Connect Travel Marketplace 2020

Aug. 17-19

Connect Travel Marketplace is an International travel show, specifically designed to address industry needs. The show combines the right timing for product development, a unique format that creates an efficient and effective environment to expedite the sales process and close business and a robust educational track to inspire and inform industry leaders in a rapidly evolving global market. As this is a fairly new marketplace, Visit San Antonio attended to take advantage of meeting tourism buyers early in the year and ahead of other tradeshows to begin formulating strategies to develop product, educate sales staff and to find marketing opportunities leveraging the reach of new clients. The Tourism Department will manage new and existing clients and look for opportunities to maximize exposure for the destination and our partners. If you are interested in learning more about Connect Travel, please contact Francisco Gallegos at franciscogallegos@visitsanantonio.com.

Dallas Consumer Engagement

Stonebriar Mall

Feb. 22-23, 2020

Tourism Development, Regional Communications and Marketing all came together to execute a consumer engagement initiative that included digital media, out-of-home billboards, live radio remotes and morning shows — all driving to the big weekend event held at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco. Visitors to the area were welcomed with an opportunity to win a vacation package to visit San Antonio. In addition, we entertained children with face painting, cookie decorating and balloon making. Dancers from Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and Samba Vida helped keep the event lively and entertaining. The most popular activity was Imagination’s Animal demonstration. Children gathered around to see and learn about animals and what it takes to care and preserve them. Visit San Antonio hosted 2,798 people over the two days and collected 2,033 email opt-ins. If you are interested in learning more about participating in Domestic Consumer Engagements, please contact Alex Gonzales at alexgonzales@visitsanantonio.com or (210) 244-2017.

In response to the current situation our industry is facing. Staff is working to review plans, reschedule dates and investigate opportunities for the future:

  • ITB Berlin was cancelled by the German government.
  • Mexico Spring Sales & Media Blitz rescheduled for the September timeframe.
  • Expedia Spring Campaign has been put on hold.
  • Canadian Tour Operator and U.S. Receptive Reverse FAM has been rescheduled for the October 2020 timeframe.
  • The U.S. Travel Association plans to issue an update about the status of IPW 2020 no later than April 3. They are looking at all scenarios to preserve this event for 2020.

Staff is focused on communicating with the top accounts in each market to assess their organization’s situation, what their plans are for recovery and determining how we can play a role in those plans.

In addition, we are monitoring periodicals in each country to ensure we have the latest information. Most importantly, we are here to assist and provide this information with our community. If you would like to discuss any of the markets or potential programing that we are considering for the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.