Attention Travelers: SD Travel Festival
SD Travel Festival website was created to promote the 2014 travel fest.
The content below is from the site's archived pages.
"I had friends who told me they would be attending this convention. Since I was on a West Coast swing showing my company's hot tub clients our newest products. Every three months or so, I drop by the stores to see what customers are looking for and to show new hot tubs. I was able to coordinate my trip to San Diego to coincide with the SD Travel Fest so my friends and I could get together. I joined them on one of the Sunday Tours Sunday morning, and then we went to Hello Betty Fish House with its great ocean views from its rooftop patio. They are always interested in the hot tub products that I sell, even though neither of them owns one, although they do know of people who have switched from traditional bathing to indulging in hot tubs. They have told me that they associate them with luxury and relaxation, but I have told them that the marketplace has greatly expanded and is becoming more accessible. And now that wellness and self-care are becoming priorities in so many states, hot tubs have also addressed that need. After lunch, they caught up with their SD Travel Fest attendees and joined an afternoon tour." Elizabeth Tepper
If you happen upon this site, check out what you missed at the 2014 SD Travel Festival.
Update: 2023
Whoa! So much has happened in the last nine years, but let's focus on the last four years since Covid hit. The pandemic totally trashed the travel industry, but it's 2023 and the market place is roaring back. The SD Travel Festival, aimed at both the trada and travelers, is no more. The 2023 San Diego Travel Expo was presented by Travel and Cruises - a locally owned and operated travel agency in San Diego. They were obviously looking to entice folks that it was time to resume traveling. I dropped by since I was visiting a client in San Diego and they invited me to go with them. I no longer sell vaping items. Like many folks I changed careers during Covid and started working from home. I now help businesses who who either want an online presence for their brick and mortar store or want to start an ecommerce businesses. I work with them to select the right platform, design look/skin, and then help set up a site that will work for them. One of my favorite go to sources is www.ecommerceplatforms.com where they not only compare ecommerce platforms, but also offer reviews, tutorials, the pros and cons of the most popular platforms, and related software integrations like chat or woocommerce. Not only do they cover all the basics but they also discuss key factors like web hosting bandwidth, payment gateways like PayPal or stripe, inventory management systems, ease of use, point of sale systems, customer support etc. eCommerce Platforms, with their insightful information, makes me look good to my clients.
I went to the 2023 San Diego Travel Expo expecting a similar approach of the 2014 SD Travel Festival which was split between industry professionals and traveler consumers. Boy, was I surprised. This was an Expo aimed specifically at the traveler. As their annoncement said: All are welcome to this FREE family-friendly travel expo! Connect with Travel Suppliers and specialists for the ocean and river cruises, resorts, tours, hotels worldwide, and more. I'm glad I went. It got me thinking about taking a Jazz music cruise in the Caribbean next year.
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PANELS + TOURS + PARTIES
JOIN US IN SAN DIEGO FOR A WEEKEND OF TRAVEL GOODNESS!
SEPTEMBER 11th to 14th, 2014
This inaugural event has workshops about everything from eco-conscious to budget traveling. There are also parties, movie screenings and other adventures.
"The SD Travel Fest is the first of its kind on the West Coast and a local, intimate chance for travelers to meet, for travel industry to connect and authors/speakers to spend face time with their audiences," explained Fest organizer Elaine J. Masters. "It's about creating community and bridging from the online world to real experience - which is what travel is really about. It's a different kind of travel festival than the giant, vendor packed, crowded shows that roll through city after city and on smaller scale entirely, with a huge digital footprint."
Schedule:
Thursday, September 11th 2014
When: 6.30 – 9.30
Where: Horton Grand Hotel Palace Bar
311 Island Ave, San Diego
Friday September 12th 2014
OPENING NIGHT TRAVEL FEST PARTY!
Gather at the finest wine bar SD 57 Degrees! Meet the speakers and other travelers & experts.
When: 7.00 pm
Where: 57 Degrees
1735 Hancock Street, San Diego
Saturday, September 13th 2014
ALL DAY PANELS & WORKSHOPS
The 'meat' of the festival dedicated to travelers and travel industry. Two Tracks: do one or select from both with registration See full schedule below!
When: All Day Panels – 9.00am – 4.00pm
Where: New School of Architecture & Design
1249 F Street, San Diego
Sunday, September 14th 2014
TOURS & CLOSING PARTY
Select from various tours of San Diego starting at 9am then join our closing party at 4pm with Food Trucks Local Brews and music!
When: 9.00am – Tours : 4.00pm – Closing Party!
Where: Catalina Offshore Products
5202 Lovelock Street, San Diego
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TRAVELER TRACK
Cultural Connection 9.30am
How to deeply, personally, and authentically connect Cross-Culturally
Adventure Travel 10.30am on 9/13
How to plan for your ultimate Adventure Travel outing
Travel for Good 11.30am on 9/13
Make a difference, and travel for good with sustainability in mind
Go Boldly 11.30am on 9/13
How Entrepreneurs, Community, & The Internet are changing the lives of travelers with accessibility needs.
Travel Hacking: 101 12.30pm on 9/13
How to go further and more often for pennies
Women's Travel & Adventure Options 12.30pm on 9/13
Come explore what's missing in women's travel, what makes it different, what opportunities there are, and more with two experts in the field!
Long Term Travel & Expat Life 2.15pm on 9/13
Learn the realities and secrets of traveling the world for less than the cost of living at home.
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INDUSTRY TRACK
Branding thru Video w/ Local Producers 10.00am on 9/13
Building brand presence and reaching your audience is increasingly dependent on video. Whether it's a YouTube piece or a full series, there are more opportunities than ever.
Working Effectively with Brands 10.00am on 9/13
Engaging brands takes time and work. Learn how from experts who do this daily, whether you're an established company or start-up
Hospitality & The Asian Market
How to attract the Asian Tourism Market for Hotels & Hospitality
10.30am on 9/13
Behind-The-Scenes of Travel Apps 11.00am on 9/13
Learn the Good, The Bad, & The Ugly sides of building your own travel app from someone who's done it
Social Media Content Strategies 11.45am on 9/13
Strategies and take-aways to make your social media efforts effective and powerful
Brand Building thru Self Publishing 12.15pm on 9/13
Content is king but is it really true that you need to publish or perish? Our experienced panelists will share thoughts.
Brand Building thru Photography 2.15pm on 9/13
Demystify the keys to creating compelling photos
Tasting the World: Culinary Tourism 3.15pm on 9/13
Make authentic dining central to your travels with several world travelers, authors and chefs
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Register Here:
Ticket Options from as low as $39 & $49 - Single Day (and student) passes for as low as $15!\
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LOCATION
Thursday: we get things started with a VIP Industry & Media Reception for the SD Travel Festival at the Horton Grand Hotel’s beautiful Palace Bar at 6.30pm! Come meet and greet other industry professionals in the travel space and get some good networking done.
Friday: will be our official Festival Opening Party for all! Kick it off with us in style at 57 Degrees, San Diego’s premier wine venue. The party starts at 7pm!
Saturday Sessions: will be in the bright expanses of the Auditorium Center of the New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego’s East Village.
We have several spaces for each track – seating in two classrooms and the mural hall, plus the auditorium. Between sessions there will be break-out lounge areas along the entry corridor, plus exhibitors and an ‘Experts Corner’ in the dining space.
Our team members bring vast Travel Industry and Media connections and experience including: the Travel Well Meetup network of over 1,600 San Diego travelers; Members of the San Diego chapter of the Travel Massive network; the San Diego Millennials in Travel; Professional chefs, cookbook authors and seafood purveyors; Independent publishers, podcasters & travel experts, and more! We look forward to it being a full day of really valuable panels & discussions
In the evening we’ll be kicking back at 7pm with a little travel related screening session. First, The Boy Who Flies, a world premier of underwater adventure from San Diego legend, Chuck Nicklin and a preview of the new travel show, Forbidden Travels from San Diego film maker, Sharon Lee.
Sunday: we’ll have regional tours of San Diego starting bright and early at 8am! Latch on to any one of those being facilitated by Another Side of San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe Historical Architecture, or Baja Wine and Art. Then in the late afternoon (4pm) we close out the festival with our final bash at Catalina Offshore Products! With food trucks, local brews, and prizes to be won, bring your family and friends out for a fun gathering! Tix avail to general public.
Full Weekend Schedule
The Panels are just a taste: network & mingle, see cool films, and take local tours!
More Background on SDTravelFestival.com
The SD Travel Festival was a unique event held in San Diego, California, in 2014. This inaugural festival aimed to bridge the gap between the travel industry and travelers by offering a platform for networking, learning, and experiencing travel-related activities. Although the SD Travel Festival itself is no longer active, its concept and the broader context of travel festivals provide valuable insights into the travel industry and cultural events.
History of the SD Travel Festival
The SD Travel Festival was first held from September 11 to 14, 2014. It was designed to be an intimate event, unlike the large, crowded travel shows that typically tour major cities. The festival included workshops on various travel topics, such as eco-conscious and budget travel, adventure travel, and cultural connections. It also featured parties, movie screenings, and local tours of San Diego, providing attendees with a comprehensive travel experience.
The festival was organized by Elaine J. Masters, who envisioned it as a community-building event that would connect travelers with industry professionals and authors. The event was structured around two main tracks: one for travelers and another for industry professionals. This setup allowed attendees to choose from a variety of sessions tailored to their interests, whether they were consumers looking for travel inspiration or professionals seeking industry insights.
Reviews and Feedback
Feedback from attendees highlighted the festival's unique blend of networking opportunities, educational content, and entertainment. For instance, Elizabeth Tepper, a hot tub salesperson, attended the festival and appreciated the chance to connect with friends and potential clients while exploring San Diego's attractions. The festival's intimate setting and diverse programming were praised for offering a refreshing alternative to larger, more commercial travel events.
However, by 2023, the SD Travel Festival was no longer operational. Instead, a new event, the San Diego Travel Expo, emerged, focusing more on travelers and offering a free, family-friendly experience with travel suppliers and specialists.
Press and Media Coverage
While specific press coverage of the SD Travel Festival is limited, the broader context of travel festivals often receives media attention for their economic and cultural impact. For example, festivals like the Sundance Film Festival contribute significantly to local economies by attracting large numbers of visitors and generating substantial revenue. Similarly, travel festivals can stimulate local economies by promoting tourism and providing a platform for travel-related businesses to connect with potential customers.
Audience
The SD Travel Festival targeted both travel enthusiasts and industry professionals. Travelers could attend workshops and tours to gain insights into different travel styles and destinations, while industry professionals could network and learn about the latest trends and strategies in travel marketing and branding.
Known For
The SD Travel Festival was known for its unique approach to travel events, focusing on community building and offering a personalized experience for attendees. It was praised for its diverse programming, which included panels on sustainable travel, cultural immersion, and travel technology.
Cultural and Social Significance
Travel festivals like the SD Travel Festival play a significant role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding. By bringing together travelers from diverse backgrounds, these events foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for cross-cultural connections. Additionally, they contribute to the local economy by attracting visitors who spend money on accommodations, food, and local activities.
Details and Insights
The festival's schedule included a variety of activities spread over four days. It began with a VIP reception at the Horton Grand Hotel, followed by an opening party at 57 Degrees, a wine bar in San Diego. The main panels and workshops were held at the New School of Architecture & Design, offering sessions on topics such as adventure travel, travel hacking, and women's travel options.
On the final day, attendees could participate in local tours of San Diego, exploring its historical architecture, wine country, or other attractions. The festival concluded with a closing party featuring food trucks, local brews, and live music.
Examples and Comparisons
Other travel festivals around the world, such as the MindBodySpirit Festival in Sydney, focus on wellness travel and sustainable tourism. These events highlight the growing interest in experiential travel and the importance of integrating wellness and sustainability into travel experiences. Unlike the SD Travel Festival, which was more generalized, these specialized festivals cater to specific niches within the travel industry.
The SD Travel Festival, although no longer active, represented a unique approach to travel events by emphasizing community and personalized experiences. Its legacy can be seen in the evolution of travel festivals that continue to adapt to changing consumer preferences and industry trends. As the travel industry recovers from global challenges like the pandemic, events like these play a crucial role in revitalizing tourism and fostering cultural exchange.
In summary, the SD Travel Festival was an innovative event that brought together travelers and industry professionals in a unique and engaging way. Its impact on the travel industry and cultural landscape serves as a model for future events seeking to create meaningful connections and experiences for attendees.
