IPW 2023: WHAT TO EXPECT FOR EXHIBITORS

The U.S. Travel Association has announced their upcoming IPW show for May 20 – 24, 2023 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

This show showcases U.S. suppliers of USA travel products and destinations, while attracting international domestic travel buyers and journalists representing more than 70 countries. If you’re in the travel industry, IPW 2023 is the must-attend event of the year.

EVENTS TO EXPECT

IPW 2023 is set to give the global travel industry a place to connect and rebuild relationships around the world. Past conferences have generated more than $5.5 billion in travel, with connections and information shared throughout the industry.

This year’s events will include:

• Various Business Appointments to pair exhibitors and buyers. These will be made prior to IPW through an online portal.
• A host of networking events, including sponsored lunches and evening events for face-to-face time.
• A Media Marketplace where travel suppliers and media will meet, providing educational and promotional opportunities with international media exposure.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

All IPW attendees and delegates are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result taken within 48 hours of check-in at the convention center.

ATTEND & EXHIBIT AT IPW

Planning to exhibit at the show? While The U.S. Travel Association has worked to keep many in-person events on track with new safety procedures, this year is the first to offer an express booth option for exhibitors. This is a cost-effective option for exhibitors with limited budgets, and offers the ability to request up to 22 pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments with buyers (the traditional plan allows for 44 appointments).

No matter which type of plan you choose for exhibiting, it’s important to create a memorable experience for both your team and conference attendees. With the show only months away, it’s a great time to ramp up messaging or advertising to announce your attendance.

Consider what you’ll be sharing at the show, and make sure your team is on the same page about goals. This could be as simple as how many leads you’re looking to generate, how many freebies you give out, or the number of sales you want to have completed before the show ends.

In addition to following an outline like this plan, keep in mind a few of the most important things for a successful show:

• Get the word out – Announce your attendance to both current customers and future prospects. This can be done with simple things like word-of-mouth, emails, social media posts or traditional advertising. State your booth’s location clearly, and what you’ll be providing—including any giveaways you’ll be handing out!
• Train your team – Don’t assume your staff will naturally know what to do. Everyone working the booth should be informed about show expectations and ways to communicate with people visiting the booth, including top takeaways or business goals.
• Make your booth stand out – A professionally-finished booth will leave a positive impression on everyone you contact. For ideas on how to create a successful booth, contact our team at Xibit Solutions. Our experts can help from ideation to creation, so you can spend more time focusing on highlighting your expertise.
• Follow up after the show – This is where many people drop the ball. Don’t wait for attendees to remember to contact you when they’re in need. Keep your company and services top of mind with a friendly follow-up. Even better, if you recorded email addresses during the show, devise an email plan to keep them updated well into the future.

You can also use our Trade Show Preparation Guide to make sure you position your business for success.

START WITH A SHOW-STOPPING BOOTH!

Don’t forget your booth features! Making your booth stand out can interest passersby who didn’t seek your company out from the pre-show communications you sent. A professionally-created booth can make a big difference in how your potential customers perceive your company, and whether or not they want to do future business with you. Xibit Solutions offers logistic solutions, booth installation and removal, and custom graphics that will give you a leg up on the competition regardless of budget or business size.