IPW 2026 has begun to make its presence felt in Greater Fort Lauderdale, where thousands of international tourism professionals have already arrived to take part in the largest B2B inbound travel market in the United States, officially taking place from May 17 to 21.

ABC MUNDIAL is already on site at the renovated Broward County Convention Center, the main venue of the event. The modern complex offers striking views of passing vessels and features a fully upgraded infrastructure that reflects Fort Lauderdale’s strategic commitment to positioning itself as one of the leading international hubs for tourism and events.

Organization, signage, and logistics took center stage during this pre-opening day, as a large share of the more than 5,200 participants — including exhibitors, buyers, tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, airlines, and international media — arrived to collect their credentials and begin experiencing the atmosphere of one of the most influential gatherings in the global travel industry.

Starting tomorrow, official activities will begin with special press events, buyer experiences, destination familiarization tours, and early networking sessions, ahead of the full launch of business appointments and the main exhibition floor.

IPW 2026 will bring together delegates from more than 70 countries and feature over 1,000 exhibitors, generating approximately 100,000 pre-scheduled business meetings. Organized by the U.S. Travel Association, the event is considered the most important platform for boosting inbound travel to the United States and fostering future international commercial agreements.

According to industry estimates, the connections and business generated during IPW could translate into billions of dollars in future travel to the United States in the coming years, with a particularly significant economic impact on Florida and Greater Fort Lauderdale.

“We have been preparing for three years”

Amid the intense pre-event activity, ABC MUNDIAL spoke with Caitlan Etchevers, one of the key figures involved in the coordination and development of IPW 2026 in Fort Lauderdale.

“We have been preparing for about three years,” she said with a smile, reflecting the excitement in the host destination.

“We are very happy and excited to be here with all of you, buyers and media. It is the first time we are hosting IPW here in Fort Lauderdale and it is very exciting,” she noted.

Etchevers also highlighted the importance of showcasing the new convention center and the collaboration with strategic destination partners.

“We are showcasing the new convention center. We have 33 partners joining us. It is very important, and we are looking forward to closing new contracts, new products, and many future trips to our region from all over the world,” she said.

Visit Lauderdale partners will be present at Booth #2308, one of the main hubs of promotional activity for the destination during the trade show.

Fort Lauderdale, a global tourism leader

Hosting IPW for the first time in Greater Fort Lauderdale marks a historic milestone for the destination, which aims to further strengthen its position in the highly competitive international travel market.

Local authorities see the event as a strategic opportunity to enhance air connectivity, strengthen commercial partnerships, and increase international visitor arrivals in the years ahead.

With a renovated convention center, strong hotel infrastructure, and a unique coastal setting, Fort Lauderdale is positioning itself as one of the most dynamic and investment-ready tourism destinations in the United States.

Throughout the week, IPW 2026 will serve as the stage where new alliances, products, and strategies will be defined—shaping the future of international tourism and the U.S. inbound travel market.