Traveling Tramps: It's a wrap: IPW 2026 in Fort Lauderdale

It's over, on the right photo the Conention Center, where we spent quite a bit of time in the last days. Boy, it was intense and we are tired. After five full days of appointments, networking and events in the humid-hot Fort Lauderdale, IPW 2026 is history, but one IPW we'll certainly not forget!

Over 5,000 attendees from 70 + countries, among them around 1,700 international travel buyers and 400+ media representatives attended IPW 2026 in Fort Lauderdale (official numbers still to be announced). The convention takes place in another U.S. city ever year, and, it was a first for Greater Fort Lauderdale, considered the "Yachting Capital of the World" and the "Venice of America".

Overall attendance might have been down across international travel buyers and media and US suppliers compared to previous years, but general mood was quite good. Our German media group, invited by the US Travel Association, consisted of around 20 members only this year.

While on Sunday only registration took place (see previous post), Monday started early with the "German breakfast" and Press Brunch at The Fort, an outdoor venue on a lake with pickleball fields and other entertaianment.

Best item on the agenda for us was the announcement of the winners for the Travel Writers Awards. Though the ceremony itself on the lawn in front of the stage was a bit expedited by an aproaching thunderstorm, it felt fantastic to hold the award in hands again after our first win 2018 in Denver. And, it was surprising, too, though we knew that we are one of the 7 finalists.

Three awards are given for "Best U.S. Travel Destination", two more for Best Trade publication and Best IPW Host City. What a great reward for a couple of decades of "serious" work in print journalism.

It was like walking on clouds for the rest of the day. Several press tours were offered after brunch and award ceremony and we had chosen sort of a neighborhood tour in the upcoming suburb/town of Oakland Park, with a couple of microbreweries, destilleries and restaurants, e.g. the Funky Buddha (below) or ChainBridge Destillery (further below).

The IPW 2026 Opening Party on Fort Lauderdale Beach, so-to-say in front of our hotel, followed. Unfortunately, this open-air event with food and beverage tents, live music, DJs and activities took place really early and the sun was still burning down hot.

Tuesday: Media Marketplace. A day filled with pre-arranged appointments in a separate hall (right photo). A reception afterwards followed, then the NYC Center Stage event and the "famous" Buckle Club Party" organized by the Western states of ND, SD, WY and ID.

Wednesday/Thursday: Several press conferences in the morning (below), appointments in the big hall where the suppliers and destinations had set up their boothes. Wine in the Oregon section in the evening (a tradition!), and, afterwards, again supplier-hosted parties in different venues.

View from the Convention Center towards the Plaza where tables for another lunch are set up:

Lunchtime,,, lunches on both days were hosted by Visit California and Royal Caribbean Group, including presentations and speeches.

The IPW 2026 Closing Party yesterday (Thursday) took place from 4:30-7 pm (!) in front of the Broward County Convention Center, including a DJ, live music, entertainers, food trucks, carnival rides and arcade games, snacks and drinks. Lots of efforts put in. On the right photo part of our German delegation, below some funny "Amphicars" performing for the congress participants.

It's been a good show. Interesting conversations, idea gathering, and, meeting new people and old friends (below), from ND, Colorado, the Navajo Nation and the Choctaw tribe. Wished I had taken more photos, but with all the hustling and bustling, luggage carrying and set itineraries, mostly forgot about it.