6 Travel Marketing Conferences To Attend in 2026
From branding and messaging to all things digital marketing, these six travel industry events cover timely topics.
By Tina Kelly
Travel and tourism is forecast to be a trillion-dollar industry by 2027, offering destination marketing organizations the chance to seize an even larger share of an industry that continues to grow year over year. These six travel and tourism marketing conferences — our top picks for 2026 — will dive into research, insights and forecasts about the state of travel and tourism for years to come.
1. IPW
May 17–21 | Greater Fort Lauderdale
The U.S. Travel Association’s annual International Pow Wow is the largest international inbound travel trade show in the U.S., attracting more than 1,700 international and domestic buyers and 550+ journalists and influencers. After attending IPW, more than 60% of buyers say they plan to book destinations they hadn’t considered before.
2. ILTM North America
Sept. 28–Oct. 1 | Baha Mar, The Bahamas
International Luxury Travel Market events pair destination marketers with luxury travel advisors specializing in high-net-worth travelers who have at least $1 million in liquid or investable assets. To attend ILTM events, all buyers must undergo a rigorous qualification process, ensuring exhibitors meet only the top-producing advisors from the U.S., Canada and Mexico and media partners including Afar, Insider Travel Report, Panrotas and Travel + Leisure.
3. PRSA Travel & Tourism Conference
June 7–10 | Albuquerque
This meeting, open to both members and nonmembers of the Public Relations Society of America, draws hundreds of travel, tourism and hospitality professionals interested in discussing trends and forecasts with their peers and gaining exposure to travel-related media via panel discussions and social functions.
4. Destinations International Annual Convention
July 21–23 | Portland
All members of the travel industry are welcome at this annual event, which gathers internationally renowned thought leaders and visionaries to share their expertise and insights in keynote addresses. The conference’s integrated approach to learning and relationship-building makes it valuable for destination marketers regardless of budget size or discipline focus.
5. U.S. Travel’s ESTO
Aug. 24–26 | Philadelphia
The Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations conference for destination marketers is renowned for its concentration of educational programming and its no-sales environment, which allows attendees to focus on learning about the latest available trends and tools.
6. State Tourism Conferences
Varies by location
At conferences held by state tourism departments, it can be easier for DMOs and other travel marketing professionals to convene, confer and collaborate on challenges that affect not just one organization but the whole region or state.
Attract and Engage Potential Travelers
Casual Astronaut can help you create quality content that connects with and appeals to all sorts of travelers. See our work with Brand USA, The Ritz-Carlton, the Arizona office of Tourism, Best Western and more.
Tina brings more than 10 years of experience to C/A, where she partners with companies to develop digital marketing campaigns that leverage content, encouraging audiences to consume, engage, share and convert. Tina’s experience spans industries, having led digital marketing strategy development and execution for several global and national brands, including The Children’s Place, Nationwide Insurance, Delta Faucet and many more.
Tina has presented at a number of industry conferences and events, including SXSW Interactive and Content Marketing World. Outside of work, Tina and her husband can usually be found on a sports field somewhere, cheering on their two kids.