With all of the early bird specials and email announcements, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with travel conference options. I’m certain I’m not the only one. So let’s get into it and see what makes the most sense for us to invest time and money into. If I missed an event, please let me know in the comments. Which will you choose :)?
Keep in mind, unless stated in the inclusions travel and accommodations are typically not a part of the attendee package. Events are listed in order of occurrence. All information available as of December 20, 2024.
Atlanta Travel & Adventure Show
travelshows.com/shows/atlanta
Date: January 11-12, 2025
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: Free, must apply for press credentials as active media.
Membership requirements: NA.
Programming: Learn the latest travel tips, trends and advice in 4 theatres located right on the show floor, and get the chance to meet your favourite travel celebrities including CBS Travel News Editor, Peter Greenberg, YouTube Travel Star, Drew Binksy and The Points Guy Columnist, Scott Mayerowitz.
Who is this event for: Trade, media, advisors.
Inclusions: Access to the tradeshow and programming as well as access to over ten thousand dollars in travel savings, trip giveaways, and exclusive show-only deals.
FAM/press trip options: NA
IMM
travmedia.com/immnorthamerica
Date: January 22-23, 2025
Location: New York, New York
Cost: Free, must apply as active media and be selected to attend.
Membership requirements: TravMedia.com, free.
Programming: TravMedia’s International Media Marketplace (IMM), one-on-one meetings, and a one-day summit.
Who is this event for: The travel industry, active media, broadcasters, and influencers.
Inclusions: Trade floor, appointments, summit.
FAM/press trip options: N/A
New York Travel & Adventure Show
travelshows.com/shows/new-york
Date: January 25-26, 2025
Location: New York, New York
Cost: Free, must apply for press credentials as active media.
Membership requirements: None.
Programming: Learn the latest travel tips, trends and advice in 4 theatres located right on the show floor, and get the chance to meet your favourite travel celebrities including CBS Travel News Editor, Peter Greenberg, YouTube Travel Star, Drew Binksy and The Points Guy Columnist, Scott Mayerowitz.
Who is this event for: Trade, media, advisors.
Inclusions: Access to the tradeshow and programming as well as access to over ten thousand dollars in travel savings, trip giveaways, and exclusive show-only deals.
FAM/press trip options: NA
TravelCon
travelcon.org
Date: March 14-16, 2025
Location: Tucson, AZ
Cost: $99 – $399 for creators, $699 for industry.
Membership requirements: NA
Programming: Expo, sessions, meetings with industry, meetups.
Who is this event for: Travel creators and industry.
Inclusions: Expo, sessions, meetings with industry, meetups. All-access creator pass has reserved seating and lounge access. Free 1-Year Access to Online Creator Community.
FAM/press trip options: Available, last year there were 14 daytime FAM-style activities.
Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show
travelshows.com/shows/san-francisco-bay-area
Date: March 15-16, 2025
Location: New York, New York
Cost: Free, must apply for press credentials as active media.
Membership requirements: NA.
Programming: Learn the latest travel tips, trends and advice in 4 theatres located right on the show floor, and get the chance to meet your favourite travel celebrities including CBS Travel News Editor, Peter Greenberg, YouTube Travel Star, Drew Binksy and The Points Guy Columnist, Scott Mayerowitz.
Who is this event for: Trade, media, advisors.
Inclusions: Access to the tradeshow and programming as well as access to over ten thousand dollars in travel savings, trip giveaways, and exclusive show-only deals.
FAM/press trip options: NA
Washington DC Travel & Adventure Show
travelshows.com/shows/washingtondc
Date: March 29-30, 2025
Location: New York, New York
Cost: Free, must apply for press credentials as active media.
Membership requirements: NA.
Programming: Learn the latest travel tips, trends and advice in 4 theatres located right on the show floor, and get the chance to meet your favourite travel celebrities including Award-Winning Travel Writer, Director and Producer, Andrew McCarthy, CBS Travel News Editor, Peter Greenberg, Travel Guide Book Legend, Pauline Frommer, and NY Times Bestselling Author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Patricia Schultz.
Who is this event for: Trade, media, advisors.
Inclusions: Access to the tradeshow and programming as well as access to over ten thousand dollars in travel savings, trip giveaways, and exclusive show-only deals.
FAM/press trip options: NA
WITS
witsummit.com/downtownnyc
Date: May 16-18, 2025, May 13-21 inclusive of FAM trips.
Location: New York, New York
Cost: Creator non-member $444, member $364; beginner BootCamp is $120, and industry is $1,199.
Membership requirements: Membership* is optional, on sale now for $9/month ($29 normally) for a traveller membership and $24/mo ($44 normally) for a creator membership. A 14-day trial is available.
Programming: Three days of sessions, tours, networking events, and industry meetings. I attended in 2024, here’s more on how WITS Utah went.
Who is this event for: Creative entrepreneurs, influencers, media, DMOs, and industry.
Inclusions: All sessions and workshops, media Marketplace, official parties and happy hours, tours and events, Sunday Brunch, and a ticket to the Bessie Awards.
FAM/press trip options: FAMs are multiple days and include overnight stays. Pre-conference FAMs are May 13-15, and post-conference FAMs are May 19-21. I attended two last year, they were maxed out at 5 people. Access by application.
AdventureELEVATE
events.adventuretravel.biz/adventureelevate/north-america-2025
Date: May 23-30, 2025
Location: Denver, Colorado
Cost: Free, must apply as active media, travel content creators, and broadcasters.
Membership requirements: NA
Programming: Content focused on building your business or brand in North America, establish connections with media, buyers, and suppliers from North America, learn about cutting-edge trends, access motivational talks, and business solutions, and join exciting outdoor activities.
Who is this event for: Industry and media.
Inclusions: Marketplace and media connect sessions, day of adventure, plenary sessions and accelerator workshops, and multiple networking opportunities. Approved media will receive:
- Official Media accreditation at ELEVATE and entry to AdventureELEVATE conference sessions and networking events (29-30 May 2025)
- Accommodations at the Hyatt Regency in Denver (4 nights total)
- Round-trip economy airfare to and from Denver and ground transportation and meals within the destination
- Day of Adventure in Denver: 28 May 2025. Travel costs to the destination will be covered for fully-hosted media with the requirement to participate in a Day of Adventure.
FAM/press trip options: NA
22nd Annual NATJA Conference & Marketplace
natja.org/conference
Date: June 2 – 5, 2025
Location: Palm Springs, California
Cost: Media cost is $799, industry cost is $1,599, there are also lower tickets available if you’d like to bring your partner.
Membership requirements: NATJA membership, by application, $ 200 USD fee.
Programming: The annual conference brings together NATJA media and destination marketing organization members, from all over the world, for three days of professional development, networking, and tours of the host destination.
Who is this event for: Media, creators, and industry.
Inclusions:
- 3-Night Stay at Margaritaville Resort, NATJA coordinates hotel reservations on your behalf.
- Professional Development Sessions, Marketplace, and Networking
- Afternoon Tours and Press Trip Opportunity
- All scheduled conference meals and Airport Transfers
FAM/press trip options: FAMs are multiple days and include overnight stays. Last year there were five post-conference trips, Access by application.
TMAC Conference and Media Marketplace
travelmedia.ca/tmac-conference-2025
Date: June 4-8, 2025, May 31- June 12 inclusive of FAMs
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Cost: CA + tax: Media Members $220, Industry Members: $1,400 plus tax.
Membership requirements: TMAC membership, by application, CA$225 + tax media membership fee.
Programming: Gathering of industry professionals, media experts, and travel enthusiasts as we come together to explore the latest trends, opportunities, and innovations in travel media
Who is this event for: Travel Media Writers/Creators/Photographers and Travel Media Industry Representatives.
Inclusions:
- Media marketplace, Professional Development Sessions,
- Local Tours, Pre and Post Tours
- TMAC Dinner and Awards Gala
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- Onsite transportation
FAM/press trip options: This year there are 12 local tours, media members can pick either PRE or POST FAM, this year there are 6 tours available.
IPW
ipw.com
Date: June 14-18, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Free if approved. Media interested in attending IPW should submit their name and credentials for review to the International Advisory Committee (IAC) Chair in their region, along with several examples of recently published articles in accredited news outlets (within the past 12 months). Articles must be about travel within the United States. Info for USA-based journalists, info for international journalists.
Membership requirements: NA
Programming: IPW connects travel buyers and media with America’s top travel exhibitors through an efficient face-to-face show format with abundant business and networking opportunities.
Who is this event for: Working journalists and media.
Inclusions:
- Access to the IPW Online Press Room, offering comprehensive press materials, 30 days in advance of IPW and 3 months after.
- Exclusive Press Brunch and Destination Experiences on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
- Brand USA Media Marketplace activities on Monday, June 16, 2025.
- Opportunity to request additional appointments with exhibitors who did not participate in the Brand USA Media Marketplace.
- All meals and related functions.
- Year-long organization listing on ipw.com and online access to all registered exhibitors.
FAM/press trip options: NA
TBEX North America 2025
tbexcon.com/north-america-2025
Date: June 16-19, 2025, June 16-23 inclusive of FAMs.
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Cost: $597 CA for travel creator ticket, $897 for industry.
Membership requirements: NA
Programming: Inspiration, education, and serious business meetings, leave with actionable tips, tricks, and advice you can put into practice right away, networking opportunities.
Who is this event for: Media, creators, industry.
Inclusions:
- All Keynotes, Breakout Sessions, and Session Recordings.
- Pre-BEX Day Trips.
- Speed Networking.
- Sponsor Showcase Access and Evening Events.
- Any Included Meals, and Coffee Breaks.
- Access to Advanced Workshop Registration.
FAM/press trip options: FAMs are available by application, this year there are 10 post-event trips.
TBEX Summit America
tbexcon.com/summit-america-2025
Date: October 1-4, 2025
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Cost: Travel creator is $227, industry is $497
Membership requirements: NA.
Programming: Inspiration, education, and serious business meetings, leave with actionable tips, tricks, and advice you can put into practice right away, networking opportunities.
Who is this event for: Media, creators, industry.
Inclusions:
- All Keynotes, Breakout Sessions, and Session Recordings.
- Pre-BEX Day Trips.
- Speed Networking.
- Sponsor Showcase Access and Evening Events.
- Any Included Meals, and Coffee Breaks.
- Access to Advanced Workshop Registration.
FAM/press trip options: Pre-bex day tours are not yet announced.
IFWTWA Conference
ifwtwa.org/2025-ifwtwa-conference
Date: October 12-16, 2025
Location: Lafayette, CA
Cost: Member early bird by December 31 is $225, non-member is $359. After that, the costs go up periodically to $299 member and $399 non-member.
Membership requirements: IFWTWA is an International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, membership is by application, membership fees are $105 to $255 USD.
Programming: IFWTWA 2025 is a great opportunity for professional development and networking with each other and sponsors during the conference. In addition, pre- and post-trips as well as activities during the conference.
Who is this event for: Media, creators, and industry.
Inclusions: Not clearly listed, assuming event access and opportunity to apply for FAMs.
FAM/press trip options: Pre-conference FAM trips are available by application, last year there were 7 multi-day trips offered.
