Category: travelcon

TravelCon: Come attend the biggest travel media event of the year!

Travelcon 2020 in New Orleans, United States Are you in the travel industry? Want to learn from the best, meet your peers, and make deals with brands? For those of you who don’t know, in 2018 we created an event called TravelCon. This three-day conference connects you with industry leaders, influencers, and celebrated writers through keynote speeches, small-group writing and photography workshops, breakout tutorial sessions, networking events, and industry panels. At TravelCon, you’ll:
  • Improve your craft in the four major areas of travel: video, photography, writing, and blogging
  • Learn what’s hot, what works, and what doesn’t
  • Keep current on the best practices in digital travel publishing
  • Learn about new products and services
  • Meet destinations and travel brands
  • Network with experts inside the travel industry
  • Learn from experts outside the travel industry
  • Make connections with other travel lovers
  • Have a ton of fun!
This isn’t just for bloggers — we focus on all sections of the media: photographers, vloggers, podcasters, freelance writers, travel agents, and guidebook authors. Think of it as a travel version of the professional development doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, and other industries have! Unlike other events, we’re focused on bringing you intermediate- and advanced-level talks and top-tier talent from inside and outside the travel industry, so you can learn the skills needed to advance your career. This year’s event is in New Orleans from May 8th to 10th. Since we’re only three months away from TravelCon, it’s time for another update! We’ve been planning a lot in the last few months as we head towards the finish line.

Schedule

We’ve released the schedule! Check out it here. We’re focusing a lot more on monetization, Instagram, freelance writing, and succeeding on social media. I’m so excited about the speakers and the talks we have this year. While the times of the talks are subject to change, you can see what you’ll learn at the event. Here are some of the highlights:
  • How to update content so it ranks better
  • How to succeed on Pinterest in 2020
  • How to run small group tours
  • How to become a travel agent and add new revenue to your business
  • How to build a strong online community
  • The micro-influencer: how to succeed as a small fish
  • The law: legal and IP issues you should know!
  • How to get freelance work
  • All the tax stuff you should know!
  • Affiliate Marketing 101
  • Advanced Google Analytics
  • How to improve your UX and design
  • How to write effective sales pages
  • Making money on YouTube
  • LGBTQ freelance writing
  • Two sessions on improving your writing
  • A guide to self-publishing
  • How to hire people the right way
  • How to run Facebook Ad campaigns
  • SEO best practices
  • How to make money on Instagram
  • And so much more!
All in all, we’re going to have close to 50 sessions to choose from. And don’t worry if you can’t make them all! Included with the ticket is a virtual pass of all the talks. We record every talk and keynote so you can access them after the event to continue to learn!

Speakers

Since our last update, we’ve added some new speakers:

Bani Amor

Travel Writer

Cynthia Andrew

Simply Cyn

Joey Coleman

Author, Never Lose a Customer Again

Adam Groffman

Travels of Adam

Mike and Anne Howard

HoneyTrek

Benet Wilson

The Points Guy

Cal Fussman

Author

Erin Sullivan

Erin outdoors
For a full list, check out our homepage. We’re going to have 60 incredible speakers from inside and outside the travel industry. Many don’t normally talk at other events so TravelCon is one of the only events you can see them at!

Workshops and FAMs

We’ve released our workshop and FAM schedule. This year we’ll be having complimentary FAM trips before and after the event that will allow you to visit New Orleans as well as the surrounding area. You can see a list here, but some highlights include:
  • Demonstration Cooking Class with Crescent City Cooks
  • French Quarter Tour with Historic New Orleans Walking Tours
  • Garden District Food Tour with Fat Tire Tours
  • Glory Days of the Garden District Walking Tour with Ask Arthur
  • Grand Garden District Tour with Two Chicks Walking Tour
  • Harbor Jazz Cruise with Steamboat Natchez
  • French Quarter Ghosts & Legends Tour with Haunted History Tours
  • Cocktail History Tour with Dr. Gumbo

Check out our sponsors!

We’ve been signing tons of sponsors for this year. Our exhibit hall is going to be larger than last year and includes brands that have never attended before. During the event, you’ll be able to book meetings with decision-makers, organize campaigns, and make the deals that will grow your business. Some of the sponsors we have this year Additionally, though they don’t have their logos up yet, we’re going to have Sony (!!!), TripAdvisor, HostGator, AdThrive, and Moon Travel Guides too! In total, we’re going to have about 40 brands and destinations this year. There’s more to come but, without contracts signed, I don’t want to jinx it!
***
All in all, it’s going to be a fantastic event! We’re going to have an incredible New Orleans–themed opening party with music, performers, and a taste of the new and old New Orleans. We also scoped out venues for our niche meet-ups too. If you want to attend the conference, tickets to this year’s TravelCon are $399. They include access to the event, parties, meet-ups, FAMs, lunches, a virtual pass, and more! You can click here to learn more and secure your spot today! We’re capping our event at 800 attendees this year. We’re currently over 50% sold out and expect to sell out soon (we’ve sold out every year). With only three months to go, don’t miss out on the biggest travel media conference of the year. If you have any questions, leave a comment! See you in NOLA! – Matt

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

TravelCon Update: Why You Should Be in the Room Where it Happens

TravelCon 2019 updates in Boston
Posted: 4/29/2019 | April 29th, 2019

TravelCon is now only TWO months away!

This is going to the biggest travel media event of the year and the only one that focuses on all sides of the industry: traditional writing, blogging, YouTube, Instagram, and photography.

If you’ve been thinking of getting into the travel industry, don’t wait much longer as we expect to sell out again. We only have 130 tickets left and, when we sell out, that’s it.

Here’s a recap of last year’s event:

 
So how will TravelCon help you?

Think of the millions of blogs, Instagram accounts, vlogs, and freelance writers out there.

How do you stand out among them all?

How do you become more than just another email in someone’s inbox?

By becoming a face.

What gets lost in this age of online hyper-connectedness is that old-fashioned face-to-face networking wins. When people know you personally, they are more willing to work with you. When they’ve talked to you and shared a beer with you, they WILL open your email.

Because you are no longer just another random stranger on the Internet.

You’re a cool — and REAL— person.

Someone they want to work with.

For example, last year, one of our attendees struck up a conversation with a rep from Czech Tourism — and ended up producing an ad campaign for them:

(Great video, huh?)

That’s the power of in-person events.

It allows you to talk in a way online pitching and communication can’t.

You’re only as successful as your network — and that network is strongest when it’s based on real-life connections.

And, if you’re worried you’re too much of a beginner, an attendee came last year who knew she wanted to do something in the travel industry — but she wasn’t sure what. Well, now she is running a successful tour company based on what she learned!

All within less than a year.

Travelcon 2018 testimonial

***

This event is going to be bigger and better than last year’s, and with only two months left to go, there’s not much time to get your ticket and make your plans. Over the last few weeks, TravelCon preparation has kicked into high gear:

1. We released our initial schedule. (There’s still a few more talks and speakers on their way.)

2. We signed our Friday night band! (I’m going to keep it a secret, but they were featured in an Apple ad!)

3. And, finally, we signed on more sponsors (with more on the way), including:

Adthrive
AdThrive is the leading ad monetization platform for high-quality, mid-sized digital publishers, empowering content creators to make a living doing what they love while the company manages the advertising for them.

Bucketlist.Club
BucketList.Club is a startup aiming to help its members accomplish more of their bucket list goals by introducing them to influencers and businesses with relevant experiences and offerings. We developed a business model and features that help Influencers promote their content and identify commercial opportunities, all while they inspire others with their content.

ConvertKit
ConvertKit are creators who help creators earn a living online. They have the best email marketing software on the web. Their features are built by bloggers for bloggers to help online businesses grow their biggest asset: their email list.

Exercore LLC
Our flagship product called the Eustachi is a first to market product designed to help anyone suffering from clogged ears by exercising their Eustachian tubes. The Eustachi helps by INSTANTLY clearing stuffy ears, anytime & anywhere using just a little air. The Eustachi is a must have for the traveler who suffers from ear problems.

Fat Tire Tours
Fat Tire Tours was established in 1999 with the goal of being a bridge between the English-speaking traveler and some of the best cities in Europe. Today, with locations in 12 cities across Europe and the US, the company’s mission is to provide safe, fun, and unforgettable experiences through superior customer service that creates memories and smiles that last a lifetime.

Memphis Tourism
Where in world can you visit the home of the king of rock n’ roll, bike across the Mississippi River and pay your respects at the site of Civil Rights history — only in Memphis. But the home of Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll is so much more. Memphis’s unexpected combinations create one-of-a-kind experiences.

Moon Travel Guides
Founded in 1973, Moon was one of the first advocates of independent travel. Our authors are experts who have a passion for their destinations—they are women and men who are politically and culturally minded, informative, adventurous, inspiring, and have great stories to tell. They experience activities and destinations the same way our readers do — firsthand — making it possible for Moon to deliver up-to-date, reliable, and entertaining information.

Providence
Historic and hip, charming and chic, Providence, Rhode Island combines the best of a quaint New England town with the amenities and sophistication of a larger city. The city’s downtown is compact and filled with innovative and eclectic restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and well-preserved architecture.

Here’s a full list of our current sponsors that will be at the event (with more to come):

We know that going to conferences can be scary. Will you meet people? Will you make friends? Will you learn enough to justify the cost?

That’s why we hold tons of networking events, host in-depth sessions with experts from the travel sphere (and other fields), and have some amazing brands and companies for you to meet and do business with.

The best connections I’ve made — and improvements to my blog — have always been the result of going to in-person events.

So come attend TravelCon in June.

Take your career to the next level — and make friends and connections that will last a lifetime.

Just click here to get your tickets today.

And, if you have any questions, leave them in the comments!

– Nomadic Matt

The post TravelCon Update: Why You Should Be in the Room Where it Happens appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

TravelCon 2019 Update: Final Speakers, First Sponsors

TravelCon 2019 updates in Boston
Posted: 3/5/2019 | March 5th, 2019

With less than four months to go, I wanted to give you another update on our upcoming travel industry conference, TravelCon.

With that in mind, let me tell you about some recent updates:

First, we finalized our speaker list (I mean I may add a few more in but this is as the final big announcement). With over 60 speakers, this event is going to be amazing and we’re going to cover a lot of incredible topics: SEO, monetization, video production, webinars, Instagram, photo editing, writing, livestreaming, FB ads, photography, marketing, self-publishing, time management, and so much more! I mean we have three FULL days of events, talks, panels, and networking!

Since we last spoke, we added the following speakers:

Bani Amor

Decolonizing Travel Culture

Brian Baldrati

Is This Real

Kash Bhattacharya

Budget Traveller

Travis Burke

Travis Burke Photography

Brian Clark

Copyblogger

Joey Coleman

Author, Never Lose a
Customer Again

Tiffany Funk

One Mile at a Time

Pete & Dalene Heck

Hecktic Travels

Dani Heinrich

Globetrotter Girls

Joseph Hernandez

Thrillist

Raimee Iacofano

Nomadic Matt

Benny Lewis

Fluent in 3 Months

Michael Lisovetsky

JUICE

Kaitlin McMichael

Getty Images

Dan & Audrey

Uncornered Market

Kamila Napora

Kami and the Rest
of the World

Troy Osinoff

JUICE

Sherry Ott

Ottsworld

Jadah Sellner

JadahSellner.com

Sher

Sher She Goes

Mary Ann Thomas

Travel Writer

Erica Virvo

Nomadic Matt

Nicole Wears

Traveling Canucks

We only have 200 tickets left! We’re going to sell out this year so be sure to get your ticket soon. (Once we hit our cap, we do not go over it. I like to keep the experience small and intimate. I’m not ready to turn this event in a multi-thousand person expo.)

Additionally, I want to announce our first round of sponsors! While we have a lot more in the works, here are the first batch of brands you’re going to see at the event. They are going to be doing a lot of great things:

Aweber
AWeber is an easy-to-use email marketing and automation software used by some of the best writers, photographers and content creators around the world, including Ann Handley, Stephen Kamb, and more.

Bluehost
Bluehost is a leading web solutions services provider. They power millions of websites, making them one of the largest and most trusted web hosting services. They are also one of our recommended hosting providers for our course. One of the best value companies out there!

Constant Contact
Constant Contact’s leading email and social media marketing tools personal coaching-help all types of small businesses and organizations create professional-looking email newsletters and social campaigns.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest adventure travel company, operating amazing small group experiences in over 120 countries. They specialize in environmental and sustainable tours and are the perferred tour parter of this website!

Mediavine
Mediavine offers full service ad management including display ad optimization, video monetization and sponsored influencer marketing. They’re here to help content creators like yourself build sustainable businesses.

Québec
From lakes to forests and the majestic St. Lawrence River, Québec is a series of jaw-dropping scenery. With breathtaking land and cityscapes, it’s the genuine people and historic culture that really bring Québec to life: year-round festivals, scenic road trips and local flavors are just a few of Québec’s charms.

Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. It is ranked as the world’s best airline, since 2018 and is one of my personal favorite carriers. They offer world class service, comfort, food, amazing entertainment, and state of the art seats.

TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site — helping travelers unleash the full potential of every trip with the latest reviews and the lowest hotel prices.

Unbound Merino
Unbound Merino offers the highest quality merino wool clothing. These clothes are light, tough, and long lasting. Pack light, save money & enjoy the comfort of our merino wool t-shirts, socks & underwear.

Visit Savannah
Savannah, Georgia is a charming Southern escape where art, period architecture, trendy boutiques and ghost stories are all set under a veil of Spanish moss. Savannah is a place where cuisine comes straight from the coast and cocktails are served at every meal.

Walks
Walks offers small group tours in cities around the world. Tours are offered throughout Italy, Paris, New York, and Turkey, where you’ll get exclusive access to behind the scenes areas that no one else gets to see. They are also offering a $200 voucher to all attendees! Take Walks….for free!

***

Tickets are just $399 until the end of March. With this ticket, you’ll have access to all keynotes, sessions, evening parties, networking events, recordings of all the sessions (so don’t worry if you miss anything), any included meals, and the most fun you’ll ever have at an event!

We only have 200 tickets left! We’re going to sell out this year so be sure to get your ticket today. You can get a refund up to 60 days before the event so don’t worry if you aren’t 100% sure of your plans. You can secure your spot without worry today!

This event is going to teach you the practical skills you need to grow your audience and make a career in travel.

So come and attend TravelCon, learn from the best in the industry, and meet other wonderful travel professionals.

See you in Boston!

– Matt

P.S. – If you’re looking to sponsor this year’s event, check out our sponsor page for more information.

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TravelCon 2019: New Speakers and Info!

TravelCon 2019 in Boston, MA
Posted: 1/3/2019 | January 3rd, 2019

Are you looking to get into the travel media industry?

Would you like to take your career to the next step?

Well, good!

Because it’s time to talk TravelCon 2019 (again!!!!).

TravelCon is a conference to help travel creators develop business and professional skills in order to succeed in the travel media space. TravelCon is where you go for hands-on photography and writing lessons, and practical, actionable advice from the best in the industry on marketing, making money, developing long-term partnerships with brands, and so much more.

This year, TravelCon is going to be held in Boston, MA, June 27–29, 2019 at the Westin Copley.

Over the last few months, we’ve been putting the event together more and more and, today, I want to share some of our plans!!!

First, let’s talk about our speakers. This year we have an incredible lineup of keynoters, panelists, and workshop leaders to help you develop your career in the industry. Check out this awesome crew:

Keynote Speakers

Tony Wheeler

Founder, Lonely Planet

Cheryl Strayed

Author, Wild

Mark Manson

Author, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Tahir Shah

Author, The Caliph’s House

Kiersten Rich

The Blonde Abroad

Breakout Session Speakers

Kristin Addis

Be My Travel Muse

Faith Adiele

Author, Meeting Faith

Kirsten Alana

Photographer

Gary Arndt

Everything Everywhere

Gloria Atanmo

The Blog Abroad

Derek Baron

Wandering Earl

Michael Booth

Author, The Almost Nearly
Perfect People

Carol Cain

Girl Gone Travel

Edin Chavez

Shut Your Aperture

Jason Cochran

Frommers

Mike Corey

Fearless & Far

Heather Davis

Globetrotting Mama

Jessica Festa

Jessie on a Journey

Rachel Friedman

The Good Girls Guide to
Getting Lost

Don George

Author, The Way of Wanderlust

Catharine Hamm

Los Angeles Times

Evelyn Hannon

Journey Woman

Clay Hebert

Branding Expert

Jordan Harbinger

The Jordan Harbinger Show

Andrew Hickey

Scott’s Cheap Flights

Spud Hilton

Travel Writer

Mike & Anne Howard

Honey Trek

Rainer Jenss

Family Travel Association

Johnny Jet

Johnny Jet

Matthew Karsten

Expert Vagabond

Stefan Krasowski

Rapid Travel Chai

Gary Leff

View From The Wing

Lebawit Lily Girma

Sunshine and Stilettos

Kent Johnson

Black & Abroad

Jeremy Jones

Living the Dream

Silvia Lawrence

Heart My Backpack

Kristin Luna

Camels & Chocolate

Eric Martin

Black & Abroad

Brian Massey

Conversion Scientist

Laurence Norah

Finding the Universe

Sean Ogle

Location Rebel

Sol Orwell

Examine.com

Annette Richmond

From Annette

Sam McRoberts

VUDU Marketing

Erick Prince

Minority Nomad

Kristen Sarah

Hopscotch the Globe

Patricia Serrano

Fresh Traveler

Thomas Swick

Writer, Unquiet Days

Nadine Sykora

Hey Nadine

Brent Underwood

Brass Check

Siya Zarrabi

Hopscotch the Globe

Ricky Zhang

Prince of Travel

Pretty awesome list, right?

These speakers are experts in their fields and are going to share their successes — and failures — so you can start making money doing what you love. I brought in people from inside and outside of the travel sphere because both have valuable things they can teach us!

And we’re not done yet. We’ll be announcing our final batch of speakers sometime in February. There are still a few more talks and speakers to confirm regarding LGBTQ travel, sustainability, luxury travel, family travel, and more. Stay tuned!

Second, this year we’re making lots of improvements to the event!

I don’t want to give away too many of our secrets (because that would ruin the surprises we have planned) but some of the improvements we have made over last year include:

  • An opening night “round the world” happy hour bingo
  • Appointments with sponsors throughout the event (not just the last day)
  • Spreading our meetups over two days
  • Scheduled book signings with our speakers
  • A musical guest
  • Longer lunch and coffee breaks for more networking
  • Some trip giveaways

That’s just the start! As the months go by, we’ll be announcing more speakers, workshops, and brands that will be attending.

To meet demand for the event (we sold out last year), we’re also increasing the number of available tickets to 800.

Ticket are currently $399. With your ticket, you’ll get:

  • All the keynotes and sessions
  • Workshop registration
  • Networking events
  • Marketplace appointments
  • Expo hall access so you can network with all the brands
  • A virtual pass (Can’t make a talk? Don’t worry. You get all the recordings for free!)
  • Evening parties
  • Any included lunches

Additionally, you can get a full refund up to 60 days before the event (and you can transfer your ticket up to 30 days before the event). I hate conferences that don’t let you get a refund because I know how fluid things are in travel. Life gets in the way sometimes.

So don’t worry if something changes. You’ll be able to get a refund or transfer your ticket without any worry!

We’ve currently sold over 400, so if you’re interested, get them while they last, as we will definitely sell out again! Prices also go up at the end of the month.

So click here to join us in Boston for the best and biggest travel media event of the year!

Can’t wait to see you there!

– Matt

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