
Capital City/Lake Murray Country’s 2025 Tourism Marketing Summit
Wednesday, February 5 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
$25.00Events

Website traffic dipping? Feeling lost or overwhelmed by Google’s big changes and AI integration? The 2025 Tourism Marketing Summit is here to provide attendees with the essential tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving digital environment. Join us for an exciting day of insights and inspiration at the Capital City/Lake Murray Country 2025 Tourism Marketing Summit. This event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and marketers to explore the latest strategies for enhancing your brand and connecting with today’s travelers. One thing that remains constant is change. As the digital landscape evolves before our eyes, you’ll learn how to navigate this new frontier of AI and SEO, gaining valuable insights into a world of continuous change.
This dynamic event is designed to help tourism partners elevate their marketing efforts, providing actionable takeaways, expert advice, meaningful discussions, and insights on how your brand can enhance the region’s appeal to visitors.
Registration Details:
Registration: $25 | Deadline: February 1 at 11:59 PM | REGISTER
Space is limited
Event Schedule:
8:15 – 8:55 AM: Sign-in & name badges
9:00 – 9:45 AM: Session 1: The Good, The Bad, & Real Truth About Marketing
9:45 – 10:00 AM: Break
10:00 – 10:45 AM: Session 2: The New Frontier of Search Engine Optimization
10:45 – 11:00 AM: Break
11:00 – 11:45 AM: McAlisters Boxed Lunch
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM: Session 3: Industry Leaders Roundtable and Q&A
Speakers:
Samie Worthington
Chief Marketing Officer | EMILY Revolutionary Marketing Group
Samie Worthington is the co-founder and driving force behind a dynamic boutique marketing agency that has been blazing trails for over 12 years. Leading a powerhouse team with her business partner, she partners with small businesses, state agencies, and federal contractors to craft bold, results-driven marketing strategies and intuitive campaigns. As a seasoned public speaker and workshop presenter, Samie thrives on teaching the ugly truth about marketing while inspiring brands to embrace innovation. Her mission is simple: deliver measurable impact with a creative edge.
Dan Flores
Head of Tourism | Satisfi Labs
With over 20 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Dan Flores is a distinguished leader known for driving innovation and delivering results. As Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, Dan leads
AI-powered initiatives that transform customer engagement, enhance operational efficiency and unlock new revenue opportunities for destinations, attractions, and tourism organizations. His expertise spans sales leadership, SaaS solutions, global tourism strategy, and the integration of AI into travel and tourism.
Agenda Highlights
Session 1: The Good, The Bad, & Real Truth About Marketing: Practical Marketing & Branding Tools for Real Results
Presenter: Samie Worthington, CMO of EMILY Revolutionary Marketing Group
Are you ready to hear the good, the bad, and the real truth about marketing and branding? This no-nonsense workshop is designed specifically for Tourism Marketing Partners who want to take their strategies to the next level. In this interactive and insightful session, we’ll dive into the essential elements of maintaining a strong, consistent brand while equipping you with the skills to build and refine buyer personas. From avoiding common branding pitfalls to leveraging SEO for better visibility, you’ll walk away with practical tools to enhance your marketing efforts.
In this interactive and insightful session, we’ll dive into the essential elements of maintaining a strong, consistent brand while equipping you with the skills to build and refine buyer personas that resonate. From avoiding common branding pitfalls to leveraging SEO for better visibility, you’ll walk away with practical tools to enhance your marketing efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to uncover the truth about what it takes to maintain and grow your brand in today’s dynamic tourism industry. Join us to transform your marketing strategies into a powerhouse of possibility!
Session 2: The New Frontier of Search Engine Optimization: How to Navigate Generative Search Optimization
Presenter – Dan Flores, Head of Tourism – Satisfi Labs
Stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge insights into Generative Search Optimization (SEO+AI=SGO). Dive into strategies for adapting to AI-driven search behaviors, optimizing your content for visibility, and leveraging technology to connect with visitors effectively. The rapid rise of generative AI is transforming search engine optimization (SEO) as we know it. This session will delve into the latest advancements in generative search optimization (GSO) and how they are reshaping traditional SEO strategies and web traffic patterns. Attendees will explore how AI-powered search features, such as generative search overlays, shift the focus from link-based results to synthesized answers, fundamentally altering how content is displayed and consumed. The discussion will cover what this transformation means for content strategy, digital visibility, and marketing efforts.
The session will also examine how businesses can adapt to potential reductions in direct web traffic by developing strategies that align with AI-driven search systems while still maintaining traditional SEO effectiveness. Real-world examples of brands successfully navigating this new landscape will provide actionable insights and practical approaches. Join this essential discussion to stay ahead of the curve, understand the evolving nature of search, and discover how to position your organization for success in the era of generative AI.
Session 3: Industry Leaders Roundtable and Q&A
Moderator: Susan O’Cain – Director of Operations, Capital City/Lake Murray Country
- Samie Worthington – CMO, EMILY Revolutionary Marketing Group
- Dan Flores – Head of Tourism, Satisfi Labs
- Micah Decker – VP of Marketing & Communications, Capital City/Lake Murray Country
- Kelly Barbrey – VP of Marketing & Communication, Experience Columbia
- Elizabeth East – Public Relations Strategist, City of Columbia
Gain valuable perspectives from a diverse panel of tourism and marketing experts. Engage in a fireside chat covering emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the tourism sector – including how your brand fits into the tapestry of the region as a whole. Make sure to stick around for the Q&A session at the end to address your burning questions.
Why Attend?
- Learn actionable strategies to strengthen your digital footprint.
- Network with industry peers and leaders.
- Stay informed about the latest trends in tourism marketing and technology.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your brand, improve your online presence, or gain insights from the best in the industry, the Tourism Marketing Summit is your key to establishing your brand’s authority in the digital landscape and elevating our region as a whole!