2026 TravelAbility Tampa Provisional Agenda

A milestone study of more than 30,000 trips by Longwoods International, TravelAbility, and the Destination A11Y Club provides a detailed look at how accessibility drives travel behavior. Attendees will gain data-driven insights to inform strategy, marketing, and accessibility investment decisions.

Accessibility is an increasingly important opportunity for destinations, but knowing where to invest and how to demonstrate the return can be challenging. This session brings together DMOs to share how they are making the business case for accessibility, reaching travelers with access needs, and measuring the impact of their efforts. Expect practical examples, real-world results, and a candid conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and where destinations should focus next.

You already know how to tell a story and connect with an audience. But how do you turn that into a keynote speaking career? In this creator-focused session, experienced disability keynote speaker Kristy Durso will break down what it takes to position yourself as a speaker, develop a compelling keynote, get in front of the right event organizers, and turn speaking opportunities into paid work. She’ll share practical lessons from her own experience, including how to package your story, promote yourself, navigate speaker fees, and build a reputation that leads to more bookings.

As destinations compete to attract sporting events, disability sport represents an important opportunity, from Paralympians to youth and amateur sports. This session explores what it takes to successfully host adapted sports and build destinations that welcome athletes, fans, and their families.

Drawing on 12 years of experience as a grant funder, founder, and applicant, Bevon shares how AI-driven platforms can streamline the grant process by matching DMOs with the right funding, writers, and consultants.

Learn proven grant-writing strategies and best practices from a national expert who has successfully secured funding for UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and tourism initiatives.

Mountain destinations are finding opportunities to make outdoor recreation more accessible in every season. While adaptive ski programs have helped open the slopes to more travelers, destinations are also expanding accessible experiences beyond winter through adaptive mountain biking, kayaking, accessible trail networks, and other outdoor activities. This session will look at how partnerships between destinations and adaptive sports organizations can strengthen both winter and year-round tourism. Visit Mammoth Lakes and Access Mammoth will share how they are working together to expand accessible experiences, while Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports will highlight the economic impact of adaptive skiing, including more than $10.3 million in annual economic activity generated through its programs and initiatives.

Join economic development officials for a strategic conversation about the viability of accessibility improvement grants for local destinations and the funding opportunities communities may be missing.

Blind and Deaf hiking duo Christy Vanek and Luce Martin will present findings from their accessibility research project conducted on their 103-mile hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc across Italy, Switzerland, and France. The project tested assistive technologies and wayfinding tools for blind / low vision and Deaf travelers in real-world trail conditions, including physical and digital navigation systems. The session will share insights from the expedition and practical guidance for destinations on inclusive navigation & outdoor space design across a range of disabilities.

Exploring funding opportunities from government, philanthropy, and micro-grants that drive accessibility improvements.

Successful Partnerships Between Creators and Destinations: This session breaks down the strategies and partnership models that allow creators and DMOs to work together successfully, with a focus on accessibility, measurable outcomes, and long-term collaboration. It looks at how creators and destinations can align goals, establish clear expectations, integrate accessibility, and build partnerships that extend beyond one-off campaigns.

What Do Disabled Travelers Want: A live, conversational panel where disabled travelers share directly what they need, expect, and prioritize across the travel experience. This session creates space for candid Q&A on real-world barriers, decision-making factors, and what meaningfully improves confidence and comfort when traveling.

A working session for the companies that hold the booking. TravelAbility and FORA are bringing together a small group of airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and platforms to work on accessibility as a growth problem rather than a compliance one. The session focuses on the information and operational issues that can affect the transaction and what companies can do to address them.

A fast-paced showcase highlighting practical solutions and creativity in travel accessibility. Selected members of the Destination A11Y Club share their top innovative initiatives, demonstrating real-world applications and strategies that elevate accessibility across different destinations.

As the population ages, more travelers are navigating mobility limitations, chronic health conditions, sensory impairments, and other accessibility needs. Yet these travelers remain highly engaged in leisure travel and increasingly seek meaningful experiences, including destination-based events and adventure travel. AARP's 2026 Travel Trends study and new research from Humantel on event and adventure-based travel explores how they plan trips, navigate barriers, and seek meaningful experiences. Attendees will gain insights into opportunities for creating more accessible, inclusive, and traveler-centered experiences among the 50-plus.

Senior travelers are an increasingly important part of the travel market, but their needs and expectations can vary widely. This panel brings together senior travelers and industry voices to discuss what makes travel easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable, from transportation and accommodations to attractions, information, and the overall travel experience.

A case study from Gray Media’s Aging Untold, a talk show focused on the experiences and interests of the baby boomer market. The session explores how this media platform can help marketers better understand and reach older travelers and shape campaigns that resonate with them.

Kristy Durso shares insights from planning and participating in a fully accessible wedding, offering a practical look at the realities of making a major life event inclusive. This firsthand experience is now informing a new model for inclusive weddings designed to ensure accessibility for every guest and participant.

Meet the new AI assistant for the Accessibility Playbook and learn how it can be used for everything from site assessments to marketing strategy.

A destination's landing page is often one of the first places travelers go when researching a trip. For disabled travelers, having clear, specific accessibility information can make the difference between considering a destination and moving on. This creator and destination leader panel will look at what disabled travelers are actually looking for online and how destinations are evolving their landing pages to provide more useful, actionable accessibility information.

Progress in accessibility doesn't hinge on financial resources or endless hours. This session explores creative, zero-cost strategies designed for teams working with limited time and resources, showing how resourcefulness can help move accessibility work forward.

From sensory-friendly rooms to adaptive furniture and more flexible service models, this session explores how the next generation of lodging is evolving. Featuring a panel of hotel leaders, the discussion will highlight real-world approaches to improving guest experience, operational considerations, and where the industry is heading as expectations around accessibility continue to grow.