By Jennifer Allen
When I connected for an update on what Kristy has been up to this month, I found she’s been doing it all… except for sleeping. “I had to write a CV for one of the events I’m speaking at next month, and when I read it back, I realized how much I’ve done,” she laughed. January was a whirlwind of activities for Kristy, quickly turning her small ripples into waves, resonating throughout the travel and accessibility communities.
A Month of Keynotes and Breakthrough Moments
Immediately after the TravelAbility Summit, Kristy kicked off her ambassadorship with a powerhouse performance as the keynote speaker at the National Tour Association Travel Exchange.
In January, Kristy traveled with Jake to speak on a disability panel at TravMedia’s IMM. At the summit, her presentation wasn’t just well received; it became the highlight. Audiences couldn’t stop talking about her dynamic presentation, with excerpts from her talk circulating among conference-goers and media alike. Kristy invited the audience to participate in a simple yet powerful exercise: “Stand up if you have someone with a disability in your family.” The response was immediate and moving—25 to 30 percent of the room rose to their feet. She then broke it down further by asking participants to stand if they had a loved one with who used a wheelchair, navigated neurodivergence, had low vision, or dealt with other challenges like ADHD or autoimmune conditions. As she moved down her list of disabilities, the seats emptied as the room was filled with standing attendees, a visual testament to the impact of accessible travel.
The impact of her presentation rippled far beyond the conference halls. Following her presentation, and a fully booked speed dating session, Kristy was asked for interviews with major media outlets, including Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and four different television shows. She was asked to be a keynote speaker for Alabama and is working on several potential upcoming speaking engagements for major players in the travel industry, like the American Hotel and Lodging Association. At the event, she mentioned some conference accessibility concerns to the head of the summit. He heartily agreed that she needed to be on his advisory board.
Action Over Words
All the keynotes in the world are meaningless without real change, but change is already taking place. As result of Kristy’s words, An indigenous farm just outside of Ottawa, Canada has added mobi mats to assist their clients in getting around. They tore down their teepee, and rebuilt it so a wheelchair user can get in. They are in the process of adding real ramps into their gift shop. They’ve installed an accessible porta potty to be used until the construction of their new, permanent accessible restroom is complete.
Hearing Kristy’s keynote for Pure Michigan gave Traverse City the fire they needed to become the first certified Kulture City destination in Michigan. They built a calm room in their welcome center. It was used heavily during the National cherry festival, which brings in 250,000 people every year.
Building Bridges and Expanding Networks
Kristy’s influence isn’t confined to speaking engagements. Back home at TravelAbility, her connections continue to grow. John Sage invited her to join his advisory board for his accredited accessible global travel initiative, affirming that her expertise is exactly what the industry needs. Meanwhile, Kristy has been working with Ron Kuzon from Schoolhouse Hotel, forging new pathways to build connections that bridge the gap between accessible accommodations and travelers with disabilities.
After speaking at the New York Travel and Adventure Show, Kristy’s expertise brought in more opportunities. Paul Cohen, the former US Director of Tourism from the Obama administration, invited her to spearhead the Travel Industry Coalition for Accessible Travel (TICAT). In this role, Kristy’s mission will be to unite the travel industry and disability organizations, fostering bipartisan cooperation and furthering accessibility on a national scale.
Global Impact and Exciting New Ventures
Looking ahead, Kristy’s calendar is as full as ever. On March 2nd, she’ll be heading to Germany to serve as the keynote speaker at ITB—the world’s largest tourism trade fair. This upcoming appearance is yet another opportunity for her to share her insights and drive a global conversation about accessible travel.
In addition to her speaking engagements, Kristy is channeling her energy into groundbreaking projects. She’s actively involved in the development of the first-ever all-inclusive resort designed specifically for families with disabilities. This innovative project won’t include higher costs, but it will include people of all abilities and an attendant provided for every room. As a part of this project, Kristy contributed her expertise to help design the first 100% accessible movie theater, setting a new standard for entertainment accessibility.
A fresh partnership between her travel agency, Incredible Memories, and Joey’s Journeys is curating unique trips for members—demonstrating that accessible travel can be as adventurous as it is inclusive.
Spreading the Message Far and Wide
In a recent episode for Undiscovered America, Kristy explored the evolution of accessible travel over the past decade and shared her top five tips for disabled travelers. Her insights are both raising awareness of the needs, and serving as a valuable resource for anyone looking to
The Ripple Effect Continues
This is just one month! Kristy has proven that her passion for accessible travel is more than a career—it’s a movement. Whether she’s delivering electrifying keynotes, forging new partnerships, or designing groundbreaking accessible spaces, her work is transforming the landscape of travel. And while she may joke about not sleeping much, every moment awake is dedicated to creating lasting change for travelers with disabilities around the globe.
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