Join us for New Destinations World Summit 2026
The world’s leading travel decision-makers gather in Las Vegas to define the next
generation of destinations.
Las Vegas | September 15th - 16th, 2026
Partners
The New Destinations World Summit 2026, hosted by Newsweek, convenes global leaders across travel, tourism, aviation, hospitality, technology, and entertainment to explore the forces shaping the future of international destinations.
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the summit reflects on the nation's long-standing role in shaping global mobility and tourism.
Las Vegas represents one of the world’s most successful destination reinventions, evolving from a regional getaway into a global center for entertainment, major sporting events, conventions, and hospitality innovation. Through high-level dialogue and curated networking, attendees will examine how cities and industries can design the next generation of tourism destinations—balancing growth, infrastructure, technology, and visitor experience.
In partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the summit provides a platform for public- and private-sector leaders to exchange ideas and shape the future of global travel at a pivotal moment for the industry.
Audience & Reach
Who Attends
New Destinations World Summit 2026 – Las Vegas convenes senior leaders from across the global travel and tourism ecosystem, including:
Aviation and Transport |
Airlines, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers and infrastructure providers shaping global mobility. |
Hospitality and Tourism |
Global hotel groups, resort operators, cruise companies and tourism authorities responsible for attracting visitors and developing destination economies. |
Destination Developers and Real Estate |
Investors and developers building large scale tourism infrastructure, integrated resorts and new global destinations. |
Technology and Travel Platforms |
Travel technology companies, digital platforms, payments providers and data companies transforming the traveler journey. |
Entertainment, Sport and Experiences |
Sports leagues, entertainment companies, event organisers and immersive experience developers driving the growth of experiential tourism. |
Luxury and Premium Travel |
Private aviation companies, luxury hospitality brands and high end travel operators focused on the rapidly expanding premium travel market. |
Join Us!
Join Newsweek during New Destinations World Summit 2026 for insightful discussions and innovative solutions.
Standard Pass
Your gateway to a full 2 days of bold ideas, breakthrough conversations, and meaningful connections with the leaders shaping the future of business.
- Full access to all main stage panels and fireside chats
- Access to networking breaks, designed to forge lasting professional relationships
- Access to all meals, bites and evening cocktail reception
- Opportunities to connect with 300+ C-suite leaders and senior executives
- Immersive art experience and networking reception at Meow Wolf
The Venue
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Immerse Yourself in Las Vegas
Join us for an Immersive
Art Experience & Networking Reception
at Meow Wolf's Omega Mart
Spend the evening of Day 1 connecting with fellow attendees inside Omega Mart, Meow Wolf's acclaimed immersive art experience at AREA15, minutes from Resorts World.
Moderators
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Senior Editor
Newsweek
David Yeskel
Travel Journalist
Speakers
Amit Shah
Executive Vice President
Newsweek International
Steve Hill
Chief Executive Officer and President
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
Andrew Levy
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Avelo Airlines
Willem Groenewald
Secretary General for Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism
FIA
James C. Chrisley
Director of Aviation
Clark County, Nevada
José Arozarena
CEO
Amigo Tours
Sascha Gill
CEO
United Waterways
Vice President
IGRC Association
Somit Goyal
Chief Executive Officer
IBS Software
Greg Jung
Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Insurance
Seven Corners
Vince Kadlubek
Founder
Meow Wolf
Koby Langley
Chief Operating Officer
United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
Michon Martin
Chief Executive Officer
R&R partners
Sandra Douglass Morgan
President
Las Vegas Raiders
Erik Neergaard
CEO
THG Creative
Emily Prazer
Chief Commercial Officer,
Formula 1
President & CEO,
Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc.
Edouard Schwob
Senior Vice President of Development for Luxury Americas and Global Fairmont, Raffles & Orient Express
Accor
Carl Walsh
Senior Vice President / Country Manager USA
VisitBritain
Agenda
Day 1: September 15, 2026
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM |
Doors Open and Registration
|
| 10:00 AM – 10:05 AM |
Opening Remarks from Newsweek
Amit Shah, EVP, Newsweek |
| 10:05 AM – 10:45 AM |
250 Years of Travel: From Frontier to Future
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this opening panel explores how global mobility has evolved over the past two centuries and what will define the next era of international travel. The discussion examines the shifting geography of global aviation, the rise of new international hubs and the policies shaping cross border connectivity in the decades ahead. Moderator: Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, Senior Editor, Newsweek Panelists: Willem Groenewald, Secretary General for Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism, FIA |
| 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM |
Keynote Speech
|
| 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
Networking Break
|
| 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM |
The Global Destination Arms Race: How Cities Compete for the World’s Travelers
Destinations are competing more aggressively than ever to attract international visitors, investment and major global events. This discussion examines how cities build global tourism brands, develop integrated resort ecosystems and leverage sport, culture and entertainment to drive tourism growth. Moderator: David Yeskel, Travel Journalist Panelists: Vince Kadlubek, Founder, Meow Wolf |
| 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM |
Cross‑Industry Convergence: Where Travel Meets Wellness, Fashion, and Food
This panel explores how destinations are increasingly blending multiple industries to create holistic, lifestyle-driven experiences. By merging wellness, fashion, food, and entertainment, cities and resorts are positioning themselves as more than places to visit—they become immersive ecosystems that reflect modern consumer values. |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
Networking Lunch
|
| 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM |
The Aviation Supercycle: Airports, Airlines and the Race for Global Access
Air travel demand continues to grow rapidly, placing new pressure on infrastructure and reshaping airline business models. This panel explores the next phase of aviation growth, including fleet transformation, airport expansion, and the role of connectivity in economic development. As global attention turns to Turkey this year with the country hosting COP31, the discussion will also consider how major international moments elevate the role of global hub airports that connect regions, facilitate diplomacy, and support the movement of business and travelers across continents. Moderator: David Yeskel, Travel Journalist Panelists: James C. Chrisley, Director of Aviation, Clark County, Nevada |
| 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM |
Fireside Chat
Presented in partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Moderator: Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, Senior Editor, Newsweek Panelist: Steve Hill, Chief Executive Officer and President, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) |
| 3:00 PM – 3:05 PM |
Closing Words
|
| 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
Immersive Art Experience & Networking Reception at Meow Wolf's Omega Mart
Omega Mart is an immersive experience where the ordinary quickly gives way to the extraordinary. Guests are invited to explore a surreal supermarket filled with unexpected discoveries, interactive storytelling, and mind-bending art that sparks curiosity and redefines reality. Join fellow attendees for an evening of networking inside Omega Mart, Meow Wolf's acclaimed immersive art experience at AREA15, minutes from Resorts World. |
Day 2: September 16, 2026
| 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
Arrival Coffee and Networking
|
| 10:30 AM – 10:35 AM |
Opening Remarks from Newsweek
|
| 10:35 AM – 10:50 AM |
Fireside Chat
Moderator: Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, Senior Editor, Newsweek Panelist: Sandra Douglass Morgan, President, Las Vegas Raiders |
| 10:50 AM – 11:35 AM |
The Experience Economy: Why Entertainment Is Becoming the World’s Most Powerful Tourism Driver
Tourism is increasingly driven by experiences rather than traditional attractions. This session explores how entertainment, sport and immersive attractions are reshaping global tourism demand and redefining destination development. Las Vegas stands at the center of this transformation. Moderator: David Yeskel, Travel Journalist Panelists: Jose Arozarena, CEO, Amigo Tours |
| 11:35 AM – 11:55 AM |
Networking Break
|
| 11:55 AM – 12:40 PM |
The Luxury Travel Boom: Why High End Tourism Is Transforming the Global Market
Luxury travel is one of the fastest growing segments in tourism. This discussion explores the rise of ultra luxury hotels, private aviation and bespoke travel experiences and how destinations are using luxury tourism to drive high value growth. Moderator: Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, Senior Editor, Newsweek Panelists: Edouard Schwob, SVP Development, Luxury Americas and Raffles and Orient Express Global, Accor |
| 12:40 PM – 1:40 PM |
Networking Lunch
|
| 1:40 PM – 2:25 PM |
The Frictionless Journey: How Technology is Defining the Next Generation of Global Tourism
Looking ahead to the next generation of tourism destinations, this panel examines how artificial intelligence, digital identity, and biometric technologies are enabling seamless travel across airports, borders, and platforms. From large‑scale infrastructure investment and new developments to sustainability and digital innovation, the goal is to deliver a frictionless journey. Is that reality? Moderator: Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, Senior Editor, Newsweek |
| 2:25 PM – 2:40 PM |
Fireside Chat
|
| 2:40 PM – 3:10 PM |
Closing Conversation: The Next Chapter of Global Travel
Over the past 250 years the United States has built one of the world’s most powerful tourism economies. This panel explores how American cities and destinations have evolved into global tourism hubs and how experiences, entertainment and infrastructure have transformed the way people travel. Las Vegas provides a powerful case study of this transformation. Panelists: Steve Hill, Chief Executive Officer and President, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) |
| 3:10 PM – 3:15 PM |
Final Words and Closing Speech
|
Attendees
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Join Us!
Join us during New Destinations World Summit 2026 for insightful discussions and innovative solutions.