2018 Travel Agent Conferences

  • 2018 ASTA Global Convention
  • NACTA 2018 Annual Conference
  • 2018 New York Times Travel Industry Conference
  • Travel Industry Exchange 2018
  • 2018 USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace

If you want to learn about the latest news in the travel industry, consider attending some of the best travel professional conferences that are coming up in 2018. Anyone who runs a travel agency knows how much the Internet and all of the platforms that are available to consumers has changed the climate of the industry. The key to success is collaboration.

You could call travel consultant conferences great events to attend to expand your knowledge or venues where you can successfully network with suppliers, vendors and travel partners. Both of these statements would be accurate. Respected conferences allow like-minded professionals a platform where they can access exclusive training on concepts that aren’t tackled in traditional training programs. If you’re curious to find out about the upcoming travel agent conferences, here’s a list of the top five.

1. 2018 ASTA Global Convention

The American Society of Travel Agents is a trusted organization that is dedicated to helping travel consultants and other professionals succeed. Each year, ASTA hosts a Global Convention where more than 1000 travel professionals get the opportunity to connect with over 200 suppliers. The 2018 Global Convention is being held August 21st through the 23rd in Washington, D.C. Attendees will enjoy an Advocacy Dinner, a trade show, and a agenda full of educational sessions that continues to grow.

2. NACTA 2018 Annual Conference

If you’re an independent travel agent, there’s a travel conference just for you. The National Association of Career Travel Agents hosts an influential annual conference where only independents are asked to attend. The NACTA conference in 2018 is unique because it’s starting in Washington, D.C. from August 23rd through the 25th and will then continue at sea aboard the Carnival Pride Cruise Ship from August 26th through September 2nd. During this time, independent agents will attend a reception, a dinner party, panels, a trade show, speaking sessions, and travel industry workshops.

3. 2018 New York Times Travel Industry Conference

If you’re looking to attend a short conference just for travel agents earlier in the year, the New York Times Travel Industry Conference is being held on January 26 at Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. This single-day travel conference is comprised of 23 different focused conferences that are lead by industry experts. Some of the focus areas include spa and wellness travel, luxury travel, travel media, cruising, African travel, L.G.B.T. travel, tours, family travel, travel blogging, and more.

4. Travel Industry Exchange 2018

If you want to enjoy 12+ hours of face time with travel agents while you enjoy receptions and one-on-one appointments, the 2018 Travel Industry Exchange might be for you. The exchange is being held in West Palm Beach, Florida between October 9th and the 11th. It’s a great opportunity for the attending agents to make appointments with actual clients and build deep and profitable relationships.

5. 2018 USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace

The last event to make the top list of conferences for travel agents is an annual conference hosted by the United States Tour Operations Association. The USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace is being held in Phoenix, Arizona from November 26th through the 30th. Suppliers and agents are both welcome to attend so that they can network and make new business contacts. There will also be speaker sessions where all agents are able to gain valuable expert insights on new travel trends.

When you attend a conference with an agenda full of training opportunities just for travel professionals, you’ll be investing time and money into an event that will offer you a return. Be sure to compare your options before and attend an event that allows you to be social while still developing yourself as a professional.