The 2020 New York Times Travel Show is in the books now and while my photographic narrative is forthcoming, the press release below was issued by their team to give a deep spotlight into the whole affair. I’m posting for the other Lifestyle Bloggers out there who might be looking to expand their own journalistic horizons. Take a look.

The Press Release:
The New York Times has announced that 34,015 participants attended its annual Travel Show, held last week at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

Attendance included 11,041 travel trade and 22,974 consumer attendees during the three-day event held Jan. 24-26. 2020’s show marked the 17th anniversary of The New York Times Travel Show, the largest travel industry show in North America. Dubai Tourism and Expo 2020 Dubai were this year’s Presenting Sponsors.

2020 Show Highlights:
Exhibition: The Exhibition hosted over 700 exhibiting organizations representing 175 countries. The expo floor consisted of 17 Pavilions, 4 Cultural Stages and the highly popular Taste of The World main stage.

Trade Day:
The first day of the Travel Show on Friday, Jan. 24 was reserved exclusively for travel industry professionals and members of the media, offering 32 Focus Conferences panels where 169 speakers presented travel trends and solutions that will help to increase business travel. An open pre-general session address given by Dr. Tarek Oliveira Shayya, Board Director and Chief I.P. Officer, Chief MarCom Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Keynote Address:
Given on Friday, Jan. 24 by James Shillinglaw, editor in chief and founder, Insider Travel Report, in conversation with panelists Matthew Upchurch, Chairman and C.E.O., Virtuoso; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and C.E.O., Celebrity Cruises; Daniel Skjeldam, C.E.O., Hurtigruten, Inc.; Leigh Barnes, Chief Customer Officer, Intrepid Travel; David Neeleman, Founder of “Moxy,” JetBlue and Azul, Co-Founder of Morris Air and WestJet, Co-Owner of TAP Air Portugal.

Star Speakers:
Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26 were open to all attendees and featured various cultural presentations and performances, food demonstrations, and one-on-one conversations with 69 travel experts, influencers and celebrities such as travel expert Pauline Frommer, and television host Lidia Bastianich, along with New York Times journalists including travel editor Amy Virshup, deputy travel editor Elisabeth Goodridge; travel reporter Tariro Mzezewa; travel writer Elaine Sciolino, and Wirecutter’s Kit Dillon and Ria Misra, and The Times’s 52 Places traveler Sebastian Modak.

The 2020 show also highlighted seminar topics such as: “Everything You Need to Know About Credit Card Points and Frequent Flyer Miles,” “Ghana’s Heritage Offering: Beyond the Return,” “Setting Sail: Everything You Need to Know About Cruises,” “Tips for Finding the Best Flight Deals,” and “Exploring the African Diaspora in Latin America With Kim Haas.”

Trade Day Speakers:
A robust list of Trade Day speakers included Lillian Africano, Past President, Society of American Travel Writers; Sally Black, Founder, VacationKids.com Travel Agency; Elizabeth Chin, Chairman, Pacific Asia Travel Association – PATA New York Chapter; Terry Dale, President and C.E.O., United States Tour Operators Association; Chris Davidson, Executive Vice President, Insights & Strategy, MMGY Global; His Excellency Helal Al Marri, Director General, Dubai Tourism; Shiho Ikeuchi, President, Pink Soleil; Naledi Khabo, Executive Director, Africa Tourism Association; Gregory Khalil, President and Co-Founder, Telos Group; Diane Kochilas, Creator and Host of the PBS series “My Greek Table,” Anne Marie Moebes, Publisher, Travel Market Report; Todd Neuman, Executive Vice President, South African Airways; Norie Quintos, Editor at Large, National Geographic Travel Media, and Principal, Norie Quintos Consulting; Sumathi Ramanathan, Director, Destination Marketing, Expo 2020 Dubai; David Stock, President, Professional Travel Bloggers Association; Melissa Walker, Senior Director of Global Wellness, Hilton Hotels; Russell Walters, Regional Director, North America, Adventure Travel Trade Association; and Arnie Weissmann, Editor in Chief, Travel Weekly and Executive Vice President and Editorial Director, Northstar Travel Group.

Passport Event:
For the first time at The New York Times Travel Show, the U.S. Department of State hosted a special passport registration on Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26. During this time, eligible Travel Show attendees were able to apply for U.S. passports.

LGBTQ Pavilion:
The LGBTQ Pavilion featured the latest trends around L.G.B.T.Q.-centric tourism and showcased a wide range of L.G.B.T.Q. travel experts from exhibitors including GeoSure Global, HE Travel, Gay Travel and Tours, IGLTA, the International L.G.B.T.Q.+ Travel Association, Out Adventures, Gay and Lesbian Tours and Holidays, Out in the Vineyard, OutRight Action International, Pride Japan, Sikeleli Travel L.G.B.T.Q.-friendly African Safaris, Quiiky L.G.B.T.Q Italy Travel, VACAYA: All-LGBT+ Cruises & Resorts and others. The pavilion was curated by gay travel expert and ManAboutWorld editor in chief, Ed Salvato.

Family First:
The Family Pavilion sponsored by the Family Travel Association, showcased players in the Family travel space.

Travel Show Exhibitor Awards:
The 2020 Travel Show Exhibitor Award winners included Best in Show: Dubai Tourism and Expo 2020 Dubai; Best New Exhibitor: Visit Arizona; Most Interactive: Brazilian Tourism Board Embratur; The People’s Choice: Guadeloupe Island; and Most Imaginative: Taiwan Tourism Bureau.

2020 New York Times Travel Show Sponsors:
Dubai Tourism in association with Expo 2020 Dubai is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 New York Times Travel Show. Turkish Airlines is a Platinum Sponsor; South African Tourism is a Gold Sponsor; MSC CRUISES, Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board, Greek National Tourism Organization and Puglia Promozione are Silver Sponsors; and I LOVE NY is a Bronze Sponsor. Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi and Visit Costa Rica are Trade Day Sponsors.

Travel Industry Association Sponsors include Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Africa Travel Association (ATA), American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA), Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF), Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), Destination Wedding & Honeymoon, Specialists Association (DWHSA), European Travel Commission (ETA), Family Travel Association (FTA), International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), Millennials in Travel (MIT), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Professional Travel Bloggers Association (PTBA), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), and U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA).

Travel Industry Media Sponsors include, GoNomad, Destination I Do Magazine, Healthy Aging Magazine, Insider Travel Report, ManAboutWorld, Passport Magazine, TAConnect, TravAlliancemedia, Travel Market Report and We Blog The World.

About The New York Times Travel Show:
The New York Times Travel Show is the largest and longest-running trade and consumer travel show in North America, featuring the Travel Industry Conference, Consumer Seminars, Meet The Experts Pavilion and an interactive Exhibition including more than 750 exhibitors representing travel to all seven continents, positioned within 16 pavilions (including Adventure, Africa, Asia, Australia/South Pacific, Canada, Caribbean, Cruise, Europe, Family, Global, Latin America, L.G.B.T.Q., Mexico, River Cruise, Travel Products, and U.S.A. Pavilions). In addition to discounts and special offers, the show provides educational seminars and live entertainment for families, individuals and couples and seniors. Join the conversation and follow @NYTTravelShow for the latest Travel Show news.

About The New York Times Company:
The New York Times Company is a global media organization dedicated to enhancing society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information. The Company includes The New York Times, NYTimes.com and related properties. It is known globally for excellence in its journalism, and innovation in its print and digital storytelling and its business model. Follow news about the company at @NYTimesPR.

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Piercing Ken Thoughts: As I announced over on my Official Facebook and Twitter accounts, I attended the recent show. We did the Industry Day and part of the second day. A whole lot of visuals were posted over on the Official Instagram so do click that text and peruse to your hearts content. This is one of my favorite ways to start the year of conventions and while I don’t get to do much travel based on financials and logistics of my current state of life, this really makes me feel that I better get a move on it. So far my only trip is the annual jaunt South to see my family and I still need to get myself to Finland, Japan and perhaps England. Should you be one of our more philanthropic readers, please know I can be reached very easily to discuss your donation to these causes 🙂 See you next time.

Official Website: https://nyttravelshow.com/