Schedule at a Glance
Below you will find a preliminary schedule for the 2025 NATJA Conference & Marketplace for your reference, which will give you an idea of when the conference will start and end.
This schedule is not final and subject to change. As activities and sessions are confirmed, we will update the schedule accordingly.
Monday, June 2
12:00pm - Registration Opens
Location: Conference Center foyer
Check-in with our NATJA team to get your badge, conference program book, and bag.
2:30pm - Professional Development, Session 1
AI and Ethical Issues for Travel Writers, Editors and Publishers
Location: El Dorado 1 & 2
Moderator: Bennett Root, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, NATJA
Panelists: Dennis Britton, Former Executive Vice President & Editor-in-Chief, Chicago Sun-Times & Denver Post; Bob Nesoff, Journalist & Founding President of NATJA; and Adam Pitluk, President/Group Publisher, Groom Lake Media
Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models present both a wonderful tool for writers and journalists and a temptation for mischief or even abuse. Establishing appropriate boundaries and ethical standards in this Wild West space is simultaneously challenging and necessary. Rights and reputations may be perceived differently by editors, publishers, journalists, and their lawyers. You will definitely want to hear—and contribute to—this lively discussion of AI and Ethics for Travel Journalists.
3:45pm to 4:00pm - Break
4:00pm - Professional Development, Session 2
State and National Parks: Beyond the Top 10 Hikes List
Location: El Dorado 1 & 2
Moderator: Charles Poe, Co-Founder and CEO, Parks Channel
Panelists: Jesse Chakrin, Executive Director, People in Parks; Jacqueline Guevara, Executive Director, Joshua Tree National Park Association; and Kindley Walsh Lawlor, President & CEO, Parks California
Parks, whether regional or national, are crucial, benefiting individuals, communities, and the environment. Hear from experts in the field about their ongoing work and advocacy to ensure access to parks and what travel media can do to support parks.
DMO Roundtable
Location: El Dorado 3
Facilitator: Colby Sharples-Terry, Public Relations & Communications Manager, Kansas Tourism
Connect with fellow destination marketing professionals to share ideas, discuss topics of concern to you or your destination, and hear from your peers what has (or maybe hasn’t) worked for them. This session is exclusively for destination marketing professionals.
Beyond Snapshots: Capturing Great Photographs That Tell a Story
Location: El Dorado 4
Presenter: Michael Hodgson, Photojournalist, HI Travel Tales
Elevated travel photography goes beyond snapping photos of beautiful landscapes, dramatic wildlife moments, and iconic landmarks. Memorable travel photographs tell a story, evoke emotion, and capture the essence of a place. In this seminar, veteran award-winning photojournalist Michael Hodgson shares tips that enable him to consistently create visually compelling images, regardless of where his photo assignments take him. This session will provide practical techniques for enhancing your travel photography skills, from mastering composition and interpreting light to capturing authentic moments and varied perspectives. Whether using a smartphone, a mirrorless camera, or a DSLR camera, you’ll gain insights on moving beyond snapshots, applying basic techniques, and creating images that genuinely tell a story—one that will be remembered.
5:15pm - Downtime
Sessions are over for the day! Take a break and we will see you later for the Opening Night Reception.
6:00pm - Opening Night Reception
Sponsored by Travel Guard®
Location: Crosby Ballroom Patio (Just outside of the Conference Center)
NATJA and Visit Greater Palm Springs welcome attendees to the 22nd Annual Conference & Marketplace.
Tuesday, June 3
6:30am to 9:00am – Breakfast
Grab and Go Breakfast: For tours departing before 8:30am, grab a quick bite and beverage in the Hotel Lobby before departing.
Breakfast Vouchers: For tours departing after 8:30am, a breakfast voucher will be provided by NATJA staff for use at Desert Café and Mercantile (grab-and-go) or Palmetto’s Café (sit-down breakfast).
Tours
Departure Location: Hotel Lobby
Meet in the Hotel Lobby at the times below to depart for your tour. Coffee, juice, and snacks will be available to-go.
- 6:45am – Explore Joshua Tree National Park
- 7:15am – The Living Desert
- 7:45am – Discover Midcentury Modernism and Hollywood History, Desert Agriculture Tour, and East Valley: Discover Downtown Indio, Happy Alley, and Coachella Walls
- 8:15am – Desert Hot Springs: Historic Rock House, Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, Miracle Hill, Taking of the Waters at the Spa at Sec-he
- 8:45am – Heights of Adventure: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Tramway Gas Station
- 9:15am – Delve into Museums & Memories – Arts and Culture of the Oasis
Boxed Lunches - Pickup Location Updated!
12:30pm - Pick up your boxed lunch in front of the Starlight Lounge by the Hotel Lobby. You will have down time before the start of the afternoon sessions.
2:00pm - General Session
Location: El Dorado 1 & 2
Join us for the general session, which will include various announcements for the day, as well as our keynote speaker.
Keynote Speaker: Lauren Bruggemans, Director of Community Engagement and Sustainability, Visit Greater Palm Springs
A proud Palm Springs local, Lauren will share insight into the city’s history, culture, hidden gems, and more.
2:45pm to 3:00pm - Break
3:00pm - Professional Development, Session 3
The Editors Panel
Sponsored by St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau
Location: El Dorado 1 & 2
Moderator: Adam Pitluk
Panelists: Jim Benning, Editor in Chief, AAA Westways and AAA Explorer; Liz Cantrell, Senior Editor, Travel + Leisure; Suzie Dundas, Commissioning Editor, Matador Network; Don Nichols, Freelance Editor
Get the inside scoop from editors on the state of the travel journalism industry. Get valuable insight into what you can do to diversify your outlets, how to connect with editors, and how to craft impactful story pitches.
4:15pm to 4:30pm - Break
4:15pm - Professional Development, Session 4
Podcasts & Broadcasts
Location: El Dorado 1 & 2
Moderator: Todd Christopher, Sr. Managing Director of Digital & Editorial Strategy, National Parks Conservation Association
Panelists: Liz Beatty, Executive Producer/Host, Black Cabin Studio/Canadian Geographic Travel; Troy Petenbrink, Freelance Media; Colby Sharples-Terry, Public Relations & Communications Manager, Kansas Tourism
From developing your own podcast to getting on-screen as a travel expert, hear from successful and award-winning podcast hosts and on-screen talent about what it takes to create broadcast-worthy content and cultivate your audience.
Getting Search Traffic in 2025: SEO Changes and Strategies
Location: El Dorado 4
Presenter: Tim Leffel, Editor, Author, Blogger, Writer
This session will start with some big picture strategy changes that anyone with an online presence should consider now that the dust has settled from Google’s algorithm changes. We will then discuss specific tactics that are working for big SEO agencies that live and breathe this business for their clients. Presented by the operator of four websites still going strong in search (and one that was sold last year.)
5:45pm - Downtime
Sessions are over for the day! Take a quick break and we will see you later for dinner.
6:20pm - Depart for Dine-Around
Meeting Location: Hotel Lobby
Make sure to check the back of your badge for your dine-around restaurant’s name to get on the correct bus!
- 4 Saints
- Boozehounds
- Clandestino
- Eight4Nine
- Foxy’s Kitchen + Bar
- King’s Highway
- Lulu California Bistro
- Melvyn’s Restaurant & Bar
- Mole Mexican Kitchen
- Sandfish
- Shorebird
- Trio
9:00pm - Return to Hotel
DMO/CVB Attendees: Head to the Royal Ballroom in the Conference Center to setup your table for the Exhibitor Marketplace. Look for the table with your organization’s name. If no signage is up, please wait for a NATJA staff member.
Wednesday, June 4
6:30am to 9:00am – Breakfast
Grab and Go Breakfast: For tours departing before 8:30am, grab a quick bite and beverage in the Hotel Lobby before departing.
Breakfast Vouchers: For tours departing after 8:30am, a breakfast voucher will be provided by NATJA staff for use at Desert Café and Mercantile (grab-and-go) or Palmetto’s Café (sit-down breakfast).
Tours
Departure Location: Hotel Lobby
Meet in the Hotel Lobby at the times below to depart for your tour. Coffee, juice, and snacks will be available to-go.
- 6:45am – Explore Joshua Tree National Park
- 7:15am – The Living Desert
- 7:45am – Discover Midcentury Modernism and Hollywood History, Desert Agriculture Tour, and East Valley: Discover Downtown Indio, Happy Alley, and Coachella Walls
- 8:15am – Desert Hot Springs: Historic Rock House, Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, Miracle Hill, Taking of the Waters at the Spa at Sec-he
- 8:45am – Heights of Adventure: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Tramway Gas Station
- 9:15am – Delve into Museums & Memories – Arts and Culture of the Oasis
Boxed Lunches - Pickup Location Updated!
12:30pm - Pick up your boxed lunch in front of the Starlight Lounge by the Hotel Lobby. You will have down time before the start of the afternoon sessions.
2:00pm to 5:00pm - Marketplace
Location: Royal Ballroom
Media and destination marketing organizations meet for one-on-one chats. Make sure to bring your business cards!
6:00pm - Depart for Dinner
Meeting Location: Hotel Lobby
6:30pm - Dinner at Grand Central
Located in historic downtown Palm Springs, Grand Central is the destination for fresh food and fresh art. Grand Central boasts one of the biggest art galleries in town featuring local Coachella Valley artists.
9:00pm - Return to Hotel
Thursday, June 5
10:30am to 12:00pm – Brunch & Closing
Location: El Dorado 1 & 2
The time has come to say farewell and say thank you to Visit Greater Palm Springs!
We recommend checking out of your room prior to brunch.
Optional - Palm Springs Village Fest
Downtown Palm Springs
From 7:00pm to 10:00pm, enjoy a diverse array of artists, artisans, entertainers, assorted fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers, jewelry, international cuisine, and don’t forget the sweets.
The perimeter of the event consists of Indian Canyon Drive to the east and Belardo Road to the west. Vendor booths are set up on both sides of the street, and visitors are able to stroll through the traffic-free event.
Press Trip Departures
Information about post-conference press trip departures will be provided by the press trip host.
