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POSTED: 8/8/18 | August 8th, 2018
TravelCon is just about one month away! I can’t believe it! Where did the time go? This time last year, I was brainstorming the event and now here it is!
For a long time, I’ve dreamed of putting on 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 love the web, but in-person events are ten times better for learning and networking. There’s something about meeting another person that bonds you so much more than following their lives on social media or via their blog posts. Face to face connections is where you can make the most lasting connections and relationships — I’ve met some of my best friends, coworkers, 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 started attending conferences and events in real life. Now I go to 7-10 conferences each year to meet people, improve my website, and learn new skills.
And that brings me back to TravelCon….
For those in the travel industry — or those who want to be, I want to share some final updates about the event:
With a month left to go, we have:
1. Finalized our schedule.
2. Our meet-ups and parties.
3. Our media marketplace.
3. Our speakers.
We have 600 attendees and 25 brands attending our marketplace where you can schedule meetings to make introductions and work on creating deals.
We’re going to have some really in-depth workshops and talks on how to improve your blog, vlog, photography, podcast, and writing. (You can click here to see the schedule.)
We also finalized our speaker list. We have a who’s who of over 70 of the best speakers in (and outside) travel:
Kristin Addis
Be My Travel Muse
Lola Akinmade
Geotraveler Media
Glory Ali
Muslim Travel Rock
Gloria Atanmo
The Blog Abroad
Marko and Alex Ayling
Vagabrothers
Alex Baackes
Alex in Wanderland
Derek Baron
Wandering Earl
Nathan Barry
ConvertKit
James Boyd
Singapore Airlines
Paul Brady
Condé Nast Traveler
Kara & Nate Buchanan
Kara and Nate
Carol Cain
Girl Gone Travel
Liz Carlson
Young Adventuress
Edin Chavez
Shut Your Aperture
Chris Christensen
Amateur Traveler Podcast
Jason Cochran
Frommers
Dave & Deb
The Planet D
Brian Dean
Backlinko
Torre DeRoche
Writer, Love With a
Chance of Drowning
Julia Dimon
Freelance Writer
David Farley
Freelance Writer
Pat Flynn
Smart Passive Income
Rachel Friedman
The Good Girls Guide to
Getting Lost
Paula Froelich
A Broad Abroad
Brendan Gahan
Epic Signal
Lebawit Lily Girma
Sunshine and Stilettos
Stephanie Griest
Writer, Around the Bloc
Adam Groffman
Travels of Adam
Matt Gross
Freelance Writer
Pete & Dalene
Hecktic Travels
Dani Heinrich
Globetrotter Girls
Spud Hilton
The San Francisco Chronicle
Ryan Holiday
Writer, Ego is the Enemy
Rob Holmes
GLP Films
Raimee Iacofano
Nomadic Matt
Steve Kamb
Nerd Fitness
Anna Karsten
Anna Everywhere
Matthew Karsten
Expert Vagabond
Peep Laja
ConversionXL
Cory Lee
Curb Free with Cory Lee
Gary Leff
View From the Wing
Kristin Luna
Camels & Chocolate
Jaume Marin
Costa Brava Tourism
Liam Martin
Staff.com
Colleen McDaniel
Cruise Critic
Neville Medhora
KopywritingKourse
Chris Mercer
MeasurementMarketing.io
Ben Mutzabaugh
USA TODAY
Ankur Nagpal
Teachable
Elena Nikolova
Muslim Travel Girl
Laurence Norah
Finding the Universe
Dan & Audrey
Uncornered Market
Stephen Oddo
Walks of Italy
Shannon O’Donnell
A Little Adrift
Chris Oldfield
Nomadic Matt
Cailin O’Neil
TravelYourself
Angie Orth
Angie Away
Sam Parr
The Hustle
Jack Paxton
VYPER
Rolf Potts
Vagabonding
Erick Prince
Minority Nomad
Mari Ramirez
CPA
Oneika Raymond
Oneika the Traveller
Carmela Resuma
FLYTE
Kiersten Rich
The Blonde Abroad
Chris Richardson
Nomadic Matt
Annette Richmond
From Annette
Kara Rosner
Diamond PR
Helen Russell
The Year of Living Danishly
Dan Saltzstein
The New York Times
Patricia Serrano
Fresh Traveler
Travis Sherry
Extra Pack of Peanuts
Ryan Stewart
SEO Consultant
Claudi Sult
GreenMe Berlin
Thomas Swick
Writer, Unquiet Days
Nadine Sykora
Hey Nadine
Mike Tieso
Art of Adventuring
Christine Tran
Tour de Lust
Brent Underwood
Brass Check
Chris Vasquez
AWeber
Erica Virvo
Nomadic Matt/FLYTE
Ryan Whaley
Greendoor Media
Ernest White II
FlyBrother
Amanda Williams
A Dangerous Business
Since we will have beginner and advanced sessions, there will be tracks and tips for people at all levels of success. 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 and moving to the next stage of your journey. All our talks are going to have actionable takeaways for you!
We’ll be having a media marketplace featuring the following brands where you’ll be able to make appointments and find ways to work together with them:
(Additionally, Visit Pheonix, Get Your Guide, and Landmass Maps will be attending our final marketplace day!)
Considering this is our first year, I’m stoked at the turnout and reception we’ve received!
If you’re interested in stepping up your game, being more than just another struggling influencer, and connecting with your peers and some of the top names and brands in the industry, join us!
We have about 20 last minute tickets left.
Just click here to learn more and secure your spot.
However, if you can’t make the event, we’re offering a virtual ticket. I get that we are all travelers and it’s hard to fly to the middle of the United States for a conference.
We are going to record all our panels, presentations, and keynotes (photo walks and writing workshops not included). Each will be posted online so you’ll be able to watch them from the comfort of your home on any device. Additionally, any PowerPoints or presentation materials that are given out will also be posted online. Everything will go online a few weeks after the event ends.
Though you’ll miss out on all the networking and fun parties (and even cooler people), you’ll get all the educational benefit of the conference, so you can improve your business and boost your career in the travel industry. Self-educating is one of the best ways to do that and create a sustainable platform that pays your bills. Don’t miss out!
The virtual ticket is $149 and can be purchased by clicking here.
Or, if you can’t make it, get the virtual ticket — and make plans to attend next year!
(And, for everyone else, this is the last update I’ll post before the event, so we’ll be back to travel tips soon enough!)
– Matt
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