Authors: Michael Collins, Ali Finnegan, Alastair McKenzie
Below is a list of social media and digital marketing conferences in 2021 into 2022 that we feel are of particular interest to the travel industry.
Some conferences may have already happened, but remain listed in anticipation of next year’s details.
The list is meant to be as comprehensive as is possible, and will be updated on a regular basis. We therefore welcome your feedback. Any edits, amends or additions please send them to: michael@travelmedia.ie
Phocuswright is a travel/tourism industry research company that hosts a number of conferences and events.
28-30 June 2021
FT Lauderdale/Hollywood, Florida
16 – 18 November 2021
4 March 2021
International Media Marketplace
IMM is a scheduled-meeting networking event run by Travmedia.com in five locations worldwide. Local tourism organisations & travel brands take stands and meet with bloggers, influencers, traditional travel writers and other travel media over a day.
Online
27 -28 October 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Online
27 – 29 January 2021
Online
27 -28 October 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Online
23 – 24 January 2021
Paris
8 June 2021
São Paulo, Brazil
30 March 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
London, UK
17 – 18 May 2021
Online
01 June 2021
Digital Travel Summit APAC has gone virtual this September. Join this virtual summit to find out how online consumption habits are changing and how travel brands are adapting their digital marketing activities to retain and attract new customers.
Boston, Massachusetts & Online
7 – 10 September 2021
Just because inbound won’t be face to face doesn’t mean we can’t still sweep you off your feet from the safety of your home. We’re so excited for the potential that an online event has to bring us all together in totally new ways. We’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how we’ll bring the education, inspiration, connection, and energy of INBOUND online and we can’t wait to share more with you soon.
INBOUND 2020 is more than just four days of learning and inspiration. It’s a place where you can step back from your day-to-day, and think about big ideas, not if you remembered to email Karen back. Finally, you’ll have the mental space to look at your opportunities and challenges in new ways and from new perspectives. If you think you have your best ideas in the shower, you haven’t been to INBOUND yet.
Online
23 – 24 February 2021
Propel: FORWARD aims to help the travel industry, and the content creators that support it, overcome the challenges of 2020 and refocus on the emerging travel landscape of 2021.
his landmark conference will cover themes such as:
RECOVER: how destinations and brands are working to restore the industry, and how travel media can responsibly support this recovery.
REFOCUS: reflecting on where travel has been in the past year, how we should approach the new normal, and exploring where travel will be going next.
RE-IMAGINE: looking at the emerging trends that will shape the travel industry post-pandemic.
Norwegian Digital Travel Conference
Kristiansand, Norway & Online
21 September 2021
The event is Norway’s largest travel conference with a sole focus on digital marketing and use of technology within the industry. It is organized by Usus (former Visit Southern Norway) and supported by Innovation Norway and NHO Reiseliv (The Norwegian Hospitality Organization).
Online (2021/22 dates TBC)
18 November 2020
SEE2020 is a one-day virtual experience that will help you plan for 2021 amidst the ongoing challenges and opportunities for our industry. And have a little fun along the way! More event details will be unveiled in August.
Content Marketing World Virtual
Cleveland, Ohio
28 September – 1 October 2021
We’re looking through our orange-colored glasses at the great opportunities this virtual environment will provide to our amazing community. We’re hard at work on our end creating the epic CMI experience we’ve given our community for the past 10 years, and this year will be no different. From the best speakers covering every aspect of content marketing, to opportunities to network with our technology sponsors and event partners who may be the perfect solution for your needs in 2020 and beyond, we think you’ll love what we’re putting together.
Major (4000 delegates) digital marketing conference with a packed programme of presentations, panels & workshops.
Lille, France
20 – 21 March 2021
Salon De Blogueurs De Voyage is a boutique conference for French travel bloggers, run by We Are Travel.
The first edition was held in Cannes in September 2014. Since then, each edition has been a real success and welcomes more and more participants. Every year, in a different destination, bloggers and e-tourism professionals meet for 2 days to discuss influence marketing and Networker.
Las Vegas, NV, USA
20 – 22 September 2022
eTourism Summit is the glue between destination promotion and the latest practices and innovations in digital media.
For 21 years, the feedback from hundreds of attendees has been crystal clear: eTourism Summit connects the ecosystem of destination marketing pros exchanging ideas in an intimate setting like no other conference. So, in 2020, it’s by staying small and staying true to that “North Star” that we’re guided in everything we do.
To support that mission in the best way possible, eTourism Summit 2020 will be a hybrid event with options for both virtual and in-person attendance.
Travel industry community & publisher, offering a number of conferences focusing on digital technology, social media marketing and travel content.
San Diego, CA, USA
1 – 2 June 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
London, UK
22 – 23 October 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Singapore
28 – 30 October 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
WIT is a travel industry community & publisher focusing on travel technology, distribution and marketing. In addition to their main conference they have a number of spin-off events…
Online
28 September – 01 October 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Tokyo, Japan
5 November 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Singapore
28 – 30 September 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Seoul, South Korea
29 October 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Dubai, UAE
24 November 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Capetown, South Africa
28 May 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Penang, Malaysia
13 March 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Gdansk, Poland
24-26 September 2021
Online
1 – 3 November 2021
WTM London prides itself on being the hub of travel ideas. It aims to give the global travel trade an insight of how the industry will look in the future, share innovations, and create endless business opportunities.
To create the best opportunities, WTM believe that the industry must fully connect and embrace new technologies. By doing this, they learn and improve and continue to stand out as a global, respected and established brand that is trustworthy and knowledgeable.
They aim to actively encourage and keep pace with the latest developments so that we can help our customers achieve their best.
WTM has some spin-off conferences…
Sau Paulo, Brazil
23 – 25 June 2021
Cape Town, South Africa
7 – 9 April 2021
Dubai, UAE
16 – 19 May 2021
23 – 25 April 2021
WITS brings together hundreds of content creators, innovators, and thought leaders from across the globe to learn, collaborate, and change the travel industry worldwide.
The third virtual WITS will be a nearly week-long series of events.
Brno, Czech Republic
13 – 18 September 2022
Traverse is a 2-day blogger conference aimed at new bloggers and influencers developing their skills. It started in Brighton in 2013 and moved around the UK (Newcastle, Kingston-upon-Thames, Cardiff) ending up in London in 2017 with around 500 delegates.
Speakers are mostly pro-bloggers, and experts in marketing, editing, videography, etc. Travel & Tourism brands use the conference and its social events running over the preceding week, to network with up and coming bloggers. Traverse also run half the social media programme at World Travel Market, and a number of other social media marketing & networking events.
London, England
25 September 2021
The Traverse Creator Awards (TCAs) celebrate, showcase and reward talented digital content creators that have been producing outstanding content and shaping our industry over the previous 12 months.
Online
25 – 26 May 2021
One event, over two days, for influencers, journalists and content creators to meet with the travel industry.
Now more than ever people are familiar with networking, socialising and doing business from behind their laptop screens. So cancel all those sporadic Zoom meetings, messy calendar invites and arrange to meet during Waypoint.
Indian Wells, CA, USA
13 – 14 December 2021
Digital Travel US 2021 is in its 8th year. It is the premier interactive conference for travel executives who are looking to re-imagine their customer journey. This year’s conference will address enhanced personalization to deliver better cross-channel experiences – so you’ll win the booking every time!
Mumbai, India
19– 21 March 2021
OTM is the largest and most international gathering of travel trade buyers and professionals in India. Learn, network and connect with 1000+ exhibitors and 15,000+ travel trade visitors from around the world in 3 days at OTM.
Virtual
12 April 2021
Meet the Media is a one-day networking event for the international travel trade and Irish media, which usually takes place in the 5* Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin. Meet the Media 2021 will be held online as a virtual event and will use the same online appointment system as previous years. This unique event will virtually connect media from all over Ireland and the UK (print, broadcast, online, digital, bloggers, influencers) with worldwide travel suppliers including airlines, hoteliers, tourist boards and tour operators.
https://www.travelmedia.ie/meet-the-media/
San Diego, CA, USA
14 – 16 March 2022
Claims to be “the world’s largest social media marketing conference”. With around 5,000 attendees/speakers it probably is. A busy programme of presentations, panels & workshops from top social media marketers.
9 – 12 March 2021
ITB Berlin is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. It has a busy programme of digital marketing, & social media events including expert industry and influencer panels & presentations.
ITB Berlin 2021 will be an entirely virtual event to provide the industry with an online platform for networking, business and content.
There are now two spin-off conferences…
27 – 29 October 2021
Beijing, China
7 -8 May 2021
Portland, OR, USA
20 – 22 August 2021
The Women’s Travel Fest is a 3-day event that aims to inspire, empower and connect women in travel.
FTE is an event and online media business focused on the air passenger experience. FTE has four annual events around the world: FTE Global, FTE Asia EXPO, FTE Europe and FTE Ancillary.
Every FTE event includes ‘On the Ground’ and ‘Up in the Air’ conference streams, and an exhibition of the latest solutions and services.
Singapore
9 – 10 November 2021
Las Vegas, NV, USA
8 – 10 September 2021
25 – 26 May 2021
Las Vegas, NV, USA
8 – 10 September 2021
New Orleans, LA, USA
29 April -1 May 2022
This three day conference will connect you with industry leaders, influencers, and celebrated writers through keynote speeches, small group writing and photography workshops, breakout tutorial sessions, and industry panels. You will learn what’s working in today’s competitive travel industry, timeless business practices, and the skills you need to succeed as a creator.
Dubai, UAE
16 – 21 May 2021
The annual business-to-business (B2B) exhibition showcases over 2,800 products and destinations from around the world to over 28,000 buyers and travel trade visitors across four days at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).
2020 Midwest Travel Network Conference
Minnesota, MN, USA
10 – 12 June 2021
The 2021 Midwest Travel Network, to connect travel bloggers and influencers in the U.S. Midwest region with Midwest CVBs and DMOs. Located northwest of Minneapolis along the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Cloud, Minnesota is a haven for lovers of the outdoors and urban enthusiasts alike.
Launched originally as “Travel Blog Exchange”, TBEX runs multiple annual travel blogger conferences for up to 600 blogger & industry delegates, worldwide. TBEX conferences nominally run for 2-3 days but there is usually a programme of pre-TBEX tours & events and post-TBEX fam trips that expand the whole thing out to a week or more.
Phuket, Thailand
20 – 22 October 2021 (Rescheduled, 15 – 18 November 2022)
Catania, Sicily, Italy
10 – 13 March 2020 (Postponed dates TBC)
Marbella, Spain
15-17 March 2022
Lafayette, LA, USA
7 – 09 October 2020 (Rescheduled, 12 – 14 October 2022)
Tri-Cities, Washington, USA
12 – 14 October 2021 (Rescheduled, 18 – 21 April 2022)
Milwaukee, WI, USA
3 – 7 October 2021
An annual convention held by the Society of American Travel Writers. SATW is a professional organization comprised of the travel industry’s most experienced journalists, photographers, editors, broadcast/video/film producers, bloggers, website owners, public relations experts and hospitality industry representatives from the United States, Canada and beyond.
London, UK
11 – 12 September 2020 (Cancelled – 2021/22 dates TBC)
An exciting new event designed for aspiring and established content creators, online influencers, bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers, journalists and social media experts who are at the forefront of industry trends, and those just beginning their online journey. Brought by WTM London and Traverse Events.
NATJA Conference & Marketplace
Puerto Rico, San Juan
5 – 8 May 2020 (Postponed – 2021/22 dates TBC)
North American Travel Journalists Association conference provides the opportunity to engage and network with fellow members – both media and destination representatives – throughout the conference, participate in top-notch professional development, and enjoy the best sites and gastronomy in the host destination.
Surrey, UK
8-10 January 2020 (Postponed – 2021/22 dates TBC)
This is a digital travel conference with academia and travel industry professionals in attendance. Technology experts, local authorities and International companies like Expedia and IBM, will come together with academics from around the world to discuss and exchange ideas on industry problems, ongoing research, latest trends and the future of technology and Tourism.
Helsinki, Finland
The Ping Helsinki Business Festival brought high-end professional influencers together with brands to talk about content and influencer marketing.
Dublin, Ireland
26 – 28 January 2020 (2021/22 dates TBC)
Two-day annual conference with a focus on digital marketing and social media for those in the hostel industry.
NH Belfort Ghent, Belgium,
1 February 2020 (Postponed)
This travel gathering is the biggest tourism event for online influencers in Belgium. The travel gathering is Belgium’s first-ever blogger event in tourism.
Nashville, TN, USA 2020
28 April 2020 (Postponed – 2021/22 dates TBC)
EventCamp is a gathering for restaurant and hotel sales and event professionals focused on one big goal: to learn about innovations that help them increase sales, stay on top of trends, work smarter using technology and data, and grow their business.
Online
25 March 2021
DMX Dublin features over 30 world-leading speakers in multiple presentation streams, and over 900 marketing professionals attendees in a full day of sharing, learning and networking. A Marketing Institute event, DMX Dublin celebrates the crossover of marketing, digital, creative and media. Over the past 5 years it has become Ireland’s must-attend marketing event of the year, bringing together top international and Irish marketing leaders, marketers from multinationals and start-ups, advertisers, creative agencies, digital agencies, online publishers and vendors.
23 – 26 March 2021
INFLOW (Influencers of The World) organises Brand-2-Influencer summits for a range of industries.
DeKalb County, GA, USA
Travel Media Showcase, offers a unique opportunity for top travel journalists and travel industry professionals to meet one-on-one, at a single location, for the purpose of exchanging information and developing personal contacts.
(2021/22 dates TBC)
STS is a forward-looking conference developing new ways and ideas for the travel & tourism industry to work with top professional travel bloggers & influencers who are there by invitation only. One highlight is the Think Tank which produces policy on blogger-industry issues.
Bologna, Italy
Developed by the Emilia Romagna Region Tourist Board together with iAmbassador, the BlogVille project brings together, since 2012, digital influencers from all over the world to Emilia Romagna, Italy.
Espoo, Finland
Over the course of 2 days we will be talking all about content and the people behind it. We will be inviting a wide range of Content Leads and Creators to share their work with you and engage in discussion as they reveal the process behind it.
Travel Social Media and Digital Marketing Conferences 21/2022 (Continued)
Travel Massive is an international community of tourism industry professionals and hosts events in over 100 cities around the world. They host over 400 events each year around the world, including New York City, London, Los Angeles, Berlin, Tokyo, and Sydney to name a few. Their online platform is free to join and you can find and connect with over 32,000 members and 2,300 tourism brands on travelmassive.com
Helpful links:
Travel Massive Events -> https://travelmassive.com/events
Travel Massive Chapters -> https://travelmassive.com/chapters
Find your nearest chapter on the map -> https://travelmassive.com/chapters/map
Learn how to start a Travel Massive chapter -> https://travelmassive.com/blog/start-a-chapter-guide/
Other Travel Social or Digital Marketing Conferences?
The list is meant to be as comprehensive as is possible. If you are running a social media conference or have attended digital marketing conferences aimed at the travel industry that you feel should be on this list, please contact us.
We intend to update this list on a regular basis, and therefore, welcome your feedback. Any edits, amends or additions please send them to michael@travelmedia.ie