Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism to Highlight Global Occasions, MA250 and Industry Progress

Danvers — Tourism and hospitality leaders from throughout Massachusetts will collect on March 24 and 25 in Danvers for the 2026 Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism, the state’s annual convention targeted on strengthening Massachusetts’ tourism business and getting ready locations for future development.

With Massachusetts 250 celebrations, FIFA World Cup matches in Boston and Sail Boston on the horizon, business leaders will deal with how the state can harness these international occasions to drive financial development, strengthen communities and place Massachusetts as a premier vacation spot for guests from all over the world. 

“Massachusetts is preparing to welcome the world in the coming years, with major global events like the FIFA World Cup, Sail Boston and the celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary bringing new visitors and new opportunities to our state,” stated Governor Maura Healey. “Tourism is a powerful driver of jobs and economic growth, and this conference is an opportunity to showcase everything that makes Massachusetts special and keep our state a top destination for travelers.”

“2026 is our opportunity to lead,” stated Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “In a rapidly changing global environment, Massachusetts succeeds when we work together. Through strong partnerships across tourism, culture, business, and technology, we are solving challenges, elevating our shared story, and putting our best foot forward on the world stage. Collaboration is how we honor our history and shape a stronger future.”

“Tourism today demands both imagination and execution,” stated Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley. “We are embracing new tools like AI, elevating our creative economy and positioning our strengths in science, technology, and education as powerful visitor assets. By aligning culture, innovation, and global strategy, Massachusetts is not only adapting to change, we are leading through it and turning this historic moment into sustained economic growth.”

Tourism stays a significant driver of the Massachusetts financial system. The state welcomed greater than 52 million guests in 2024 who spent over $24 billion statewide, supporting greater than 155,000 jobs and producing greater than $2 billion in state and native tax income. 

The two-day convention will discover how locations can reply strategically to international journey shifts whereas leveraging cultural property equivalent to movie, music, and museums to drive development. Sessions will look at how rising applied sciences like synthetic intelligence are reshaping how vacationers can uncover locations, how music tourism can profit each residents and guests, and the way partnerships with the inventive sector can strengthen communities.

Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA, will headline the luncheon keynote with insights on worldwide advertising and international competitiveness. Josh Friedlander of U.S. Travel will current the newest business knowledge and forecasts to floor discussions in present journey tendencies and market realities.

A featured plenary session, “Global Moments, Local Impact,” will look at how upcoming occasions together with Massachusetts 250, Sail Boston, and the FIFA World Cup current once-in-a-generation alternatives for financial development, worldwide publicity, and strengthen Massachusetts long run place as a number one international vacation spot.

Throughout this system, convention attendees will have interaction in periods together with:

• Unlocking AI for the following period of tourism
• Marketing to the multilingual traveler on an area finances
• Leveraging music and the inventive financial system
• Integrating popularity technique with income development
• Positioning Massachusetts as the final word STEM tourism vacation spot

The convention can even have a good time leaders whose contributions have formed the state’s cultural and tourism panorama.

2026 Award Recipients:

• Rhonda and Steve Woodman, Award of Appreciation, for his or her enduring service and stewardship of Woodman’s of Essex, a culinary establishment and tourism landmark.
• Laurie Norton Moffatt, recipient of the Larry D. Meehan Award, honoring 45 years of management on the Norman Rockwell Museum and her transformative impression on arts and cultural tourism.
• Virginia Bristol-Johnson, Massachusetts Film Award recipient, is acknowledged for her distinguished profession as a dressing up designer and her contributions to Massachusetts’ rising movie business.
• Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, recipient of the Revolutionary Award for advancing Revolutionary historical past by dynamic public engagement and stewardship of one of many state’s most iconic websites.

“These awardees reflect the depth of talent and commitment across Massachusetts,” stated Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “From culinary heritage to film, from museums to Revolutionary landmarks, they demonstrate how cultural assets drive visitation, community pride and economic impact.”

In a 12 months outlined by international consideration and shifting journey patterns, Massachusetts is positioning itself not solely because the birthplace of the American Revolution, however as a forward-looking vacation spot the place historical past, innovation and artistic industries intersect.

For extra details about the Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism, go to: https://massgovernorsconference.com/.  

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