IPW 2023 San Antonio
Over 5,000 delegates from around the world flocked to San Antonio, Texas, to herald the return of vacations and announce a new beginning. San Antonio, Texas – IPW 2023, the premier travel trade event of the United States, recently concluded in a triumphant atmosphere in the historic city of San Antonio, Texas. After a two to three-year hiatus caused by the global pandemic, IPW 2023 marked a highly anticipated resumption of “normalcy” in the world of travel tourism. A comeback that is expected to surpass pre-pandemic figures, considering the new realities in the collective consciousness of the world’s population.
San Antonio, a city with a rich history and a fascinating blend of Spanish, Mexican, and American cultures, hosted this impressive edition of the event, which attracted over 5,000 delegates representing all 50 states and dozens of countries from around the world. These tourism industry professionals gathered in San Antonio to joyfully and confidently announce that vacations have finally returned!
IPW, also known as the International Pow Wow, is an annual event that brings together American suppliers of travel products and destinations from the United States and attracts international and domestic travel buyers, as well as journalists interested in the beauty and diversity of the United States’ amazing destinations. With a tradition spanning over 50 years, it is hosted each year by a different city in a different state, and it is a great honor and responsibility. Hosting an IPW edition is an especially important moment for the host city. According to the U.S. Travel Association, San Antonio, through IPW 2023, expects to welcome up to 400,000 new international visitors, generating up to $600 million in international visitor spending over the next three years.
San Antonio, with its warm and hospitable heart, did an excellent job welcoming all participants, offering them a series of grand and exciting events that reflected the grandeur and energy of the state of Texas. These festivities set the stage for an incredibly busy and interesting week of meetings and business. Carnivals, meetings with Native tribes, visits to the region’s top attractions, open-door restaurants, walks along the famous downtown River Walk, and traditional concerts featuring America’s top artists – San Antonio even hosted Dierks Bentley, one of the biggest country music performers in the USA.
Thus, the event included tours and field trips to allow participants to enjoy local tourist attractions and familiarize themselves with the experiences offered by San Antonio. The participants of IPW 2023 had the privilege of attending presentations from renowned organizations such as Brand USA and Visit California, which revealed the latest trends in international travel, as well as marketing and promotion strategies for destinations. They also had the opportunity to have over 40 individual meetings with representatives of various organizations and companies in the tourism industry to explore potential collaborations and joint projects.
If accredited as a journalist at IPW, you would have the privilege of using the Press Room, a perfectly equipped space to facilitate your work. You wouldn’t have to worry about missing anything, as the room is equipped with everything you need. It was a great help in carrying out our activities. Additionally, the organizers of the IPW event provided us with modern and efficient resources. We had access to the Media Marketplace Package, a day dedicated to B2B meetings between U.S. suppliers and media representatives. This program included 10-minute meeting slots with a 5-minute break in between, allowing us to have productive discussions with representatives of the tourism industry. We also had access to the IPW Online Press Room and IPW Online Marketplace, two innovative online platforms that facilitated our connection with suppliers and buyers before, during, and after the event. These resources were extremely valuable in expanding our networks and obtaining relevant information and materials for our articles. IPW not only provided us with the opportunity to witness a top-notch travel trade event but also facilitated our work as journalists by providing modern facilities and access to quality resources. The Press Room, laptops with internet access, and online platforms significantly contributed to the success of our work and allowed us to gather the necessary information to report on the event in a comprehensive and engaging manner.
IPW 2023 San Antonio represented a unique opportunity for professionals in the tourism industry to connect, promote their destinations, and develop strong partnerships. Through IPW, San Antonio shone, revealing the historical, cultural, and touristic richness of the city and its region, thereby contributing to the increased attractiveness for international tourists and the advancement of the tourism industry as a whole. San Antonio, with its iconic Alamo that keeps alive the memory of the struggle for Texas independence and its picturesque River Walk, a navigable waterway system offering a unique shopping and gastronomic experience, captivated the hearts of IPW 2023 participants.
Los Angeles, known as the entertainment capital of the world and home to Hollywood celebrities, will be the perfect host for IPW 2024. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the iconic attractions of the city, enjoy the Californian sunshine, and immerse themselves in the cultural and artistic energy of the metropolis. The host city of Los Angeles is already preparing to impress IPW 2024 attendees with a diverse range of special events and attractions.
From its famous beaches such as Santa Monica and Venice Beach to the international celebrity of the Hollywood district, Los Angeles offers a multitude of unique experiences. Participants at IPW 2024 will have the opportunity to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, such as Beverly Hills with its luxury shops and Rodeo Drive resort, or the revitalized downtown area, which is home to art galleries, trendy restaurants, and entertainment venues. We are thrilled to have participated in IPW this year and had a unique experience. Everything was well-organized, and we met many special individuals from this beautiful industry, people with vast experience from whom we learned a lot. Thank you, IPW, for the invitation. We are eagerly looking forward to next year’s edition.