Yes, IPW is 100 percent ON! It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Malcolm Smith, U.S. Travel’s senior vice president of business development and general manager of IPW, to find out what the outlook for the big event, which takes place next month. Including on-site preparation and registration, the event runs from Sept. 18 through Sept. 22. Here’s what Malcolm had to tell us:
Just a month remains until nearly 700 exhibitors reconnect, rebuild and reunite with hundreds of domestic and international buyers and press in Las Vegas at IPW 2021. We hope you will be there as part of our industry’s global comeback.
What We’re Hearing: We know that you continue to deal with shifting circumstances and that you’re navigating what’s best for your business in an unprecedented environment. We’ve heard from delegates who have wondered whether IPW will indeed take place and from others who want to know what our registration counts look like and which markets will and will not be able to attend in-person—we wanted to address these questions directly.
What We Want You to Know: Is IPW On?Yes, IPW is 100 Percent ON! And we have full confidence that this year’s show will serve as an integral step in getting the global travel industry back up on its feet. We have absolutely no plans to cancel this year’s show.
What are the health and safety requirements for IPW 2021? Rest assured that your health and safety is our top priority at IPW 2021. Along with our hosts, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Las Vegas Convention Center, we are fully committed to your well-being.
Our health and safety practices at IPW will go beyond the industry standard requiring face coverings for all delegates regardless of vaccination status, enhanced surface cleaning protocols, social distancing on the show floor, during luncheons and more. Be sure to review IPW’s health and safety practices, and read an update from Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
As an additional benefit to all delegates, we will be offering an Onsite COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic, provided by Albertsons Pharmacy, for those who may wish to get vaccinated while they’re in town—this option will be available for all attendees, both domestic and international. Be on the lookout for additional details on the vaccine clinic at IPW soon.
How are registration numbers? We are pleased to report strong registration numbers despite complicated circumstances across the globe. As of now, we have nearly 700 exhibitors registered and eager to meet with the more than 1,000 buyers and press who are signed up to attend. We hope that number will increase when additional good news on borders comes to fruition. Approximately 500 buyers and press are registered to attend from markets that can already travel to the U.S. primarily from Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America (except Brazil). An additional 400 buyers are registered to attend from the United Kingdom and European Union, and we anticipate that these delegates will be able to travel to the U.S. in time for IPW. And, of course, U.S.-based buyers and receptive operators will be there as well.
Participation at this year’s IPW will go beyond the myriad of benefits you gain through traditional business appointments and in-person networking—your presence at IPW 2021 will solidify your organization’s position as a critical partner in our industry’s global comeback, and we can’t wait to see you in Las Vegas.
See you next month in Las Vegas!
