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/
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Email:
rita@steeryourmarketing.com