Travel Exchange has long been listed as the No. 1 benefit of belonging to NTA. And that’s saying something, considering NTA’s year-round education, the popularity of Contact, the sought-after discounts on insurance, and the many other ways NTA operators use their membership to stay connected and informed.
TREX is tops for a reason, though … for many reasons. If even one of these benefits checks a box for you and your company’s needs, you should join your colleagues at Travel Exchange ’24 in Huntsville, Alabama, Nov. 17–20.
- New partners and tour product
- Solutions for travelers’ changing choices
- Business strategies and innovations
- Time to talk with other operators
- The support of the NTA community
While a lot of NTA tour operators want to attend Travel Exchange, many of them say they need to attend. They know what they’re looking for—and what they find—at Travel Exchange. And they also say, “You can quote me on that!”
New partners and tour product
At Travel Exchange, tour operators find so many ways to connect with DMOs, tour suppliers, and other operators, whether it’s to explore a new destination, learn about the latest offerings, or improve a longstanding relationship. NTA members come to Travel Exchange not just to do deals, but also to build relationships.
“The relationships we make through NTA with suppliers and DMOs allow us to create additional itineraries—and that helps grow our business.”
Elaine Moulder | Brilliant Edventures | Michigan
“This year over 80 percent of our customized groups for Canada and Alaska will come from NTA partners who I met at TREX!”Jim Warren | Anderson Vacations | Alberta
Jim Warren | Anderson Vacations | Alberta
Solutions for travelers’ changing choices
You’ve heard the only constant in life is change, and that applies to travel, too. Standing pat is a losing proposition, and since you must move forward, it only makes sense to do so with people you can trust: the NTA community.
“We are always looking to adjust our tour programs based on feedback, and that can mean partnering with a different hotel or adding a new attraction. NTA is where we meet these partners to enhance our tour programs.”
Fraser Neave | Wells Gray Tours | British Columbia
“Travelers’ changing wants and needs can affect multiple layers of planning, and when various viewpoints come together within the NTA community, we collaborate and find solutions.”
Mandy Hamblett | Making Memories Tours | Missouri
Business strategies and innovations
Changes in travelers’ preferences call for new ways of conducting business, and rapid advances in technology also demand attention. Travel Exchange is where operators go to find help. Whether it’s a seminar on artificial intelligence, a conversation with a vendor, or a collaboration that cooks up a fresh idea, you can count on your NTA colleagues to keep you current.
“Whatever I need for tomorrow, I get from Travel Exchange today. Year after year, NTA is the most current, relevant, and innovative place I can go to be certain I remain ahead.”
Ted Nelson | Hospitality Tours | Massachusetts
“I find the education at NTA events to be some of the best in the industry. Each session is an opportunity to challenge old thinking and gain new perspectives on the ever-changing travel landscape.”
Keith Snode | Kaleidoscope Adventures | Florida
Time to talk with other operators
Leadership can be lonely, whether you’re in charge of a tour or an entire tour company, and NTA tour operators find that spending time with other operators gives them comfort, inspiration … and new business. At Travel Exchange, there’s plenty of time away from appointments, and NTA operators need that time together.
“My interaction with other owners is priceless. I have picked up nuggets of information that have prevented us from making some costly mistakes.”
Jerry Varner | Making Memories Tours | Missouri
“I rarely slow down, so I value NTA events to help me disconnect from work and focus on exchanging ideas with fellow tour operators.”
Theresa Nemetz | Travel Deliciously | Wisconsin
The support of the NTA community
At Travel Exchange, competitors become collaborators, strangers become friends, and friends become cheerleaders. NTA is a welcoming community of packaged-travel professionals ready to do business. It’s a community that inspires ideas and generates trust, and you won’t find it anywhere else.
“NTA is a family of trust, and the more we are at these events, the better we get to know our family.”
Nayaz Noor | 39 Degrees South | Australia
“With the NTA community, you’re never alone. Colleagues celebrate your success and provide unwavering support to navigate through challenges.”
Monique van Dijk-Seppola | Scandinavia Tours | Norway
The operators quoted above—and scores of others from all over North America and the world—are setting their sights on Huntsville for TREX ’24 in November. They’ll be gathering insights, ideas, and inspiration … and you can join them.
NTA’s innovation is on full display at Travel Exchange. By listening to members, the NTA staff creates new and better ways to connect in person. Just look at the latest additions and improvements:
- Reduced appointment load for full-book buyers
- Added longer concurrent breaks during appointment sessions
- Moved education to the show flow for easier access
- Added Best Pitch and Sales Missions—groups of buyers are from groups of sellers
- Cut show by one day—now four days instead of five
- Fine-tuned profiles that yield better appointments matches
- Added two operator-exclusive events: Buyer Breakfast and Buyer Network Forum
You can choose how many appointments you take and whether you apply for a rebate to offset travel costs. (Note: You’ll need to apply by Aug. 30 to be eligible for the rebate.) But NTA operators who regularly attend Travel Exchange don’t think about what they pay. They focus on what they receive—from each other, from their itinerary partners, and from their NTA community.
They say they need to be there … isn’t it time you joined them?
To get more details about Travel Exchange and register online, go to NTAtravelexchange.com!
Photos by Normand Huberdeau
