The number one activity listed on bucket and wish lists around the world is “travel." Some want to see the northern lights, others may just want to spend a weekend in San Diego. In 2014 alone, more that 33 million people will enjoy travel throughout San Diego - one of the top destinations in the US, so it’s no surprise that Travel Festivals International chose America's Finest City as its new market for their rapidly-growing annual festival. From September 11-14, don't miss the inaugural San Diego Travel Festival and explore the spirit of adventure with no packing required! Enter to win 2 weekend passes below and read on for all the details on this exciting new event.
At the Fest, travelers and industry pros can go local to see the world via a smorgasbord of activities. Participants will enjoy a weekend of travel tracks, sessions, speakers, panels, schmoozing with the who’s who in travel, cultural entertainment, culinary tastings, exciting travel discounts, giveaways, and much more.
"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."
Organizing events is nothing new to SD Travel Fest organizer, Elaine J. Masters, who has been juggling her duties as a travel writer, blogger with 'Trip Wellness' and Podcaster, hosting The Gathering Road (Womens Radio Network, iTunes and Stitcher) to organize Travel Meetups over the past four years. With over 500 members on Meetup, she's also the co-host of Travel Massive San Diego. Elaine confesses, "If I can't be traveling, I love hanging out with other travelers. We get each other and the SD Trav Fest will connect me with the world in ways I may never have otherwise."
San Diego Travel Fest kicks off with an exclusive, invite-only VIP/Travel Industry Reception the evening of Thursday, September 11 at Horton Grand Hotel’s Palace Bar. Friday night, enjoy an Opening Celebration Party at 57 Degrees Wine Bar. Then, meet San Diego’s infamous, Sam the Cooking Guy as he emcee’s the finale street party on Sunday, September 14. Other weekend events take place at the New School of Architecture & Design, Another Side of San Diego Tours, and Catalina Offshore Productions. See the full list of events below:
- September 11, 6:30pm to 9:00pm - VIP / Travel Industry Reception (Not included in tickets)
- September 12, 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Opening Night Party
- September 13, 8:00am to 5:00pm - Travel Track, Sessions, Speakers, & Panels
- September 13, 6:30pm to 9:00pm - Travel Movie Night
- September 14, 8:00am to 4:00pm - San Diego Daytime Tours
- September 14, 4:00pm to 8:00pm - Travel Street Party
"The SD Travel Fest is organized on the model started in New York and produced over the past two years," continued Masters. "It's blossoming across the country with plans for Travel Fests in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Canada and has already occurred in South Africa. San Diego jumped in as the second location in the US."
All information and tickets can be found on the San Diego Travel Fest website at sdtravelfest.com.
