A Large Time In Chicago
The 46th annual International Pow Wow (IPW) wrapped up in Chicago today (April 10), having attracted close to 1,400 international and domestic travel buyers — including several dozen Canadian representatives — and marking the highest attendance since 2001, reports Press Today’s Mike Baginski.
Over 6,200 travel suppliers and buyers from over 70 countries, including 500 international and domestic media, convened in Chicago at McCormick Place for the show, the largest single generator of travel to the US. The delegation from China, a critical emerging travel market, set a record with 109 attendees.
During the three-day event, more than 95,000 business meetings took place for intensive deal-making that is expected to attract 8.8 million additional international visitors to the US over the next three years. Their visits over that period are projected to increase total spending by $28 billion — money that supports nearly 115,000 American jobs.
U.S. Travel Association president and CEO, Roger Dow said, “At IPW, the entire international marketplace comes to the U.S. under one roof. Business that is conducted during these three days provides a one-of-a-kind boost to the host city and the entire US economy.”
In 2015, IPW will return to Orlando, Fla., from May 30 to June 3.
Photo Caption: This new Orleans brass band and dancers lent an energetic air to the final day proceedings.
Go to http://www.ustravel.org for more and watch upcoming editions of both Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier for a full report on this year’s IPW.
