Know our History
TBEX is the largest conference and community of travel creators, and influencers in the world.
I am a big fan of TBEX. I have attended every year since 2013. I have been a speaker, sponsor, co-presenter, panel moderator and regular attendee. I love the peer networking but most of all I love learning from speakers, attendees and destinations. In the world of social media marketing one is forever learning. Nothing beats learning from one’s peers and niche experts.
Michael Collins
The TBEX History
The first TBEX was held in 2009 in Chicago, Illinois, after an email was sent among six travel blogger friends. (Back then we just called it Travel Blogging.) The idea was to meet up, network and learn the latest trends, strategies and tactics from each other. To become better creators, grow our audiences and of course make more money blogging. AKA Monetizing our content.
Then something magic happened. Those six friends told more friends about it and 250 people showed up!…. And TBEX was born.
Today; TBEX conferences attract 500-700 of the top travel and lifestyle creators from around the world. The mission is the same but TBEX and the universe of travel creators have grown…. A LOT!!!
We have in depth workshops and breakout sessions about Story Telling, Writing, Photography, Video Creation, Podcasting, SEO, and A LOT MORE!
DMOs and travel brands are welcome at TBEX. They come to TBEX looking to work with travel creators. They also learn the best practices in Social Media, Influencer, and Content Marketing. Our Industry professional attendees tell us our workshops and breakout sessions are years ahead of typical travel conferences.
Each year, TBEX partners with fantastic Host destinations in North America, Europe and Asia to bring the travel industry’s most creative minds together to learn, network and do business.
Our Host destinations do an amazing job providing memorable activities, day trips and FAM trips both before and after the main conference.
Oh and we have some pretty awesome parties… networking events.
If you want to meet up with your Creator peers, meet people who love travel as much as you do, make new lifelong friends, learn how to take your content and business to the next level and have a ton of fun doing it…. Then you are the kind of person we love having at TBEX.
DMOs and Brands Are Welcome
They come to TBEX looking to work with travel creators. They also learn the best practices in Social Media, Influencer, and Content Marketing. Our Industry professional attendees tell us our workshops and breakout sessions are years ahead of typical travel conferences.
Each year, TBEX partners with fantastic Host destinations in North America, Europe and Asia to bring the travel industry’s most creative minds together to learn, network and do business.
Our Host destinations do an amazing job providing memorable activities, day trips and FAM trips both before and after the main conference.
Oh and we have some pretty awesome parties… networking events.
If you want to meet up with your Creator peers, meet people who love travel as much as you do, make new lifelong friends, learn how to take your content and business to the next level and have a ton of fun doing it…. Then you are the kind of person we love having at TBEX.
Upcoming TBEX Events
Come join us at one or both of our two amazing events this year in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Kalamata, Greece! Get your tickets now. both of these venues have limited space and will sell out.
TBEX Africa 2023
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Pablo Center at the Confluence
128 Graham Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Date: July 17 – 21
Time 9 – 6
Pre-BEX Day Trips July 17 – 18
Workshops July 18
Main Conference July 19 – 20
FAM Trips start July 21
TBEX Europe 2023
Peloponnese region, Kalamata, Greece
Navarinou Street, GR 24100, Kalamata, Peloponnisos, Greece
Date May 8 – 11 2023
Sessions 9 am – 6 pm
Pre-BEX Day Trips May 8 – 9
Workshops May 9
Main Conference May 10 – 11
FAM Trips start May 12
TBEX North America 2023
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Pablo Center at the Confluence
128 Graham Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Date: July 17 – 20
Time 9 – 6
Pre-BEX Day Trips July 17 – 18
Workshops July 18
Main Conference July 19 – 20
FAM Trips start July 21
TBEX Africa 2023
KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Durban ICC International Convention Centre
45 Bram Fischer Road
Date October 17 – 20 2023
Sessions 9 am – 6 pm
Pre-BEX Day Trips October 17 – 18
Workshops October 18
Main Conference October 19 – 20
FAM Trips start October 21
Come and Join us!
Come join us for 3 or more amazing days of inspiration, education, and serious business meetings. Leave TBEX with actionable tips, tricks, and advice you can put into practice right away. Network with peers who understand your business and the challenges you face in a way no one else does.
Creators
Improve your content creation and business skills
Learn what’s new, what works, and what doesn’t work any more
Network and learn from your creator peers
Rub shoulders with the top travel creators, travel industry and social media experts
Meet tourist boards and travel brands who are looking to work with creators like you
Become a better writer, broadcaster, photographer and video creator
Learn from experts in and outside the travel industry
Make connections and friendships with peers who love travel as much as you do!
Explore a destination that loves working with travel creators
Have tons of fun!!!
Go home inspired to take your business to the next level!
Industry Professionals
Improve your skills in Content, Influencer, Social Media and Email Marketing
Meet top bloggers and travel creators from around the world
Network with industry professionals that share your passion for influencer marketing
Learn about the latest social media platforms and hot new trends
Network with top experts inside and outside the travel industry
Find out what other top DMOs and Travel Brands are doing to stay ahead of the competition
Learn what works and what doesn’t in Influencer Marketing
Have a ton of fun!!!
Go home and impress your colleagues and boss with your new insider knowledge
Set your brand apart from your competition
What are people saying about partnering with TBEX?
TBEX is the best conference that I have ever been to. And I go to a lot throughout the year. I do everything I can to learn, get better and be the best content creator I can be. I was very impressed on every level with TBEX.
– Martinique Lewis
Marty San Diego / Black Travel Alliance
TBEX is the best conference I’ve ever attended. I’ve attended dozens of conferences in and outside the travel industry. In terms of a straight return on investment, it was easily the most productive conference I’ve ever attended.
– Gary Arndt
Gary Arndt, Travel Blogger, Everything-Everywhere.com
TBEX is the world’s main meeting point for travel bloggers, writers and new media content creators, and for Costa Brava being the host of the event has been a huge opportunity, incomparable to any other. Celebrating TBEX in our area has allowed us to greet travel bloggers from all around the world that specialize in all kinds of subjects. During and after TBEX, we realized how successful the event had been in terms of promotion, as the destination achieved a lot of exposure and coverage all over the globe.
– Jaume Marin
Marketing Director Costa Brava Board of Tourism
Working with the TBEX team was truly an experience of a lifetime for Vail Resorts. The passion and enthusiasm that they brought to the event was visible throughout the planning and execution of the conference. With over 700 attendees you could feel the progress being made and practically seeing the inspiration flying around, passing between attendees, speakers and sponsors. It was an honor for Vail Resorts and Keystone to host such an influential group of forward-thinking individuals and it was amazing to see the results happen instantaneously, with literally millions of social impressions and hundreds of blogs logged even before the weekend event was over.
– Kelly Ladyga
VP, Corporate Communications Vail Resorts, Inc
Meet our Team
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Rick Calvert
Chief Executive
Officer
Tomiko Harvey
Conference Director
(North America)
Tim Leffel
Conference Director
(North America)
Shane Dallas
Conference Director
(Europe)
Patti Hosking
VP of Business
Development
Leslie Walker, CHSP
Marketing and Social Media Manager
Donna Hankins
General
Operations
