Announcing Tony Espinoza, CEO of CouchSurfing, as Keynote Speaker at WYSTC

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul. 18, 2012 - Amsterdam -- 17 July 2012—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 19 September 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 world’s 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.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tony to our community and as our keynote speaker. There is great synergy between WYSE Travel Confederation and CouchSurfing’s mission to promote meaningful and inspiring travel experiences,” says Espen M. Falkenhaug, Director General of World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation. “As WYSTC, our annual global event, promotes trading, networking and educational seminars for all sectors in the youth travel industry, Tony’s contribution will undoubtedly further those aims.”

Mr. Espinoza will discuss the cultural value CouchSurfing provides to the world’s youth—qualities such as trust, community and cultural exchange. He will join notable speakers Taleb D. Rifai, Secretary General, United Nations World Tourism Organisation and Robin Lerner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, at WYSTC 2012, in San Diego, USA.

“CouchSurfing is a true social network, connecting people from every corner of the earth online so they can share authentic experiences offline,” said Espinoza. “We 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.”

About WYSETC:

The World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation (WYSETC), endorsed by the UNWTO and UNESCO, hosts its annual global event (WYSTC.org), in San Diego 18-21 September. This year’s conference is the 21st of its kind, and represents an industry worth US$173 billion globally.

About CouchSurfing:

CouchSurfing is the world’s largest social travel network, connecting a global community of travelers, adventure seekers and lifelong learners dedicated to sharing their cultures, hospitality and authentic experiences. Founded in 2004, and established in 2011 as a B Corp, CouchSurfing connects more than 4.6 million members in 91,694 cities via its website and mobile applications. The company, which is headquartered in San Francisco, raised $7.6 million in a Series A funding round from Benchmark Capital and Omidyar Network in August 2011. For more information and to join the CouchSurfing community, visit CouchSurfing.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11927754/1