2025 VADMO Spring Symposium

Learn more about important trends and research 

in the Destination Marketing industry at the VADMO Spring Symposium,

which will take place April 9-10, 2025 in Harrisonburg VA

at the beautiful Hotel Madison.

Join your colleagues at this conference themed,

Planning for the Future,

as speakers discuss issues of relevance in your day-to-day operations

to include a discussion of Public/Private Partnerships for destination development,

the use of Artificial Intelligence in DMOs, Behavioral Economics, Crisis Management,

and a work session on Destination Development.

April 9, 2025

1:00pm

Welcome & Conference Opening by City of Harrisonburg

Lunch - Membership Meeting

2:15pm

Session I

• Public Private Partnership in the Development of the Hotel Madison & Conference Center in Harrisonburg

Paul Gladd | Principal & Co-Owner | dpM Partners

3:30pm

Session II

• Keynote: Behavioral Economics

B. Hudson Riehle | Senior Vice President 

      Research & Knowledge Group

National Restaurant Association

4:30pm

• Mentorship and Strategic Networking

Tabletop Discussions

Mentors/Moderators to Counsel on Topics & Trends

5:30pm

• Opening Reception

7:30pm

• Dinner On Your Own in Downtown Harrisonburg

April 10, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast

8:30am

Session III

• The Use of AI for DMO Research

Cayce Myers | Director of Graduate Studies   

      School of Communications - Virginia Tech

9:30am

Session IV

• DMO Planning for Crisis Management

Tracy Cornett | Director

      Grayson County Tourism Economic Development

Amanda Livingston

Director | Smyth County Department of Tourism

10:15am

Networking Break

10:30am

Session V

• Creativity in Destination Marketing ~ A Right Brain Revolution

Chris Canfield

Vice President Partnership Marketing | Virginia Tourism Corporation

Wirt Confroy

Director of Business Development | Virginia Tourism Corporation

11:30am

{Check Out of Hotel}

12:15pm

• LUNCH - VIRGO AWARDS

1:30pm

Session VI

• Destination Development Work Session

Chris Seek

Chief Executive Officer | Solimar International

3:30pm 

Adjourn Conference