It began, quite literally, with a freeze. Atlanta welcomed the 2025 Travel & Adventure Show with an enthusiastic slap of ice across the metro area—a rare Southern frost, as if Mother Nature herself was daring travellers to prove their mettle.
They did in droves.
From coast to coast, in cities better known for gridlock or bagels than for their global tourism pedigree, the travel-hungry masses gathered like seagulls around a chip van. A record-breaking nine-city romp through the United States saw more than travel dreams revived — it saw them queued for, booked, and hashtagged.
A Frosty Atlanta Thaws Hearts
The Georgia International Convention Centre became a hub of wanderlust (and woollens) as more than 250 exhibitors gathered to tempt Atlantans out of their winter malaise. Amid the thermoses and down jackets, there was a queue not for coffee, but for passports — yes, the U.S. Department of State, in a rare fit of efficiency, had set up a booth to issue on-the-spot travel documents. One bloke walked in with only a vague desire to see Paris and left halfway, packed for Phuket.
New York: The Big Apple Gets Bitten (Hard)
New York’s Javits Centre saw more than 23,000 travel enthusiasts pour through its doors. If you listened closely, you could hear the collective creak of credit cards stretching. With over 550 exhibitors and travel royalty like Pauline Frommer and Phil Keoghan delivering oratory that straddled inspiration and stand-up comedy, it was hard not to be swept up in the current. The LGBTQ+ Travel Pavilion, proudly backed by I LOVE NY, was expanded and embraced with open arms and very snappy luggage.
Chicago: Midwestern Modesty Takes a Holiday
Chicago’s convention centre played host to over 17,000 adventurers-in-waiting and 450 exhibitors. Actor-turned-wanderer Andrew McCarthy was there, likely fending off Brat Pack references while representing the Official Country Partner, Croatia. With his earnest tales and windswept charm, McCarthy reminded us all that even Hollywood types get sand in their socks.
Phoenix: Dust and Dreams
Riding high after its 2024 debut, the Phoenix edition saw more than 7,000 sun-seared locals and snowbirds descend on the Convention Centre. If you were looking for a deal on a South Pacific cruise or just a decent air-conditioned brochure, this was the place. Notables like Peter Greenberg and Kathy McCabe provided the kind of tips you wish your travel agent had told you before you booked that second-rate hotel in Hanoi.
Los Angeles: Twenty Years Young and Still Flamboyant
LA’s Travel & Adventure Show celebrated its 20th birthday like only LA could — with 20,000 people, 450 exhibitors, and a rock wall. Because, of course, there was a rock wall. Josh Gates of Expedition Unknown fame was on hand to deliver tales of travel with the kind of gusto usually reserved for action films and grandmothers on champagne.
Denver: Mile-High Momentum
Denver’s event was packed to the gills — over 11,000 attendees wandered the Colorado Convention Centre, dodging snow boots and sampling Tanzanian coffee. Chris Burkard, Peter Greenberg, and Pauline Frommer shared their globe-trotting wisdom, with attendees scribbling notes as if they were studying for a final exam in Leisure.
Bay Area: Silicon Valley Unplugs
Some 12,000 travel-curious Bay Area folk made their way to Santa Clara, possibly in a self-driving car. Over 350 exhibitors lined the venue, including prominent companies such as Viking Cruises and Taiwan Tourism. The keynote lineup? All killer, no filler — Peter Greenberg, Rick Steves, Chris Burkard, and Russell Hannon. You’d pay good money for that quartet at a TED Talk.
Dallas: Yee-Haw Meets Jet Lag
The Dallas Market Hall event drew 8,000 Texans, proving that boots and brochures can indeed mix. AAA led the way as the Official Booking Partner while Branson, Missouri, and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma showed off their Southern charm. Prizes were won, cruises were booked, and someone probably yelled “Y’all come back now!” unironically.
Washington D.C.: Political Capital Turns Holiday Hub
Closing out the season with a bang (and 11,000 sun-deprived Washingtonians), the show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre wrapped things up in style. From underwater fantasies in the Dive Pavilion to inclusive itineraries in the LGBTQ+ zone, the final show reminded everyone that D.C. is more than bureaucrats and bad coffee.
From the Podium: A Word from the Boss
“The 2025 Travel & Adventure Show Series is a true reflection of the growing enthusiasm for travel across the United States,” said John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm, LLC. “With record-breaking attendance in almost every market, it’s clear that travellers are more excited than ever to discover new destinations, connect with experts, and dive into unforgettable experiences.”
One might say Golicz was beaming with pride, and possibly jet lag.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Set to Go Bigger (and Colder)
Not content to rest on their laurels — or air miles — the series has already announced its 2026 cities:
- Seattle | Jan 10–11 (New!)
- Washington D.C. | Jan 17–18
- New York | Jan 24–25
- Phoenix | Feb 14–15
- Chicago | Feb 21–22
- South Florida | Feb 28–Mar 1 (New!)
- Los Angeles | Mar 7–8
- Bay Area | Mar 21–22
- Dallas | Mar 28–29
- Denver | Apr 11–12
Conclusion: Travel’s Back, Baby
If the 2025 Travel & Adventure Show proved anything, it’s this: wanderlust has officially left the station. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, spa treatments, or something more substantial in a coconut, the world’s out there waiting — and these shows are your boarding gate.
For details, tickets, and travel daydreams: www.travelshows.com/shows.
By Anne Keam
