NTA names new host cities
June 3, 2024
The National Tour Association announced two cities recently chosen to host the organization’s signature show, Travel Exchange, in 2026 and 2027. NTA buyers and sellers will convene in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for Travel Exchange ’26; Madison, Wisconsin, is the site of Travel Exchange ’27.
NTA President Catherine Prather made the site-selection announcement in late May during Contact, the association’s buyer retreat, which was held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Tulsa and Madison are hosting Travel Exchange for the first time, and our members will really enjoy exploring them,” Prather said. “Our event is perfect for these cities—and for attendees: large enough to bring a significant number of tour operators to town, yet right-sized so everyone feels welcomed. You can easily navigate the business floor and find the people and resources you need.”
Tulsa and Madison join an impressive lineup of cities hosting NTA events in the years ahead:
- Huntsville, Alabama, hosts Travel Exchange ’24; Nov. 17–20, 2024
- Mackinac Island, Michigan, hosts Contact ’25; May 7–10, 2025
- Ottawa, Ontario, hosts Travel Exchange ’25; Nov. 9–12, 2025
- Charleston, South Carolina, hosts Contact ’26; March 4–7, 2026
- Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosts Travel Exchange ’26; Nov. 15–18, 2026
- Madison, Wisconsin, hosts Travel Exchange ’27; Nov. 14–17, 2027
Travel Exchange is the larger of the two conferences and gives buyers and sellers the chance to meet in a series of one-on-one appointments. Both Travel Exchange and Contact offer members an array of education sessions focused on timely topics, and each event give attendees many opportunities to network with each other and enjoy local restaurants, attractions, and experiences.
“I love that Tulsa, located in the middle of Route 66, will host Travel Exchange in 2026—the year of the famous highway’s centennial celebration,” Prather said, noting that plans for operators to gather information about Route 66 are already in place for Travel Exchange ’24 in Huntsville. “We’ll also be recognizing the 75th anniversary of NTA’s founding, so we have a lot to celebrate in Tulsa.”
The following year will find NTA members gathering in Wisconsin. “Our site-selection team is so impressed with Madison,” Prather said. “It’s a cool city that offers just the right vibe for our members.”
NTA was founded in 1951. Today’s association is the gathering place—in person and online—for packaged-travel professionals seeking new partners and ideas for innovative itineraries. To learn more about the National Tour Association, visit NTAonline.com, and for more information about Travel Exchange, go to NTAtravelexchange.com.