Orlando, Fla. (June 6, 2022) The travel industry is booming and tour operators are ready to help clients find their perfect destinations. As one of the world’s largest travel trade shows IPW, once known as the International Pow-Wow, is in Orlando, Florida for the 53rd event this week.
Presented by the U.S. Travel Association in conjunction with Brand USA, and supporting partners, the nation’s marketing arm rolled out the red carpet with the help of Walt Disney World Resort’s EPCOT, for a cultural experience, like only Orlando could do on Sunday evening.
Coinciding with EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival, the park was awash in spectacular floral designs and carefully crafted garden spaces, delighting visitors as they sipped and sampled their way through a world showcase of international cuisine.
In from San Antonio, Texas, Debi Saldana, Global Marketing Executive for Miles Partnership was attending her tenth IPW event, and shared what makes IPW so important for the travel and tourism industries.
“It’s mostly the experiences they get to share with everyone,” said Saldana, of the gathering’s appeal. “It’s a really great opportunity for destinations to promote themselves to people all over the world and showcase their destination in one stop.”
Representing Brand USA, Julie Paulson, Senior Manager, Partner Marketing Programs was all smiles as she watched the guests snapping photos to commemorate their IPW visit.
“Brand USA is the nation’s DMO, so we work with all of our partners to help bring international travel to the US,” said Paulson.
“I love getting to be with the entire industry from all over the world, together, and really promote the US. It’s an amazing opportunity to be with everyone at once.”
While states can often be competitive when it comes to attracting domestic and international travelers, under the Brand USA banner, it’s all about keeping US travel top of mind for those seeking unique, quality visitor experiences.
As the official marketing agency for Brand USA, Demetria Clemons, a member of the Miles Partnership team said she appreciates the camaraderie and unity Brand USA and the IPW offer when promoting US travel opportunities.
“I work specifically in the west with Visit California and so what is really great is that we’re really able to leverage investments with Brand USA, and Visit California that lowers our partners’ out of cost contribution so that they can come on and take advantage of the great value that Brand USA brings to the table.”
“Brand USA supports everyone, so our mission here is to support whatever efforts that they have in the international marketing arena, so we’re supporting everyone,” said Clemons.
Managing eight states on the Miles Partnership team across the southeastern United States, Angie Zok is pleased by the revitalization of the industry. On Sunday night she was glad to not only welcome IPW to her home state of Florida, but reconnect with colleagues from across the world.
“Just being able to have everybody come together after COVID, seeing the industry come back to life and really understanding the struggles others have gone through but finding solutions to bring us all back up, I think that is what is the most fun,” she said.
IPW Orlando runs from June 4-8, 2022.