The US Travel Association convened its fourth annual Future of Travel Mobility conference at Union Station in Washington on Wednesday. This event brought together executives from the travel industry, government representatives, business leaders, and public policy specialists to engage in essential discussions regarding the future of travel and transportation. This gathering occurs as the United States prepares for a significant decade of sports, positioning the nation prominently on the global stage.
Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the US Travel Association, remarked, “This is a pivotal opportunity before us, a decade filled with sporting events that will establish the U.S. as the premier destination.” He emphasized the necessity for our systems and processes to adapt to the increasing demand, stating, “To achieve this, we require not only innovative ideas but also a sense of urgency and decisive action.”
In a special preview, the US Travel’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel provided insights into their forthcoming report, which will outline recommendations aimed at revolutionizing the future of travel. Commission members, including Jeff Bleich, former US Ambassador to Australia; Patty Cogswell, former Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration; and Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, emphasized the significance of their mission to modernize, streamline, and enhance the travel experience from Point A to Point B, all while reinforcing national security.
Tori Emerson Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy at the U.S. Travel Association, emphasized the importance of prioritizing travel growth and enhancing the overall experience. “It is imperative that we focus on becoming the most visited country globally, and collaboration with the government—particularly with President Trump and the new Congress—is crucial to achieving our goal of providing the best travel experience in the world.”
Participants had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge travel technologies at the Future of Travel Mobility Innovation Hub. This engaging and interactive exhibition showcased innovative technologies, products, and services that are currently transforming the travel industry and will continue to shape future travel experiences.
More than two dozen speakers from both the private and public sectors included:
- Denver International Airport
Phillip A. Washington, Chief Executive Officer
- Enterprise
Mike Filomena, Vice President, Global Government & Public Affairs
- Expedia
Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer
- FIFA World Cup 2026
Amy Hopfinger, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer
- Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security
The Hon. Kevin McAleenan
- Former Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
The Hon. Patricia Cogswell
- Former U.S. Ambassador to Australia
The Hon. Jeff Bleich
- House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Congresswoman Kat Cammack, FL-03
- Miami-Dade Aviation Department
Ralph Cutié, Director and Chief Executive Officer
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Office of Future Mobility and Electrification
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The Hon. David Pekoske, Administrator
- Uber
Dara Khosrowshahi, Chief Executive Officer
- United Airlines
Linda Jojo, Chief Customer Officer
- US Department of State
The Hon. Richard R. Verma, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources
- US Olympic and Paralympic Committee
David Francis, Senior Government Affairs Director
- Visit Phoenix
Ron Price, President and Chief Executive Officer
- Visit Seattle
Tammy Blount-Canavan, President and Chief Executive Officer
- Waymo
David Quinalty, Head of Federal Policy and Government Affairs
Freeman remarked, “This exceptional assembly of speakers highlighted some of the most brilliant thinkers in the fields of policy and innovation. U.S. Travel was privileged to bring together this group to further our vision of influencing the future of travel and to instigate a sense of urgency necessary for enhancing the competitiveness of the United States.”
