Panels + Conversations
Join us for conversations curated by Editor in Chief Jacqueline Gifford. Check back soon as more panels are announced!
The Future of Influence: Media, AI, and the New Luxury Traveler
Going North: Cool-Cation is Here to Stay
Nature as Medicine: The New Wellness Retreat
How Gen Z is Changing Drink Culture—and Tourism as a Whole
The Power of Slow Travel
The Power of Place: In Conversation with Alan Cumming
Are We In a Post-Loyalty World?
Game Theory: When Play Becomes the Amenity
Arts on the Rise: How to Create a Cultural Destination
The Retail Experience, Redefined
Defining “Good Service” in 2026
Ask an Editor in Chief
Designing a World of Her Own: A Conversation With Kit Kemp
The Future of Influence: Media, AI, and the New Luxury Traveler
Join Neil Vogel, CEO of People Incorporated; Jon Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer of People Incorporated; and Jacqueline Gifford, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure, for a conversation on the future of media, AI, and travel. Together, they’ll explore how changing consumer behaviors and emerging technologies are reshaping the industry—and why luxury travel remains a powerful force in culture, influence, and engagement.
Panelists:
Neil Vogel, Chief Executive Officer, People Inc.
Jonathan Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer, People Inc.
Moderator: Jacqueline Gifford, Editor in Chief, Travel + Leisure
Going North: Cool-Cation is Here to Stay
Presented by Destination Canada
Overtourism, climate change, and rising prices have all led travelers—particularly those in the U.S.—to head north, like the Nordics and Canada. Hear directly from the businesses in this part of the world about how to best adapt to this growing trend.
Panelists:
Felicity Aston, Explorer and Author
Sam Chamberlain, Chief Executive Officer, Americas, Ponant
Kemi Wells-Conrad, Founder and President, Wells Luxury Travel
Moderator: Paul Brady, News Director, Travel + Leisure
Nature as Medicine: The New Wellness Retreat
Presented by Minor Hotels
Luxury hospitality is redefining wellness—a sector has doubled in size since 2013—by looking outdoors. From forest immersion and adventure-based programming, to saltwater therapy and massages by the sea, this panel explores how leading hotels and tour operators are investing in the healing power of nature—and why today’s travelers are seeking restoration beyond the treatment room.
Panelists:
Liz Baker Plosser, Founder, Best Case Scenario
Tom Marchant, CEO, Black Tomato
Melinda Stevens, Founder, Salt Lick Creative & Editor at Large, The Observer Magazine
Moderator: Jess Feldman, Associate Director, Special Projects, Travel + Leisure
How Gen Z is Changing Drink Culture—and Tourism as a Whole
Presented by Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection
Only 54% of Americans now say they consume alcohol, according to a Gallup poll released in August. Leading this change is Gen Z—and it shows in the way they choose to travel. Here, learn how vineyard owners, leading hotels, and other companies are adapting to the shift in creative ways that make an impact.
Panelists:
Richard Godwin, Author of Substack, Spirits
Lucy Simon, Special Projects Editor, Food & Wine
Justin Gurland, Founder & CEO, The Maze
Moderator: Maddie Hiatt, Associate Director, Social Media, Travel + Leisure
The Power of Slow Travel
Presented by Explora Journeys
Today’s traveler is prioritizing immersive, hassle-free, and culturally rich travel. Take the river cruise market, for example, which had a record year of bookings in 2025, and is expected to grow well into 2026. Train travel, too, is having a moment, giving more eco-conscious individuals the chance to see the world on their own terms. In this conversation, market leaders will discuss what’s working, and how they plan to leverage this growth moving forward.
Panelists:
Anna Kloots, Entrepreneur and Author
Sheila Kyarisiima, Founder, The Pinnacle Kigali
Jimmy Carroll, Co-founder & President U.S., Pelorus
Keith Waldon, Founder, Departure Lounge
Moderator: Susmita Baral, Senior Editor, Lifestyle & News, Travel + Leisure
The Power of Place: In Conversation with Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming is an Emmy, Tony, and Olivier Award-winning actor, producer, author, and host whose career spans film, television, theater, literature, and cabaret. In a conversation with Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqueline Gifford, Cumming will discuss his decades-long career, how arts have the power to compel change, and why a destination is crucial to creative success.
Panelist: Alan Cumming, Award Winning Actor, Producer and Host
Moderator: Jacqueline Gifford, Editor in Chief, Travel + Leisure
Are We In a Post-Loyalty World?
For decades, points, miles, and one’s status have shaped the way travelers think about loyalty. But as redemption values shift and consumer behavior evolves, are traditional loyalty programs still enough? Paul Tumpowsky will explore what a post-loyalty world could look like——and what brands must do to build lasting relationships in the years ahead.
Panelist: Paul Tumpowsky, Chief Revenue Officer, Fora
Game Theory: When Play Becomes the Amenity
Today’s traveler is seeking connection, competition, and experiences built around passion points. This panel explores how playful programming, from chess lounges to pickleball tournaments, is shaping the guest experience—and what businesses can do to compete.
Panelists:
Stuart Pringle OBE, CEO, Silverstone
Chris Sanderson, Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Future Laboratory
Moderator: Jess Feldman, Associate Director, Special Projects, Travel + Leisure
Arts on the Rise: How to Create a Cultural Destination
Presented by Explore Charleston
As experiential travel grows, destinations are investing in art, culture, and immersive programming to attract visitors. Artists, advisors, and operators share what today’s travelers are looking for—and how to deliver it.
Panelists:
Nicola Butler, Managing Director, NoteWorthy
Bilal El-Hammoumy, Founder, Inclusive Morocco
Katy Wickremesinghe, Founder, The Wick Culture
Moderator: Maddie Hiatt, Associate Director, Social Media, Travel + Leisure
The Retail Experience, Redefined
The way people shop has changed significantly in the past decade—especially for luxury travelers. While the broader retail market faces headwinds, the travel sector is experiencing a renaissance. Today, retail is no longer separate from the guest experience; it’s integral. From curated on-property boutiques to private shopping experiences and exclusive brand collaborations, commerce has become a powerful touchpoint. In this conversation, we’ll explore a central question: for customers who seemingly have everything, how can brands continue to surprise and engage?
Panelists:
Kerry Docherty, Co-founder, Faherty
Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO & Creative Director, Pellicano Hotel Group
Erina Pindar, Chief Operating Officer & Managing Partner, SmartFlyer
Moderator: Paul Brady, News Director, Travel + Leisure
Defining “Good Service” in 2026
Today’s travelers have higher expectations, and the experiences offered—safari, curated itineraries, a five-star hotel stay—are drastically varied. So, what does “good service” really look like today? And how can we keep up?
Panelists:
Ben Trodd, CEO, Four Seasons Yachts
Sunaina Sethi, Co-Founder & People Director, JKS Restaurants
Luca Virgilio, General Manager, The Dorchester
Moderator: Susmita Baral, Senior Editor, Lifestyle & News, Travel + Leisure
Ask an Editor in Chief
Travel + Leisure is a global brand with leading voices in some of the top destinations in the world. In this panel, the audience will have the chance to hear directly from our esteemed Editors in Chief: Jacqueline Gifford in the U.S., Federico De Cesare Viola in Italy, Jeninne Lee-St. John of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, and Luis Meyer in Spain.
Panelists:
Jacqueline Gifford, Editor in Chief, Travel + Leisure
Federico De Cesare Viola, Editor in Chief, Travel + Leisure Italia
Jeninne Lee-St. John, Editor in Chief, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau
Luis Meyer, Editor in Chief, Travel + Leisure España
Moderator: David Prior, Founder & CEO, PRIOR
Designing a World of Her Own: A Conversation With Kit Kemp
Great hotel design does more than create beautiful spaces—it shapes how we feel. Travel + Leisure Editor in Chief Jacqueline Gifford joins renowned designer Kit Kemp for a conversation about her singular approach to hospitality and why curating individuality in an increasingly homogenized world is more important now than ever.
Panelist: Kit Kemp, Creative Director, Kit Kemp Design Studio & Co-founder, Firmdale Hotels