produced by This Is Beyond

NOVEMBER 2025
NEW ORLEANS

OPEN HOUSE
BY SET

Let’s set the scene: the first biz day in NOLA kicks off with a sazerac in hand, flowing between epic thought leadership sessions and relaxed networking with the who’s-who of the entertainment and travel industries.

OPEN HOUSE BY SET — WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER — 11:00-16:00 — OPEN HOUSE BY SET — WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER — 11:00-16:00 — OPEN HOUSE BY SET — WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER — 11:00-16:00 — OPEN HOUSE BY SET — WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER — 11:00-16:00 — OPEN HOUSE BY SET — WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER — 11:00-16:00 — OPEN HOUSE BY SET — WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER — 11:00-16:00 — OPEN HOUSE BY SET — WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER — 11:00-16:00 —

01.
SET
SESSIONS

We had a lineup of killer thought leadership sessions this year. The SET crew dove into insights from tour managers, explored sports collaborations, international productions, the future of entertainment culture — and much, much more.

A SEA OF SAMENESS:

Charting the Future of Entertainment Culture

Blame it on globalisation, TikTok, or meme culture — whatever the culprit, our entertainment tastes are narrowing. We consume the same Insta-friendly music, watch what we’re told, and visit the destinations TikTok suggests. We queue for identical Instagram shots, blending in with the herd.

But what impact is this ‘tyranny of the algorithm’ having on the industry? Enter James Kirkham, CEO & Founder of ICONIC, a 24-year entertainment veteran in sports, music, and digital strategy. In this high-energy keynote, James explored the ‘sea of sameness’ in entertainment, future trends, and opportunities for pros to stand out and engage audiences as they navigate this brave new world.

With James Kirkham, CEO & Founder, ICONIC
In Partnership With West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board

WITH THE BAND:

Ask the Tour Managers Anything

We asked, and you answered — sharing your top challenges when navigating global music tours, from managing client expectations to budgeting and sourcing operators. Industry-wide, we know people are keen to deepen their understanding of touring and tour management — and who better to push forward this new narrative than the key players themselves?

This session aimed to give attendees a clear picture of how touring pros operate, what drives their decisions, and the hurdles they face when working with the travel industry. A panel of experienced tour managers, agents, and hotels dove into topics like client and hotel expectations, budgeting, future projections, market trends, and more, with plenty of time for Q&A.

With Marty Hom, Tour Director; Casey Elisha, Tour Manager & Author; Thomas O'Keefe, Tour Manager & Author; and Ramey Shippen, Owner, RSS Travel | Moderated by Courtney Rousso, Tour Advance

THE INSIDE TRACK:

Navigating the Sports Industry

This session explored the intricate relationship between the sports and travel industries, focusing on the unique challenges faced by sports agents and teams. From securing last-minute bookings to ensuring privacy and meeting specific dietary and fitness needs, our expert panel broke down the complexities of sports travel.

We also covered the importance of aligning travel with the sporting calendar, from major events to international tournaments, where reliable transportation and specialised accommodations are critical. The SET crew learnt how sports travel is booked, deals get signed, and key contract terms — leaving them with insights and strategies to succeed in this fast-paced industry.

With Greg Stephens, Senior VP of Travel and Sports Development, PIVOT Agency; Tamara Dadd, CEO, Nashville Kats; and Lynn Vandenberg, NBC Sunday Night Football & NFL’s Green Bay Packers | Moderated by Clarisse Castan, Founder, Ginger and Limón

TRAVEL AI:

Hype or Helpful?

Expectations are (quite literally) sky high for how GenAI and LLM based solutions can deliver significant value in the travel industry — but to what end, and what are some of the tangible examples of AI delivering real benefits for travellers and the industry itself?

This panel session dug deep into AI, uncovering real success stories — and failures — in this exciting area, giving the SET crew a better understanding of what to expect from the AI travel revolution in 2025 and beyond.

With Riccardo Vittoria, Co-Founder & CEO, Acai Travel; Anna Jaffe, CEO, Mobi; and Anthony Rader, Director, Airline Retailing Technology, American Airlines | Moderated by Connie Rheams, Advisor, Mobi.AI

THE POWER PLAY:

How Gaming Can Recapture Diminishing Consumer Attention Spans

This session dove into the shrinking attention spans of today's consumers — what’s driving the decline, how it's impacting marketers' ability to engage effectively, and why gaming is the game-changer they need. Mike Ribero offered eye-opening insights and real-world proof points that got the SET crew thinking.

The SET crew walked away with practical strategies to integrate gaming into their marketing plans, from engagement to loyalty, and discovered how this fast-evolving space can make a real difference.

With Mike Ribero, CEO, Reach

BEHIND THE STREAMS:

Navigating Production in the Evolving Entertainment Landscape

The entertainment industry has seen significant shifts in recent years, driven by global events, tech advancements, and evolving consumer preferences. From pandemics and strikes to the rise of streaming and AI, these changes have created both challenges and opportunities, especially in location selection and production approaches.

As we move into 2025 and beyond, staying ahead of these trends is key to turning challenges into opportunities. Former Director of Global Production Strategy & Operations at Netflix, Sophie Taitt, shared practical insights from a studio, streamer, and producer’s perspective to help navigate location selection and production strategies more effectively.

With Sophie Taitt, Consultant, Advisor & Speaker, Taitt Media

CALM IN CHAOS:

Managing Stress in the Entertainment Industry

The SET crew joined us for an insightful workshop that delved into the biological, psychological, social, and occupational stressors faced by touring pros in the entertainment industry. From the exhilaration of live performances and media events to the challenges of frequent travel and high-stakes environments — sound familiar? — we explored how industry pressures can impact wellbeing, and strategies to cope.

This vital workshop equipped the SET crew with the knowledge and tools to mitigate stress and maintain balance in their professional life while out on the open road.

With Dr. K. Toi Washington-Simon, Music Industry Therapist and Founder, Together with Toi

02.
TOP-TIER
ENTERTAINMENT AND F&B

Open House offers a NOLA-inspired spread of F&B to feast on while enjoying live music and soaking up the electric atmosphere — the perfect place to get a taste of the impeccable entertainment vibes ahead.

03.
NETWORK
LIKE A ROCKSTAR

Open House is where the SET crowd first connects with fellow industry hotshots, working the room like seasoned pros and setting the stage for an unforgettable few days on SET.