SPEAKERS
FEATURED SPEAKERS
JUNE 23
at TravelCon, presented by the TGA
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City
Creators Who’ve Been There, Done That, and Are Ready to Show You How
Behind every polished post or episode is a story of trial, error, and breakthrough. Our speakers share the real strategies that helped them grow, monetize, and sustain their creator businesses, so you can do the same.
2026 SESSION SPEAKERS
Experience an exclusive 90-minute Masterclass with Alex Honnold and discover the skills, insights, and mindset behind one of outdoor adventure’s most iconic climbers to ever live.
Experience an exclusive 90-minute Masterclass with Jim Morrison and uncover the skills, preparation, and fearless mindset behind the first person to ever ski down the North Face of Mount Everest.
Experience an exclusive 90-minute Masterclass with Jimmy Chin to uncover the skills, eye, and storytelling instincts behind one of outdoor adventure’s most iconic explorers and creatives.
Founder and host of the long-running JUMP with Traveling Jackie Podcast (named iHeartRadio’s Best Travel Podcast) inspiring thousands to explore the world with confidence. Through storytelling, courses, and group trips, she’s built a passionate global community empowering people to travel farther, deeper, and more intentionally.
Freelance travel and environmental journalist Jennifer Broome hosts the TravelCon Masterclasses and fireside chat with Alex Honnold, Jimmy Chin, and Jim Morrison.
Viral hits are fleeting. Chris Raney shows how a search-based, evergreen content strategy builds a YouTube channel that grows consistently — for years, not days.
Elaine Rau breaks down why great content doesn’t always equal brand deals — and how to position yourself as a partner brands want to invest in repeatedly.
You know how to create inspiring travel content, but converting that content into published articles can feel overwhelming for first-time writers. Many skilled creators don’t pitch to travel publishers because they don’t understand the process—and without prior writing credits, it’s hard to know where to start. Drawing on our experiences as the Social Media Manager and Digital Editor and for National Geographic Travel, we’ll break down how social storytelling translates into editorial pitches. This session is designed for creators who want to break into travel writing and are new to pitching. You’ll learn insider tips on how to develop stand-out article ideas for travel editors that rise above the crowded inbox. Together, we’ll workshop how to develop your travel experiences on social into strong editorial angles and approach publishers with confidence. You’ll leave with an understanding of how to structure a clear and compelling pitch email to start earning bylines.
Josh Rimer shares the tools, setups, and techniques he uses to consistently produce professional-quality content solo — no crew, no partner, no excuses.
Juliana Wynkoop shows how she used LinkedIn to land partnerships with BÉIS, Viator, and more — and why most travel creators are leaving it wide open.
Marina Iakovleva built a 1M+ brand by playing a different game entirely. She’ll show you how to find the niche that makes you impossible to scroll past.
Not a hype talk. Marissa Strang walks creators who already have traction through an honest, practical framework for deciding if — and when — they’re actually ready to go full-time.
TikTok is now a booking engine — and most travel creators haven’t caught on yet. Maureen Hochdorf breaks down how TikTok Go is changing creator revenue.
A decade in TV news. Now leading PR for World Nomads. Sarah breaks down how media gatekeepers decide what’s worth covering — and how to get on their radar.
A National Geographic Travel veteran shows creators how to turn social storytelling into editorial pitches — and leave with the confidence to actually send them.
A National Geographic Travel veteran shows creators how to turn social storytelling into editorial pitches — and leave with the confidence to actually send them.
Dalton Hunter built a multi-six-figure creator business — and says most creators are leaving serious money on the table. Here’s how to stop.
Nomad Lane and YouTuber Aly Smalls go behind the scenes on their partnership — what makes it work, and what brands and creators can learn from it.
Aly Smalls and Nomad Lane go behind the scenes on their partnership — what makes it work, and what brands and creators can learn from it.
2026 Speaker Preview
Meet Jackie Nourse, the founder and host of the long-running JUMP with Traveling Jackie Podcast, named iHeartRadio’s Best Travel Podcast, inspiring thousands of travelers to explore the world with confidence. Jackie has built a passionate global community through her storytelling, courses, and group trips — empowering people to travel farther, deeper, and more intentionally.
Jackie will share her insights at TravelCon 2026. If there’s anyone you can learn from about building a meaningful, adventure-driven life through travel, it’s Jackie.
2026 Speaker Submissions Now Open
*Submit by February 20 to be considered
What We're Looking For
Story-driven
Real journeys, real lessons, real growth
Practical
Ideas people can actually use when they get home
Transparent
Numbers, experiments, wins, missteps, all of it
Session Focus Areas
Creating Better Content
Sharper ideas, better systems, smarter workflows
Growing Audience & Reach
What’s working right now (and what’s not)
Monetization & Business
Growth Turning content into real, sustainable income
Who Should Apply?
Travel and outdoor adventure creators -- of all kinds
- Bloggers
- Podcasters
- YouTubers
- Short-form pros
- Advisors
- Hybrid builders
If you care about the craft and the business side of travel content, you’re in the right place.
