Join us Tuesday, November 10, 2026
for our Learn Tourism Virtual Symposium
If you care deeply about the places you represent and want to build tourism that is thoughtful, sustainable, and community-centered, this symposium was built for you.
Great tourism doesn’t just attract visitors, it takes care of place.
The Learn Tourism Virtual Symposium is a collaborative learning experience designed for tourism professionals who want to create stronger communities, more meaningful visitor experiences, and smarter tourism strategies that work in the real world. Throughout the day, you’ll explore virtual workshops focused on practical approaches to community sentiment, storytelling, visitor experience, and responsible tourism through engaging, action-oriented sessions led by experienced industry voices.
Make space to reflect, rethink, and walk away with strategies you can actually use, whether you’re leading a destination organization, supporting local businesses, managing visitor services, or helping shape the future of your community.
WHEN
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026
10 AM – 3 PM Eastern
7 AM – 12 Noon Pacific
WHERE
Zoom: Be sure to have earbuds, headphones, or a quiet space. Be prepared to be on camera.
How Much
$79 Live Workshop
$99 Live Workshop + Stewardship Guide + Recordings
What We’ll Learn Together
Workshop 1 Building Local Pride: How to Strengthen Community Sentiment Through Education
with Stephen Ekstrom
Learn how to turn residents into advocates by building stronger community connections. You’ll walk away with practical ways to improve local sentiment and create education strategies that actually work.
Workshop 2 Content Marketing and Storytelling that Makes a Real Impact
with Sarah Benoit
Discover how to create content that shows up in today’s evolving search landscape and actually drives action. You’ll leave with a simple framework to create meaningful, visible, and effective content.
Workshop 3 From Service to Stewardship: Rethinking the Visitor Experience
with Stephanie Emrich
Explore how to move beyond traditional customer service to create experiences that reflect and respect your community. Learn practical ways to align visitor experience with local values.
Workshop 4 What Does Responsible Tourism Actually Look Like?
Panel
Hear real-world perspectives on what’s working right now. This panel will share honest insights, practical examples, and ideas you can take back and test in your own destination.
Our Instructors
Stephen Ekstrom
CEO, Learn Tourism
Stephen Ekstrom is the embodiment of a passionate lifelong learner and a seasoned professional in the tourism industry, serving as the CEO and co-founder of Learn Tourism.
With over 25 years of experience, he has cultivated a deep understanding of tourism development and education, driven by his commitment to advancing the industry and fostering sustainable economies.
Stephen’s insatiable curiosity and love for knowledge have led him to be a proud nerd, constantly seeking to expand his expertise and share his insights with others.
Stephanie Leese Emrich
CEO, ServiceSpeaks Solutions
Stephanie Leese Emrich built her life’s mission at the intersection of hospitality, tourism, and organizational leadership.
As Founder & CEO of ServiceSpeaks Solutions, she consults with organizations across global tourism, manufacturing, retail, and cultural institutions while also training and certifying hundreds of Guest Service Professionals.
Her authorship includes content adopted worldwide, plus three books that advance service leadership. A TEDx Talk speaker, she delivers an approach that merges service excellence with sustainability and human connection.
Sarah D. Benoit
Lead Instructor, Learn Tourism
Sarah Benoit is a digital strategist, teacher, and speaker who loves glitter, smart people, and making tech talk make sense.
She has worked for over 2 decades as a digital marketing strategist, technology teacher, and public speaker.
Sarah brings clarity and fun to tech topics for tourism professionals and business leaders. She’s passionate about practical learning, creative thinking, and inspiring action.
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