Your sales goals are ambitious, and the right connections will help you soar in 2026. Whether you're looking to make deals, discover the latest travel technology trends, or find relevant connections, these 15 travel industry networking events must be on your calendar. This article gives you information on dates, locations, and why you should go. Here’s a glance:
Skift Megatrends NYC 2026 - Trend-setting insights for travel leaders.
ITB Berlin 2026 - The world's largest travel trade show.
Rendez-vous en France 2026 - France's leading B2B tourism marketplace.
Mountain Travel Symposium 2026 - Premier mountain and ski tourism conference.
Arival 360 Valencia 2026 - Top event for tours and attractions in Europe.
IPW 2026 – USA's major inbound travel marketplace.
IMEX Frankfurt 2026 - Leading global meeting and event industry expo.
Loyalty Summit London 2026 - Focused on travel loyalty and retention strategy.
Business Travel Show Europe 2026 - Key European corporate travel event.
TravelTech Show 2026 - Dedicated European travel tech marketplace.
IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 - Global attractions and leisure trade show.
IFTM Paris 2026 - Major international B2B travel trade show in France.
Arival 360 Spokane 2026 - North American edition for experience operators.
Digital Travel Summit Europe 2026 - Forum for travel digital and eCommerce leaders.
WTM London 2026 - The world's most influential travel trade event.
As you begin planning an industry event in the travel space, one of the first decisions you’ll make is clarifying the event format. Let’s break down the main event types first.
A trade show, expo, or conference?
Trade shows
Trade shows provide a space where businesses from a specific industry can network, buy, and sell products and services. The size and scope of trade shows can vary widely, from small, local fairs to huge, multi-day mega shows that draw tens of thousands of attendees.
Typically hosted in convention centers, hotels, or other large venues, trade shows feature rows (or "aisles") of vendor booths. These booths promote the latest products, services, and travel technology trends from businesses in that industry. For example, if you want to learn more about AI solutions for aviation, a dedicated event is the best place to do it.
Often, trade shows also include speaking sessions on industry topics. And, of course, there is always swag - those branded gifts and samples from vendors.
Expos
Expos have a similar setup to trade shows in terms of vendor booths, speaking sessions, and networking opportunities. But expos tend to cover broader topics or focus on B2C consumers instead of business customers.
Expos are still a valuable event for many businesses, though. They provide chances to check out the competition or connect with other brands, while exploring innovation in tourism and emerging market opportunities.
Tourism conferences
Conferences focus less on promoting products and services to potential customers. Instead, they bring together audiences from a field to share knowledge and collaborate through travel seminars and interactive sessions.
While a trade show has booths lining a large exhibit hall, conferences typically feature smaller meeting rooms for speaking sessions. Some conferences incorporate trade show elements like sponsor booths and demo areas. But the emphasis remains on knowledge sharing.
These events allow you to make new connections and bring fresh ideas back to your company.
Of course, many organizations take advantage of all three events at different times to maximize exposure, open up partnership opportunities, motivate employees, and simply get their finger on the pulse of what's happening in the field.
Speaking of keeping up with the latest happenings, that brings us nicely to the main part of the article - the 15 best business travel events.
Top 15 travel industry events and conferences in 2026
Looking to boost sales and establish valuable connections? Here are 15 of the top travel events that should be on your radar this year.
1. Skift Megatrends NYC 2026
Date: January 22, 2026, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Convene, 117 West 46th Street, New York City
Skift Megatrends is where travel industry leaders gather to define what's coming. Each January, Skift releases its annual trend forecast, and this travel industry conference brings those insights to life. The 2026 edition convenes 200+ leaders from across travel, hospitality, and tech. With 60% of attendees at the director level or above, representing 143 different companies from 9 countries, you're guaranteed to be in a room with decision-makers who shape the industry.
The speaker lineup features visionaries like Omri Morgenshtern (CEO of Agoda) and other power players. The agenda covers everything from AI integration to evolving traveler mindsets, offering attendees a comprehensive view of where the industry is headed.
A unique feature this year is "The Empty Chair": an unscripted, live on-stage conversation where a surprise attendee joins Skift's Editor-in-Chief for a five-minute exchange. Following the main program, attendees network with Skift editors and industry peers, exchanging perspectives on the biggest opportunities in travel for 2026. For those tracking the new travel shows and trends, Skift Megatrends offers an unmatched combination of insight, access, and community.
2. ITB Berlin 2026
Date: March 3-5, 2026
Location: Berlin ExpoCenter City, Germany
Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the heavyweight of travel trade shows, and in 2026, it's celebrating 60 years. This is where the entire tourism industry gathers to network and negotiate.
The show floor is structured by geographic destinations and specialized market segments, including Adventure Tourism, Business Travel, Luxury Travel events, Medical Tourism, and Travel Technology. With exhibitors from over 180 countries and thousands of trade visitors, ITB Berlin offers unmatched reach and diversity.
Running parallel to the exhibition is the ITB Berlin Convention, where experts debate the forces shaping travel's future. What makes ITB Berlin special is its comprehensive approach, fostering meaningful connections across the entire travel ecosystem.
The 2026 edition promises to be particularly memorable as the event marks six decades of industry leadership.
3. Rendez-vous en France 2026
Date: March 31 - April 1, 2026
Location: Nice, French Riviera, France
Rendez-vous en France returns to the French Riviera. This is France's signature international tourism conferences platform, designed for professionals who understand that real deals happen face-to-face, not through screens.
The event zeroes in on what travelers want now: genuine experiences, sustainability, and quality that justifies the price tag. French tourism providers (from boutique hotels to Michelin-starred restaurants, regional promotion offices to transport operators) will showcase their offerings.
For international tour operators, travel agencies, and incoming specialists hunting for suppliers who deliver, this is where you'll find France's best. The emphasis is on building partnerships that convert growing demand for meaningful travel into concrete bookings.
4. Mountain Travel Symposium 2026
Date: April 13-18, 2026
Location: Whistler, British Columbia
Mountain Travel Symposium remains the world's largest and longest-running mountain tourism conference, bringing 900+ professionals from 35+ countries to Whistler for relationship-building that directly impacts booking volumes. The format combines structured business exchanges with professional development content calibrated for ski industry realities.
Core aspects of this show that deliver success:
Trade exchange: Two days, 50 pre-scheduled appointments connecting tour operators and wholesalers with resorts, destinations, lodging, and transportation providers
Group exchange: Direct access to 120+ ski clubs and councils planning trips of 20-500 people, with 75% traveling internationally at least once per season
The forum: Sales and marketing executive programming featuring keynotes, panels, and workshops from industry leaders including Aspen Snowmass, Vail Resorts, and Ski.com
Young Leaders summit: Exclusive track for under-35 professionals building mountain travel careers and networks
The concentrated format eliminates geographic barriers - where else do Ski Club of Great Britain operations meet Colorado Tourism officials alongside Japanese wholesalers and European resort CMOs? Technology integration also reflects mountain travel's evolution: Inntopia demonstrates business intelligence tools, Screenpilot presents booking innovations, and Expedia's Hotel Market Partnerships team shares distribution strategies.
Speaker lineup balances resort operators (Aspen Snowmass VP Global Sales), sustainability practitioners (Aspen One), and demand-generation specialists (OntheSnow/Mountain News). Registration opens with early pricing advantages, while sponsorship opportunities sell out fast.
5. Arival 360
Valencia: April 27-29, 2026 | Palacio de Congresos, Spain
Spokane: October 13-16, 2026 | Convention Center, Washington
Arival 360 owns the tours, activities, and attractions sector globally, and 2026 delivers two continental editions. Valencia tackles European market dynamics with AI-powered translation across 65+ languages, while Spokane anchors Pacific Northwest with North American focus.
The program features tactical execution:
AI for experience creators
Systems and selling strategies for complex itineraries
Differentiation tactics for food-focused programming
OTA optimization, channel management, and ranking algorithms that matter
The community element separates Arival from typical travel expo circuits. Operators share P&L realities, tech providers demonstrate working solutions rather than vaporware, and OTAs engage in candid discussions about what drives their recommendation engines. Registration includes cancellation flexibility (full refund 60 days out) and small operator discounts (40% off for under $250K annual revenue).
6. IPW 2026
Date: May 17-21, 2026
Location: Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida
IPW’s 2026 edition drops anchor in Fort Lauderdale with 1,400+ international buyers and 1,000+ U.S. exhibitors converging for five days of high-density appointments. Each IPW generates nearly 11 million international visitors over three years, translating to $26.1 billion in U.S. travel spending.
This format guarantees 40+ prescheduled appointments per attendee, connecting international tour operators and media with U.S. suppliers in all 50 states. More than 60% of buyers report booking destinations they hadn't previously considered, which explains why travel industry events like this matter.
Fort Lauderdale provides the waterfront setting, with the newly expanded convention center minutes from both the beach and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The destination itself becomes part of the pitch - 300 miles of navigable waterways, award-winning restaurants, and a coastal sophistication that reminds international buyers why the U.S. travel product remains globally competitive.
7. IMEX Frankfurt 2026
Date: May 19-21, 2026 (Education: May 18)
Location: Messe Frankfurt, Germany
IMEX Frankfurt brings 3,100 suppliers and 4,500+ buyers together for Europe's travel industry conference. This is where meeting planners with serious budgets connect with destinations, venues, and service providers who can actually deliver at scale.
The 2026 edition expands its education program to 200+ sessions across nine specialized tracks, covering everything from event tech integration to experience design that resonates. Topics span implementing AI without losing the human touch, navigating sustainability requirements, and maximizing ROI from luxury travel events without the luxury price shock.
Frankfurt's setup is purpose-built for efficiency: 67,000 pre-scheduled meetings happened in 2025 alone, facilitated by appointment systems that eliminate the awkward booth hovering. The hosted buyer program remains a major draw, covering flights and accommodations while connecting qualified planners with exhibitors who match their actual needs.
8. Loyalty Summit 2026
London: June 3-4, 2026
Loyalty Summit convenes high-powered travel and retail executives focused on customer retention economics and program innovation across three continental editions. The events target senior marketing leaders wrestling with loyalty program evolution as points currencies, status tier psychology, and partnership ecosystems grow increasingly complex.
These topics define the strategy over theory driven by this event:
Revenue optimization through loyalty program mechanics
Partnership integration expanding earning and redemption opportunities
Data utilization improving personalization and targeted offers
Technology infrastructure supporting modern loyalty platforms
Regulatory navigation as privacy requirements tighten globally
Sessions feature executives managing programs generating billions in ancillary revenue, sharing insights on what drives engagement. The conference format balances general sessions with working groups enabling peer-to-peer problem-solving. For business travel events specifically targeting loyalty mechanics rather than generic marketing topics, the Summit series delivers concentrated expertise unavailable at broader travel conferences.
9. Business Travel Show Europe 2026
Date: June 24-25, 2026
Location: ExCeL London, United Kingdom
Business Travel Show Europe is where corporate travel decision-makers and suppliers meet. Now in its 30th year, this event has become the premier gathering for the industry, bringing together over 3,000 professionals across two intensive days.
The event brings qualified travel managers from across the UK and Europe, offering them complimentary accommodation and curated networking opportunities. The show floor features 200+ leading suppliers showcasing the latest innovations in travel, from expense management platforms to ground transportation solutions. Beyond the exhibition space, attendees can dive into travel events covering sustainable travel, rail innovations, and procurement strategies.
Whether you're sourcing new suppliers or strengthening relationships with existing partners, Business Travel Show Europe delivers the perfect blend of education, networking, and deal-making in a business-friendly environment.
10. TravelTech Show 2026
Date: June 24-25, 2026
Location: ExCeL London, United Kingdom
TravelTech Show is Europe's only dedicated travel technology marketplace, and it's focused on one thing: connecting buyers with the solutions they actually need. With 700+ qualified buyers from 53 countries, the secret weapon here is the 1-2-1 meeting platform. Before the doors even open, exhibitors and buyers have pre-booked appointments, ensuring every conversation counts. In 2025 alone, over 548 meetings were arranged in advance.
The show covers every corner of travel innovations technology: AI-powered tools, automation platforms, payment systems, CRM solutions, booking engines, and data analytics. Senior leaders from TMCs, tour operators, OTAs, airlines, hotels, and cruise lines attend to benchmark the latest trends, see live demos, and compare what's new in the market.
11. GBTA Convention 2026
Date: August 3-5, 2026
Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
GBTA Convention is the gathering for the $1.57 trillion business travel sector, and 2026 lands in Chicago with over 300 exhibitors already committed. This isn't one of the typical corporate travel events - it's where travel managers, procurement teams, TMCs, and suppliers solve challenges.
The programming tackles duty of care evolution, sustainability mandates, and travel industry software integration. Sessions are peer-reviewed and built around solutions, not sales pitches.
The expo floor delivers access to cutting-edge travel innovation, from booking platforms to expense management systems that actually talk to each other. Chicago's McCormick Place provides the scale needed for 28,000+ active contacts to converge, compare notes, and forge the partnerships that shape how business travel operates globally.
12. IAAPA Expo Europe 2026
Date: September 21-25, 2026 (Show Floor: Sept 22-24)
Location: ExCeL London, United Kingdom
IAAPA Expo Europe shifts to London's ExCeL centre, bringing 700+ exhibitors and 60+ education events focused on the attractions and leisure sector. This is one of the travel conferences where theme parks, entertainment venues, and location-based experience operators find the hotel management software, ride systems, and guest experience technologies that power modern attractions.
The 2026 program digs into AI deployment that enhances operations without replacing human creativity, IP integration strategies, and the intersection of sports lifestyle brands with traditional attractions. Educational tracks cover the business fundamentals: maximizing team member satisfaction, leveraging data analytics for guest behavior insights, and implementing security protocols that don't kill the fun.
The CONNECT+ app handles scheduling, floor navigation, and exhibitor details in real-time, eliminating the paper-shuffling that bogs down larger expos. With ExCeL London's direct Docklands Light Railway connection and capacity for 15,000+ attendees (as seen in Barcelona 2025), the infrastructure supports serious business discussions.
13. IFTM - International & French Travel Market 2026
Date: September 15-17, 2026
Location: Paris Porte de Versailles - Hall 1, France
IFTM is France's flagship B2B tourism and travel show, positioning Paris as the September gathering point where 32,000+ professionals conduct actual business across leisure, corporate, MICE, and group sectors. The 2026 edition brings together 1,650 brands spanning 177 destinations under one roof for three days of pre-scheduled meetings and strategic networking.
The format prioritizes deal-making over showmanship. The Everywhere matchmaking platform enables qualified business meetings booked in advance - 16,725 appointments materialized in 2025. The Business Club concentrates corporate travel events activity, featuring TMCs, major agency networks, airlines, and hotel chains alongside AFTM's workshop programming.
Destination France anchors domestic tourism offerings, while Tour Operators and Distribution Networks create focal points for their respective sectors. The new Sustainable Initiatives Village addresses environmental and social challenges. For travel agency conferences seeking French and European suppliers, IFTM's concentration of decision-makers delivers density that justifies the trip.
14. WTM London 2026
Date: November 3-5, 2026
Location: ExCeL London, United Kingdom
WTM London is the definitive global event for the travel trade. For over forty years, it has been the essential annual gathering where tourism leaders from more than 180 countries meet to forge partnerships and set the industry's direction.
The event connects over 4,000 exhibitors (from national tourism boards to major hotel brands and tech innovators) with 46,000+ professional attendees. A structured meeting platform facilitates tens of thousands of pre-scheduled appointments, ensuring your time is spent with qualified buyers and decision-makers ready to make deals.
Beyond the exhibition floor, the program delivers insights through the launch of the WTM Global Travel Report and stages dedicated to the trends reshaping travel. If your goal is to secure international contracts, understand global market shifts, or meet the entire industry in one place, WTM London remains the unmatched flagship event where the world of travel comes together.
15. Digital Travel Summit Europe 2026
Date: November 17-18, 2026
Location: The Hurlingham Club, London
Digital Travel Summit Europe concentrates senior digital, marketing, and eCommerce executives from airlines, hotels, OTAs, and tour operators for solution-focused sessions tackling AI disruption head-on.
Programming targets five core challenges:
Personalizing booking journeys to drive loyalty and upsell conversion
Connecting data and technology by breaking down siloed tech stacks
Optimizing digital touchpoints across channels for conversion improvement
Adapting to AI search as discovery patterns fundamentally shift
Inspiring experience-driven travelers through content that cuts through noise
Interactive working groups enable peer benchmarking on topics like travel mobile apps personalization, CRM optimization (Secret Escapes), and spatial video implementation for destinations (via Tripadvisor insights).
Extended networking breaks facilitate actual conversations rather than speed-dating business card exchanges. Attendance draws 50+ solution-focused sessions led by 60+ senior leaders, with automatic £1 donation to One Tree Planted per registration supporting sustainability commitments beyond conference rhetoric. This is where travel industry software decisions get informed by practitioners running systems at scale.
How to make the most of travel events
You’re there for a reason: visibility, leads, or key partners. Here’s a simple plan to make sure you leave with everything you came for - and nothing you missed.
1. Do your research ahead of time and set clear goals
Review the schedule and decide which educational sessions, speakers, or networking opportunities align with your goals. Are you focused more on learning about tech innovations in travel or on making connections to grow your clientele? Define your priorities so you can plan your time.
2. Travel prepared to actively participate
Have plenty of business cards on hand and be ready to briefly explain what your company does. Bring brochures or samples that help demonstrate what you offer. Having materials ready allows you to share information about your services when opportunities arise.
3. Make sure to balance scheduled event activities with free time
Don't get so caught up in rushing between sessions that you miss chances to network organically. Allow time to wander the travel expo hall, chat with people between presentations, or socialize during receptions. You never know what connections you can make during downtime conversations.
4. Follow up promptly after the even
While conversations are fresh, send personalized emails to new contacts to solidify relationships. Share links to resources discussed or follow up about possible ways to work together. Maintaining contacts after travel seminars is vital to realizing the full business benefits of attending.
These 15 business travel shows represent your best opportunities for growth in the year ahead. With a clear plan, you can convert every attendance into tangible ROI, greater visibility, and valuable new partnerships.
COAX roadmap for travel events 2026
At COAX, travel innovation is our passion. We specialize in developing the digital foundations that help businesses scale, from custom travel web development and design that captures your brand’s essence, to robust booking software and platform integrations that improve your operations and returns. Whether you’re looking to modernize a legacy system, connect via GDS or channel manager APIs, or build a marketplace from the ground up, we partner with you to turn vision into reality.
Take a look at the COAX case study on partnering with a global travel platform. People often lose money when travel plans change. We created Re:Plan to solve this problem. It lets sellers easily relist non-refundable reservations, while users can search hotels and book new stays. COAX handled data integration so the marketplace unifies information from various systems.
Another example is custom CRM development for a bus tour agency with growing operations. We used React, Ruby, and Python to build a platform integrating all aspects of the business. Now, our clients can easily connect to suppliers, while tour guides, drivers, and travelers access everything they need in one spot.
And that’s not it! Our recent achievement is Driven Connect – the booking service for corporate transportation in the UK. The platform uses a quote request system to compare offers from different providers, subscription plans, user roles with personalized views, route planning, and emissions tracking module.
How are we keeping track of the industry trends and standards to stay ahead of the curve?
One of the ways we continue to surpass our clients' expectations is by attending travel-related events. We always appreciate the energy of in-person communication. Visiting CGITEX Europe 2025 and attending WTM travel conference for three years in a row gave us insights into the future of travel technology, sustainability, and customer experience. So, we plan to participate in the industry events in 2026, too - come find us or schedule a meeting!
COAX invites all interested parties to connect at these travel events or anytime to brainstorm how we can assist through software development. Let’s keep in touch to foster productive travel partnerships in 2026!
.avif)
.avif)
%2520for%2520Hotels_%2520Features%2520and%2520Benefits%25202.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
