI platforms and how they rank products

The exact types of content AI tools pull from (and how to structure it)

How to optimize Google Business Profile, website pages, FAQs, reviews, and metadata for AI visibility

A step-by-step checklist of quick wins + long-term strategies

How to track if your efforts are actually working in AI search

Mike Lannen, Founder, Eternity

4:40pm - 5:25pm

The Connection Advantage: Turning Presence Into Powerful Sales Results

In an era when mountain destinations compete on scenery, amenities, and access, the real differentiator isthe courage to sell through connection rather than convention. This 45-minute workshop invites sales and marketing leaders to rethink their approach by treating every interaction as an opportunity to create emotional lift for potential guests. Through real-world hospitality examples, participants explore how presence, curiosity, and intentional personalization can unlock bolder, higher-value conversations. Together, we’ll examine practical techniques that turn human engagement into a strategic advantage—helping teams stand out, earn trust, and close business in ways that feel effortless, elevated, and unmistakably memorable.

Erica Kaehly, President, Guest Service Solutions

Decoding Supply and Demand: A Deep Dive with Industry Leaders

Join Phocuswright's Pete Comeau and Inntopia's Tom Foley as they reveal key insights from year two of this ground-breaking research, Shifting Slopes: Navigating the Future of Mountain Travel. Featuring a panel of industry leaders, the session covers consumer behavior, competitive strategies, and leveraging data for marketing, guest experiences, and revenue growth.

Moderated by Pete Comeau, Managing Director, Phocuswright and Tom Foley, SVP, Business Intelligence, Inntopia by Outside

The Power of Community: Building a 210,000-Strong Instagram Following

An engaged following is a core pillar for success, and Maison Sport has grown a community of over 210,000 followers by focusing on authentic, passion-driven content. They've gone "off-piste" with their marketing, using creative campaigns and humor to cut through the noise. This human-first strategy has helped them to build a brand that resonates with skiers and snowboarders on a deeper level. This session will explore how we've used this community-first approach to grow their business and set them apart in a crowded market.

As of February 5th, 2026

CHECK OUT THE GENERAL SESSIONS