Skip to site content
The Group Travel Leader Small Market Meetings Going on Faith

BankTravel Conference draws delegates with industry clout

Photo Courtesy Greater Milwaukee CVB

When more than 400 travel industry and banking industry professionals converge next month in Milwaukee, a lot of business will be on the line. Conservatively speaking, tens of millions of dollars in travel will be discussed, evaluated and ultimately booked — not just for the coming year, but also for several years into the future.

“We’ll have well over 10,000 individual appointments between our two Meet the Banker sessions and our Speed Date session in Milwaukee, and most of these banks are generating hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in travel expenditures by their members, and in some cases, even millions in expenditures,” said BankTravel partner Charlie Presley.

“It’s not unusual for just one of these programs to take four to five domestic trips or cruises, plus three to four international trips or cruises in a calendar year.  The economic impact of these trips collectively is huge.

“And while the economy has been tough for us all the past couple of years, many bank travel programs have held up well in comparison to other types of groups.”

In addition to the banks that are the “stars” of this conference, dozens of tour operators from across the United States and abroad will also participate as they work to increase their bank travel market shares. When the economic impact of these companies is factored in, the travel expenditures represented in Milwaukee becomes a force in the group travel industry.

“Some of the biggest tour companies from America and abroad are regulars with us,” said Presley. “Some are already major sponsors, others are just now becoming aware of this market and its potential.

“When considered in total, the financial clout represented at the BankTravel Conference is staggering.”

Bankers can still register! Call Teresa Burton today at (330) 332-3841 or e-mail
tburton@banktravel.com.