In May 2019, I attended the Women in Travel Summit in Portland, Maine, and it was an amazing new experience for me. It was my first conference and I was a nervous wreck before I went. As a newbie, I had tons of questions, so I decided to help answer all of them here. I hope everyone has an AMAZING time in Kansas City for WITS 2022! I am dying to hear where it will be in 2023! Here are 20 tips for attending the Women in Travel Summit:
DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO BE BUSY ALL DAY
A conference can be exhausting. Bloggers spend a lot of time alone by their computers, so being thrown into crowds of people to socialize can take a lot out of you. Make sure you schedule some down time. Take a coffee break, go for a walk around town, or find a quiet spot to work. Don’t feel like you have to attend every session. If none interest you, don’t feel guilty taking a break. I found an amazing tea parlor that I escaped to. I also stayed in a hotel a few blocks from the conference so I could have some “me time.”
The Press Hotel, Portland, ME
BRING BUSINESS CARDS
You don’t need anything fancy. In fact, some people printed out their own. They’re a great tool for networking, but don’t feel like you need to give them out to everyone you meet…that looks a little desperate.
GET TO KNOW THE CITY
WITS always chooses the most amazing cities to hold their conference. Eat at local restaurants, do some shopping, visit the local brewery, and explore their tourist attractions. Make sure you take lots of pictures and videos. Not only will your trip be more fun, but it will give you content for future blog posts (always thinking like a blogger…lol).
SNACKS
Since I was trying to avoid sugar, I brought some nuts to help me be less tempted by sweet snacks and to hold me over until meals. So many tourism booths were full of candy and I tried to avoid the temptation because the last thing I wanted was a sugar crash and a headache. Although many people were definitely loving all that candy, so go ahead and indulge if it’s your thing!
DON’T APPROACH EVERY INTERACTION AS A JOB INTERVIEW
I saw several people doing this and they came off looking fake. Just be real with the people you meet and it will come off more genuine. There is a time for networking but this is also a great opportunity to meet people you will remain friends with, so be open to really getting to know people.
BRING YOUR PHONE CHARGER
You’ll be surprised at how much you use your phone. I had my schedule on it and would sometimes also take it out to jot down notes. I saw some people taking pictures of business cards then writing notes on them. Charging tables were available but also in high demand. It was always our first choice when it came to selecting a table.
POWERBANKS
I have this adorable purse that has a built-in phone charger that I carried with me. It was great for emergencies. There are so many affordable portable chargers available and they are great to use whenever you travel.
1 ON 1 MEETINGS
As great as these are, I was so intimidated by these since it was my first time at a conference. There were so many opportunities to speak to people that I didn’t feel pressure to attend any of these. Maybe next time I’ll do some, but I’m glad I didn’t force myself to do it this year.
GROUP MEETINGS
However, I do recommend trying group meetings because they were not intimidating at all. They were a great introduction to meeting tourism boards and product companies. It was also nice to see a friendly face again later in the conference.
TAKE SOME TOURS
One of my favorite parts of WITS were the free tours that were provided! Come on…the way to a travel blogger’s heart is to give them some cool new experiences! It’s also a great way to see the host city, as well as meet some new people. I did a brew bus, the Real Portland Tour, and an improv show. Not only were they fun, but it was another great opportunity to meet some nice people and interact with them. It also gave me content for future blog posts.
Portland, Maine brew tour
FAM TRIPS
I was beyond thrilled to be chosen for two FAM trips, which occur a few days before (to Freeport, Maine) and after the conference (to Rockland, Maine). They provide everything…the hotel, food, transportation, and even your excursions while you’re there. Who can say no to that! The best part is most of the group I went to Freeport with before the conference became ‘my people’ during the conference since we had shared an amazing experience.
SHOW UP EARLY/ STAY LATE
Even if you don’t get chosen for a FAM trip, or if you prefer to go out on your own, take a few days to yourself to explore the area. It’s a great opportunity to see a new part of the country. There were lots of people looking for others to explore the town with and you’ll see these requests on the Facebook page during the conference.
GO TO THE OPENING PARTY
A room full of strangers can be intimidating. I considered skipping it, but I made myself go and I realized that everyone else was feeling the exact same way so we were all in the same boat. It was a great way to meet people and feel like you are a part of a huge travel-obsessed family!
CARRY A BIG BAG
Trust me…you’ll want something to carry your computer, chargers, phone, notebooks, pens, wallet, and all the fun swag you’ll get throughout the weekend!
DRESS IN LAYERS
You never know what the temperature in each room will be, so layers are always a safe bet. Don’t feel like you have to dress up, but make sure you look nice since you’re making tons of first impressions and you never know if that person you just met could be a potential host for your next trip.
LEAVE ROOM FOR SWAG
Who doesn’t like free stuff? I know I do! I can’t believe all the fun stuff you get throughout the weekend from companies that are visiting. There is also a marketplace at the conference that you can purchase some WITS gear. Make sure you have some way to carry it all back with you!
PACK YOUR WALLET
Don’t forget to bring your wallet, and make sure you have some cash on you.
DON’T BE SHY
It’s easy to sit back and watch others around you, but this is the place to make new friends and network with like-minded people. Step out of your comfort zone and just say hello. That may be all that’s needed to get the conversation started.
BE CONFIDENT
This is where you have to ‘fake it until you make it.’ Don’t worry if your blog isn’t launched yet or if you have no readers. Everyone is an expert here…it’s a no-judgement-zone!
HAVE FUN
Have so much fun and take time to enjoy yourself. Pay attention during the sessions but don’t forget to get out there and have a good time! This summit is about so much more than the sessions and you will come away as an empowered travel writer full of inspiration!
