I didn’t just attend a conference this week — I was in a room full of women actively discussing & rethinking the future of travel. Just wrapped the 2026 Women Leading Travel Forum in New Orleans, and it was hands down one of the best industry experiences I’ve had in a while. Listening, learning, networking, and engaging with many of the top female leaders in travel, I walked away with a few powerful reminders about leadership and how to show up as your best ‘you’.
Be Curious Make time to be curious. In the age of AI and constant change, it’s our job to learn, evolve, search, discover, and innovate around both the opportunities and challenges ahead. Remember every test, tweak, and “failed” attempt is data, and the leaders who keep asking questions and trying again (& again) are the ones who unlock the breakthroughs.
Be Connected Strength shows up in how we build community. Find the time to lift others up. Be present, accountable, and truly listen to your peers and your team. Your commitment to empowering others is what ultimately drives results.
Be Resilient The impact of COVID still shapes how many travel leaders & consumers think and behave – especially when booking travel. The best way to show resilience amid uncertainty is to stay flexible. Approach every situation with multiple paths forward, knowing not everything will work — and that’s okay.
Be Bold Own your confidence. Be courageous. As leaders, we shape the future of our careers, our brands, and our teams. You owe it to yourself to build and protect ‘your brand’. You owe it to your team to champion their success, knowing their growth fuels your own.
Ultimately, what gets us up every day is not the job, but the people we work with and the customers we serve. In travel, we’re helping to create memories and experiences for our guests and travelers.
You’ve probably heard all of this before, but it’s true: be present, be curious, be courageous, be resilient, and stay connected. Thank you, Skift and City of New Orleans, for hosting. Thanks to all the great conversations, ladies.
What’s one leadership muscle you’re most focused on building this year?
