The U.S. Travel Association recently convened its fourth annual Future of Travel Mobility conference at Union Station in Washington, D.C. The event brought together a diverse group of participants including industry leaders, government figures, business executives, and experts in public policy. They gathered to discuss pivotal developments in travel and transportation, particularly in light of the upcoming decade of major sporting events that will place the United States in the global spotlight.

“It’s the opportunity right in front of us, a decade of sporting events that will make the U.S. the most sought-after destination,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of U.S. Travel Association. “It’s more important than ever for our systems and processes to keep pace with demand and to do that, we don’t just need ideas, we need urgency and action.”  

The conference emphasized the critical need to enhance the travel process by making security measures more efficient and improving overall customer experiences. This includes the integration of advanced technologies such as biometrics, AI-driven systems, and sophisticated screening processes.

During an exclusive session, the U.S. Travel’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel provided a sneak peek at their forthcoming report, which offers recommendations aimed at reshaping the future of travel. Prominent commission members including Jeff Bleich, former U.S. Ambassador to Australia; Patty Cogswell, former Deputy Administrator at the Transportation Security Administration; and Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, discussed the vital goal of enhancing how travelers navigate from one location to another while strengthening national security.

“Growing travel and enhancing the experience should be a national priority,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Policy, of U.S. Travel Association as she took the stage. “We have an opportunity to become the most visited nation in the world and government partnership – with President Trump and the new Congress — is essential for realizing the vision to create the greatest traveler experience worldwide.”

The event also featured the Future of Travel Mobility Innovation Hub, an engaging and interactive display where attendees could explore cutting-edge travel technologies. This showcase demonstrated the innovative products and services that are currently transforming the travel industry and influencing future travel experiences.

The conference hosted over two dozen distinguished speakers from various sectors, including:

• Phillip A. Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport
• Mike Filomena, Vice President of Global Government & Public Affairs at Enterprise
• Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer at Expedia
• Amy Hopfinger, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at FIFA World Cup 2026
• Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security
• Patricia Cogswell, former Deputy Administrator at the Transportation Security Administration
• Jeff Bleich, former U.S. Ambassador to Australia
• Congresswoman Kat Cammack of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Ralph Cutié, Director and CEO of Miami-Dade Aviation Department
• Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer at Michigan Economic Development Corporation
• David Pekoske, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
• Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber
• Linda Jojo, Chief Customer Officer at United Airlines
• Richard R. Verma, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources
• David Francis, Senior Government Affairs Director at U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee
• Ron Price, President and CEO of Visit Phoenix
• Tammy Blount-Canavan, President and CEO of Visit Seattle
• David Quinalty, Head of Federal Policy and Government Affairs at Waymo

“This outstanding lineup of speakers showcased some of the most brilliant minds in policy and innovation,” said Freeman. “U.S. Travel was honored to convene this group to advance our vision of shaping the future of travel and creating a call to action for the sense of urgency we need to make the U.S. as competitive as we need to be.”

Additionally, American Express was recognized as the official card and title sponsor for the event.

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