It’s something we’re heard from more and more of you: you want more. (Who doesn’t?)
This year, we’re taking a new approach to the final day of the conference. What we’ve heard from attendees is you really want to go deeper on a series of topics, so we’re dedicating this final day — Thursday, Oct. 3 — to those who want the chance to really dig in.
This final day will be built around long-form (from 90 minutes to over two hours), in-depth, interactive industry forums and working sessions. Each will be devoted to key topics – from tour design and marketing to technology, AI, pricing and more – to help you grow your business.
Each of these sessions, guided by experts, are designed to bring you together with your peers, to discuss and build upon what you’ve learned during the previous days’ sessions. They will also help you start putting that learning into action before you leave.
Learn more about these in-depth specialized sessions and interactive industry forums below, and check out our sneak preview of the full event here!
30 September – 3 October 2024
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THE event of the year for solutions-focused In-Destination Experience
creators and sellers
Don’t Miss Out! Get Your Ticket Today!
Ten Interactive Industry Forums and In-Depth Specialty Sessions to Finish Strong
Each of the sessions below will take place on the final day of Arival 360 | San Diego: Thursday, 3 October 2024. There will be two blocks of 90 minute sessions, so attendees will have the opportunity to join two of the sessions below. So when you’re booking your travel to attend Arival, make sure you are staying for Thursday until at least 1:00pm in order to participate in these sessions!
Culinary Experiences Operators Unite!
Join industry leaders and peers to share insights and collaborate on elevating your culinary experiences offerings, enhancing customer engagement, and driving revenue growth. Let’s get together and discuss topics including:
- How to Nurture Restaurant and other Vendor Relationships in an Increasingly Competitive Market
- Getting your tech stack in place to optimize your business
- Corporate and other Group Bookings
- Staffing
- Are you ready to open another location?
Watersports Industry Trends
Dive into the latest watersports industry trends with the Awkward Watersport Guys, Greg Fisher and Kevin O’Neil. This dynamic and in-depth session is packed with rapid-fire insights on the most pressing topics and trends shaping the watersports and boat tour industry today.
Engage in fast-paced, interactive discussions covering industry hot topics, each explored for 15-20 minutes. From innovations and market shifts to emerging challenges and operational issues, this session is perfect for watersport and boat tour professionals seeking a comprehensive overview. Join us for an informative, energetic conversation that promises to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.
Outdoor and Adventures: From Products to Experiences
Setting up a successful Outdoor Experience business takes more than an open storefront. This small-group, interactive session focuses on strategies to move from a simple product rental location or smallish tour operator to an experience leader.
Join Gray Rentz and Paula Weisenbeck from Polaris Adventures, a network of over 275 independent powersports rental operators from across the country. Learn about considerations for which product lines you offer to strategies to grow and nurture your business in the locations where you operate.
Ready to Scale Your Business?
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? In this deep-dive, interactive discussion, four seasoned entrepreneurs share the strategies that propelled their companies from single locations to thriving multi-site operations. From building scalable systems and selecting the right markets to leveraging CRM tools and understanding key financial metrics, this session will provide you with actionable insights on staffing, operational efficiency, and how to balance current operations with expansion. Whether you’re eyeing your first expansion or looking to optimize growth, this session offers the expert guidance you need.
Discussion Topics Include:
- Developing scalable staffing and SOPs
- Market selection and analysis for growth
- Balancing operational focus with expansion
- Effective marketing and CRM tools
- Key financial KPIs: Cash Flow, Gross Margin, NOI (Net Operating Income), EBITDA, and Working Capital
Join us for practical advice and real-world examples that will equip you with the knowledge and tools to scale your business effectively.
M&A: Buying or Selling? Everything You Need to Know About Buying or Selling a Tour Operation
Engage with experts and peers who have gone through the process to learn from their experiences through valuation, identifying potential buyers, and preparing for the transition.
Three veteran acquirers of tour and activity operators will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare your business for sale, how to work with potential buyers, and how to plan your exit.
Annual Strategic Planning Deep Dive
Join us for an engaging and insightful annual planning session designed specifically for small business owners, led by the experts from Cultivate Advisors. This session is crafted to equip you with the tools and strategies necessary to set your business up for success in the coming year. Our agenda includes:
- Planning Methodology: We’ll kick off the session by introducing a robust planning methodology. Learn how to systematically approach your annual planning process, ensuring that your goals are clear, achievable, and aligned with your long-term vision.
- Planning Framework: Dive deeper into the planning framework that will serve as the foundation of your strategic planning. We’ll guide you through the essential components of a solid plan, including setting objectives, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs), and allocating resources effectively.
- Collaboration and Next Steps: Conclude the session by exploring ways to foster collaboration within your team. We’ll discuss practical next steps to ensure that your plan is implemented smoothly and that all team members are aligned and motivated. Leave with a clear roadmap and actionable insights to drive your business forward.
Mastering Content Creation: DIY or Partnering with Creators
In today’s digital age, content is king. Join us for an insightful session designed to help business owners understand the power of content in their marketing strategy. Whether you’re looking to create your own content or partner with experienced creators, we’ve got you covered.
Discover the essentials of content creation for Instagram and TikTok first hand from more than ten travel content creators with a combined reach of over a million followers. The session will cover capturing authentic moments to producing engaging, shareable videos. Learn how to transform your tours and activities into captivating stories that resonate with your audience.
Not interested in doing it yourself? We’ll guide you on how to find and collaborate with the right content creators to amplify your brand’s reach and impact. Get practical tips on where to find creators, how to evaluate their work, and the best practices for successful partnerships.
During this hands-on session, you’ll engage in live content creation exercises, from interviews and b-roll to short vertical videos. Plus, dive into the world of influencer marketing and understand how to leverage influencers to enhance your brand’s visibility and credibility.
AI in Practice : A Hands-on AI Forum for Operators
Bring your laptop, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to dive into the world of AI. This extended workshop provides an immersive, hands-on experience where you will work directly with experienced professionals and experts in AI and tourism. Discover how to harness the power of AI to transform and improve your business operations today.
In this comprehensive AI workshop, we’ll review the full universe of AI tools and potential applications. You’ll then participate in a series of rotating mini-sessions, working in small groups to explore specific business areas where AI can be immediately applied. Topics covered will include:
- Using Gen AI for Product Listings: Enhance your product descriptions and listings with AI-generated content.
- Marketing with Gen AI: Create compelling marketing content using advanced AI tools.
- Leveraging AI for Multi-Modal Content: Utilize AI for generating and optimizing images, audio, and video.
- ChatBots & Customer Service: Implement AI-driven chatbots to improve customer service and engagement.
- AI for Internal Business Planning: Apply AI tools to streamline and optimize your business planning processes.
A Deep Dive into Advanced Pricing Strategies & Dynamic Pricing
In this session on dynamic pricing and advanced pricing strategy, you’ll work with leading experts in the market to gain a deeper understanding of dynamic pricing and how to refine your own strategy. Designed for larger operators in the tours, activities, events, and attractions space, this session will equip participants with both foundational knowledge and advanced techniques in pricing strategies that can dramatically improve their operational efficiency and profitability.
Making the Case for Meaningful Travel
Meaningful Travel isn’t just a “feel good” initiative—it’s a powerful business strategy that can redefine how tour operators and OTAs curate and deliver experiences. Join leaders from Tourism Cares, Visit Jordan, Wanderful, and the San Diego Tourism Authority for an engaging discussion, led by Arival’s Bruce Rosard. Explore how integrating sustainability, social impact, and support for underserved communities can align with the evolving demands of today’s conscious travelers, offering a competitive edge in the industry.
This session will make sustainability more approachable for tour operators and OTAs alike. Partnering with Tourism Cares, we’ve crafted this interactive discussion to ignite ideas on how you can be part of the Meaningful Travel movement. We’ll delve into raising awareness of responsible travel’s value to both destination communities and travelers. Join us to explore connecting buyers with impactful organizations and experiences, and learn how travel can change the world—one journey at a time.
Dig Deeper at Arival 360 | San Diego 2024
Join us at Arival 360 | San Diego to learn more about the latest trends and research insights in tours, activities and attractions. Level up your business with hands-on learning about everything from distribution and technology to marketing and pricing, and immersive experience design to innovations with AI. Make game-changing connections with leaders, peers, distributors and tech providers from the “Best Part of Travel”.
30 September – 3 October 2024
Insider Pro Access Members Save 20%
THE event of the year for solutions-focused In-Destination Experience
creators and sellers
Don’t Miss Out! Get Your Ticket Today!
We hope to see you there, and if you are joining us, make sure you plan to stay through at least 1pm on the Thursday to participate in the discussion groups that will be the most impactful for your business.
Become an Insider Pro Access member today and get access to the full library of Arival research, plus many other benefits such as free consulting sessions, special discounts and 20% off in-person events, starting from $179 per year.
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Header photo: Pexels / Case Originals
