A Story to Share
A memorable presentation doesn't end when the lights come up. Instead, it is only the beginning of a conversation.
Whether speaking to audiences from the stage, in workshop settings, or on podcasts or radio shows, I encourage listeners to think deeply and ask questions. They walk away thinking about the experience and eager to continue the conversation — ready to take action long after my words have faded away.
An award-winning public speaker, I love to share my areas of professional experience and personal passion with other people. I've led conference sessions, participated in panel discussions, held workshops in professional and academic settings, and offered expertise as a guest on several podcasts and radio shows.
Themes and Topics
- Sustainable travel (trade or consumer focus)
- Responsible storytelling for destinations / DMOs
- Responsible travel writing
- Celebrating women / local communities through storytelling
- Tourism as a tool to elevate and amplify women
- Amplifying community-based solutions in a global-focused world
- Trail tourism
- Asking "why not?" (a entrepreneurial session)
- Applying Peace Corps experience to the "real world"
- Pitching media / selling your story to writers
Highlights from prior speaking engagements include:
- Keynote Presentations, Workshops, and Session Speaking:
- American Society of Journalists and Authors Annual Conference
- Adventure Tourism Week, Visit Scotland + Wild Scotland
- London Travel Week, World Travel Mart
- Global Green Destination Days 2020
- Luxury Travel Expo
- Nevada Commission on Tourism's Rural Roundup
- International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association Annual Conference
- Las Vegas Writers' Conference
- Las Vegas Society of Children's Writers and Book Illustrators
- Kirvin Doak Communications
- Public Relations Society of America - Las Vegas Chapter
- Panelist:
- International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum
- Africa Travel Week
- Washington State University Edward R. Murrow Symposium
- University of Florida Sustainable Tourism Panel
- Global Travel Meet
- Young Leaders Conference | Luxury Travel Expo
- Peace Corps Ukraine Close of Service Conference
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas International Education Week
- Public Relations Society of America - Las Vegas Chapter
- Audio:
- The Altruistic Traveller Podcast: Reshaping the Tourism Narrative to Promote Equality & Diversity
- Soul of Travel: Storytelling and Sustainable Tourism
- No Ordinary Adventure: Getting "Rooted" in Regenerative Travel
- Travel Writing World
- Destination on the Left: Sustainability Through Storytelling
- CATALYST Travel and Purpose: Hearing the Stories of Israel and Palestine
- World Nomads Podcast: A New Travel Mindset
- The Thoughtful Traveller Podcast: Early Trips of Experienced Travellers
- The Thoughtful Traveller Podcast: Unusual Ways to Meet Locals
- KNPR Radio: State of Nevada
"JoAnna hosted an inspiring workshop on storytelling at Green Destinations’ conference on sustainable tourism practices. In a time of virtual conferences overload, JoAnna managed to captivate the audience and keep their attention to the end. Moreover, JoAnna elegantly pointed everyone’s attention to those questions tourism professionals often avoid by showing the hidden potential and direction when talking, showing, and promoting the world we share. I am truly grateful for the cooperation."
Dikte Gronvold
Events Team, Green Destinations
"JoAnna brought professionalism and personality to our panel which addressed undergraduate students on sustainable tourism practices as they relate to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her specific and relevant case studies made the concepts concrete, and I really valued her passion that ignited college students in our challenging online environment. I am grateful to have had her expertise!"
Amy Brown
Graduate Assistant, Challenge 2050 Project, University of Florida
Your Turn
Are you a podcast producer, event organizer, or workshop facilitator? I'd love to speak to your audience! Let's talk about how to make that a reality.