Mark Ezell
Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Mark Ezell is the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, where he spearheads the state's global tourism strategy. Since joining the agency in 2019, Mark has led national campaigns that position Tennessee as a world-class destination while driving long-term economic growth through revenue and job creation.
Under his leadership, Tennessee has seen historic growth in visitor spending. In 2024 alone, the state generated $31.66 billion in visitor spending, a 3.3% increase from the previous year. Over the past seven years, visitor spending has increased 35.5%, more than double the national average of 16.7%.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development works to inspire travel to and within Tennessee, strengthening local economies and enriching communities through tourism.
Bill Geist
Chief Instigator, DMOproz
Bill Geist is Chief Instigator of DMOproz, a consulting firm specializing in destination marketing organization (DMO) leadership. With more than 30 years of experience, he has advised clients from Alaska to Belize on strategies that elevate visibility, strengthen leadership, and improve community advocacy for tourism.
Bill is the author of Destination Leadership and Destination Leadership for Boards. He also hosts DMOU, a monthly industry podcast featuring conversations with leading voices in destination marketing. His expertise underscores the measurable impact of sustained marketing efforts and highlights the critical role of local advocates in securing resources and championing the value of tourism.
DMOproz partners with DMOs worldwide to strengthen leadership practices and ensure communities thrive through tourism visibility, investment, and engagement.
Beth Santos
Founder & CEO, Wanderful
Beth Santos is the Founder and CEO of Wanderful, an international collective of travelers and travel content creators dedicated to making travel better for all women. An entrepreneur and community builder, Beth is passionate about transforming how women experience the world.
She created the WITS Travel Creator Summit, a leading event for women and gender-diverse travel creators, and founded Wanderfest, the first major outdoor travel festival designed by and for women. Beth also established the annual Bessie Awards, which recognized women making an impact in the travel industry.
Through Wanderful, Beth continues to empower travelers, foster inclusivity, and build global connections that transform the travel experience for women everywhere.
