A massive Aussie travel trade and media delegation, including Karryon, touched down in Los Angeles for IPW24, the U.S. Travel Association’s 55th annual inbound travel trade show, as Australia reclaimed its spot in the top 10 source markets to the USA.
From 3–7 May, a record 5,700-plus attendees from almost 70 countries, including 38 Australian travel trade and 30 media, gathered for IPW24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center to discover what’s trending in US travel and generate leads.
This year’s IPW24 saw a 20 per cent increase in overall attendance against 2023 with more than 100,000 meetings between US suppliers and international travel buyers, media, suppliers and wholesalers across three days.
Australian buyers included representatives from Luxury Escapes, Flight Centre Travel Group, Infinity Holidays, iTravel, Helloworld, Intrepid Travel, Adventure World and many more.
Let’s get IPW24 started
The event kicked off in true Aussie and Kiwi style with the Visit USA Organisation Australia Welcome Party in Downtown LA (DTLA), including ANZ-based travel trade, media, suppliers and destination reps.
The next day saw the media contingent treated to a press brunch at The Getty Museum followed by media tours to different parts of LA such as Pasadena, Venice Beach and West Hollywood (WeHo) or featuring special experiences.
Later that night was the Opening Party at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – keeper of the Olympic flame – where IPW attendees bussed in en masse to enjoy food and drink stations and themed activations reflecting the city’s many different cuisines and cultures as well as entertainment by none other than disco diva legend Diana Ross.
Taking care of IPW24 business
On the first full day, IPW got down to business with the travel media hitting the Media Marketplace for speed-dating meetings while the trade delegation started their pre-scheduled appointments on the floor.
The following days were a flurry of meetings and mingling with US suppliers on the floor and at hosted parties around different DTLA venues.
Visit California brought back its popular California Plaza activation, which saw attendees stream outside every afternoon to soak up the sunshine and fun offerings.
Aussies got to check out the activities, photo ops, food and drink from around the Golden State, including live cooking demonstrations by Australia’s own Curtis Stone with local chefs and cooks.
For the grand finale, IPW attendees took over Universal Studios Hollywood for a three-hour night-time closing party with exclusive access to attractions, rides, food and beverage and a reimagined studio tour to commemorate the park’s 60th anniversary.
Rockin’ in the USA
IPW24 continues to be the premier in-person platform to reunite and rebuild the global travel industry through business and networking with the USA at 84 per cent recovery of pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
The 56th IPW will be held in Chicago from 14-18 June 2025. IPW returns to California in 2030 with host city Anaheim.
What a DUO! Cassie flew as a guest of Air New Zealand to IPW24. For the latest Air New Zealand news, campaigns and incentives, visit duo.airnzagent.com.au and sign up to duo today.
For more info, head to ipw.com
