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Community and Events, North America

Meet Austin Travel Massive Chapter Leader, Nick Huggins

Interested in joining in on the Travel Massive Austin chapter? Meet chapter leader, travel blogger and startup coach Nick Huggins to learn more.

Nick got involved in the travel industry almost 8 years ago as a travel blogger (over at NicksTravelBug.com) and during those 8 years, he has worked with travel tech startups, video companies, dive companies, tour operators, tourism boards, and more. In addition to blogging, he is a startup business coach at Analytified.com, helping grow travel companies through developed strategic business plans, financials, and content marketing strategies.

But what about the Travel Massive Austin chapter? Read our questions below! 

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How did you first get involved with Travel Massive?

I had been to several of the Travel Massive TBEX parties, to regular events in a few different cities, but didn’t get involved as a chapter leader until I moved to Austin in 2014. Stephen Oddo (co-founder of Walks of Italy) was running the chapter then, and I became the co-chapter leader.

What motivates you to be part of Travel Massive?

Having been involved with the travel industry for the better part of the last decade, I believe that it is ripe for disruption and there are a lot of innovative companies out there now trying to challenge the traditional path of the industry. I enjoy connecting people from different aspects of the industry in hopes that collaboration between smart people will produce new and sustainable innovations in travel. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy swapping crazy travel stories?

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What kinds of current or emerging startups, travel companies, and tourism companies attend your events?

We have a broad mix of people in our local travel community, including people running specialty tour operators, doing virtual reality/360 video, creating influencer marketing platforms, running marketing agencies, building travel tech startups (artificial intelligence booking engines, branded hotel social networks, etc.), disrupting luxury luggage companies, working for local tourism boards, local hostel owners, and a variety of other interesting things.  

Do you do anything unique at your meet-ups? 

We’ve been alternating every month between traditional happy hours and having speakers talk about current and future trends in the industry. Past speakers have discussed how travel companies can use live video and other social media in their marketing campaigns, using influencers to grow your brand, how companies are using 360-video to more effectively sell travel products, local tourism initiatives, etc.

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How has Travel Massive helped you professionally?

Since my core business is helping early-stage and growing travel companies to develop viable business plans and financials, it’s been extremely useful developing relationships with all of the people I’ve met through Travel Massive. I know several of our members have also collaborated on projects with people they’ve met through our events.

What is your best advice to a newcomer who wants to attend a Travel Massive event for the first time?

I welcome you to join any of our monthly events. Come have a drink, meet some interesting and fun people, and learn some things as our speakers drop their knowledge bombs for us. I would also encourage you to join our Facebook group as well as our chapter page on the Travel Massive platform to keep up to date with upcoming events.

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Leader of the pack is a monthly series that profiles organizers from Travel Massive meet-ups around the world. You can follow Nick on Travel Massive, Facebook, and Twitter.


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