Your Next Destination is at the Travel & Adventure Show via @TravelLatte.net

America’s Favorite Travel and Adventure Show – 2024 Update

If the post-Pandemic years have shown us anything, it’s that we love to travel! When it comes to discovering new travel destinations, we love the Travel Adventure Show, and you will too!

Everything from cruise bookings to flights to hotel and resort reservations have been skyrocketing. In 2023 alone, AAA estimates that international bookings have jumped 40% from 2022! With domestic and international destinations booming, the cruise industry surging, and air travel being as crazier than ever, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead. And the best place to start your travel planning at the Travel and Adventure Show!

They say you should go someplace new every year. We say there is one place you should return to every year: the Travel & Adventure Show! Click To Tweet

Right up front, we’ll tell you that we are fans, and have been attending the shows for several years. Since the TravelLatte World HQ is in beautiful North Texas, we make a weekend out of the Dallas show every year. It’s like a pilgrimage to commune with fellow travelers, industry experts, and travel celebrities.

Can’t make it to Dallas? No worries! This is a travel show, after all, so it’s only appropriate that it travels around the country. Let’s take a look at the what, when, where and why of it.

Your Next Destination is at the Travel and Adventure Show via @TravelLatte.net

What is the Travel and Adventure Show?

That might seem obvious but, the first time we went, it was more than we expected. It is so much more than people selling travel. The main section features booths filled by destinations, travel companies, and vendors. There are several stages for presentations and entertainment throughout the day, and some hands-on activities you can try.

Destinations

The Travel and Adventure Show is a trade show for travel, with row after row of friendly people telling you about their destination. No pressure to buy anything, and no shame for gathering up brochures from everyplace under the sun. You will find lots of smiling faces and good information from genuinely enthusiastic and knowledgeable people. The Tahiti booth is filled with people from Tahiti. The gal from the Georgetown Railroad actually runs the train! Yes, that was Rudy Maxa at the Rudy Maxa Tours booth! You will come away from each booth you visit with so much more than a brochure.

The Travel Channel's Jack Maxwell spoke at the Dallas Travel and Adventure Show via @TravelLatte.net

Read about Jack Maxwell‘s first appearance at the Travel and Adventure show, and the timeless advice he left us with.

Celebrity Speakers

For many attendees, these are the big draws. Keynote speakers in the Travel Theater have included travel celebrities like Rick Steves and Andrew McCarthy, along with Travel Channel and Discovery veterans Samantha Brown, Jack Maxwell, and Josh Gates. We’ve heard from travel authors including Pauline Frommer, Patricia Schultz, and the legendary Paul Theroux. Travel authorities in attendance have included Rudy Maxa, Peter Greenberg, Johnny Jet, and others. Most of them are very willing to Meet & Greet afterwards, giving you a chance to chat and get an autograph.

The speaker lineup changes from year to year, and from show to show. Josh Gates may be the “headliner” in Los Angeles, while Samantha Brown takes the stage in Dallas, for example. You can see who will be speaking at the shows, usually several months in advance, by checking the show details at the Travel and Adventure Show website. You’ll need to select a show you’re interested in attending, and then clicking on Speaker Schedule.

When available, we always include the speaker lineup for upcoming shows in our listing below. This makes it a little easier to see if there’s an upcoming show you might want to attend, or even travel for! (Yes, we will travel to see Josh Gates – among others – at a Travel Adventure Show! Sadly, that is not going to happen this year.)

Seminars & Workshops

Beyond the big names, a host of local professionals, well known travel bloggers, and destination experts address a wide range of topics at the Destination Theater and the Savvy Traveler Theater. How-To seminars cover everything from packing for a cruise, to seeing all three U.S. Virgin Islands in one vacation. (If that’s not a value, we’re not sure what is!)

Your Next Destination is at the Travel and Adventure Show via @TravelLatte.net


Entertainment & Hands-On Activities

One of the best features of any trip is the local culture. The Global Beats Stage features a variety of music and dance performances from around the world. On the Taste of Travel Stage, you can connect with destinations in one of the most powerful ways: your sense of taste. You’ll learn about, and how to make, dishes from around the world. Best of all, samples are often included. We even learned how to make sushi rolls with Carl Rosa at a Travel and Adventure Show, and got to eat the evidence!

Travel memories are often made by trying new activities, and you’ll have a chance to do that, too. We’ve climbed rock walls and flown down ziplines. There have been camel rides, scuba pools, Segway courses, and more fun suitable for the entire family.

Shopping

This is a trade show, after all. There are travel suppliers and tour companies on hand, often with specials good only during the show. You’ll also find vendors with travel related items like AAACK! Packs, STUFFA travel clothing, and a host of others.

One note for the organizers: Several booths seem very out of place. (Home improvement people, we’re looking at you.) No offense but, with limited real estate in the show, we would appreciate more travel, less not-travel. I mean, we’re not shopping for a staycation.

If you go one place every year, make it the Travel and Adventure Show to find that one new place to go this year. Click To Tweet

Where is the Travel and Adventure Show?

Every year starts with a full slate of nine Travel and Adventure Shows across the country. The shows run from January to March, so while it’s frosty outside, you can warm up with some “hot” destinations inside! While there are some standard bearers – Dallas, New York, LA, and San Francisco are there every year – there are some comings and goings. Boston is not included for 2024, but Phoenix is new to the lineup. Each year is likely to have one or two changes, so it’s worth checking back here before making plans. As always, it pays to remember that schedules are subject to change.

Chicago

Denver

New York

  • January 27 & 28 at the Jacob Javits Center
  • Scheduled Speakers: Rick Steves, Phil Rosenthal, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg

Los Angeles

  • February 3 & 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center
  • Scheduled Speakers: Rick Steves, Phil Rosenthal, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg

NEW: Phoenix

  • February 17 & 18 at the Phoenix Convention Center
  • Scheduled Speakers: Andrew McCarthy, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg, Patricia Schultz

Washington, DC

  • February 24 & 25 at the Washington Convention Center
  • Scheduled Speakers: Andrew McCarthy, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg, Patricia Schultz

Atlanta

  • March 9 & 10 at the Cobb Galleria Center
  • Scheduled Speakers: Andrew McCarthy, Peter Greenberg

San Francisco / Bay Area

  • March 16 & 17 at the Santa Clara Convention Center
  • Scheduled Speakers: Phil Keoghan, Peter Greenberg, Patricia Schultz

Dallas

  • March 23 & 24 at Dallas Market Hall
  • Scheduled Speakers: Andrew McCarthy, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg

Get more information and purchase tickets for any or all shows at the Travel and Adventure Show website.

Why Should I Go to the Travel and Adventure Show Every Year?

You’ve seen one and you’ve seen them all, right?

Granted, a lot of the show is the same from year to year. The format doesn’t change much. Many of the same vendors come back every year. Even some of the speakers and presenters are repeat performers. (Personally, we’re okay with seeing Rick Steves and Samantha Brown on repeat. Heck, we do it on our DVR!)

See our experience at the 2013 Travel & Adventure Show where we first met actor and Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel writer Andrew McCarthy!

Every year, though, we see and learn something new. We learn about new places, even though some of them have had a booth at the show for years. We meet new people, and learn about new deals and offers. At the 2018 show, for example, Holo Holo, a charter company that sails to Hawaii’s Forbidden Island and the Napali Coast, was at the Dallas show for the first time. When we were planning a visit Ireland, having a chance to talk with Rick Steves’ staff about travel plans was a gold mine. (Even though they wouldn’t reveal when he was going to secretly take one of his own Ireland tours so we could join him. So much for having clout!)

Our advice stands: If you go one place every year, make it a travel show. It’s a sure bet that you’ll find someplace new to go every year.

TravelLatte's Rob meets the legendary Rick Steves via @TravelLatte.net

A meeting of travel hearts and minds: Rob & Rick at the 2016 Travel & Adventure Show.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the Travel and Adventure Show for providing complimentary Press Passes to previous events. All opinions expressed are solely our own.

Not required reading (or watching), but you may want to pick up one (or more!) of these travel tomes before your visit to the Travel and Adventure Show. If nothing else, you could come away from the show with an autographed copy! (Pro Tip: Leave the talks a little bit early; the Meet & Greet lines will already be forming!)


50 comments on “America’s Favorite Travel and Adventure Show – 2024 Update

    • You guys should go! We’re looking forward to the Dallas show this year – Bill Weir will be there! Can’t wait to see his keynote and maybe meet him. Hopefully, we’ll be able to string a few words together if that happens, and not look like complete goobers. 😉

  1. I love travel shows and go to as many as I can – luckily there are quite a few in London every Jan/Feb! There is just always so much to see and so many ways to get inspired!

    • Hey Lexx – you’re right, lots to see and many tempting destinations! You mentioned one of the London shows last year – Destinations, I think. So we looked it up and really want to go. Mostly, just to see what a travel show in Europe has to offer, and how it might be different from what we see every year. This year’s got here before we were ready. Maybe next year. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!

  2. I really, really wanted to go the the Dallas show this year, especially to see Rick Steves, but the timing didn’t work out for me. I think I would enjoy the Taste of Travel and any travel related gadgets the best. Thanks for the tip about Holo Holo. We’re in the midst of planning a Kuai vacation, and a visit to a Hawaiian Forbidden Island sounds very tempting.

    • Hi Michelle – The last time we were in Hawaii, nobody was running tours to the Forbidden Island (from Maui, at least), so we’re excited about that! I think we’re going to hook up with them for a couple of sails, actually. See, there’s the beauty of travel shows, right there! 🙂 Sorry the timing didn’t work out, but there’s always next year!

  3. I wish I had read this a few weeks ago! I was wondering if the show was worth it to attend and they were just in LA! Next time I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday, hope to see you again this weekend! xo

    • Hi Kana – We really enjoy the shows, and definitely encourage you to catch it next year. We haven’t been to one in LA…that would be fun! Who knows? Maybe we’ll spot you there! 🙂

    • We hope you’ll get to one, too! They are always fun and interesting, and you’re sure to come back with even more travel dreams! Thanks for reading!

  4. We went to the show in London at the beginning of February! I think yours may have been better though we did enjoy picking up lots of leaflets and maps of places we hope to visit! #feetdotravel

    • Hi Tracy – Which travel show did you go to in London? We’ve heard that the Destinations Show is a good one, and hope to catch it one year. We pick up fewer leaflets each year, but find ourselves spending more time talking with people about their destinations. Great way to discover some of the locals’ favorite spots and tips. Thanks for reading!

  5. I love trade shows, so one solely related to travel would be awesome. I may have to just plan a trip so I can catch it this year!

    • Hi Baguios! You should go! It’s way more fun than most of your typical trade shows. And sometimes you can score a good deal or find cool new travel toys. Since next year’s schedule is out already, we can start planning! Thanks for your comment, guys.

  6. The Travel and Adventure Show looks like a lot of fun and a great way to learn about some new places and hear from some industry greats. I’ve yet to go to a travel expo like this so it would be cool to go one day. #TheWeeklyPostcard

    • What??? David, it’s hard to believe an intrepid traveler such as yourself has managed not to attend a travel show! If you’re in the states next year, maybe you can change that at one of the Travel & Adventure Shows. We’ll look for you there! 😉

  7. Looks like a great show, so big!! (only in America!) We went to Destinations, our first travel show this year in the UK, it was so inspiring and weirdly very exciting, like being a kid or something … must be wanderlust!

    • Hi Garth! We very much feel like the proverbial Kids in a Candy Store at a travel show! There is so much world to learn about, and hopefully see one day. We get excited just thinking about it! You mentioned Destinations was fun. Hoping to experience it ourselves one day! Thanks for your comments.

  8. I absolutely love travel shows and go to 4-5 a year (we are lucky we have a few in London) – always such a great way to connect with companies, meet other travellers, listen to some great talks and, of course, get inspired! This looked like an awesome show!

  9. How fun! I definitely will be looking at attending the Travel Adventure Show. Seems like a great place to meet fellow travelers, travel companies and experts. I so want to meet Rick Steves. How beneficial and will have to put this on my must things to do if not this year hopefully next year. Thanks for this great information and sharing! 🙂

  10. Oh my gosh, you met Rick Steves! That’s awesome. As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up watching his travel show (which inspired my sense of wanderlust) and think it’s cool he still attends travel shows. 🙂 Anyway, the Travel & Adventure Show sounds fun to attend! I’ve been to expos before in the writing world but never for travel. Maybe that’ll have to change next year! Thanks for sharing the 2018 dates and tips with us.

    • Hi Anna – you do need to change that next year! Besides meeting the travel celebs, they share their expertise both on stage and in “Meet & Greet” sessions. It was awesome having a chance to chat with Rick Steves and Samantha Brown. Two of our favorites, and great inspirations. Thanks for your comment!

    • Lolo, that is surprising! I don’t know how you’ve managed to miss them, but maybe you can catch one coming up? Do they have them in Germany? Well, we promise to keep going and sharing at least until you get to one, and probably long after. 🙂

        • It would be really interesting to compare the travel shows in different areas. We see a lot of Asian and Caribbean destinations at the Travel & Adventure show every year. I wonder what you’d see in Germany. I think Lexx went to one of the shows in London – we should ask him what he found! Thanks for the comment, Lolo – Hope you find a travel show near you!

  11. I’ve never been to a travel show! You’ve convinced me it would be a fantastic thing to do. I’d have to leave my wallet at home or I’d come back bankrupt! #weeklypostcard

  12. Goodness me, if you didn’t have a case of serious wanderlust before attending this event, you certainly would after! This would be a dream for me (and I could spend hours and hours here), I would also be out of pocket as I’m sure I would be signing up for somewhere immediately! Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I didn’t know it existed before now 🙂 #feetdotravel

    • Oh, Angie, we are on the same wave. We DO spend hours and hours there! The one in Dallas would have you spending every penny – it’s always chock full of destinations in SE Asia. But then, maybe you’re ready for some US travels now? Either way, I feel like we’re going to be in trouble with Sy for opening this door for you. 😉 Thanks for reading – stay well!

    • Hi guys – we are keen to attend some shows in other countries. It would be interesting to see what destinations are there and how they’re marketed. And to see what kind of local deals we might find!! As always, thanks for reading.

  13. I have been to the Travel & Adventure show for the past 10 years (even before they changed the name, the Adventure part was added latter, remember that?). I agree that it is good to visit every year. Like you mentioned, there are several differences, plus, you get to participate on a lot of raffles and contest (hey, you never know). This year in Los Angeles was different from the Dallas case. The show takes place in Long Beach but this year they changed it to Los Angeles (next to the Staples Center). The location is much bigger but I think we prefer the smaller venue. #TheWeeklyPostcard

    • 10 years?!? Wow! We did notice they changed location in LA too, but I didn’t realize it was someplace bigger. That’s a good sign! We completely forgot to mention the prizes!! Lots of vendors have prizes to give away, plus there are show door prizes. We have yet to win, but we keep trying! Thanks for your comments, Ruth!

    • Hi Jill – Meeting THE Rick Steves was definitely a treat! Super nice guy with so much know how! Certainly a highlight of that show, but we always come back with lots of ideas and plans. 🙂

  14. Great post. I attended the show when it was in DC last year, but unfortunately I missed it this year. I agree the presenters are great. Looks like you had a great time!

    • Hi Albert, thanks for your comment. We narrowly missed the DC show last year. We like catching it in different cities because you get different regional focuses. The surrounding states are usually well represented, so getting away from your home region really broadens horizons. We hope you get to catch it next year!

    • Hi Amanda – You got that right! A kid in a candy store is exactly how we feel at these shows. And they make a great road trip! We have an extra tip if you decide to do that: Plan to attend the show on the second day because sometimes there are great “end of show” deals to be had. Travel and deals? Who doesn’t like that? Thanks for visiting!

    • Us too! Glad you mentioned meeting fellow travelers – something we didn’t talk about. We had some great conversations with people attending the show. They are a wealth of ideas and information, too! Thanks for stopping by – next year, we’ll have to plan a visit!

You know what's awesome? Comments! Leave yours here: