Like a flock of Canadian Geese converging on America’s capital, the tours, activities and attractions sector is getting ready to converge on Washington, DC.
And this year’s event is more than just a conference — we have several events happening during the week in addition to the main event, including the AI Forum for Destination Experiences, The Future of Experiences: Executive Summit and a special multi-day tours track. It’s the ultimate gathering for tour, activity and attraction operators and other experiences industry professionals looking to navigate uncertain times and stay ahead in this ever-changing industry.
So what’s the deal with all the events happening, which one(s) should you register for, and what are we most looking forward to? Here’s an insider’s guide to what to expect, and some of the speakers and sessions we’re most excited about (including video convos with some of our featured speakers!)
Arival in Washington, DC — Three+ Events in One
One week, three events — you can join one or all three, it is choose-your-own-adventure. Just note you need to register for each event individually when you get your ticket (combo tickets are available if you want to attend more than one).
Arival 360 | Washington, DC
This is the flagship conference you know and love, with a few key additions, including the Multi-Day Track with programming specifically for multi-day tour operators (more on this below), and the Arival & TourReview Spotlight Awards.
The AI Forum for Destination Experiences
While AI has been a key part of Arival programming for years, this forum will take things to the next level. Designed for the leaders, innovators, and decision-makers driving AI adoption for destination experiences, we’ll go beyond big ideas into deep learning.
More on this below — skip to the AI Forum.
The Future of Experiences: Executive Summit
New this year, this private, invite-only event is designed to bring together 150 leaders to assemble in a time of global uncertainty and rapid change, explore ideas and shape the future of the destination experiences industry. Request your invite here.
More on this below — skip to the Executive Summit.
The Flagship Event: Arival 360 | Washington, DC
2025 has brought with it a lot of uncertainty and change, and we’ve designed this year’s programming to help operators address the most pressing issues. We’ll hear from Arival’s CEO, Douglas Quinby, on how to navigate the growing uncertainty with insights from Arival’s proprietary research on the experiences traveler and the Global Operator Landscape, learn the latest on how to get found online in the age of AI overviews with Propellic CEO Brennen Bliss, explore how storytelling can save us all in an era of cultural tension and growing polarization with Akila McConnell, founder of Unexpected Tours and Training, and so much more.
We’ll also offer an array of in-depth practical workshops and breakout sessions on topics ranging from pricing strategy to experience design to mastering OTAs, and networking events designed to help you connect with your peers and potential partners. Here are a few more things we’re most excited about:
Preparing for the Future of The Experience Economy
The way travelers choose experiences is always changing, and one thing that stands out is a growing hunger for experiences that go beyond simply “things to do.” So this year, we’ve invited a renowned visionary in the business world — the person who literally wrote the book on The Experience Economy — to set the scene as our keynote speaker.
Joe Pine, co-author of the aforementioned book and the forthcoming book entitled The Transformation Economy, will show how tours, activities, and attractions can evolve from simply providing experiences to guiding personal transformations — helping travelers achieve aspirations, learn something new, or change in some meaningful way. For creators of experiences, this is the next big shift, and the key to escaping the tour commoditization trap. From walking tours to immersive attractions, operators must rethink the value they create — not just as entertainment, but as a path to something deeper.
Here’s a preview from a conversation I had recently with keynote speaker Joe Pine:
Bringing Multi-Day Tours Into the Fold
Until now, Arival has typically focused on day tours, activities and attractions, but we believe the time is right to bring multi-day tours into the fold. We know many Arival attendees are already offering multi-day options, but we believe adding a specific track for multi-day tours will be beneficial to returning attendees as well as open up Arival to a whole new audience, offering attendees even more opportunities to learn from one another.
The Multi-Day Tour Track will be MC’d by Dan Christian, host of the Travel Trends podcast, and will feature key speakers from leading OTAs, travel tech companies, and top multi-day brands, bringing together the people, platforms, and insights to help operators cut through the complexity of the multi-day sector — so you can grow smarter, scale faster, and deliver unforgettable guest experiences.
Here’s a preview from a conversation I had recently with one of the Multi-Day Track’s key speakers, TourRadar CEO Travis Pittman:
Learn more about the Multi-Day Track at Arival 360 | Washington, DC here!
Putting the Experiences Sector’s Top Leaders in the Hot Seat: Airbnb and GetYourGuide and Viator, oh my!
One of the best things about Arival is how we’re able to bring leaders together from across the sector — and directly ask them the questions we all want to have answered.
This year we’re excited to have in-depth interviews with top leaders from Airbnb, GetYourGuide and Viator all on the main stage, including Airbnb’s Global Head of Experiences Doug Weiss, Co-Founder and COO of GetYourGuide, Tao Tao, and a special extended Lunch & Learn session with the newly appointed president of Viator, Pepijn Rijvers.
Here’s a preview from a conversation I had recently with Viator’s new president:
30 September – 3 October 2025
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THE event of the year for solutions-focused In-Destination Experience creators and sellers
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Going Deeper: The AI Forum For Destination Experiences
While AI has been a key part of Arival programming for years, this year we’re taking things to the next level. We’ve assembled a team of leaders at the forefront of AI in experiences to put on this forum, including (in no particular order):
- Janette Roush, Chief AI Officer at Brand USA
- Christian Watts, Founder and CEO of Magpie Travel
- Tony Carne, Founder of the Everything AI in Travel podcast and newsletter
- Tahnee Perry, AI Advisor and Founder of AI Strategy company A25
- Dan Christian, Founder and Host of the Travel Trends podcast
- Joshua Ryan-Saha, Director of Tourism, Travel(tech) and Festivals at the Edinburgh Futures Institute
- C.A. Clark, VP of AI at Miles Partnership
- Alex Bainbridge, CEO of Autoura
- Michael Zeisser, Managing Partner at FMZ Ventures
- And so many more! See the full list of speakers and a detailed agenda here.
The forum is designed to take you beyond talk, going deep into the practical uses of AI, through visionary keynotes, spirited debates, hands-on labs, and real-world demos. Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or have been experimenting with it from day one, you’ll gain practical insights and tools to build an actionable AI strategy for your business.
Here’s a preview from a conversation I had recently with one of the AI Forum’s key organizers and speakers, Janette Roush (note: you can watch / listen to the full conversation on the Best Part of Travel podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts!):
Shaping the Future: The Executive Summit
This private, invite-only event brings together the top leaders and brightest minds in experiences to shape the future of our sector. For one focused, high-impact day, the Executive Summit will explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing destination experiences executives. We combine thought leadership, strategic insights, and peer-driven discussions to tackle issues head-on.
Taking place just before Arival 360 | Washington, DC, the summit will feature sessions led by:
- Erik Blachford, Expedia’s former CEO, boardroom powerhouse, and early-stage investor in some of travel’s most transformative startups will bring decades of insight to a look at the megatrends reshaping how people live, move—and travel. From AI to climate, global realignment to shifting demographics, Blatchford will provide an essential briefing for leaders navigating what’s next.
- Douglas Quinby, Arival’s CEO and Co-Founder will lead a session on creating the future of experiences, taking a candid look at the critical challenges, questions and opportunities before the travel experiences sector in 2025 and beyond.
- Travel Industry Visionaries and Investors will share forward-looking perspectives on trends and innovations shaping the future of travel and experiences with a panel discussion following Blatchford’s talk. Join Joe Pine, co-author of the legendary book, The Experience Economy and author of the forthcoming book, The Transformation Economy, and leading travel industry investors Kara Whitehill (Thayer Ventures) and Gilad Berenstein (Brook Bay Capital)
- Stone Mantel, The Experience Strategy Company, will facilitate dynamic group discussions and collaborative sessions among the 150 top industry executives attending.
- And so much more! See the full program and request an invitation here.
Expect open dialogue, actionable knowledge sharing, and meaningful connections with peers and thought leaders, complemented by structured sessions, informal conversations, and exceptional food and drinks.
Don’t Miss Out—Join Us in Washington, DC, National Harbor!
Arival 360 | Washington, DC is the must-attend event for tour, activity, and attraction operators. Whether you’re joining for the main event, the AI Forum, the Executive Summit, or all three, we guarantee you’ll walk away with industry-leading insights, actionable strategies, and a network of peers and partners who will help drive your success in 2026 and beyond.
Secure your spot today and be part of the future of travel experiences!
30 September – 3 October 2025
Insider Pro Access Members Save 20%
THE event of the year for solutions-focused In-Destination Experience creators and sellers
Get Your Summer Season Ticket Through 29 July!
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.
Header photo: Pexels / Samad Ismayilov
