A tourism trade show is an opportunity to meet with other businesses and agencies in the tourism industry and gain insight. Tourism tradeshows offer exhibiting, speaking, sponsorship and other tourism trade show services to allow you to networking and idea share. Gather tourism trade show information before deciding which tourism trade shows are best for your company or agency.

Attending or exhibiting at tourism trade shows is relatively easy to achieve and can be a great bonding experience for those involved from your company or agency. When canvassing a tourism trade show directory look for trade shows specific to the services you offer for the best benefits. To find and utilize tourism trade shows to their fullest, you should:

1. Apply for exhibiting opportunities at tourism trade shows for a chance to showcase your business.

2. Become a sponsor or advertising in tourism trade show publications for optimal exposure.

3. Consider speaking or submitting papers for sharing best practices with others at the tourism trade show.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Exhibit at a tourism trade show to showcase your business

Become an exhibitor for an opportunity to showcase your business in the best way possible. This often involves setting up a display or booth with ample information, handouts, giveaways and other attention-getters for sharing your company mission and making new contacts to follow-up with after the show.

I recommend: The Palm Beach Travel Expo offers exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities for those interested in networking with those in the Palm Beach, and other nearby destinations, tourism and travel industry. The International Society for Travel and Tourism Educators Annual Conference offers exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities.

Consider the sponsorship and advertising opportunities offered by tourism trade shows

Apply for sponsorship and other advertising opportunities to gain the most exposure for your business. Sponsors often have banners placed around the trade show and logos displayed on the trade show website. Advertising opportunities often include the trade show program, stage announcements and attendee newsletters.

I recommend: The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association holds an annual conference with sponsorship and marketing opportunities. The New York Times Travel Show, formerly known as the New York Tourism Show, offers exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities for one of the largest gatherings of travel and tourism businesses in the industry.

Explore speaking and idea sharing opportunities at a tourism trade show

Engage in idea sharing and other seminars at the tourism trade show to network with others companies in a smaller, topic controlled environment. This allows you to share more specifics about your company and learn about others in a manageable size crowd with time for networking after discussion.

I recommend: The Planeta Tourism and Migration E-Conference offer speaking, sponsorship and attendance opportunities. Plus, the cost of travel is lower with the e-conference format. The International Tourism Trade Fairs Association hosts a number of tourism trade fairs around the world. There are opportunities to join the association and be an exhibitor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Assemble a strong team that will assist in orchestrating the attending of and exhibiting at the tourism trade shows you attend. The more people involved, the better networking opportunities.