Panels will focus on public policies needed to support tourism and major sporting events and the newest generation of travel tech innovators

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, announced the panel discussions they will hold at their second annual Policy and Innovation Showcase on Wednesday, May 7^th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the Cannon Caucus Room.  

“We are excited to offer two panel discussions at Travel Tech’s Policy & Innovation Showcase this year. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics on the horizon, we’ll discuss preparations for these events and how policymakers can support their success,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO. “Attendees will learn from our second panel about public policies needed to support travel tech start-ups.” 

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First Panel (5:10 to 5:30 pm):
“From Stadium to Stay: Building a Better Travel Experience to Support Mega Sports Events,” will examine the role of travel technology platforms in facilitating sports tourism, key lessons from prior global sporting events, the importance of having a variety of travel and lodging options and strategies to enhance visitor experiences while safeguarding consumers from fraud. Panelists include: 

• Becky Foley, Vice President and Head of Trust & Safety at Tripadvisor;  

• Meg Kane, CEO of the Philadelphia World Cup Host Committee, and  

• A representative from Airbnb, with  

• Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech as moderator. 

Second Panel (5:35 to 5:55 pm):
“Navigating the Unique Needs of Travel Tech Startups,” will focus on unique needs and challenges facing travel tech startups—from accessing capital to navigating the complex tax and regulatory landscapes. Panelists include:  

• Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp; 

• Branda Fan, Founder and CEO of Nowy, and 

• Cara Whitehill, Vice President at Thayer Investment Partners, with 

• Brandon Palumbo, Director of Policy and Government Relations of Travel Tech as moderator. 

Learn more about Travel Tech’s Policy & Innovation Showcase at https://traveltech.org/policy-innovation-showcase/