Travel Exchange
Attending Travel Exchange Has Its Rewards. Over $400,000,000 in fact.
Travel Exchange is National Tour Association’s annual convention, where our members get down to business. More than $400 million has been generated in only the last 3 years. But it’s even more: It’s a chance to meet the travel world under one roof, a chance to share ideas and turn handshakes into partnerships.
Simply put, TREX is the most important industry event of the year, featuring the hottest travel product from every U.S. state, Canadian province and 30+ countries. If you don’t come to Milwaukee, you’re missing 80% of our tour operators who only attend Travel Exchange.
Check out our TREX17 video and photo gallery by Naim Hasan Photography and view future events dates!
Travel Exchange is coming up
TREX is the most important event in the travel calendar. It's a don’t-miss event. And these are the don't-miss key dates leading up to it. May 15: Sightseeing and FAM tours registration opens June 12: Early-bird registration deadline Sept. 4: Deadline for tour operators to register as an appointment-taking buyer and update their profile and be eligible for rebate Sept. 6: Appointment Request System opens Oct. 2: Appointment Request System closes Oct. 10: NTA block hotel rates deadline Oct. 19: Appointment schedules are posted and Direct Request opens Oct. 29: Direct Request closes
Buyers
TREX offers travel product from North America and 30+ countries in the Destination Pavilion. Buyers can partner with NTA colleagues and FTA members to share ideas, work out details and build business.
Sellers
TREX brings the industry’s biggest buyers to you. NTA buyers serve every age of client and every market. In the past three years, Travel Exchange attendees generated nearly $400 million in new business.
Become a sponsor
Promote your brand to hundreds of tour operators, travel agents and tourism professionals in attendance by sponsoring TREX. This is the premier travel event of the year — and the premier sponsorship event of the year.
Sightseeing Tours
VISIT Milwaukee has planned a variety of sightseeing tours to suit every TREX18 attendee. Foodies, adventure seekers, beer lovers, history buffs and everyone in between can explore Wisconsin in the best way they know how.
Pre-FAM Tours
Circle Wisconsin is hosting pre-FAM tours for NTA tour operators attending TREX18. Get to know our host city on one of two tours: ‘Green Bay and Beyond’ or ‘Only in Wisconsin’.
Register for Travel Exchange ’18
See pricing for
Schedule
Sunday, November 04
- 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Registration, Media Office and Seminar Office open
- 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.Sightseeing tours, sponsored by VISIT Milwaukee and Milwaukee Food & City Tours Details
Sponsored by VISIT Milwaukee and Milwaukee Food & City Tours
- 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.Complimentary shuttle service from airport (MKE) to Travel Exchange hotels
- 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.All Delegate Networking Floor Reception
- 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.DMO Network Details
Sponsored by Sports Leisure Vacations
- 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 3:15 p.m.–4:15 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 6:45 p.m.–10:15 p.m.Continuous shuttle service from Travel Exchange hotels to the Icebreaker
- 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.Icebreaker at Harley-Davidson Museum, sponsored by Harley-Davidson Museum Details
Sponsored by Harley Davidson Museum
Monday, November 05
- 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.Registration, Convention Mall, Media Office and Seminar Office open
- 8:00 a.m.–9:15 a.m.Opening Ceremony, Breakfast and Annual Business Meeting
- 9:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.NEW! Networking Session Details
This brand new, all-member program, lead by moderator Thom Singer will allow attendees to network in a new way by sharing information and discussing industry trends and topics that can be implemented right away.
- 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.NTA Floor Preview and Sponsor Showcase
- 12:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m.NYC Center Stage Luncheon, sponsored by Broadway Inbound and NYC & Company Details
Sponsored by Broadway Inbound and NYC & Company
Sponsored by:
. - 2:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.Destination Pavilion Appointments (DMOs seated)
- 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.Monday Night Party
Tuesday, November 06
- 8:15 a.m.–6:15 p.m.Convention Mall open
- 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.Registration, Media Office and Seminar Office open
- 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.FTA Member Breakfast and Networking (FTA members only)
- 8:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Destination Pavilion Appointments (DMOs seated)
- 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.Professional development seminars
- 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.Professional development seminars
- 12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m.NTA Luncheon and Distinguished Dozen Awards, presented by Courier magazine Details
Distinguished Dozen Awards, presented by Courier magazine
- 1:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.Destination Pavilion Appointments (DMOs seated)
- 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.Tour Supplier Network Forum Details
Sponsored by Sports Leisure Vacations
- 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 4:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m.Happy Hour and YP Meet-up, sponsored by Aon Affinity Insurance Services and Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center Details
Sponsored by Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center
- 4:45 p.m.–6:15 p.m.Destination Pavilion Appointments Resume (DMOs seated)
- 7:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.First-timer Attendee Dine-around (RSVP required)
- 7:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.Dine-around
Wednesday, November 07
- 8:00 a.m.–6:15 p.m.Registration, Convention Mall, Media Office and Seminar Office open
- 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.Government Relations Breakfast Bistro (ticket only), sponsored by The Group Tour Company Details
Sponsored by The Group Tour Company
- ticket only
Sponsored by:
. - 9:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Supplier Exchange appointments
- 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.Professional development seminars
- 10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.DMO Network seminars
- 10:45 a.m.–11:45 a.m.Professional development seminars
- 12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m.Luncheon, sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line Details
Sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line
Sponsored by:
. - 1:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.Supplier Exchange appointments
- 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 7:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.Dine-around
- 9:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.Tourism Rocks, sponsored by Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock Cafe International & Las Vegas CVA Details
Sponsored by Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock Cafe International & Las Vegas CVA
Sponsored by:
.
Thursday, November 08
- 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Registration, Convention Mall, Seminar Office and Media Office open
- 8:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.Supplier Exchange appointments
- 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.Professional development seminars
- 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.Professional development seminars
- 12:00 p.m.–1:15 p.m.Luncheon, sponsored by Visit Fort Worth and Visit Tucson Details
Sponsored by Visit Fort Worth and Visit Tucson
- 1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Supplier Exchange appointments
- 2:00 p.m.–3:15 p.m.Professional development seminars
- 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.Toast to Travel Exchange
- 6:45 p.m.–10:30 p.m.Continuous shuttle service between Travel Exchange hotels to Closing Night Party
- 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.Closing Night Party
Business Appointments
There’s a lot of business that takes place at NTA each year, and with the open-floor format, appointments can be picked up throughout the week. It’s your time to make a personal connection with current and future partners.
Destination Pavillion
DMO delegates have 10-minute prescheduled appointments with buyers in the Destination Pavilion, which is designed by region and country. DMOs are seated in booths with buyers visiting them for their appointments.
Supplier Exchange
Suppliers have seven-minute, prescheduled appointments with tour operators at Travel Exchange. In this one-on-one business format, the tour operators are seated in booths, and tour suppliers visit them for their appointments.
Appointment Scheduling
NTA uses an online appointment scheduling system. All registered Travel Exchange attendees can use their NTAonline log-in and password to schedule appointments until the system closes.
Appointment Scheduling 101
Take your time and do your research: Your appointments are matched by the date you register not the date you submit your request.
Suppliers and DMOs
The more requests you make, the greater your chance to receive more appointments. If you only submit 20 out of 60 requests, you only have 20 chances for an appointment to be scheduled, instead of 60.
Did you know that the online system is customized specifically for you? When you login, operators who do not package your destination are removed from your list which saves you time in your research. (But they still can request an appointment with you.)
Tour Operators
The more requests you make, the better-matched your appointments will be. Your opportunity for doing more business also increases substantially, so try to schedule the maximum. If you don’t submit any requests, you’ll receive a full schedule (100+) of tour supplier and DMO requested appointments. Tour operator rebate information can be found in a link in the opening paragraph.
Check out these cool options!
View previous schedules: After you login, you’ll see a new “previous schedules” button. Click the button to see all your prior convention schedules that exist for your organization (2004 and later).
Upload a PDF: If you want to promote show specials or other special features about your product, you can upload a PDF. Potential appointment matches will be able to view your PDF directly from the search screen.
Booth signage: Promote your area in your Destination Pavilion workstation or your tour product in your Supplier Exchange appointment booth. Have some fun with it; there are no restrictions to your booth’s décor. Distribution of any materials other than your profile form and business card is not allowed during business appointments.
Supplier Exchange appointment days
Suppliers who had appointments on Sunday in San Antonio will have them on Thursday in Milwaukee. Suppliers who had appointments on Monday in San Antonio will have them on Wednesday in Milwaukee
Wednesday
- DMC
- Sightseeing
- Tour Operators (registered as sellers)
- Attraction
- Airline
- Corporate Partner
Thursday
- Railroad
- Casino
- Multiple Service
- Passenger Vessels
- Restaurant
- Hotel
- Motorcoach Operator
Profile Form Guidelines
Your organization’s profile is your key promotional tool at Travel Exchange. Check out this profile form example!
Buyers
Use your company online profile to let sellers know about your company, as well as the product that interest you. (And an updated online profile is required for you to receive your rebate.)
In your online profile, you can:
• List your customer types, product types and destinations.
• Specify the destinations that do not interest you. (Sellers located in these destinations will not be able to request an appointment with your company during the appointment request phase. However, you will be able to request an appointment with them.)
• Update your online profile today. You’ll need your NTA login and password.
Need help? NTA will do it for you, just call our member services team at +1.859.264.6540 or toll free 800.682.8886 (US and Canada) for assistance.
Sellers
Market your organization with two profiles—one online and one on-site.
Online profile: Use your NTA Online profile to let buyers know about your organization. Buyers will do research before Travel Exchange to find the members with whom they want to meet. Your Travel Exchange appointments are likely to be better quality if you’ve taken the time to update your profile to accurately reflect your business. Don’t forget to upload photos! Update your profile today. You’ll need your NTA login and password.
On-site profile: In addition to your business card (by the way, we recommend bringing 200), your on-site profile form is the one marketing tool you can leave behind with buyers during appointments.
When preparing your profile, make sure your form is:
• No longer than one page, front and back.
• Three-hole punched.
• Branded with your state/provincial abbreviation(s) in the upper right-hand corner.
Also include:
• Year and location of Travel Exchange (Travel Exchange ’18 – Milwaukee).
• Your organization name, address, phone, email and website.
• Your contact name(s), specifically Travel Exchange attendees.
• NTA member category (tour supplier, DMO, dual member, associate).
• Description of your company/property/destination/product).
• Location information/maps.
• Group requirements and policies.
• Provisions or amenities of interest to tour operators.
• Available marketing tools.
How to distribute your profile form
• Bring at least 200 copies of your profile form to Milwaukee.
• Give a profile form to the buyers at each business appointment.
• The distribution of any materials other than your profile form and business card is not allowed during business appointments.
• Upload it to the Travel Exchange mobile app for easy access at any time.
Additional Promotional Opportunities
For a minimal charge, you can have copies of your company profile form inserted into all Tour Operator Profile Form Notebooks. These notebooks are distributed to all operators attending Travel Exchange. For details on this opportunity, email Laura Scott or call her at +1.859.264.6577. Ads also are available on your state/provincial tabbed divider page. Space is limited.
Questions? Contact NTA’s Member Solutions team via email or call us at +1.859.264.6540 or 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada).
Get to Milwaukee with Delta
Delta Air Lines, NTA’s official airline partner, is pleased to offer special discounts up to 10 percent off for Travel Exchange attendees. Make reservations and purchase tickets at Delta.com. When booking online, use the Meeting Event Code NMRW8, and enter the meeting code in the box provided on the Search Flight page. This code is valid Oct. 24–Nov. 17.
Convention center addressThe Wisconsin Center
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203
Hilton Milwaukee City Center (HQ hotel)
When you register you’ll receive a link to book lodging through the online housing system. If you need assistance, please contact Cathy with the VISIT Milwaukee Housing Bureau at 800.578.0111 or ckreiter@milwaukee.org. VISIT Milwaukee Housing Bureau is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT.
509 W Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI
Walking distance to convention center, complimentary Wi-Fi, fitness center and in-room coffee maker
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
When you register you’ll receive a link to book lodging through the online housing system. If you need assistance, please contact Cathy with the VISIT Milwaukee Housing Bureau at 800.578.0111 or ckreiter@milwaukee.org. VISIT Milwaukee Housing Bureau is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT.
333 W Kilbourn Ave. Milwaukee, WI
Walking distance to convention center, complimentary Wi-Fi, fitness center and in-room coffee maker