The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, scheduled to return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd. Rosemont, IL) February 19 and 20, today announced its full program for 2022, including an interactive photo experience from the Florida Keys & Key West, celebrity speakers and more than 200 exhibitors, from first time attendees to returning favorites.
Providing the ultimate destination for guests to plan, personalize and book their next vacation, the Travel & Adventure Show provides visitors with the opportunity to meet and learn from top experts from around the globe, with thousands of destinations represented for guests to explore and a variety of free onsite activities. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to attend keynote presentations and interact one-on-one with the world’s top travel experts including Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg, Andrew McCarthy and more.
“We’ve always designed the Travel & Adventure Show to be an adventure in and of itself and this year, we’ll continue to give visitors the opportunity to sample cultures and destinations from around the world, right here in Chicagoland,” said John Golicz, Unicomm CEO. “Whether travelers are looking to book their next cruise, find their new favorite exotic destination or uncover a hidden gem near home, they’re sure to find exactly what they’re looking for.”
The 2022 Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will showcase some of the top destinations and travel options that are open for travel now. Each exhibitor will also provide travel experts who are on-hand to answer questions, give real time updates on travel protocols, and create custom itineraries based on attendees’ travel goals. The event’s sponsors include Dominican Republic Tourism, Taiwan Tourism, Pigeon Forge CVB, Dollywood, The Florida Keys and Key West and Visit Springfield, IL. Other destinations and travel suppliers of note include Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Company, Go Touch Down Travel & Tours, AAA Travel, Celebrity Cruises, Visit Anchorage, Greater Miami CVB, Israel Ministry of Tourism and hundreds more.
The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will take place Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20. The show floor will open at 9:30 a.m. for media and travel professionals and 10 a.m. for the general public on Saturday and close at 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will host a variety of experiences at its three educational theaters across the two-day event. A selection of the various experiences is below. For the full schedule of panels, performances and demonstrations click here.
Travel Theater
Guests will learn the newest trends, hottest tips and most reliable tools from some of the world’s top travel experts. This year’s celebrity travel speakers include:
Pauline Frommer | Editorial Director, Frommer’s Guides
Pauline will share how to make the great return to travel, featuring new travel trends, budget tools and advice, hot destinations for the upcoming year and much more.
Peter Greenberg | Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter, Producer and CBS News Travel Editor
CBS News Travel Editor, Peter Greenberg, is set to give you the tools and tips you need to travel responsibly, safely and without breaking the bank in the new post-pandemic travel landscape.
Andrew McCarthy | Award-Winning Travel Writer, Actor and Director
Award-Winning Travel Writer, Andrew McCarthy, will discuss how to find incredible cultural experiences, deal with adversity and learn life-changing lessons while traveling.
To view the full schedule click here.
*Meet and greets follow each session.
Destination Theater
From where to go and when to go, to what to do and how to get there, destination experts give visitors the in-depth information needed to travel like a local.
Aussie Experts
Guests will learn the most up to date information on travel protocols, itinerary advice and how to make the most of your vacation in Australia.
Viking Cruises
River cruising has become a massive travel trend in 2022 and beyond. Attendees will learn how one of the top river cruise brands in the world is delivering a safe and spectacular experience.
Mari Masuda | Senior Director of Trade and Promotions, Tahiti Tourisme
Getting to Tahiti is easier than one might think! Learn the how, when and where to travel in one of the most exotic destinations in the world.
Dominican Republic
One of the top destinations in the Caribbean is back in business! Learn which hotels are open, which activities to book and the best ways to get to the Dominican Republic on a budget during this 30 minute session.
Tia Froehle | Tourism Sales Manager, Visit Anchorage
Alaska is known for being fantastic in every season. Attendees to this seminar will learn the top itinerary options for 2022 and beyond with Visit Anchorage.
To view the full schedule click here.
Savvy Traveler Theater
Showcasing travel tips, tricks and actionable advice, you’ll learn how to travel like a pro straight from the experts. Topics include packing tips, finding the perfect tour, budget travel options and more.
Angel Castellanos | World Travel Expert, www.AngelsTravelLounge.com
With a constantly changing travel landscape, world traveler Angel Castellanos will be on-hand to discuss packing tips, travel technology advice, and general best practices on how travel has changed over the past two years.
Julian Douglas | Travel Writer, Photographer and Experience Curator, Listen, Journey, Savor
Learn all about the top private tours from around the world in this captivating 45-minute session from Julian Douglas. Guests will receive advice on how to secure local guides, how to plan itineraries and how to make sure they get the best bang for their buck.
Nick Reyes | Senior Author, The Frequent Miler
Loyalty points are all the rage post-pandemic. Learn how to earn, use and maximize loyalty and reward points from one of the top points bloggers in the world.
To view the full schedule click here.
In addition to the plethora of on-stage experiences, the Chicago Travel and Adventure Show’s exhibitors offer a range of luxurious vacation giveaways available to visitors. Giveaway items include:
- 50% of lifetime membership to Wanderful, courtesy of Wanderful
- Five-night stay at Brickell Bay Beach Club, courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority
- Kiwi/Aussie-themed gift basket, courtesy of Aussie Experts/Travel 100 group
- Two nights and an activity in St. Croix, courtesy of Cane Bay Dive Shop
- Eight-day trip for two to South Africa with full board, courtesy of Go Touch Down Travel and Tours
A full list of giveaways can be found here.
The 2022 Chicago Travel and Adventure show will adhere to local health and safety protocols and will require all attendees age 5 or older to wear a mask and provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. There will also be limited touchpoints and ample hand sanitizer stations placed prominently throughout the venue.
Attendees can purchase single-day and two-day tickets online now for the discounted rate of $11/$18 or on-site for $15/$22. Children 16 and under are free and on-site tickets can be purchased with cash only. Admission for children age 16 and under is free. For tickets and event information, visit www.TravelShows.com/Chicago.
About Unicomm, LLC and the Travel & Adventure Show Series
Unicomm, LLC is an independent business-to-business communications company specializing in originating and managing world-class trade shows and conferences. Unicomm's properties include the nation's largest and longest-running series of travel events, the Travel & Adventure Show in Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, San Francisco/Bay Area, Los Angeles, Denver, and Dallas. Unicomm also produces industry-leading conferences including the annual American Traveler Trends Forum, as well as the Virtual Travel & Adventure Show Series.