Los Angeles Times Travel Show returns to the L.A. Convention Center Jan. 28-29 hosting exhibitors from destinations around the globe on the largest show floor in the West. In its 14th year, the 2012 travel show will deliver all-new themed areas focused on family and active vacations, cruises and luxury and leisure travel. A culinary stage will serve up regional and exotic flavors with cooking and cocktail demonstrations, while experiential activities and cultural performances will complete the international atmosphere.
For one day only, on Friday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., travel professionals will converge at the all-new 2012 Los Angeles Times Travel Industry Conference. This is an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, attend specialized seminars and meet one-on-one with experts and exhibitors.
Speakers and presenters for the Travel Industry Conference include John Severini, president of California Travel Association; Peter Yesawich, chairman of Ypartnership; Jason Coleman, president of ASTA SoCal; John Peters, executive vice president of Tripology/Rand McNally; and Shannon Stowell, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association among others.
In addition, The Los Angeles Times Pavilion will showcase practical information by guests, including the newspaper’s editorial experts. Speakers include:
• Christopher Reynolds: revealing guide to local travel, “Southern California Close-Ups”
• Mark Boster: stunning visual portrait of “Four Seasons in Yosemite”
• Chris Erskine: in-depth, behind-the-scenes reports on LAX and John Wayne Airport
• Jen Leo: Web buzz and digital apps for tech-savvy travel
• Kathy Pyon: expert tips for taking vacation photos like a pro
Los Angeles Times travel editor Catharine Hamm and a full roster of guests will also be speaking throughout the weekend. Don Wildman (“Off Limits”), Josh Gates, (“Destination Truth”), Sarah Schlichter (IndependentTraveler.com), Alice Short (Times Features editor) and Booth Moore (Times fashion critic) are scheduled to join headliners Rick Steves (“Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door”), Lisa Ling (“Our America”), Arthur Frommer (Frommer’s travel guides) and Adam Richman (“Man v. Food Nation,” “America the Edible”) for talks and panel discussions on topics ranging from budget travel to the best shopping destinations.
The show is designed to prepare adventurers to hit the road and maximize the experience of traveling. American Express Travel Services will be on site to create itineraries and book travel, while the U.S. Department of State will be providing passport services. Tour operators and travel professionals representing locations near and far, various modes of transportation and recreation and related products and services will be on hand all weekend, offering information, special pricing and giveaways.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in advance online. One child age 16 and below will be admitted free with a paying adult. Registration for the Jan. 27 industry conference for members of the travel and tourism trade is $30 per person. (Additional details are available at http://events.latimes.com/tradeday.)
The Details
Los Angeles Times Travel Showwww.latimes.com/travelshow
