Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism in Springfield
Annual Conference Features Discussions on Upcoming
Massachusetts 250 and FIFA Events, Presentation of Awards to Industry Leaders
SPRINGFIELD – The 2025 Massachusetts Governor’s
Conference on Travel & Tourism officially kicked off today at the
MassMutual Center in Springfield. This annual event brings together industry
leaders, tourism professionals, and state officials to celebrate the success of
Massachusetts’s tourism industry and explore strategies for future
growth.
This year’s conference program includes a dynamic lineup of
breakout sessions covering key topics such as experiential marketing, AI tools
for tourism, international visitor engagement, strategies for leveraging major
global events, and an update on the state’s Massachusetts 250 initiative commemorating
Massachusetts’ role in the founding of the country.
"With the historic milestones of the country’s 250th
anniversary on the horizon, many of which took place in Massachusetts, this is
a critical time for tourism leaders across the state to come together with
energy and purpose,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “By
working together, we're creating experiences that make people want to keep
coming back to Massachusetts again and again.”
The conference also includes a Massachusetts Office of
Travel and Tourism Awards Ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations
for their outstanding contributions to the state’s tourism industry.
“To our esteemed awardees, congratulations on your
exceptional service to the state,” said Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor
Kim Driscoll. “Your contributions are vital as we collaborate and share
ideas to strengthen Massachusetts's position as a top destination and create
lasting connections through our stories and experiences.”
Award recipients include:
- Diane
Burnette will receive the Larry D. Meehan Lifetime Achievement
Award for her nearly 30 years of leadership at the Johnny Appleseed
Visitors Center, positioning North Central Massachusetts as a premier
destination.
- Don
Packer will receive the Film Industry Achievement Award for his
decades-long career in film editing and his role in establishing the
Massachusetts Production Coalition.
- Dr.
Robert Krim will be honored with the Award of Appreciation for
his work in documenting Massachusetts’ innovation history and creating the
Innovation Trail.
- Suzanne
Taylor will receive the Revolutionary Achievement Award for her
work with the Freedom Trail® Foundation, preserving and promoting Boston’s
revolutionary history.
“The success of this event is a testament to the
collaborative spirit of the Massachusetts tourism community, and we are
particularly grateful to the City of Springfield for their outstanding
hospitality,” said Kate Fox, executive director at the Massachusetts Office
of Travel and Tourism. “As we look ahead, we are committed to strengthening
our marketing efforts and fostering teamwork to ensure that the Massachusetts
story resonates with all, welcoming both visitors and residents to be a part of
our shared success.”
The conference will continue on Wednesday, March 19 with an
opening plenary focused on Massachusetts’ tourism performance and future
outlook. Kate Fox, along with leaders from TripAdvisor and Massport, will
present a comprehensive update on 2023–2024 travel data, highlighting the
state’s recovery and growth. Massachusetts welcomed more than 52 million
visitors in 2023, generating $23.6 billion in visitor spending and supporting
over 154,000 jobs statewide.
A key focus will be the success and growth of the "Made
Possible" campaign, which highlights Massachusetts' unique stories and
destinations. The campaign has boosted visitor engagement and inspired more
exploration across the state.
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