09/25/2025
Announcing ICORT Keynote Presenters
The ICORT agenda is packed with presentations and breakouts. Here's a teaser of what's in store for attendees at general sessions.
Tuesday, Oct. 21
After opening remarks, get ready for an unforgettable encounter with a special guest, a larger-than-life figure whose adventurous spirit, love of the outdoors, and passion for preserving America’s natural treasures helped shape the landscapes we explore today. This surprise guest will share stories of bold leadership, wild expeditions, and a vision that impacts the way we experience recreation and tourism.
At 11:00 a.m., Chris Ryan George, Senior Creative Director with the Utah Mammoth and Utah Jazz, will present on Creativity & Branding. With a background spanning sports, advertising, and tourism, Chris will share how these worlds intersect to shape people's experiences. From campaigns that inspire travel to the way major sporting events showcase a city or state, you will see firsthand how sports can serve as one of the most powerful forms of tourism advertising and how big moments on the field can translate into even bigger wins for tourism and community pride as a whole.
At 3:00 PM Keynote, Brian Screptock of Longwoods International will share a comprehensive update on the Idaho Visitor Profile, featuring the latest data and findings. This session will highlight impacts for stakeholders and detail key developments relevant to Idaho’s tourism and visitor trends. You will gain actionable insights to inform future planning and strategic decision-making.
Wednesday, Oct. 22
After opening remarks we'll hear from a panel discussing Competition and Co-opetition - Learning from Western States. While Idaho competes with western states for visitors, we can also learn from those states. This panel will discuss key topics, including destination management, responsible recreation, and innovative ways to market to potential visitors. Joining us will be David Blandford (State of Washington Tourism), Jim Hagen (Travel South Dakota), Todd Walton (Xanterra/Yellowstone National Park), and Dave Williams (Utah Office of Tourism). Jeremy Chase with Visit Idaho will moderate the panel.
Our final ICORT session is a panel discussion on the Power of Idaho Tourism. Tourism is Idaho’s third largest industry, but how do we effectively communicate the vitality of tourism to stakeholders? In this panel, we’ll hear from Mayor Jeremy Grimm of Sandpoint, Pam Eaton with the Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association, and Jason Kriezenbeck with Lobby Idaho to hear their perspectives. Jessica Flynn with Red Sky will moderate the panel.
