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“It’s like seeing the future.”
Catherine Prather should know. The president of NTA leads the packaged-travel association where she has worked for 28 years, attending every annual Travel Exchange … and watching the future unfold every time.
“When you go to Travel Exchange, you find the people and the ideas that are going to move you and your business forward,” Prather says. “Our members come to Travel Exchange to find their next partner, next tour, next solution, next big idea … their next everything.”
Seminars, roundtables, and panel discussions focus on industry-wide topics as well as specific issues and ideas.
Travel Exchange (aka TREX) is set for Reno, Nevada, Nov. 13–16, in conjunction with the International Travel Management Institute’s Symposium and the World Food Travel Association’s FoodTreX North America. It will be filled with NTA buyers and sellers, along with tour directors and guides, plus experts in culinary tourism, sustainable travel, and other travel industry topics.
NTA leaders are implementing a number of changes—both big and small—to allow attendees to make the most of their time with colleagues.
NTA members are happy to know that the enhancements they suggested are being implemented at Travel Exchange ’22, Nov. 13–16.
“At the start of the year, I had discussions with every single NTA board member, and our No. 1 focus was Travel Exchange,” says Debra Asberry, CTP, who chairs the NTA Board of Directors. “Working with staff, we’ve taken each elected leader’s perspective, as well as the input they’ve received from members, and we’ve created a schedule that stacks the most business opportunities into our compact show. Attendees will be able to hit the ground running in Reno.”
Here are some of the Travel Exchange features that attendees will find in November:
- More time to network, with all-member breaks built into appointment sessions
- Walking time between appointments, so sellers can make the most of their time with buyers
- In-person Sales Missions and Best Pitch are back—and earlier in the week.
- In-person interviews with tour directors and guides, for tour operators seeking to hire certified professionals
- Education with stellar topics and speakers—in seminars, roundtables, and all-attendee sessions
- Sunday afternoon with loads of activities on the TREX Floor, including Best Pitch, “How to TREX,” a revamped gaming area, and happy hour
Tour operators entertain product ideas and collect group-friendly itineraries from sellers during pre-scheduled appointments.
NTA is adding enhancements while holding on to favorites such as fantastic evening networking events, sightseeing tours, and focused gatherings for delegates.
Travel Exchange attendees can knock ’em down at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno during AfterGlow, a new party following the Monday dine-around.
“NTA members are all about re-energizing packaged travel using innovative solutions and face-to-face interactions with their partners,” Prather says. “And Travel Exchange is where it all comes together.”
Reno will be ripe for business under the Travel Exchange umbrella, where multiday-tour-makers of all types will find new opportunities and connections—plus old friends—in a gorgeous setting. Prather says the door is wide open.
“We invite everyone in the packaged-travel industry to come to Reno-Tahoe. Find your next handshake or hug, your next connection or collaboration … your next money-maker. Find your Next.”
For more information about Travel Exchange ’22 in Reno, Nov. 13–16, click here.
