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At the end of 2015, I started a travel media school called Superstar Blogging. Since then, the community has grown to over 1,700 students learning blogging, vlogging, writing, and photography from some of the best minds in — and out of — the travel industry. I created the program so that people could learn the real, practical business skills needed to create a sustainable online business. Something that allows you to be your own boss, work from anywhere, and help people with over the long term.
For a long time, I’ve dreamed of organizing a conference in conjunction with the program. Something that would take everything we have online and bring it to life. I want to bring our students, other travel bloggers, and industry experts together to learn, network, connect, and, overall, have a ton of fun! I love the web, but in-person events are 10x better for learning and networking. This is where you can make the most lasting connections and relationships.
When I went to my first conference, I had no clue what to expect. I had this blog I’d been working on for a year and I wasn’t even sure if anyone cared what I was writing. There, at my first conference, I got to meet the fledgling travel community members in real life (back in 2008, it was a small community). Over a weekend, we formed business relationships and friendships. These connections have helped me countless times over the years as I turned my hobby blog into a full-time business. Their insight and support proved to be necessary in an industry that most people outside find difficult to understand. To this day, I count some of the people I met there as some of my closest friends.
I go to between 7-10 conferences each year to meet people, improve my website, and learn new skills. While I love the web, there is a real power in connecting in person. There’s something about meeting another person that bonds you so much more than if you’re constantly following their lives on social media or via their blog posts. I’ve met some of my best friends, co-workers, and mentors at conferences. I don’t think my blog would be nearly as big as it is today had I not stepped away from my computer and attended conferences and events in real life.
There are already some (very good) existing travel blogging conferences but I want to do something different. I want a conference that is less about “getting free trips to travel the world” and more about quality writing, branding, entrepreneurship, SEO, marketing, video production, and product creation — the things that help create a lasting business that delivers value to people and stands the test of time. I haven’t found one travel conference that really digs deep and makes all of this happen.
Enter TravelCon.
TravelCon is a three-day conference in Austin, Texas from September 20th to 22nd, 2018. It will feature keynote speakers, workshops, networking events, writing sessions, photography walks, and opportunities to pitch yourself to brands and tourism boards. This is a conference for people who want more than free stuff. This is the conference for people who are looking to get serious about turning their blog into a business.
With beginner and advanced sessions, we have tracks and tips for people at all levels of success. At this conference, you’ll learn what is currently working right now and what you can do over the long term to create the career you desire. I believe the best conferences have people of varying skill levels so everyone can interact and learn from each other. For too long, travel media conferences have been only geared toward newbies. This conference is really about leveling up, no matter where you are in your blogging journey.
After months of preparation, it’s time to open up the event! We’ve lined up some amazing speakers to lead our workshops, breakout sessions, keynotes, and panels! We’re bringing the best people in the industry to one place. I’ve taken so much care in selecting the speakers for this conference. There’s something special about each one. And they will be sharing their skills and what they’ve learned with you (Note: As we get closer to the event, this speaker list will grow and change):
Kristin Addis
Be My Travel Muse
Gloria Atanmo
The Blog Abroad
Alex Baackes
Alex in Wanderland
Glory Ali
Muslim Travel Rocks
Derek Baron
Wandering Earl
Nathan Barry
ConvertKit
Carol Cain
Gone Girl Travel
Liz Carlson
Young Adventuress
Chris Christenson
Amatuer Traveler Podcast
Jason Cochran
Frommers
Dave & Deb
The Planet D
Brian Dean
Backlinko
Jodi Ettenberg
Legal Nomads
Rachel Frieldman
Freelance Writer
Brenda Gahan
Epic Signal
Adam Groffman
Travels With Adam
Pete & Dalene
Hecktic Travels
Dani Heinrich
Globetrotter Girls
Ryan Holiday
Writer, Ego is the Enemy
Steve Kamb
Nerd Fitness
Cory Lee
Curb Free with Cory Lee
Jaume Marin
Costa Brava Tourism
Liam Martin
Staff.com
Neville Medhora
KopywritingKourse
Angkur Nagpal
Teachable
Elena Nikolova
Muslim Travel Girl
Laurence Norah
Finding the Universe
Dan & Audrey
Uncornered Market
Cailin O’Neil
TravelYourself
Angie Orth
Angie Away
Sam Parr
The Hustle
Chris Richardson
Nomadic Matt
Annette Richmond
From Annette
Kristen Sarah
Hopscotch The Globe
Nadine Sykora
Hey Nadine
Brent Underwood
Brass Check
Ryan Whaley
Greendoor Media
Ernest White II
Fly Brother
Big conferences can often seem impersonal, which is why we’re focusing on small discussions, panels, workshops, and mentor sessions. We want you to walk away with actionable advice. We want you to think, “Wow! I learned so much!” We’re going to have writing, tech, video, and photography workshops were people will edit your work, solve your tech issues, and help you improve your photos and videos. We don’t want people to feel lost in the crowd.
TravelCon will be held at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. The early, early bird ticket price is only $249 USD. Your ticket includes lunch each day of the event, coffee and tea, all keynote speeches, networking events, workshops, breakout panels, evening parties, and whatever other cool activities we add later!
You can get your ticket and reserve your spot by clicking here.
Our space is limited to 500 people so if you’re interested, secure your spot today (don’t worry, if your plans change, you can get a refund!). The early bird ticket pricing will last until February 28th, 2018.
You should come to this if you are interested in learning how to succeed in the travel industry, improve your craft, learn new skills, meet amazing people, brands, and tourism boards, and just have some an awesome time!
I’m really excited about TravelCon! I really feel this is the space to bring the best blogging minds together and create a conference that can draw in very experienced bloggers and speakers with advanced-level content while helping beginners learn from and interact with them. Plus, it’s going to be a ton of fun to meet and talk to everyone in real life. (We’re focusing a lot more on real-life events this year!)
There’s plenty of room in the travel sphere for an event where media professionals and bloggers can go to learn and share the nuts and bolts of the business — the real, nitty-gritty stuff that separates people from the pack and allows them to build sustainable, profitable, and impactful online travel businesses.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Matt
P.S. – If you have questions, email me at matt@nomadicmatt.com
P.P.S. – Here’s the link to getting a ticket again! Can’t wait to see you there!
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