Floor Plan

This year's Trade Program provides an unparalleled opportunity to gain new customers from over 70,000 projected public attendees.  Travel Show Chicago looks forward to providing useful and innovative learning opportunities for the travel trade.

This year’s schedule of educational seminars will focus on providing the latest news on the hottest travel destinations across the globe….as well as opportunities to form partnerships and alliances.

The first 200 travel trade professionals to register online will receive complimentary passes to the Show.  

Otherwise, participants will have to pay the $10 door fee, which includes access to both shows. Exhibitors may attend at no charge. Travel trade professionals will have to show their business card to attend the trade seminars, which will be held in an enclosed area on the exhibit hall floor with restricted access.

TRAVEL SHOW CHICAGO 2005 TRADE PROGRAM SCHEDULE

2 to3pm –Trade Seminar – Developing Sustainable Tourism Products to Meet Client Demands
Presenter: Cristina Suhr – Marketing Specialist, Rainforest Alliance

- The Rainforest Alliance is increasing the sustainable tourism product supply that best suits travelers’ and operators’ demands through strategic alliances with local tour operators and its Best Management Practices Training Program for suppliers in Latin America. This program is benefiting small, medium and community-based tourism businesses in several tropical destinations. This presentation will also include information on how RA works with certification programs in the Americas.

3 to 5pm –Trade Seminar – Discovering the New Face of Adventure
Presenter: Shannon Stowell, Adventure Travel Trade Association
- The Adventure Travel Trade Association presents a two-hour workshop on how the adventure/active niche market has expanded into general travel, and how adventure operators are incorporating general travel into their itineraries. You'll learn about the relaunch of the "new" ATTA and how it intends to meet the needs and interests of the adventure travel trade industry.



THURSDAY, JANUARY 20
12 to 2pm –Trade Seminar – Discovering Asia
Presenters: Pacific Asia Travel Association; Hong Kong Tourism Board; Nomadic Expeditions; Tourism Malaysia; Pacific Delight Tours; World Experiences; Philippines Tourism Board
- Pacific Asia Travel Association sponsors a unique session for travel agents, tour operators and media that identifies the Top Destinations in Asia, along with tour operators and select tourism boards representing these destinations.

2 to 3pm –Trade Seminar– Discovering Norwegian Cruises
Presenter: Mark Aberman, Norwegian Cruise Lines
- Norwegian Cruise Lines hosts an in-depth product seminar for sales and travel agents on the latest offerings and specials available.

3 to 5pm –Trade Seminar– Cutting-edge e-Marketing & Sales Conversion Strategies
Presenter: Robert H. Hirsch, President, Meridian7, Inc. and AdventureCentral.com
- Learn how successful tourism professionals are combining effective website search engine optimization and link building with effective design and sales-oriented content for radically increased leads, record sales and their best marketing return on investment ever.



FRIDAY, JANUARY 21
12 to 1pm –Trade and Public Seminar – Discovering Chihuahua
Presenter: Martha Varela, Mexico Tourism Board; Luis Felipe Valadez, State of Chihuahua
- Mexico Tourism Board hosts an in-depth educational seminar on the country's largest state, Chihuahua, located along the north-central part of the U.S.-Mexico border. Characterized by broad plains, rugged landscape and a rich cultural and archaeological history, Chihuahua offers plenty of exciting opportunities for the intrepid explorer.

1 to 1:45pm –Trade Seminar – Trip of the Year Awards
Presenter: Outside Magazine
- Outside Magazine presents its second annual Trip of the Year Awards to recognize unique and innovative efforts in adventure travel.

1:45 to 2:15pm –Trade Seminar – Mexico: Beyond Your Expectations Reception
Presenter: Monica Garcia, Mexico Tourism Board
- Mexico Tourism Board hosts a special reception for travel agents and tour operators to showcase Mexico's unique diversity of people and places.

2:15 to 3pm –Trade and Public Seminar – Discovering Mexico
Presenter: Martha Varela, Mexico Tourism Board; Wendy Hesketh, AMTAVE
- Mexico Tourism Board hosts an in-depth educational seminar on a country that is more than just Baja, Cancun and Acapulco. From tropical rainforests to vast deserts, tropical beaches to snow-covered volcanoes, Mexico unites a multitude of indigenous cultures, archaeological masterpieces, a rich history (and even pre-history), and quaint villages, making the country a perfect destination for today's adventure and ecotourist.

3 to 4:30pm –Trade Seminar –  Leading Brands of The Mark Travel Corporation
Presenters: Greg Ludwig – Market Maker, Funjet Vacations; Penny Schultz – Business Development Manager, United Vacations; Paul Jones – Business Development Manager, Southwest Airlines Vacations
- Come learn what’s new with the best Vacation Companies in Chicago: Funjet Vacations, Southwest Airlines Vacations and United Vacations. Attend this informative and entertaining session and learn about ways to increase your agency’s profitability, new vacation products and technology. Oh, and by the way … seminar attendees will receive something very special.

5 to 6pm –Cultural Performances – Discovering Mongolia
Presenter: Logan Smith, Nomadic Expeditions
- Nomadic Expeditions hosts a unique public performance of a Mongolian contortionist and throat singer, showcasing some of the Asian country’s cultural ambience.

6 to 7pm – Trade and Public Seminar – Discovering River Cruising in Europe and Asia
Presenter: Mary Margaret Reuther, Viking River Cruises
- Viking River Cruises provide unique and exotic river cruises through Europe, Russia and China, allowing you to explore the best destinations in the world from an intimate perspective, spending your time being there, not getting there. Learn about river cruising through an informative presentation with beautiful images.