Convening Conversations on
the Future of Travel
U.S. Travel’s Future of Travel Mobility is a high-profile thought leadership event gathering the brightest leaders in travel, transportation and technology. Our impressive slate of speakers—including industry executives, government officials and travel innovators— collectively work to improve the traveler experience while advancing cutting-edge solutions that can transform the industry and enhance the United States’ global competitiveness.
By fostering crucial collaboration between government and industry, the Future of Travel Mobility is elevating critical private and public-sector conversations that will strengthen the U.S. as a global travel leader in the future.
This year’s event will explore:
- The imperative of creating frictionless travel experiences—from streamlined visa processes and new investments in security protocols to efficient and sustainable airport operations.
- Solutions in biometrics, AI-driven systems and advanced screening technologies, promising to transform every touchpoint of the traveler’s journey.
- A vision to transform the future of travel, as presented by U.S. Travel’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel. The Commission’s recommendations will advance our mission to modernize, streamline and improve how travelers move from Point A to Point B–all while bolstering national security.
- New This Year: The Future of Travel Mobility Innovation Hub, a dedicated, interactive space showcasing cutting-edge technologies, products and services that are changing travel today and will help transform it into the future.
AGENDA
9:00 AM
Networking breakfast and Innovation Hub
10:00 AM
Opening Remarks
Tori Barnes, EVP, Public Affairs and Policy, U.S. Travel
10:05 AM
Opening Keynote: Seamless and Secure Travel: 10 Year Vision
Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel
10:15 AM
Session: Solutions for a Seamless and Secure Future of Travel
- Jeff Bleich, Former U.S. Ambassador to Australia
- Patty Cogswell, Former Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
- Kevin McAleenan, Former Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection
Moderator: Tori Barnes, EVP, Public Affairs and Policy, U.S. Travel
Session Details
Eye-opening analysis reveals the United States badly lags global competitors in the race to grow and modernize travel. To change this, U.S. Travel established the Commission for Seamless and Secure Travel. Commission members – prominent private sector experts and former government officials – will present their recommendations to transform the travel experience, increase U.S. competitiveness, improve government focus and coordination on travel issues and to power economic growth.
10:45 AM
Session: Transforming Aviation Security: TSA’s Vision for Smarter, Safer Travel
- David Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
Moderator: Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel
Session Details
Following the panel discussion, TSA Administrator David Pekoske will share the agency’s plan to realize smarter and safer aviation security processes. Amid record-breaking air travel demand, Pekoske will dive into TSA’s work alongside partners across the travel industry to implement innovative solutions to transform the next decade of travel.
11:10 AM
Session: Streamlining the Journey: How Travel Leaders Deliver Seamless Experiences
- Linda Jojo, Chief Customer Officer, United Airlines
- Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia
Moderator: Nathan Lump, Editor in Chief, National Geographic
Session Details
Leaders from United and Expedia will explain how their companies are meeting traveler demands for a more efficient, enjoyable experience. From personalization to new digital solutions, this session will draw upon customer data and market intelligence to demonstrate how travel leaders are adapting to deliver seamless experiences for today’s traveler.
11:40 AM
Session: Are We Ready to Welcome the World?
- David Francis, Senior Government Affairs Director, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
- Tammy Blount-Canavan, President & CEO, Visit Seattle
- Amy Hopfinger, Chief Business & Strategy Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026
Moderator: Travis Murphy, Founder & CEO, Jetr Global
Session Details
Over the next five years, tens of millions of international visitors will plan trips to the United States to attend the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics and perennial events like the F1 Grand Prix. From timely visa processing to seamless security facilitation to mobility options that make traveling to destinations efficient and enjoyable – what’s needed to ensure the U.S. delivers a world-class travel experience, creates millions of return visitors and wins hosting rights for future global events?
12:25 PM
Networking Lunch
12:25 PM
Transforming Journeys: A Conversation with Uber on the Future of Mobility
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Uber
Moderator: Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel
1:15 PM
Networking Break
1:30 PM
Session: Navigating the AI-Driven Transportation Landscape
- Ron Price, President and CEO, Visit Phoenix
- David Quinalty, Head of Federal Policy and Government Affairs, Waymo
- Mike O’Shaughnessy, Deputy Aviation Director for Operations, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Moderator: Scott Mayerowitz, Founder, GlobeTrotScott Strategies and Travel Consultant and Reporter
Session Details
Artificial Intelligence is poised to revolutionize the travel landscape, transforming travel mobility and how we experience travel services and destinations. AI will further personalize trip planning, accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles and optimize public transit. This session explores Waymo’s integration into the Phoenix market and how autonomous mobility has enhanced the visitor experience while shaping travel infrastructure. Leaders will discuss the complex challenges in introducing autonomous mobility and the partnerships that are driving its success.
2:20 PM
Michigan’s Electric Future: Powering Progress Towards a Charged Tomorrow
Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, MEDC
Moderator: Valerie Yurk, Transportation and Energy Reporter, CQ Roll Call
2:25 PM
Session: Powering An Electric Future at Airports
- Mike Filomena, Vice President Global Government & Public Affairs, Enterprise
- Emmett Romine, Vice President of Customer Energy & Transportation Solutions, Xcel Energy
- Phillip A. Washington, CEO, Denver International Airport
Moderator: Valerie Yurk, Transportation and Energy Reporter, CQ Roll Call
Session Details
Growing electric vehicle (EV) adoption presents airports with unique challenges. This panel brings together airport, rental car, electric utility and public policy leaders to explore the infrastructure upgrades and investments needed to support growing EV demand at airports. Panelists will discuss the current state of airport EV infrastructure, rental car company strategies for expanding EV fleets, and the critical role of utility companies in enabling the airport EV revolution through grid upgrades, smart charging technologies, and renewable energy integration.
3:20 PM
Networking Break
3:35 PM
Innovation Hub: Pioneering Solutions to Transform Travel Mobility
- Melissa Alvarado, Director of Government Affairs, Delta Air Lines
- Stephen Williams, Head of North America Government Relations, IDEMIA
- Brian Worth, Vice President of Federal Affairs, CLEAR
Moderator: Ryan Propis, Vice President of Security and Facilitation, U.S. Travel
4:00 PM
Closing Fireside: Spearheading a Seamless Entry Process: A Conversation with Richard Verma
Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Mangement and Resources
Moderator: Jeff Bleich, Former U.S. Ambassador, Australia
4:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Tori Barnes, EVP, Public Affairs and Policy, U.S. Travel
4:35 PM
Congressional Reception
Featured Speakers
Melissa Alvarado
Director of Government Affairs, Delta
Tori Emerson Barnes
Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Policy, U.S. Travel Association
Jeff Bleich
Former U.S. Ambassador to Australia
Tammy Blount-Canavan
President and CEO, Visit Seattle
Patty Cogswell
Former Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
Mike Filomena
Vice President, Global Government & Public Affairs, Enterprise
Geoff Freeman
President and CEO, U.S. Travel Association
Amy Hopfinger
Chief Business and Strategy Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026
Justine Johnson
Chief Mobility Officer, Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Linda Jojo
Chief Customer Officer, United Airlines
Dara Khosrowshahi
CEO, Uber
Nathan Lump
Editor in Chief, National Geographic (Moderator)
Scott Mayerowitz
Founder, GlobeTrotScott Strategies and Travel Consultant and Reporter (Moderator)
Kevin McAleenan
Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security
Travis Murphy
Founder and CEO, Jetr Global (Moderator)
David Pekoske
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
Ryan Propis
Vice President of Security and Facilitation, U.S. Travel Association (Moderator)
Ron Price
President and CEO, Visit Phoenix
David Quinalty
Head of Federal Policy and Government Affairs, Waymo
Emmett Romine
Vice President of Customer Energy & Transportation Solutions, Xcel Energy
Greg Schulze
Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia
Mike O’Shaughnessy
Deputy Aviation Director for Operations, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Richard R. Verma
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources
Phillip A. Washington
Chief Executive Officer, Denver International Airport
Stephen Williams
Head of North America Government Relations, IDEMIA
Brian Worth
Vice President of Federal Affairs, CLEAR
Valerie Yurk
Transportation and Energy Reporter, CQ Roll Call (Moderator)
WHY ATTEND?
• Engage with every sector of the travel industry—all in one place.
• Experience powerful relationship-building moments throughout the day, including a networking reception with congressional members and staff, Biden Administration officials, Washington influencers and travel industry insiders.
U.S. Senator Rick Scott, R-FL
Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
WHO WILL BE THERE?
The Future of Travel Mobility conference will welcome senior-level attendees across the public sector and transportation, travel and technology industries.
Innovation Hub Sponsor
Sponsorship Opportunities: Download PDF
Shari Bailey (sponsorship contact): sbailey@ustravel.org
Contact us: fotm@ustravel.org