Annual Tourism Summit

Galveston Tourism Summit, Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Join Visit Galveston and island partners for the 2026 Tourism Summit, a gathering focused on the trends, data, and opportunities shaping the future of travel to Galveston. This year’s theme, Galveston on the Global Stage, explores how our destination fits into the evolving travel landscape and how local businesses can benefit from emerging opportunities.

The program brings together industry leaders, research experts, and tourism partners for a morning and afternoon of insights, discussion, and practical takeaways. Sessions will cover tourism performance, traveler trends, social media strategies, short term rental data, online reviews, and how artificial intelligence is changing how visitors discover destinations. The agenda also includes networking time, vendor exhibits, breakout sessions, and the Tourism Excellence Awards recognizing outstanding partners in our community.

Attendance is free for tourism partners and community stakeholders.

Vendor booths are available at no cost for partners who want to showcase their business during networking sessions. Learn more and reserve your spot.

Summit Registration Vendor Registration

Save the Date - Tourism Summit 2026

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
10AM - 3PM
Galveston Island Convention Center

Tourism Summit 2026 | Details and Agenda

  • When: May 12, 2026, 9 AM
  • Where: Galveston Island Convention Center
  • Registration: Click here to register

Join us as we reflect on 12 years of achievements and look ahead to an even brighter future. It’s a day of inspiration, collaboration, and renewed commitment to Galveston’s continued growth as a premier destination. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

9 AMVendor Exhibits, Networking & Registration
10 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks

Speakers: Tony Lyle and Marty Miles

Includes a short Destination Moment video celebrating Galveston and the role tourism plays in the island’s economy and community.

10:10-10:50 AMGalveston Tourism by the Numbers: Trends, Performance & Outlook
Speaker: Cindy Decker, Tourism Economics
A data-driven look at Galveston’s tourism performance, including visitation, spending, and industry trends, with comparisons to Texas and national benchmarks.
10:50-11:30 AMThe State of Galveston Travel
Speaker: David Reichbach, Future Partners
Future Partners is excited to join you at the 12th Annual Galveston Island Tourism Summit for an engaging presentation, "The State of Galveston Travel," featuring actionable insights from Future Partners' key ongoing research studies, The State of the American Traveler and The State of the International Traveler. We'll explore global trends in travel and marketing, including artificial intelligence, social media, technology, traveler sentiment, and behavioral trends shaping the future of tourism and hospitality. With a focus on data specific to Galveston's tourism industry, attendees will gain valuable, actionable learnings. Expect an energetic session with audience participation, ensuring an entertaining and insightful exploration of the latest trends.
11:30-11:40 AM

Connecting the Dots: Data, Travelers & What It Means for Galveston
Joint Q&A: Cindy Decker and David Reichbach
Audience questions connecting tourism performance data with traveler trends and sentiment.

11:40 AM-12:15 PMGalveston’s Economic Future: Tourism, Port & Healthcare
Moderator: Tony Lyle

A discussion on how Galveston’s three major industries are shaping the island’s economic future.

Panelists:

  • Marty Miles - CEO, Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston
  • Rodger Rees - Port Director & CEO, Port of Galveston
  • Craig Kovacevich, MA - Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, UTMB
12:15-1:00 PMLunch
12:40-1 PMSpecial Plenary Session, Galveston on the Global Stage: FIFA World Cup & Sail250

Speakers: Tony Lyle, Marty Miles & Will Wright of Galveston Historical Foundation
A look at how Galveston can leverage two global opportunities to elevate the island’s international visibility and strengthen tourism.

1-1:10 PMTransition Break

1:10-1:55 PM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Breakout A: Short-Term Rentals in Galveston: Data, Demand & Market Trends
Speaker: Bram – AirDNA
A closer look at short-term rental performance, demand patterns, and market insights relevant to Galveston.

Breakout B: Tourism Social Media Playbook: What’s Working Right Now
Speakers: Melody Smith & Tyler Patterson, Visit Galveston
A practical session on current social media best practices, content trends, and how partners can better align with Visit Galveston’s digital efforts.

Breakout C: Winning the Review Economy: Turning Guest Feedback into More Visitors
Speaker: Scott Caufield – TripAdvisor
Insights into reviews, traveler feedback, and how tourism businesses can strengthen visibility and influence booking decisions.

1:55-2:05 PM

Transition Break
2:05-2:50 PMAI and the Future of Travel Discovery
Speaker: Justin Gibbs – Miles Partnership
AI is rapidly reshaping destination marketing—from Google’s AI Overviews disrupting traditional SEO and search traffic to new tools that are redefining how travelers discover and choose places. This session breaks down what’s happening, what it means for Tourism Partners, and how to apply AI in practical, real-world ways, with live examples and products already in use.
2:50-3 PMTourism Excellence Awards & Closing Remarks

Recognition of outstanding partners and a look ahead at the future of tourism in Galveston.

3:00 - 4 PM

Vendor Exhibits & Networking

See All Presentations

Tourism Summit 2025 | Presentations

Last year's keynotes are available to watch now.

Watch All Keynotes

2025 Tourism Summit Photo Gallery
2025 Tourism Summit