By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ At IPW – U.S. Travel’s biggest event of the year – it’s the host destination that always resonates with regular attendees long after the business part of the signature trade show ends. News comes and goes year after year, and meetings have a business-as-usual demeanor, but it’s the events and galas, the weather, the food, the vibe, that stick.
In recent years, San Antonio, Chicago and New Orleans have rated as standouts. Now add Fort Lauderdale, which hosted the event May 17-21, to the list.
Underpinned by wonderful weather throughout (in contrast to a cold Canadian spring) and justifying the city’s claim of nearly 250 sunny days a year, the event was purposefully planned to allow delegates to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
From an opening night party on Fort Lauderdale Beach (banner photo) to a closing at the unique outdoor IPW Campus plaza encompassed by the Broward County Convention Center (where attendees also retreated for lunch and end-of-day networking), and delegate tours that ranged across the South Florida region from peaceful Pompano Beach (my tour) to the adventurous Everglades, Visit Lauderdale ensured that everyone got out “under the sun.”
For some, that also meant getting out “on the water” – a massive asset for Greater Fort Lauderdale, which touts its sailing, diving, and cruises, and overall water culture, as a major selling point. Not to mention being home to the Port Everglades cruise port.
Such is the importance of Fort Lauderdale as an important cruise gateway that for the first time ever at IPW, cruise companies like Carnival and MSC Cruises exhibited at the show, while Royal Caribbean even hosted a gala luncheon for buyers and the media with performers from its ships.
Opening night
The week got off to a vibrant start with an opening evening on the beach at sunset – “evening” being the operative word as the event ended early to accommodate the resident (nesting) sea turtle population – surely something that can’t be said of any other IPW party in the event’s 57 years.
Visit Lauderdale explained that its beaches “are part of a protected coastal ecosystem, and by concluding (the party) before full nightfall, we help ensure a safe environment for nesting sea turtles. It’s a meaningful reflection of the destination’s commitment to sustainability –preserving the natural beauty that makes this place so special.”
But not to worry, partygoers – many of whom got a “splash” (mirroring Fort Lauderdale’s new “Never Lose Your Splash” tourism slogan) by arriving or leaving via the city’s unique water taxi – simply moved on to swanky Las Olas Blvd. and other nearby venues for a taste of the city after dark.
Another twist during the week was “Broadway Night in Fort Lauderdale” with New York City Tourism + Conventions and Broadway Inbound shifting their annual lunch gala to an evening event at the magnificent Broward Center for the Performing Arts, where guests were treated to musical performances from some of Broadway’s biggest stars, including Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), The Outsiders, SIX, Chicago, MJ The Musical, and Maybe Happy Ending.
Post-performance rooftop and dine-around events (with guests entitled to discounts when showing their conference badge) followed the performance, as well as private parties, including a coveted Marriott/United/Air Canada gathering.
IPW Campus more than a meeting place
During the week, conferencegoers got a daily dose of the destination at the IPW Campus, which proved to be more than a meeting place. Set along the outdoor plaza of the newly expanded Broward County Convention Center, Campus visitors were surrounded by activations designed to bring the destination to life, blending business and culture in an open-air environment filled with rotating activations throughout the day, including vibrant pop-ups, cultural performances (such as steel drums), and interactive showcases from across the destination.
A highlight was the Campus’s centrepiece, Mycelia, an immersive large-scale sculpture by artist Daniel Popper that symbolizes the interconnectedness of humans, fungi, and nature – often referred to as the “woodwide web.”
IPW week concluded with a grand finale closing night party on the intracoastal waterfront, as the plaza transformed into a lively, immersive playground – where music, lights, and waterfront conspired to create a fair-style experience featuring classic rides (including a Ferris wheel), interactive games, and classic fair traditions with a modern twist.
A soundtrack was provided by The Wicked Molly, performing live, while various activations, such as jet pack acrobats, performed on (and over) the water.
Beyond that, guests were invited to pick up a passport to discover the Greater Fort Lauderdale Ale Trail – a curated tasting journey featuring local breweries, distilleries, and beverage partners, and to keep the night going at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at an after-hours experience with a $25 Free Play voucher to get the experience started.
IPW attracted about 5,000 travel trade visitors from around the world, including tour company buyers, retail sellers, and media – all to engage with U.S. Travel at the four-day show. But also to discover the host destination’s after-hours events, parties and pre and post tours.
“IPW 2026 was an incredible opportunity to showcase the energy, accessibility and continued evolution of Greater Fort Lauderdale to travel professionals and media from around the world,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “We were proud to highlight the experiences, hospitality and connectivity that continue to make Greater Fort Lauderdale a standout destination. The connections made throughout the week will continue to drive meaningful business and visitation to our community for years to come.”
At the conclusion of the event, Tracy Vaughan, Sr. VP of Global Trade Development at Visit Lauderdale, told Travel Industry Today that she was most satisfied to have seen the entire Greater Fort Lauderdale community come together during the multi-year-planning stage for the event, culminating in 32 local partners being on the Visit Lauderdale stand on the show floor.
And she added, “I’ve been travelling the world telling people about our destination for years (and) now I’m so proud to show off my city and host these people we’ve talked to. I think the ROI will be great.”
A recent visit to San Antonio (host city in 2023) this spring by Travel Industry Today illustrated how that city’s event was still resonating and attracting business and visitors, three years later.
Expect Greater Fort Lauderdale to be saying the same in the years to come.
