More than 2,600 attendees from 52 countries gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 18-22 for the 52nd annual IPW—the travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the United States, presented by the US Travel Association.
With health and safety practices at the forefront, IPW gathered global travel professionals, including US destinations, hotels, attractions, sports teams, cruise lines, airlines, and transportation companies, together with international tour operators, buyers, and wholesalers from around the world, to meet under one roof—the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center—for three days of business appointments that will draw future travel and tourism business to the US and facilitate an industrywide recovery.
The delegation included more than 300 members of the media. Reporters covered the event itself, and also met with travel business and destination leaders at the Media Marketplace to generate stories encouraging travel to the US.
IPW took place as the Biden administration announced it would reopen the country to international air travel for vaccinated travelers worldwide in November.
“The November reopening of international air travel to vaccinated travelers is a critical turning point in our industry’s recovery—and the announcement couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, on the opening day of IPW,” said US Travel Association President & CEO Roger Dow. “IPW is not only reuniting the world, it’s a stage for rebuilding relationships and conducting business that will lead to the full return of inbound travel.”
In 2021, IPW included significant new elements that were designed to add value for attendees and enhance the experience overall. New this year was IPW Focus, an educational program that provided programming across an array of topics, from technology and innovation to research and insights, presented by thought leaders and innovators. IPW also coordinated with the trade show company Connect Travel to co-locate several events around this year’s event.
Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, returned as the premier sponsor of IPW 2021.
Las Vegas was set to play host to IPW in 2020, but US Travel announced the event’s cancelation at the onset of the COVID pandemic. Sin City has served as host site for IPW four other times, most recently in 2013.
IPW 2022 will take place June 4-8, 2022, in Orlando, Florida.
Visit ipw.com for more information.
[10.04.21]