Agenda

GovCon 2025 will officially kick off with our Welcome Reception, hosted by Reno Tahoe, at 5:30 PM. There are no other events or sessions scheduled earlier in the day, so we encourage you to take this opportunity to relax or explore the Reno-Tahoe area at your leisure. Check out Visit Reno Tahoe for full itineraries and more. 

Sponsored by Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority

Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony and Travel Nevada CEO Rafael Villanueva will open Nevada’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism (GovCon), welcoming Nevada delegates, Mayor Hillary Schieve, and tourism professionals and partners to Reno, Nevada.

In an era of AI disruption, economic swings, and shifting markets, resilience is your team’s competitive edge. Jenny Wood – New York Times bestselling author of “Wild Courage” – led major operational shifts at Google as the company grew from 6,000 to 180,000 employees. 

This session sets the tone for navigating today’s shifting economic landscape with confidence. Join Tourism Economics as they break down the latest global forecast, highlighting key trends shaping travel demand and economic performance. Featuring an updated STR outlook and a macroeconomic overview, this session equips destinations and industry leaders with insights to drive success amid uncertainty.

In 2025, international arrival trends shifted at an unprecedented pace, reshaping the landscape of U.S. inbound travel. This expert-led panel brings together key voices from Brand USA, and Travel Nevada’s international agencies of record from Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Australia to deliver a comprehensive review of the past year, and a forward-looking forecast for 2026. Whether you’re crafting destination strategies, optimizing marketing efforts, or preparing for the next wave of global visitors, this general session will equip you with the insights needed to understand the evolving international travel market. 

Join us for a lunch buffet and and engaging presentation all about human centric AI from our Subject Matter Expert panel. Plus, hear engaging presentations from our Battle Born sponsor and the latest news and industry updates from the U.S. Travel Association. 

Nicole Porter, U.S. Travel Association’s Vice President of Political Affairs, will present a bird’s eye view on travel today: what the data tells us, where we see opportunity, and how to drive change together.

In travel, AI is increasingly used to speed up itinerary creation, automate booking and make travel easier. But the experience of travel remains deeply human and emotional. This session explores the intersection of those concepts and gives practical ways to integrate AI into travel marketing without losing the human touch.

In this mini session, Travel Nevada, alongside consulting firm Whereabout, will provide a look at Travel Nevada’s agritourism blueprint and the future of agriculture tourism in the Silver State.

For over 45 years, the Grand Sierra Resort has stood as a cornerstone of Reno’s hospitality and entertainment landscape. Despite changes in ownership, rebranding, and name shifts, it has remained a landmark property in the region. Now, the GSR is gearing up for its biggest transformation yet. With a $1 billion investment planned over the next decade, the resort will expand into a world-class sports and entertainment complex—the largest private capital investment in Reno’s history. Join us to explore the bold vision behind this redevelopment and how it aims to create a destination where community, sports, and entertainment come together.

The power of collaboration will shine on the GovCon stage as three northern Nevada executives meet to discuss tourism, economic development, travel, and all of the opportunities that lie ahead for Nevada.  

From youth tournaments to pro championships, sports tourism is more than just a visitor driver, it’s a destination strategy. In this session, Sports ETA President & CEO John David will explore how the entire spectrum of sports tourism, participatory and spectator, can power economic impact, elevate destination branding, and build stronger communities. The session will feature a dynamic panel discussion featuring all three stakeholders of sports tourism:  DMO, Facility (Parks & Recreation), and Rights Holder.

Join our Subject Matter Expert sponsors, Fahlgren Mortine and Noble Studios, for a lively networking hour. Make new connections, share ideas, and unwind with fellow attendees at GSR.

Join us for a party before the party, sponsored by Grand Sierra Resort

Join us for a night to recognize and celebrate the impact Stephen Ascuaga and his family have made on Nevada tourism.  Plus, learn more about the exciting initiatives Travel Nevada is currently working on to propel tourism in the Silver State forward. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority