Nomadic Matt launches TravelCon in Austin

Travel Massive NYC member Matt Kepnes has launched a new conference – TravelCon – focusing on taking professional bloggers to the next level.

Here’s what you need to know.

A message from Matt – “Hey! I’m the creator of Nomadic Matt – a blog that I started over 10 years ago which has become the authority on cost-conscious travel. It grew into my full-time career as an intrepid globetrotter, blogger, and author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter. My book featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, and on CNN and the BBC.”

– Matt Kepnes (Nomadic Matt)

What is TravelCon?

TravelCon (travelcon.org – September 20-22 in Austin, TX) is focused on the business side of travel media. Our goal is to create an environment that facilitates networking between experts inside and outside of the travel industry.

We want our attendees to learn from everyone’s victories, failures, and strategies so they succeed quicker than their competition.

We’ve lined up a pretty spectacular speaker list and more names to come.

What motivated you to create the conference?

In those years since I left my corporate job, a lot has changed in the media landscape, including the explosion of travel bloggers. While it’s become very progressive in many other industries – comparatively speaking to fashion or consumer goods, whereby the brands and content creators are working in more integrated ways with influencers – the travel industry has a ways to go.

I hope to change that by bringing the experts together to share best practices, new revenue opportunities, and tools.

What are the main objectives that attendees can learn about?

An Emphasis on Developing Your Business Skills – You’ll learn things like how to work with brands, the art of negotiating a deal, how to manage your website, and the ins and outs of social media.

Small Group Photography/Writing Workshops – Spend some time in a small group setting with industry experts as you hone your writing and/or photography skills.

How to Navigate the Ever-Changing Blogging Landscape – Hear from well-known bloggers and leaders on a variety of topics such as solo female travel, LGBT travel, new social media practices, and so much more.

How to Monetize Your Work – An in-depth look at newsletter and email marketing, community building, copywriting, and all the tools you need to make a career out of blogging, even if you’ve been blogging for years!

What are the biggest takeaways for content creators?

Improve their craft in the four major areas of travel: video, photography, writing, and blogging.
Learn what’s hot, what works, and what’s new in the industry.
Keep current on the best practices in digital travel publishing.
Learn about new products and services in the industry.
Meet destinations and travel brands.
Network with experts outside the travel industry.
Learn from experts outside the travel industry.
Have a ton of fun.

What are the biggest takeaway for brands and destinations attending?

Travel brands and destinations will get to showcase and talk about their product to a captive audience of professional travel media.
Have strategic conversations with elevated level of travel media in the digital space.
Learn additional ways to work with the bloggers to have a more integrated and deeper relationship.
Learn from experts in and outside of the travel industry the new tools.
Have a lot of fun.

How can people register for TravelCon?

We have just given out our final early bird tickets, however, we have a special discount for Travel Massive members when they follow us on Travel Massive.

Following us will reveal your discount code, which you can use to register on our offical conference website travelcon.org. Don’t miss out – register today!

How can brands and sponsors get involved?

Hotels, destinations, airlines, tour operators, brands, travel tech and startups can reach out to our sponsor and industry packages manager Jessica Parker at jessica@tripwhisperer.nyc. All Industry Packages include a table at the Media Marketplace, one-on-one meeting opportunities, among other great perks.

See you in Austin, Texas this September 20-22…

Follow TravelCon on Travel Massive to learn more.