Q&A: TravelCon 2025 Lands In Tucson, Arizona this March — Who's Speaking, Brand Partnerships, and Key Sessions

TravelCon is an annual three-day business event for travel creators — hosted this year in Tucson, Arizona on March 14-16. The conference is designed to help creators learn how to turn their passion for travel into a profitable, lasting business.

We talk with Libby Gifford, Director of Creative and Marketing at TravelCon.

What is TravelCon and how is it different from other industry conferences?

TravelCon is the business event for travel creators—real strategies and real tools to help you build a full-time, profitable business with a reliable income.

What sets TravelCon apart? It’s not just another conference where people talk at you. It’s a gathering of creators who get what you do—people who understand the thrill of booking a last-minute flight for content and the frustration of algorithm changes that tank your reach. We pack the schedule with easy ways for creators to connect—through meetups, roundtables, and casual hangouts that make it easy to find your people.

Watch last year’s TravelCon Highlights reel and hear what attendees had to say:

We also keep it practical. Our sessions are led by creators who’ve been where you are and are ready to show you how they did it. They’ll share real stories—what’s worked, what hasn’t—and give you tools and tactics you can actually use.

Who is TravelCon for?

If you create content about travel, you belong here. Bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, influencers, photographers—you name it. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for years; we’ve got sessions and connections to help you hit your next big goal.

Our attendees come from 30+ niches, from outdoor adventure to luxury travel to food and wine.

TravelCon isn’t just for creators, though. Brands, DMOs, CVBs, and travel boards also show up, looking to connect with creators like you for partnerships and collaborations. It’s a unique opportunity to be in the room with 400+ travel creators with a wide range of niches, platforms, and audience sizes—and maybe even your next big collaboration.

Why Tucson, Arizona, for TravelCon 2025?

Because who doesn’t love sunshine, cacti, and tacos? Tucson is the perfect mix of laid-back and lively, with gorgeous desert landscapes, epic sunsets, and an insanely good food scene (it’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for a reason).

Whether you’re into hiking, biking, or climbing, Tucson’s got you covered.

🌮 Foodies? You’ll be spoiled with endless tacos, tamales, and Sonoran hot dogs.
🔭 Plus, it’s a globally recognized stargazing destination and a vibrant hub for arts and culture.
🎉 Visit Tucson is hosting our Opening Reception on March 14, so you’ll get a warm welcome from the locals.

What are the key themes at TravelCon this year?

This year’s sessions are all about helping you build a sustainable creator business. Expect candid conversations and advice on topics like:

• Monetization: Practical ways to make more money without depending solely on brand partnerships.
• Video Content: Growing your audience on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram without burning out.
• Audience Growth: Building a community—and getting them to stick around.
• Workflow & Tools: Streamlining your process.
• Longevity & Balance: Strategies for building a business without burning out.

Who’s speaking at TravelCon?

We’ve lined up creators who’ve been where you are, figured out what works, and are excited to share their insights.

Hear from 20+ creators who are happy to share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in their journey.

Some of the folks you’ll hear from include:

• Pat Flynn: Founder of Smart Passive Income, podcasting legend, and YouTuber with 462k subscribers.
• Fin of Tim and Fin: Built a $10M/year travel gear business from scratch.
• Mark Wolters (Wolters World): 1.1M YouTube subscribers and a gift for telling it like it is.
• Julia Menez (Geobreeze Travel): Points and miles queen with 289k Instagram followers.
• Joy and Hugh (Afrostylicity): Partners in travel and life, with 143k Instagram followers.
• Brighton and Mila (The Miles Couple): 158k followers and go-to experts for travel hacking.

You can check out the full lineup of speakrs and sessions here: https://travelcon.org/speakers/

How can attendees connect with other creators?

We know that some of the best insights come from a casual conversation. That’s why we’ve included plenty of networking opportunities focused on helping you connect with other creators and build a genuine community, including:

• Meetups & Roundtables: Connect by niche or topic. No awkward icebreakers required.
• Dinner Clubs: Share a meal with a small group at one of Tucson’s best restaurants.
• Networking Lunch (All Access Pass Only): Meet speaker and sponsors.
• Spontaneous Conversations: Some of the best collaborations start in the most unexpected places—hallway chats, coffee lines, and even elevator rides.

How can TravelCon help me work with brands?

We know partnerships can be a big deal, so we’ve created multiple ways to connect you with industry reps:

• 1:1 Meetings: You can schedule up to 12 face-to-face meetings with brands, travel boards, and tourism organizations before the event using our event app. Meetings are 15 minutes each, giving you time to showcase your work, ask questions, and explore partnership opportunities. Both creators and brands can request meetings, so it’s a two-way street.
• Expo Hall: Throughout the event, you can meet brands and industry reps in a more casual, drop-in setting. It’s a great way to get on someone’s radar if you didn’t schedule a formal meeting.

Connecting creators with brands is a big focus at TravelCon.

Whether you’re new to brand collaborations or looking to expand your existing partnerships, these opportunities make it easier to build genuine connections that can turn into long-term partnerships.

Which travel brands and boards will be at TravelCon this year?

Travel boards and DMOs attending this year include Visit Tucson, Madden Media (representing 25+ destinations), Sedona, Pinal County, AZ, Tempe Tourism, and more.

Travel brands and service providers joining us include Bilt Rewards, PlugPlug, NerdPress, Insure My Trip, Lulu, UnTours, Tripped Travel Gear, World Nomads, Blubrry, Plannin, Rock Porch, and others.

And the list keeps growing—more are being added every day!

What’s the biggest takeaway from TravelCon?

TravelCon isn’t about chasing trends or hoping for viral success. It’s about building a business that lasts—one that gives you the freedom to keep exploring, creating, and sharing the world with others without burning out.

Don’t miss your chance to join hundreds of top travel creators in Tucson.

You’ll leave with practical strategies, new connections, and maybe even a collaboration or two in the works. But more importantly, you’ll leave knowing you’re not alone doing the hard work of building a creator business.

— Thank you, Libby, for sharing more insights and tips about TravelCon 2025!

👉 TravelCon is less than a month away — learn more about TravelCon 2025 and register today.
Use code MASSIVE50 for $50 off a Basic Creator or All Access Creator pass.