The primary focus of the Travel & Words conferences is to build productive connections between journalists and destination marketers. This takes the form of scheduled one-on-one meetings as well as plenty of casual networking opportunities. Expert travel and tourism industry presenters will share valuable insights into how journalists and destinations can effectively champion media coverage and promotion of responsible tourism. In addition to one-on-one meetings between journalists and destination reps, the 2024 program will include professional development workshops, an guided off-site tour, and evening receptions with food & beverages
Scroll down beneath the program for appointment schedules between Journalists and Destination Marketers (TO BE ADDED SOON).
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
| 12:00 p.m. | Conference check-in desk open | Lobby |
| 1:00 p.m. | Opening Remarks Sponsor presentation: Travel Tacoma-Pierce County | Venice 3-4 |
| 1:30 p.m. | DMO Panel Discussion: Matt Wakefield, Travel Tacoma-Pierce County Nan Devlin, Tillamook Coast Michelle Peters, Visit Lewis Clark Valley Carole Skeeters-Stevens, Travel Medford Moderator: Allen Cox | Venice 3-4 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Refreshment Break, hosted by Premier Media Group | |
| 3:00 p.m. | Appointments 1-7 | Cavallino, Torcello, Burano |
| 4:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks | Venice 3-4 |
| 5:00 p.m. | Free time | |
| 5:45 p.m. | Board bus in front of Hotel Murano | |
| 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Reception with beverages & bites, hosted by Travel Tacoma-Pierce County | Seven Seas Brewery, Gig Harbor |
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast, sponsored by Premier Media Group | Venice 2 |
| 8:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks Workshop sign-ups Sponsor presentation: Explore Wilsonville | Venice 3-4 |
| 8:45 a.m. | Appointments 8-12 | Cavallino, Torcello, Burano |
| 10:00 a.m. | Refreshment Break, sponsored by Visit Lewis-Clark Valley | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Appointments 13-16 | Cavallino, Torcello, Burano |
| 11:30 p.m. | Keynote presentation: “The City and the Sea” by Dean Burke, President & CEO, Travel Tacoma-Pierce County | Venice 3-4 |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch, sponsored by Explore Wilsonville | Venice 2 |
| 1:00 p.m. | Off-site activity, sponsored by Travel Tacoma-Pierce County | |
| 3:30 p.m. | Free time, optional complimentary visits to museums | |
| 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Welcome reception with beverages & bites, sponsored by Hotel Murano | Lobby Bar |
Thursday, October 3, 2024
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast, sponsored by Premier Media Group | Venice 2 |
| 8:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks, Sponsor Presentation: IFWTWA | Venice 3-4 |
| 9:00 a.m. | Workshop: “Social Media for Travel Writers” by Katherine Anderson | |
| 9:00 a.m. | Panel: “Publish Your Travel Book” Panelists: Matt Wastradowski, Dan Shryock, Lisa Maloney Moderator: Adam Sawyer | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Appointments 17-18 | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Refreshment Break, sponsored by Premier Media Group | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Appointments 19-25 | Cavallino, Torcello, Burano |
| 12:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks | Venice 3-4 |