HIGHLIGHTS 2024


HIGHLIGHTS 2024 USA TRAVEL SHOW 

FEB 29th & MAR 1st, 2024


About USA Travel Show Scandinavia 2024


USA Travel Show 2024 took place on February 29th and March 1st, and brought together the biggest players in the travel industry to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities to grow visitation to the United States from the Nordic Region.


Thursday's program began with a market update, followed by +170 prescheduled 1-on-1 meetings, and 2 hosted news conferences by Philadelphia and Travel South USA. Visit Lauderdale hosted a welcome reception, and United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, Alan Leventhal opened the free flow workshop with +250 agents and media representatives meeting with 70 exhibitors.


On Friday, we hosted the Travel Insights, DBTA & Discover America Conference Day. With many inspirering expert speakers and panel discussions, we got an update on the US election, and a focus on how AI will impact the travel industry. We concluded the day with a Visit California closing reception. Read the full program below.


USA Travel Show 2024


Exhibitors 2024

Air Canada, Air France / KLM / Delta, Alabama Tourism Department, America & Beyond, American Airlines / British Airways, American Wine Corner, American Tours, Atlanta CVB, AVIS, Billund Airport, Brand USA, California Wines, Condor, Country Music Hall of Fame, Cruise America & Canada RV Rentals, Discover South Carolina, Eaglerider Motorcycle Rental & Tours, Experience Kissimmee, Explore Fairbanks Alaska, Explore St. Louis, FiniVin, Fort Myers, Grand Ole Opry, Icelandair, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Kentucky Department of Tourism, Marseilles & Dorchester Hotels, Memphis Tourism, Missouri Division of Tourism, Nashville CVB, New Orleans & Company, New World Travel, Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia CVB, Port of Seattle / State of Washington, Rocky Mountaineer, Rosen Hotels and Resorts, SAS Airlines, Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, SIXT, Somm Wine, Tennessee Tourism, The Bahamas Tourists Office, Travel South USA, Travel Texas, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Utah Office of Tourism, Visit Anchorage & Alaska Railroad, Visit California, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Visit Kansas City, Visit Lauderdale, Visit Mississippi, Visit North Carolina, Visit Orlando, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Visit Tampa Bay, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin and more to come..


Program 2024

Thursday, February 29th

12.00 - 14.00

Welcome & lunch
Market update by Discover America and Brand USA.


14.00 - 15.30

1-on-1 meetings

1-on-1 prebooked meetings with media and tour operators in ball room.


15.30 - 16.15

Philadelphia News Conference

Hear more about all the exiting news in Philly “Come to Philadelphia, stay for Philly” and the new direct airlift by American Airlines from Copenhagen to Philly.

16.15 - 17.00

Travel South USA
News Conference

Learn more about the exiting good news as well as the new direct airlift between Copenhagen and Atlanta by SAS. Country singer Jake Hoot will be singing. 


17.00 - 17.40

Welcome & check-in

Agents and media check-in, welcome reception. Welcome reception hosted by Visit Lauderdale. 


17.45 - 18.00
Welcome remarks

Karin Gert Nielsen, Chair Discover America & CEO Atlantic Link

The US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, Mr. Alan Leventhal

Amanda Davis, Sr. Manager, Global Trade Development.

18.00 - 20.00 

Workshop open for media & travel agents.


20.00 - 21.30 

Buffet dinner & prize draw

Friday, March 1st - Travel Insights, DBTA & Discover America Conference Day

08.00 - 09.00

Breakfast & networking


09.00 - 09.15

Welcome

by Discover America,
Karin Gert Nielsen.


09.15 - 10.00

The most significant presidential election ever

Johannes Langkilde is former USA TV correspondent for Danish TV/DR and author. Anders Agner is Editor in Chief of Kongressen.com and is often used by media as USA expert. Together they bring a wealth of experience and insight into the discussion about the future direction of the United States. Their backgrounds as journalists, authors, and experts on American politics provide a solid foundation for their analysis of the Presidential Election 2024.

10.00 - 10.05

Group NAO - AI future of travel

By Signe Jungersted, Group NAO

Introducing the AI theme of the day and inviting us all to a talk about the AI-powered future of travel - virtual influencers, AI created content, visuals etc. – not forgetting what it might mean for both travelers and destination marketeers.  


10.05 - 10.30

ChatGPT

By Christian Bech Nørhave, futurist, advisor and speaker

Futurist and advisor on future tech, artificial intelligence (AI), he is deeply involved in analyzing and predicting how these technologies will shape our industry


10.30 - 10.50

Ready or not, here (A)I come

By Signe Jungersted, CEO, Group NAO.

AI technologies will dramatically change the capabilities of both destination marketers and visitors to our destinations. That’s also the reason why 34 city destinations just embarked on a curious learning journey together to unfold and test the opportunities and challenges.

10.50 - 11.45

Panel & plenary talk: AI and the future of travel and tourism

Panelists: Anthony Cordo, Executive VP, Visit Lauderdale & Rune Hørslev-Petersen, Partner, MENSCH.

How will AI change the way we work as travel and tourism professionals? Will it revolutionize destination marketing and customer service? Can you maintain your brands authentic quality in the era of artificial intelligence? How can we all navigate the “sea of sameness and fakeness" that might come?. Moderated by Group NAO.

12.00 - 12.45
Lunch & networking

Kentucky Bourbon tasting hosted by Team Kentucky Tourism.


12.45 - 13.45
Tour operator panel - t
he State of travel to the US

By Anders Iversen, CEO, FDM Travel & Søren Sattrup, Director Concepts Developement, Kilroy International A/S, Amanda Davis, Sr. Manager Global Trade Development, Brand USA. 

Learn from Industry leaders on travel to the US, disrupters, positive and negative impact on consumer demand.

Panel discussion, between industry leaders. "Future of long-haul travel".

Hear about Brand USA Nordic initiatives to stimulate travel to the US.

14.00 - 15.00 

Closing reception

Hosted by Visit California.

Consumer shows:

Swanson, March 2nd, 2024

FDM Travel Show, March 3rd, 2024

Contact kgn@atlanticlink.net for more information

 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

PREVIOUS HIGHLIGHTS

USA Travel Show 2023

USA Travel Show 2020