Summer Summit Speakers

July 29 - 31, 2026 | Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego, California

Summer Summit Program

Each year, we refine and elevate this invitation-only gathering. This year’s program brings an exceptional lineup of thought-provoking voices from both within and beyond the travel industry.

Keynote Speaker

Jim VandeHei is the co-founder and CEO of Axios, a media company focused on breaking news and invaluable insights across business, politics, technology and the world. Axios helps readers and viewers get smarter, faster across the consequential topics reshaping our country and lives. As CEO, VandeHei has steered Axios into becoming one of the most celebrated digital media success stories of the past decade.

VandeHei is the author of best-selling Just the Good Stuff where he shares lessons he’s learned from founding two successful media companies, and his tricks for thriving at work and in leadership. He also serves as the chairman of Axios HQ, a software company that helps organizations create essential communications. He was an executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning docu-news series, “Axios on HBO” and co-author of Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities, VandeHei combines frontline political reporting experience with entrepreneurial expertise to deliver candid perspectives on politics, AI, business, and the future.

Diane Swonk, Chief Economist, KPMG and CEO of DS Economics, is one of the world’s most respected and widely quoted economists, frequently called upon by policy makers and business leaders. She brings more than 30 years of financial services experience. Swonk serves on advisory committees to the Federal Reserve Board and its regional banks, and she is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce economic advisory board.

She has advised the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) under three presidents and completed the maximum two terms on the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) panel of economic advisers. Recognized as one of the 100 most influential economists in the world for her analysis of the pandemic’s economic impact. She was also named a fellow by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) for her outstanding contributions to the field of business economics. Swonk continues to dedicate much of her time to improving the quality and timeliness of economic data, a critical aspect of effective policy making.

Summit Speaker Lineup

The program will feature an exceptional slate of industry leaders, visionary thinkers, and respected voices driving innovation and impact. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.