10 Best Travel Blogging Conferences for 2026

If you’re serious about growing your travel blog or content creation business, attending travel blogging conferences can be a total game-changer.

From networking with brands and DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations) to learning the latest industry trends, these events can fast-track your growth in so many unexpected ways.

I started attending conferences back in 2021, and since then, I’ve made it a priority to go to multiple each year.

Not only have I learned from incredible speakers and marketers, but I’ve also met some of my closest blogging friends and formed partnerships that completely changed the direction of my business.

In this post, I’m only covering conferences that I’ve personally attended or ones that close friends in the industry have gone to and recommended.

There are plenty of other events out there for digital nomads, outdoor creators, or general travel industry professionals. But this list focuses specifically on the best travel blogging conferences for content creators.

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Why Attend a Travel Blogging Conference?

There are so many reasons that attending travel blogging conferences is valuable, whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years.

For one, they help you stay up to date with current trends and give you the chance to learn new strategies you can immediately implement in your business.

But honestly, the networking is the real reason I keep going back year after year. Not only do you get to connect with brands and DMOs, but you also meet other creators who truly understand what it’s like to be in this space.

Many times, I’ll learn more from chatting with fellow bloggers than I do from the sessions themselves. And if you want to work with tourism boards, conferences are a great way to make those connections.

Another huge perk is getting to experience the destination itself. Most conferences include opportunities to explore the local area through tours or events, and many even offer pre- or post-conference FAM trips.

You typically have to apply for the FAM trips, though, so keep that in mind. It’s still worth it to come for the tours and events.

Travel Blogging Conferences

The blogging events in this section are true conferences where they have multiple educational sessions each day. The topics vary from search engine optimization to working with brands to video content creation and photography.

Prices vary for each conference, but costs are the responsibility of the attendee unless you are a speaker.

TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange)

TBEX is one of the most well-known travel blogging conferences and for good reason. They host multiple events each year—typically one in North America, one in Europe, and one in Asia—though they occasionally add other destinations to the lineup.

The creators that attend are usually a wide variety, from old-school bloggers to influencers, vloggers, and even travel podcasters. I’ve been to TBEX North America twice, once in Wisconsin and once in Puerto Rico, and both were fantastic experiences.

In my opinion, TBEX consistently does the best job of bringing in high-quality speakers and offering sessions that are genuinely helpful.

Another thing that sets TBEX apart is how much effort they put into showcasing the host destination. They organize a great variety of tours, and I even participated in one of their pre-conference FAM trips in Puerto Rico which was incredible.

I also really appreciate that TBEX highlights destinations you might not immediately think of visiting. For example, they’ve hosted events in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Donegal, Ireland, and in 2026, they’ll be heading to Richmond, Virginia.

It’s such a great way to explore under-the-radar places while connecting with the travel blogging community.

WITS (Women in Travel Summit)

The Women in Travel Summit, or WITS, is one of my favorite conferences for connecting with other women in the industry. While men are welcome to attend, the audience is primarily female, and the energy is incredibly supportive and inspiring.

I’ve been to two WITS events, one in Salt Lake City and another in Kansas City. I feel like WITS tends to attract more influencers and content creators than traditional bloggers.

At WITS, they also offer a range of local tours as well as pre- and post-conference FAM trips that give creators a chance to explore the area in more depth. For me, the best part about WITS is the community though.

They are headed to Chattanooga in 2026 and I’m excited to see this southern destination showcased!

Southern Travelers Explore

Southern Travelers Explore will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s the conference that honestly launched my career in travel content creation.

I’ve attended for the past five years, and while I won’t be able to make it in 2026, it’s one I continue to recommend to any creator who highlights southern destinations.

This is a smaller conference that showcases underrated destinations in the southern US. Here you’ll find a mix of traditional journalists, bloggers, and influencers but they really try to make it a family-like atmosphere with a focus on collaboration.

Unlike other conferences where you might have multiple sessions to choose from at the same time, Southern Travelers Explore keeps things simple with everyone going to the same sessions.

You also typically get one tour per conference and they may or may not have pre- and post-FAM tours. One other difference—the media marketplace is only open for a couple of hours at the end of the conference, not the entire weekend.

However, I’ve landed more press trips from this conference than from all the other ones combined.

What sets this event apart are the relationships you’re able to build because of the smaller atmosphere and the time spent with everyone. In 2026, they are expanding the conference by one day, so I’m excited to hear about the changes that brings.

Midwest Travel Network

The Midwest Travel Network Conference is very similar in spirit to Southern Travelers Explore, but it focuses on destinations across the Midwest US but on a slightly larger scale.

It’s designed for bloggers and content creators who love exploring America’s heartland and want to form meaningful partnerships with tourism boards throughout the region.

They typically host multiple sessions at the same time, so you can choose the topics that fit your interests and business goals best. I’m excited to be one of the speakers in 2026!

They have a large media marketplace full of midwest destinations to highlight, offer several tours in the host destination, and a variety of FAMs before or after the conference.

If your content focuses on the Midwest or you’re looking to expand your coverage there, this conference is perfect. 

TravelCon

I’ll be honest, I hesitated to include TravelCon on this list, but it still remains one of the biggest names in the travel blogging conference world, so it deserves a mention.

Over the last few years, there have been a few major changes in ownership and direction, which makes this one a bit of a wildcard for now.

I attended TravelCon when it was held in Memphis, Tennessee, back when it was still owned and operated by Nomadic Matt.

That was actually the last year he ran the event, and at that time, it was a really solid conference. It drew a large crowd of big names in the travel blogging industry.

Since then, though, things have changed a lot. The conference has switched hands a couple of times, and it’s also shifting formats again in 2026.

While they still tend to bring in fantastic speakers, I’ve heard negative feedback about the 2025 event mainly because other than the conference sessions, there weren’t many other good networking opportunities, tours, or FAMs.

Those extras are such a big part of what makes conferences so valuable, so that was disappointing to hear.

TravelCon is merging with the Travel Goods Association in 2026, and I’m curious to see how that affects the conference’s dynamic.

The 2026 dates actually overlap with TBEX North America, and since I already have my TBEX ticket, I won’t be attending. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on TravelCon in the future.

Waypoint by Traverse

While I haven’t personally attended a Waypoint by Traverse event, I wanted to include it because several of my friends have gone in the past and really enjoyed their experiences. 

Traverse has been around for years, though they took a good bit of time off after COVID, and their events have continued to evolve since returning.

Typically held in a European city, Waypoint by Traverse offers travel creators a great opportunity to connect and collaborate with others in the industry.

From what I’ve seen, the 2026 event will focus heavily on networking, though they do list seminars and educational sessions on their website as well.

Travel Media Marketplaces & Trade Shows

If you’re not looking for the educational aspect of a conference and simply want to connect with tourism boards, brands, and other companies in the travel industry, media marketplaces and trade shows can be a great fit.

These events are more focused on networking and relationship building than learning sessions, so they’re ideal for experienced creators who already have their business strategy in place.

Most of these are free to attend as long as you register in advance as media.

IMM (International Media Marketplace)

IMM, or the International Media Marketplace, is one of the biggest travel media events in the U.S. and is always held in New York City.

Organized by TravMedia, this event connects journalists, bloggers, and influencers directly with tourism boards, PR agencies, and travel brands.

It does require an application to attend, but if you’re accepted, the event is free for media participants, which makes it a great opportunity to network and build relationships with industry professionals.

WTM (World Travel Market)

The World Travel Market, or WTM, isn’t just meant for travel media, it’s for the travel industry as a whole. They host events in London, Latin America, and Africa, with the London marketplace being the biggest and most well-known.

This event features global tourism boards, PR agencies, and travel brands, making it an ideal opportunity for international creators to connect directly with industry professionals.

Media can attend for free, though registration is required and attendees are responsible for their own travel expenses.

ITB Berlin

ITB Berlin is one of the largest travel industry trade shows in the world. Like WTM, it isn’t focused specifically on travel media; it’s designed for the entire global travel industry, including tour operators, hospitality professionals, and travel agents.

The main event is held in Berlin, but ITB also hosts regional editions like ITB Americas, ITB Asia, ITB China, and ITB India, making it a major international platform for travel professionals and businesses alike.

Local & State Travel Conferences

Most states host their own tourism conferences for local convention and visitors bureaus and tourism boards.

Some of these allow media to attend while others are industry-only, so it’s best to check your state’s policies to see what’s available.

There are also plenty of niche conferences centered around specific topics. For example, North Carolina hosts an Outdoor Economy Conference that brings together outdoor-focused brands and organizations.

My best advice is to do a few quick Google searches based on your location and areas of interest to find relevant events near you.

Tips for Attending Travel Conferences

After attending multiple travel conferences over the past few years, I’ve picked up many tips that can help make your experience smoother and more rewarding.

First and foremost, be kind to everyone you meet. You truly never know who you’re sitting next to or who you’ll strike up a conversation with.

Second, go into the conference with clear goals in mind. Are you hoping to learn specific skills or focus more on networking?

Review the session schedule ahead of time and make a plan for which ones you don’t want to miss. If the conference doesn’t provide recordings, ask a friend to swap notes so you can still benefit from sessions you can’t attend in person.

If the event has a media marketplace, prepare ahead of time. Try to schedule meetings before you arrive, and research the destinations you’ll be meeting with, especially if you’re hoping to pitch future collaborations. Being informed and intentional will make a strong impression.

This will also help when you sit down to pitch the tourism board after getting home.

You’ll also want to be comfortable with your elevator pitch. It’s a quick, confident way to explain who you are, what you do, and the type of audience you serve. You’ll be sharing it often, whether with other creators or potential partners.

Finally, if you plan to write about the host destination, do some keyword research and planning before you go.

Having a few content ideas in mind ahead of time will make it easier to capture what you need while you’re there and help your posts perform better once they’re published.

How to Choose Which is Right for You

When deciding which event to attend, start by thinking about your main goals. If your priority is networking with destinations, brands, and PR professionals, then a travel media marketplace will be the best fit for you.

These events are focused on relationship building and give you direct access to tourism boards and companies in the travel industry. However, you’ll want a decent-sized audience for these marketplaces to be worth it.

If you’d prefer a more well-rounded experience that includes educational sessions and opportunities to explore the host destination, then a conference is the better option.

So which conference is right for you?

If you’re just starting out and learning how to become a content creator—especially if you’re based in the southern U.S. or the Midwest—I highly recommend Southern Travelers Explore or the Midwest Travel Network Conference.

If you’re a more established creator looking for a larger-scale event with more diverse sessions and international networking opportunities, WITS and TBEX are my personal favorites. 

Waypoint by Traverse is great if you want something in the European market. But don’t forget to consider the destination of each conference. If the location is one you want to create content about, then that is a big deciding factor.

Will I See You There?

Attending travel blogging conferences has been one of the most impactful parts of my journey as a content creator.

I typically try to attend two or three each year and in 2026 I’ll be at the Midwest Travel Network Conference (speaking!), TBEX North America, and hopefully WITS. If you’re coming to any of these, please reach out!

If you’re just starting out, smaller regional events like Southern Travelers Explore or the Midwest Travel Network Conference are perfect places to begin.

If you’re ready for something bigger, WITS and TBEX offer great educational sessions, networking opportunities, and inspiration from other creators who are doing amazing things in this industry.

And if your ultimate goal is to partner with destinations and get paid to create travel content, attending conferences is one of the best strategies you can use to build those relationships.

I cover this, along with everything else you need to know about working with DMOs, inside my course, How to Partner with Tourism Boards & Get Paid.

Here’s what one of my students had to say about how my course prepared her for these conferences:

I can’t say enough good things about Anna’s course. It was packed with practical, actionable lessons that helped me clarify my messaging, refine my pitches, and improve my media kit.

Because of this course, I now feel like I’m heading into two upcoming industry conferences with a toolkit I can truly feel good about when meeting with brands and DMOs. I’m so grateful for all of her guidance and support as I launched this new part of my business.

If you’re looking to work with tourism boards and want clear, practical advice from someone who truly understands the industry, I highly recommend this course.

– Stacie from Wander Now Travel