With his extensive knowledge of tax codes combined with strong accounting skills, CEO William “Bill” J. Caldwell is able to help clients realize their dreams. Recognizing his generalist approach to accounting as an asset to small business entrepreneurs, he opened the doors to Caldwell CPAs in 2002 and in 2016, he created a department within the firm that focuses on the travel and tourism industry. In 2024, to bring greater resources to his clients, Caldwell CPAs joined the Platform Accounting Group, operating under the Compass US Accountants & Advisors brand.  Bill is a sought-after speaker, having presented at ABA, SYTA, NTA, ITMI, IATDG, local ASTA chapters and local guide associations. Travel is a passion of Bill’s, having traveled to many countries across the globe. One of Bill’s favorite activities is planning his next trip!

Lisa Curtin has 20-plus years of experience in the tourism industry, holding senior management roles in operations and sales. In her tenure with ET- Educational Tours and Brightspark Travel US, Lisa and her team were responsible for the operation of all tours, including contracting with suppliers. Lisa changed the course of her career in 2016, joining Caldwell CPAs as chief operations officer. In her tenure at Caldwell CPAs, Lisa has added her knowledge of the tour industry to the firm’s knowledge of taxation and combined the two to serve the tourism industry. Caldwell CPAs is now known as Compass US Accountants & Advisors. Lisa consults to the tourism industry, having presented at numerous industry conferences. 

Danny Guerrero, CEO and founder of The Culturist Group, is a pioneer in inclusive and multicultural travel marketing who brings over 20 years of leadership in advertising, communications, market research, and brand marketing to the travel industry. The Culturist Group, launched by Danny in 2022, is a proud presenting partner of the 2024 “Future of Travel,” a pioneering study in travel and tourism that reflects the intersectional needs of underrepresented travelers. Danny, who holds an Executive MBA degree from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, is a recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award by the World Travel and Tourism Council for his work advancing diversity and equity in the industry, and the Chairman’s Award, granted by the National Association of Black Meeting Professionals. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, Jaime.

Meet Kristin Scroggin, a huge fan of generational diversity armed with a communication studies master’s degree from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s from Montevallo in decoding GenZ slang and millennial emojis. Kristin embarked on her research endeavors during her almost 20-year tenure as a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville before giving birth to her company, genWHY Communications in 2017. Kristin has a passion for decoding the generational enigma and has sprinkled her wisdom across more than 160 conferences for 350+ diverse organizations. From Fortune 500 giants to pint-sized non-profits, she’s been there, done that, and left an indelible impression. Kristin and her partner-in-travel (husband) are on a quest to explore every nook and cranny of the globe. Amidst their jet-setting adventures, they somehow manage to keep their sanity while raising four humans who never stop eating.

Evan Stern is the host and creator of the podcast Vanishing Postcards. A documentary travelogue, the series invites listeners to ride shotgun on a road trip exploring the hidden dives and frequently threatened histories found by exiting the interstates. Featuring dispatches from the backroads, Vanishing Postcards’s second season was entirely centered on Route 66 and was named “One of the Best Podcasts of 2022” by Digital Trends. An oral historian, narrative audio producer, actor and singer, Evan proudly hails from Austin, Texas, and makes his home in Manhattan, where he has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Oak Room at the Algonquin.

Dana Stone is the founder of LiveandRest.com, a life and business coach specializing in profitability and productivity. She works with professionals and business leaders who seek balance and fulfillment in all areas of their lives, from family, health, and career to fun, finances, and everything in between. Before founding her business, she spent 16 years as a software consultant, business analyst, and systems analyst in global product management and supply chain. She led the development of a new-product-development process and consulted on ERP and CRM systems for companies such as Campbell’s Soup, Citizens Bank, and Move.com. Today, Dana collaborates with entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, helping them define and achieve their ideal balance. She creates management and sustainable paths toward profitability and balance, empowering high achievers to reach their goals without burning out.

Greg Warren is a stand-up comedian whose recent special, “The Salesman,” tells about his time selling Jif peanut butter and Pringles for Procter & Gamble, which led to his decision to become a full-time comedian. Greg’s colorful perspective offers audiences an honest mix of self-deprecation and frustration plus an arsenal of lifelike characters. He can be seen in his Amazon Prime special, “Where The Field Corn Grows,” and on Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show, and Comedy Central Presents. Greg has a wide audience, having performed on both BET and Country Music Television. He is a favorite on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show and has been a daily staple on Sirius/XM’s Laugh USA and Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup channels for a decade. Greg hails from St. Louis and attended the U.S. Military Academy. At the University of Missouri, he studied journalism and became an All-American wrestler.