Ep 255 Travel Advisor Trade Show Prep From Someone Who Just Did It

Strategic Travel Entrepreneur: Business Tips for Travel Agents/Advisors, Travel Agency Owners, and Travel Business Owners

Strategic Travel Entrepreneur: Business Tips for Travel Agents/Advisors, Travel Agency Owners, and Travel Business Owners
Ep 255 Travel Advisor Trade Show Prep From Someone Who Just Did It
May 22, 2026 Episode 255
Rita M. Perez

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If you have ever thought about setting up a travel table at a vendor event but talked yourself out of it, time to think again. 

I am pulling back the curtain on everything I did to prep for my first travel agent trade show, including the budget-friendly booth materials I grabbed at CVS, Walgreens, and Etsy, the QR code and giveaway strategy I used to grow my email list right from the table, and how I started real conversations without feeling salesy or awkward. 

Then I came back after the event and recorded what actually happened, what worked, what I would change, and why I am already looking for the next one. 

Whether you are a total beginner or just need a little push to finally get in the room, I am sharing everything so you can show up confident, strategic, and ready to make it count. 


Questions this episode answers:

  • How do travel advisors set up a vendor table at a trade show on a small budget?
  • What should travel advisors bring to their first vendor event?
  • How do travel advisors grow their email list at a trade show?
  • What booth materials work best for service based travel businesses?
  • How do travel advisors start conversations at a trade show without being salesy?
  • Is being a vendor at a travel industry event worth it for a small travel business?
  • How do travel advisors use QR codes and giveaways at vendor events?
  • What is the ROI of a vendor table at a travel agent trade show?
  • How do travel advisors get new clients through in-person marketing events?


Enjoy and take action!

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Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively.

She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts.


Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/

Socials:
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Email:
rita@steeryourmarketing.com

Episode Artwork Ep 255 Travel Advisor Trade Show Prep From Someone Who Just Did It 47:25 Episode Artwork Ep 254 How to Sell Without Being Salesy as a Travel Advisor 48:24 Episode Artwork Ep 253 The Best Travel Tech Tools for Growing Your Travel Agency in 2026 45:59 Episode Artwork Ep 252 Tasks Every Travel Advisor Should Remove From Their Plate to Grow Faster 35:10 Episode Artwork Ep 251 How Many Trips Do You Need to Sell to Make $50K as a Travel Advisor 37:26 Episode Artwork Ep 250 A Milestone Celebration and the Underrated Marketing Moves For Travel Advisors 51:18 Episode Artwork Ep 249 Why Your Travel Agency Marketing Is Not Working and How To Fix It 38:40 Episode Artwork Ep 248 River Cruise Expo Highlights and Marketing Tips for Travel Advisors with Dori Saltzman 46:57 Episode Artwork Ep 247 What Travel Advisors Need to Review Every Year to Run a Real Business 41:47 Episode Artwork Ep 246 How to Get Travel Clients Through Events, Conferences, and Community Networking 41:22 Episode Artwork Ep 245 How I'm Changing My Personal Habits to Become a Stronger Travel Business Owner 36:58 Episode Artwork Ep 244 How to Plan Your Content Strategy Before Your Next FAM Trip 35:27 Episode Artwork Ep 243 Why I Don't Rely on Social Media to Get Clients 37:05 Episode Artwork Ep 242 How to Build the Perfect Sales Mix for Your Travel Business 37:19 Episode Artwork Ep 241 How to Create Ultra-Personalized Travel Experiences Your Clients Will Never Forget 45:03 Episode Artwork Ep 240 The Complete Marketing Matrix for Growing Your Travel Business 39:27 Episode Artwork Ep 239 What I Would Do to Get Clients in February as a Travel Advisor 41:11 Episode Artwork Ep 238 6 Marketing Trends I Noticed at Podfest for Travel Advisors 39:21 Episode Artwork Ep 237 Your Complete Guide to Travel Advisor Conferences and Events 49:01 Episode Artwork Ep 236 Why Instagram Isn't Working for Travel Advisors and How to Fix It 48:20 Episode Artwork Ep 235 Where to Find Your Ideal Travel Clients in 2026 38:06 Episode Artwork Ep 234 My Biggest Failures (and Wins!) of 2025 as Travel Business Owner 53:41 Episode Artwork Ep 233 I Tried Writing a Blog Post Every Day for 30 Days and Here's What Happened 45:07 Episode Artwork Ep 232 The Exact Marketing Audit I'd Run for Your Travel Business If I Was your CMO 47:03 Episode Artwork Ep 231 Saying No to 24/7 Clients and Building a More Aligned Travel Agency with Marcie Muensterman 49:49