Work hard, Play hard

 IPW is an international tourism conference/travel trade show with about 5,000 participants this year, from 65 countries. Each country sends over a group of tour operators/travel agents and a (smaller) group of journalists. Our German media group consisted of about 20-25 members, a little less than usually. 

Sunday was still a bit more relaxed with German VUSA Breakfast, Press Brunch and baseball, but, from Monday to Wednesday days were packed, from early morning, 7:30 am, to late in the evening. During the day we had business appointments, press conferences, workshops, networking time, and, in the evenings, parties of different destinations took place. In addition, there was the opening and the closing party for all participants. 

It's been exhausting, but interesting, it is not so much about planning research trips, but about meeting with people and gathering ideas. Following a couple of photos showing the event. See captions for details.

Opening event at the Field Museum, home to famous "Sue", the largest Tyrannosaurus rex discovered.

,,, and they have a great Native American collection as well:

View from the outside patio towards Chicago's skyline.

Monday - Media Market Place - with business appointments all day:

Broadway Luncheon. NYC and Broadway always sponsor one of the lunches for all participants and brings some cast members from different new musical productions over. On the pic: a presentation of "Buena Vista Social Club".

Press Conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday, some of them pretty boring, others exciting. Tennessee brought several musicians, North Dakota flew Teddy Roosevelt in. Reason: There is a new Presidential Center for this president under construction in the Badlands of North Dakota. Looking forward to see it once it's accomplished (next year).

 

Below, the big Exhibition Hall with boothes of destinations, hotels, tour operators and others:

Entrance to the Exhibition Hall:

One of the absolute party highlights was a concert of Darius Rucker in the House of Blues. Travel South had sponsored this concert and it was tough to get tickets. We made it!!! Great Southern food, too.

Traveling,,, after business appointments we had to travel quite a bit to get from one event to the next one in the evening. Usually, we took the train to get around. Here, we are waiting at the Convention Center station.

Above, right: view from a rooftop party, to which NYC invited. Always fancy parties!

Walking over to the next one, having a gorgeous night view of the Chicago River:

Texas Party - another highlight. Good music, excellent food, and for a change, it was possible to have a conversation. Otherwise it's usually very loud and crowded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beef brisket (pic), ribs and steaks were being served:

,,, and give-aways in abundance. We will take the lasso home, not the hat!

Further below photos of the closing event at Navy Pier. Such a agreat location, but, unfortunately, we had rain and heavy thunderstorms and they needed to move the whole event inside. Liked the DJayne and the fireworks at the end.

On the way to Toronto now. New adventures waiting. Exhausted, but it's been a productive couple of days in Chicago.