TREX ’25 gives NTA members new ways to connect
June 4, 2025
Registration for the National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange ’25 is now open, and the NTA community will discover new ways to learn and interact when the November show brings packaged-travel professionals together in Ottawa.
“Innovation is the hallmark of NTA and Travel Exchange, and you’ll find significant enhancements at our show in November,” says Catherine Prather, NTA president. “We’re introducing new ways for members to connect with each other, get destination information, and acquire industry updates. I’m excited already.”
The 2025 version of the four-day event provides members—tour operators and their itinerary partners representing destinations, hotels, attractions, restaurants, transportation companies, and experience providers—with business appointments, education, and key connections, all centered around a bustling tradeshow floor that is a hub of activity and networking.
“You won’t have to leave our TREX Floor to find the conversations, the collaboration, and the connections that will take you and your business to the next level,” says Prather. “It’s an amazing gathering place, and what sets us apart is the strength of the genuine community you’ll find within NTA and at our events.”
One thing that makes Travel Exchange ’25 notable is its location. The Nov. 9–12 show is set for Ottawa, and the tourism community in Canada’s capital city is brimming with enthusiasm.
“You can’t believe how excited we are to welcome our NTA colleagues with open arms,” says Kelly Dean, director of travel trade for Ottawa Tourism. “Our host hotels are remarkable, and we’re all eager to show off Ottawa’s memorable museums and attractions, incredible restaurants, and wonderful city.”
Prather says Ottawa was chosen as the host city years ago, and the 2025 timing is ideal. “I couldn’t be happier that we are bringing Travel Exchange and the NTA community to Canada,” she says. “It’s the perfect time and place to celebrate the unity of our association and our industry.”
Travel Exchange will take place in Canada, yet the people and format will be similar to the 2024 event in Huntsville, Alabama, says Pam Williams, vice president of tourism with the Huntsville/Madison County CVB.
“Speaking as a DMO who’s been attending NTA conventions since 2009, I know what I’ll find in Ottawa,” says Williams, also a member of the NTA Board of Directors. “I’ll meet with scores of NTA tour operators who are looking for itinerary ideas for their groups. The only thing different for sellers will be the addition of new buyers—and new features at TREX.”
NTA has long been an innovator within the packaged travel industry, pioneering the computerized appointment matching system in the ’70s and, in recent years, adding new and varied ways for buyers and sellers to connect. Travel Exchange ’25 will offer three new advances:
- TREXconneX allows delegates to digitally track the people they meet on NTA’s new, exclusively designed app. Everyone has a QR code on their badge, and when you meet someone who offers new business or a great idea, you scan their badge with the NTA app from your phone, and their info is added to your personal connections log on the app.
- Destination Hub is an area on the TREX Floor where operators can gather information from DMOs and tour suppliers grouped by product themes, such as Route 66, national parks, and scenic byways.
- Learning Lab provides targeted education content geared toward small groups and one-to-one development. It’s where speakers lead a follow-up session, associates conduct a demonstration, and members share insights with other members.
Prather understands why this annual conference means so much to NTA members.
“Time and time again, I hear that the quality of business someone does at Travel Exchange is unmatched by other shows, and that’s what truly matters. More than that, though, it’s a time to reconnect and re-center,” she says. “There’s a buzz about NTA these days, and when you experience this welcoming community, you understand why.”
The Rogers Centre Ottawa will be the site of Travel Exchange ’25, and delegates will experience Ottawa’s unique vibe and inviting appeal during sightseeing tours and evening social events. Three hotels are offering NTA rates to delegates: Fairmont Chateau Laurier, The Westin Ottawa, and Lord Elgin Hotel. In addition to getting special rates at convention hotels, members who register for TREX ’25 before Aug. 1 will enjoy early-bird rates.
“Whether this is your first NTA event or your fortieth, you’ll be making meaningful connections that can make your business—and your life in this industry—more productive and satisfying,” Prather says. “At Travel Exchange, every smile—and every handshake or hug—is the best kind of business you can do.”
To learn more about various aspects of Travel Exchange ’25, click below:
And to learn more about NTA, go to NTAonline.com.