IPW 2026 officially opened in Fort Lauderdale with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony at the renovated Broward County Convention Center, marking the start of the largest inbound travel trade show in the United States.

Organized by the U.S. Travel Association, IPW brings together more than 5,200 delegates from over 70 countries, including international buyers, tour operators, destinations, airlines, hotel groups, and media representatives. The event generates more than 100,000 pre-scheduled business appointments, reinforcing its position as the leading B2B marketplace for inbound tourism to the United States.

Following the official opening, the exhibition halls quickly came to life as hosted buyers and suppliers began a full schedule of meetings, networking sessions, and destination presentations. At the same time, the Media Marketplace brought together hundreds of international journalists and content creators engaging directly with U.S. destinations and global tourism brands.

A strong focus on business, knowledge, and industry intelligence

Beyond business meetings, IPW 2026 is also delivering a comprehensive program of educational sessions designed to equip international buyers with strategic insights for the U.S. travel market.

Key discussions included updates on U.S. entry requirements for international travelers, covering visa processes, ESTA systems, biometric procedures, and evolving documentation timelines, aimed at helping global travel professionals better guide their clients.

A strong emphasis was also placed on innovation and digital transformation in tourism, with sessions highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence in travel planning, customer engagement, and sales optimization. Industry leaders showcased early applications of AI-powered tools designed to connect traveler conversations with marketing performance and improve post-meeting follow-up processes.

Cruise growth and U.S. product development strategies

Another major focus was the expansion of the cruise sector as a key driver of inbound tourism to the United States. Data-driven sessions explored global cruise demand trends for 2025, identifying new opportunities for international buyers to integrate cruise products into broader U.S. itineraries.

Experts from the cruise industry outlined how maritime routes can be combined with land-based travel experiences, opening new pathways for extended stays and higher-value travel packages across U.S. destinations.

Destination development was also a central theme, with presentations highlighting emerging experiences across major U.S. cities, including culinary tourism, neighborhood exploration, cultural programming, and strategies to increase length of stay and visitor spending.

A global platform for tourism business and innovation

These sessions complemented the ongoing commercial activity on the exhibition floor, creating a dynamic environment where business development, education, and industry innovation intersect.

With its combination of structured meetings, educational programming, and global networking opportunities, IPW 2026 continues to position itself not only as a trade marketplace but also as a strategic knowledge hub for the international travel industry.

The event runs through May 21 and remains one of the most important platforms for generating inbound tourism to the United States.