IPW—Like a classic car model automobile, it goes on, from year to year and from generation to generation—through good times and bad. The model still works, but it has fine-tuned, automated and maximized the vehicle’s yield with more efficient ways so that, now, it is capable of living through a global pandemic.
So, now, a little more than four months ago and a leaner version of IPW last September (18-22) in Las Vegas, the travel and tourism industry in the United States is already re-tooling IPW for its 2022 version, which is just four months away (June 4-8).
Readiness. That’s the word that Malcolm Smith, US Travel’s senior vice president, business development and general manager, IPW, stressed at a recently convened day-long series of “What’s new,” “How to” and “Let-me-get-back-to-you-on-that-one” webinar sessions aimed at making the event work as smoothly and as possible—stubborn global pandemic notwithstanding.
Keeping in touch with scores of others in event planning and execution, Smith told other panelists and several hundred delegates (international travel buyers and journalists comprised the target audience for the webinar) that the contraction of the numbers of people affected by the COVID-19 virus and the way its growth seems to have been checked is giving the upcoming spring “a much more normal look, a normal feel, for IPW.”
Lest anyone thought this meant “business as normal,” Smith quickly added, “However, we do have contingency plans in case things go in a different direction.” He emphasized the point by noting that, when the calendar reaches two months out from the event, the IPW website will have a special “health and safety” link.
Joining Smith in the webinar presentation and discussion were: Michael Martin, manager, international marketing, IPW; Cathy Reynolds, lead manager, IPW press operations; Phil White, travel industry sales director, Visit Orlando; and Aaron Wodin-Schwartz, senior vice president, public affairs, Brand USA.
Following is an outline of the detail-reach presentation and discussion of the panel.
General Track/Timeline of IPW June 4-8, 2022
Saturday, June 4: Mostly, it will be for delegate registration, ad-hoc meetings, and an open night, except for events scheduled off the official calendar.
Sunday, June 5: Another wave of delegates registration, and watch for the IPW Focus, and ad-hoc meetings. Look for the Brand USA Education Sessions; Destination Experiences; Brand Activations. Then, the Opening Event will take place Sunday night.
Monday through Wednesday (June 6-8):
8:30-10:00 AM: Open appointments; operation of marketing and technology pavilion and IPW Focus.
10:00 am-4:15 PM: Business appointments, daily luncheon (single luncheon event, not staggered, as it was last September)
Luncheons will be sponsored by
Monday: Brand USA
Tuesday: NYC & Company
Wednesday: Kissimmee
4:15-5:15 PM: Open Networking
Key numbers: 8 hours of additional networking time; 15-minute appointments; 42 appointments
Media Track/Timeline
Sunday, June 5: Sunday Press Brunch, followed by specialized press tours
Monday, June 6: Brand USA press conference leads off day, then:
—All day media market place and reception, as well as IPW travel writer awards
—For Media Marketplace, there will be 20 ten-minute appointment that will be pre-scheduled.
—Everything in convention center this year
Tuesday, June 7: U.S. Travel Press Conference, then …
—In the morning there will be 20-minute ”fast, easy fun and informative press conferences” that will provide more DMOs exposure time. These will be done by lunch.
—In the afternoon, journalists will be able to visit exhibit hall
Wednesday June 8: There will be the 20-minute press conferences in the morning followed by lunch, then journalists can visit the exhibit hall
Not New, but Improved: IPW Focus, an educational component that was launched last year but, due to health and safety protocols, it became difficult for delegates to access the program, which was held in meeting rooms off the exhibit floor. So, this year, Focus is moving on to the exhibit floor, where program elements will be held in three theatres—one main theatre and two smaller theatres.
Delegates will be able to attend sessions by Connect Travel; International Inbound Travel Association; the U.S. Travel Association Destinations Council; Brand USA; Connect THRIVE Summit; and U.S. Travel Association’s National Council of Attractions and Experiences.
The IPW Focus’s 15-minute sessions will cover an array of subjects. Your IPW schedule will tell you who is presenting, who is the intended audience is (Is it for exhibitors? is it for buyers? Is it for media or a mix of audiences?) Also, IPW is bringing back the marketing and technology part of the program
Remember: The main stages will be open networking in the morning, which will provide a great time to network on the show floor attend the Focus sessions
Evening Functions
Opening Event Sunday: Walt Disney World Resort
Tuesday: Destination Downtown Orlando and SeaWorld Parks
Wednesday Night Closing: Universal Orlando Resort
Coming soon: Fam tour information
The final word on the host city. Said Malcolm Smith: “Orlando “looks amazing. If you haven’t been there in the past two years, it has so much more product, so much more energy that you’re all going to love it.”
To listen to/watch the complete program, visit: https://vimeo.com/673194664
Remember to check www.ipw.com daily.
