AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – WYSE Travel Confederation, recognized as the authority on global youth and student travel, is pleased to announce Tony Espinoza, CEO of CouchSurfing, as keynote speaker for its WYSTC 2012 conference. The keynote speech will take place on Wednesday, September 19, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina.
Mr. Espinoza, a 20-year software vet who has launched technologies at companies like Apple, MTV Networks, and AOL, joined CouchSurfing in April.
CouchSurfing, the worldโs largest social travel network with 4.6 million members in 91,694 cities, has drawn increasing attention for its exponential growth, as well as how it continues to transform youth travel.
โWe are thrilled to welcome Tony to our community and as our keynote speaker. There is great synergy between WYSE Travel Confederation and CouchSurfingโs mission to promote meaningful and inspiring travel experiences,โ said Espen M. Falkenhaug, Director General of World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation, โAs WYSTC, our annual global event, promotes trading, networking, and educational seminars for all sectors in the youth travel industry; Tonyโs contribution will undoubtedly further those aims.โ
Mr. Espinoza will discuss the cultural value CouchSurfing provides to the worldโs youth – qualities such as trust, community, and cultural exchange. He will join notable speakers Taleb D. Rifai, Secretary General, UN World Tourism Organization; and Robin Lerner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, at WYSTC 2012, in San Diego, USA.
โCouchSurfing is a true social network, connecting people from every corner of the Earth online so they can share authentic experiences offline,โ said Espinoza, โWe believe that travel is about the people you meet along the way and the meaningful connections you build across cultures. I am honored to speak at WYSTC to other leaders in youth travel, because we all share the same mission: to spread tolerance and create a global community.โ
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- โCouchSurfing is a true social network, connecting people from every corner of the Earth online so they can share authentic experiences offline,โ said Espinoza, โWe believe that travel is about the people you meet along the way and the meaningful connections you build across cultures.
- I am honored to speak at WYSTC to other leaders in youth travel, because we all share the same mission.
- WYSE Travel Confederation, recognized as the authority on global youth and student travel, is pleased to announce Tony Espinoza, CEO of CouchSurfing, as keynote speaker for its WYSTC 2012 conference.