THE TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE SHOW
The DC Travel and Adventure Show is an annual event which takes place early in the year. Three of the nine annual Travel and Adventure Shows are held in California. Boston and Philadelphia host the only other ones on the east coast. Started in 2004, the Travel and Adventure Shows offer a mix of exhibitors from around the world and celebrity speakers with some culture-focused entertainment thrown in for good measure. The 2018 DC show featured speeches followed by a meet and greet with Samantha Brown, Peter Greenberg, Rudy Maxa, and Patricia Schultz. Samantha Brown and Peter Greenberg appeared on both days.
THE TRAVEL THEATER
Places to Love host, Samantha Brown spoke on both Saturday and Sunday about her new travel show. Attendees were treated to a brief intro video of clips from season one before Brown discussed her childhood in New Hampshire and the long journey which brought her to where she is today. Like many of us, Brown grew up believing that travel was only for the privileged.
The rest of her presentation focused on travel tips from her more than 24,000 hours of traveling the world, with brief pauses for short clips from her new series. She proudly announced that she owns Places to Love, which appears on PBS.
No matter where she goes, Samantha Brown tends to start every day with the same routine, which in her case is a visit to the same cafe. Her parting words were, “Keep on digging,” which (according to the clips she revealed) her new show certainly seems to do. The interview clips featured interviews with locals from places like Houston, Huntsville, and her adopted hometown of Brooklyn.
On Saturday, the former army brat and accidental travel journalist, Rudy Maxa discussed growing up in Germany, how he got into radio, and the 98 television episodes of his travel show. Maxa joked about his “made for radio” face as well as recent trends in travel, including the Japanese phenomenon of forest bathing.
On Saturday and Sunday, Travel Detective, Peter Greenberg offered dozens of travel tips as well as facts that the average traveler would not be aware of. In his hoarse voice (which he apologized for), he half-jokingly referred to people who book flights online as “losers.” His logic being that only 52% of flights are available online. Greenberg proudly displayed his OAG (Offical Airline Guide), which he referred to as his bible. People with bucket lists are also losers, according to Peter. He suggested they (the bucket lists) should be burned. His rhetoric was jokingly harsh during most of his presentation, but he presented a plethora of useful information which consumers can act upon. For example, he suggested avoiding cruise ships during their inaugural season, always having emergency medical evacuation insurance, and checking with the British Foreign Office as an alternative to the Department of State when determining whether or not a destination is safe for travel. His suggested destinations for 2018 include Chile, Iceland, Malta, and Rwanda.
Patricia Schultz was the final speaker in the Travel Theater on Saturday, where she discussed the global edition of her bestselling travel book, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die as well as growing up in New York’s Hudson Valley (Beacon, where Pete Seeger also came from) and studying linguistics and nearby Georgetown University. Some of her observations ranged from common to unusual. For example, she referred to Shanghai as the Manhattan of Asia and called Amsterdam a “great food city.” Schultz reminded travelers that Amsterdam’s red light district and brown cafes are “so yesterday.” Like many speakers at larger American travel shows often do, Schultz reminded everyone about how bad train service is in the Americas compared to Europe and East Asia.
The Destination Theater
The Destination Theater featured presentations about Alaska, The Azores, Israel, Italy, and the little known region of Quebec, called Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. In addition to a heavy focus on Italy, there was a large emphasis on cruises and wellness travel. On Sunday, Patricia Schultz spoke about her experiences aboard the plethora of different river cruises of Europe. There was also a presentation on LGBT travel by Man About World Editor in Chief, Ed Salvato.
THE SAVVY TRAVELER THEATER
Presentations in the Savvy Traveler Theater featured more practical advice. Most focused on their specific travel niche. Angel Castellanos spoke how to travel smart with technology, while Ralph Velasco offered photography tips, which included always look at the background and remembering that, “It’s not about the camera.” Some of the pictures that Velasco had on display were shot with an iPhone. He stressed the importance of the magic hour and encouraged anyone who doesn’t like to wake up early to be a writer. There were also presentations on cruises as well as family and solo travel.
TASTE OF TRAVEL THEATER
At the Taste of Travel Theater, chefs from American, Indonesian, Italian, and Spanish restaurants each presented a signature dish, which most audience members had the chance to sample. Culinary Fight Club’s Anthony Martorina served as the MC and host on both days. While some of the dishes are fairly mainstream (Carmine’s Italian cheesecake, Pitmaster BBQ beef brisket, and Spanish seafood risotto), there were some vegan and vegetarian dishes on offer. Indonesian chefs Sisca Soewitomo and Yono Purnomo prepared tempe, which is a high-protein Indonesian staple and also vegan.
GLOBAL BEATS STAGE
The Global Beats Stage featured traditional dancing from Bolivia, Botswana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Russia, and the Carpathian Mountain region of Europe. There was also a Muay Thai Boxing demonstration on both days, which was presented by Nakapan from the BETA Academy.
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This look like a fun travel event to attend. I’ve never been to a travel expo or conference, but I think I’d like to get to one eventually to see what my experience would be as a blogger. Seems like an interesting cultural element was present as well.
As a blogger, you should spend an hour or two walking the floor and collecting cards. Even if the decision makers are not at the show, you can get their info.
Have yet to experience this. It will be soooo way cool to attend one. The question is when.
Hi Michael. You can find the list on their website.
My favorite part of the trip would have been the food! I enjoyed this piece
Yes, I plan to visit Yono’s restaurant next time I’m near Albany.
looks like it was truly a fun experience.. maybe someday sometime for me too
Starting next year, there will be ten Travel & Adventure Shows in the United States.
I love how travelling connects people all over the world. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi May. You are welcome!
I really love traveling.. Exploring the world is the real essence of our lives.. It’s like wandering on our God’s creation
Yes, Surekha!
what a fantastic event! i would love to experience this event. thanks for sharing all the information.
You’re welcome. Just spoke at the New York Travel & Adventure Show last month!
I generally avoid trade fairs, mainly in my niche, travels. This one, by the way, sounds very rich. DO you really think is a good occasion for bloggers looking for business partners?
Ciao Sabrina. If you are only looking to make connections, I would suggest IMM.
Cute! We also have these events here in the Philippines. Usually there is a lot of guests
Yes, I wanted to attend TBEX when it was in Manila, but the dates didn’t work out for me. Were you there?
Sounds like a great event! I love travel so it is great to read travel blogs for advice on where not to miss!
Well, thanks for reading mine!
I went to the travel and adventure show in San Diego (a couple years ago) and loved the “Taste of Travel” segment! It was a great show and who doesn’t love trying new food 🙂 It looks like some of the same key not speakers were at this one too.
Hi Candy. Yes, they even had lobster in DC last year. I wish Rick Steves would do the east coast ones more often. I met him at the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show in 2016.
This is a perfect opportunity for travel bloggers to get some partners! Another reason to go there is the food from different cuisines! Haha!
Hi Karla. Yes, I enjoy the other seminars as well!
This looks like a good event to attend. I’ll bear it in mind if I’m ever in DC during that time.
Hi Lisa. They’ll be having it early next year.
Looked like a really fun travel event to attend, perfect for travel bloggers. Must be great meeting other bloggers
Hi Melissa. I love how you’re wearing a Metallica shirt!
I have never been to a travel show, but I bet I would really enjoy it. I would head to the taste of travel theater first!
Lol, that’s one of my favorites. Thanks for commenting, Elizabeth!
Wow, I didn’t even know travel shows were thing! This must have been such a cool experience with so many interesting new connections.
Hi Liz. Yes, especially in the United States.
Reading this made me think how fun it would to attend one such event here in Canada. Unfortunately, it occurs every February in Toronto so Ill have to wait until 2020.
Oh, what’s the name of the show in Toronto?
This sounds like a great travel and adventure show with lots of amazing speakers! I would have loved to be a part of this and hear some of their wonderful stories!
Yeah, this is the first time I heard about this travel event and I wish it will host more here in Asia. I would love to attend next time.
Hi Blair. TBEX will be in Phuket later this year!
This is my first time hearing about The Travel and Adventure Show and it sounds like a terrific experience! It’s so refreshing to see more focus and support on wellness as well as LGBT travel. And ok, all that food looks amazing! Will defs need to check out their next show!
Hi Jas. Thanks for commenting. Did you get to attend? They had it earlier this year.
I’ve never heard about The Travel and Adventure Show but it definitely seems like an interesting experience that I would enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation, I would love to check it out someday
Hi Daniel. You’re welcome. Hope you get to attend!
I never heard of this show so I appreciate reading this post as I love learning about new experiences. It sounds like it was a great event. I’ll do some additional research to learn more about it!
Thanks Katherine. Would you consider attending in the future?