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Lexington, KY 40507
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Conference Watch 2010

The lineup of conferences in 2010 will enable travel operators and group leaders a chance to learn about destinations across continents and right in America’s heartland, such as the Heartland Travel Showcase in February, the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Spring Meet in March, Travel South Showcase and the African American Travel Conference (AATC) in April and International POW WOW in May.

February:

Each of these conferences offers city tours and dining options at local restaurants, including the Heartland Travel Showcase 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. The yearly conference provides prescheduled appointments with destinations or tour operators for tour business in the 12-state Heartland region. Heartland will also hold two seminars called “First-time Exhibitors” and “Tips for Tour Operators” to help attendees make the most of the conference.

March:

Coming up in March, the STS Spring Meet in Nashville will highlight the new attractions and classic offerings of the Southeast. Featured topics for planned seminars during the conference range from working in print to sustainable tourism. Other events during the three-day conference include a voluntourism project to assist the Hermitage and a Golf Tournament hosted by Bank Travel Management and Winning Sports Meetings.

April:

Two conferences in April that plan to showcase more domestic destinations are Travel South Showcase in Birmingham, Ala. and AATC in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Travel South USA is the official regional destination marketing organization for the 12 states recognized as southern states. For four days, the pre-scheduled marketplace connects more than 275 suppliers from the region to approximately 200 domestic and international tour operators. More networking opportunities will be available at AATC during social mixer events, sightseeing tours of town and a prescheduled Marketplace.

May:

More than 1,000 U.S. travel organization from across the county and close to 1,500 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries come to U.S. Travel’s International POW WOW each year. This May’s three-day conference in Orlando, Fla. arranges up to 44 pre-scheduled appointments per booth, along with opportunities to mingle at local sightseeing tours, a golf tournament and prize drawing.