Speaking Engagements

Looking for a top-tier speaker for an industry event? Let’s talk.

Sharing our experience in strategic storytelling and sustainability is the most exciting thing we do.

Rob Holmes, GLP Founder and Chief Strategist, is a dynamic, inspiring, and engaging speaker who has presented at 70+ events in over 20 countries. As a leading specialist in multimedia content, sustainable tourism, and strategic marketing, Rob is committed to creatively communicating sustainability in a powerful way that ignites meaningful impact across the industry.

What’s Unique about Rob?

With over 25 years of experience in the sustainable tourism industry, Rob Holmes has visited 100+ countries, directed 300+ films (dozens of which were award-winning), and spearheaded countless global strategic marketing campaigns for top-tier destinations, media, brands, operators, accommodation, and nonprofit organizations.

So, yeah, he knows what he’s talking about.

Presentation Highlights

Our presentations focus on sustainability, strategic communications, destination management, and storytelling and are fully customizable to the needs of your audience. Each includes:

  • Award-Winning Video Examples

  • Real-World Case Studies from GLP Portfolio

  • Data-Driven Industry Trends

“Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to communicate the core vision of a brand and protect a destination’s most valuable assets - its culture and heritage, people and livelihoods, and natural environments.”
— Rob Holmes, Founder & Chief Strategist for GLP Films

Presentation Examples

  • As tourism continues to recover from the impact of Covid-19, global destinations need to connect to responsible travelers and tap into the increased demand for sustainable travel. Strategic storytelling is one of the most powerful tools that destinations, tour operators, DMOS, DMCs or travel sellers can use to promote travel products and motivate travelers in planning their sustainable journeys.

    Showcasing inspiring, real-life examples from GLP Films’ popular and successful #TourismStrong Video Series, Rob Holmes highlights communities and destinations adapting, innovating, and overcoming these challenging times.

  • “There can be no such thing as a sustainable business within an unsustainable system.”

    --Anna Pollock, Regenerative Tourism: The Natural Maturation of Sustainability, October, 2019

    It may seem too esoteric or lofty, but there are planetary and global community forces at work which necessitate a shift in the paradigm and require a more resilient tourism model. In this introductory presentation, the connection from sustainable to regenerative tourism is clearly explained and supported by global case studies and film examples. Regenerative Tourism can provide environmental, community and economic benefits for a destination by designing a tourism ecosystem which is inclusive, dynamic and positively transformative.

  • Our community is our strength. That is the message of support that connects people, places and businesses across the tourism industry. In this film showcase, you will hear the stories and see the people and places in the global tourism industry who are working towards a stronger future for our industry and for our planet. Be inspired, meet your global neighbors and experience their stories of optimism and hope for a sustainable future in this film series.

    Customize your film event to include specific regions (South America, Africa, etc.), and industry topics (responsible tourism, adventure travel, wildlife tourism, luxury travel, etc.).

Past Events

  • NEST: tourism innovation center Portugal

  • Trav Media Logo

Case Studies

Each presentation draws on global real-life case studies from our portfolio of award-winning campaigns. See more case studies here.

Testimonials

  • Maine Governor’s Conference

    “Rob Holmes’ presentation on “The Power of Digital Storytelling” was one of the most popular sessions at Maine’s 2016 Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and provided a scaleable model for Maine’s tourism industry members to use in their individual efforts. GLP’s skillful use of video storytelling as a tourism development tool aligns with Maine Office of Tourism’s focus on authentic storytelling as a way to inspire interest in our destination. ”

    - Carolann Ouellette, Director, Maine Office of Tourism.

  • World Food Travel Association

    “Rob and [I] spoke together at past conferences, and we enjoy Rob’s presentations. He’s passionate and engaging and has great content. We wanted to give him the opportunity to share his important work with our food forward community. People loved Rob’s message…Plus, who can resist engaging with the compelling images portrayed in GLP’s films? We love working with GLP and would be happy to do so again.”

    -Erik Wolf, Founder and Executive Director of WFTA

  • ITB Berlin

    “GLP films really uses the power of media to help create a better world and teach people to respect landscapes, animals, humans, culture, traditions, and the magic of nature as a whole; these films really tell a strong story. We are very pleased to have realized a small project with GLP Films and have created a spot presenting our true engagement in Responsible Tourism. “

    Rika Jean Francois, ITB Berlin

Are you planning an industry event? We should definitely talk.