TBEX – Top Travel Blogging Conference for 2018
I often find myself reflecting on my childhood. I could have so easily become a statistic. Growing up in Memphis, in a single-parent household, with an absentee father.
But that’s not my story!
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Traveling became an escape from the world as I knew it. I can’t recall the specific event off the top of my head when I realized there was a big ole world out there with other cultures, religions, and nationalities.
But I became obsessed with understanding and learning from other cultures.
Traveling Put the World In a Whole New Perspective
I’ve explored dozens of countries, had hundreds of experiences, and thousands of memories, but when my brother passed away at the young age of 22 years old of a heart attack, I realized most people go to work and pay bills.
Life is not promised to us. So in honor of my brother, I wanted to inspire people to travel, to explore unknown places, and to taste a dish you would never in a million years otherwise try. Or on the simplest level, just take a weekend getaway to a neighboring state.
I was reading to my daughter shortly after my brother’s death the Dr. Suess book “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”. It brought me to tears because it had a whole new meaning as an adult.
It reminded me that I could do anything I set my mind to, and from there Passports and Grub were born.
Read Here how my brother Marco’s death transformed my life: Why I became a Travel Blogger
After deciding I was going to start my travel blog, I began to immerse myself in learning everything I could about the travel blogging world. Including which conferences to attend and which conferences offered the best seminars for both new and veteran bloggers.
One of my blogger boo’s Lauren Gay of Outdoorsy Diva suggested I attend TBEX, which stands for Travel Blogger Exchange. It is one of the largest travel conferences for travel writers and bloggers.
A Little Background on TBEX
Travel Blog Exchange is a networking event for travel bloggers, online travel journalists, new media content creators, travel brands, and industry professionals.
Each year, TBEX partners with fantastic host destinations in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific to bring the travel industry’s most creative minds together to learn, network, and do business.
After I attended my very first North American TBEX conference in 2016 I was blown away by how helpful the travel bloggers were.
The conference was so much more than meeting with brands. It was a way to connect with fellow travel bloggers, to brainstorm on how to become more efficient, and how to turn your hobby into a career.
TBEX is the reason why, in under just three years, my brand has taken off. And now I am considered an authority in pitching to brands and getting results.
Student Becomes The Teacher at TBEX Ostrava 2018
After nearly 3 years of testing and perfecting my work as a travel blogger and pitching expert, I am lucky enough to influence and coach other travel bloggers the same way that others influenced me.
It is with great honor for me to announce I have been chosen as a featured speaker for TBEX Ostrava 2018, which will take place in Ostrava, Czech Republic July 26th-28th.
I will be providing you with the knowledge and guidance you will need to pitch successful partnerships, secure sponsorships, and execute effective campaigns through your travel blog and social media.
My partner in crime will be none other than Tyra Hughley, the creator of BarrisTourista. Tyra is a lawyer by day and a travel writer by night, and together, we will help other bloggers become experts pitching to brands.
With a special emphasis on Culinary Tourism and how to partner with tourism boards, tour companies, restaurants, and wineries to feature all that is great about a country or city while still conveying an authentic experience and one’s true voice to readers.
Ostrava Is The Host City For TBEX 2018
The Czech Republic has been on my bucket list for quite some time and I can’t think of a better way to experience the stunning Czech Republic than with my fellow travel bloggers and foodies.
If you are a travel writer or Food blogger and haven’t purchased your ticket for TBEX Ostrava 2018, it’s not too late! It’s gonna be a great conference!
I would love to see you in the Czech Republic!
What Else to Expect From TBEX Ostrava 2018
While the objective of TBEX is to help you hone your craft and become a better business person, content creator, and pitching expert you will also have the opportunity to explore the region of the host city.
TBEX organizes “pre-bex tours” and “post-bex tours”. Both, before and after the conference, for you to get to know your fellow travel professionals outside of the conference to make connections, collaborate, and just have plain ole fun while enjoying the region.
How Can TBEX Help You Grow As A Travel Professional
TBEX offers a range of seminars with industry experts, as well as speed dating with sponsors and endless networking opportunities with fellow travel professionals, so have those business cards ready!
The conference is about connecting with other travel professionals because let’s be real, your family and friends don’t understand why you spend countless hours learning SEO, Pitching, Branding, and Affiliate Marketing.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wishes to take their blog to the next level. If you are ready to move from blogging as a hobby to becoming a business make sure you sign up today so Tyra and I can help you secure those coveted brand partnerships!
Head over to TBEX and purchase your ticket today!
I would love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
Congrats!! That is so cool! Wow, I bet it’s incredible to look back and see how far you’ve come. And my condolences about your brother. It’s crazy how certain things can take on a whole new meaning after going through certain things in life. Perspective….I hope the conference is everything you hope for!
This sounds like a dope experience! I’m always in awe of travel bloggers who travel for a living. Sounds like a dream job to me. By the way, love the photos of you! Super cute dress!
I’m sorry you lost your bother. It’s good that you travel as an escape from the “world”. I have been traveling more with my kids for the last few years and we love it. I love exposing them to new things. We will be taking our first overseas trip really soon.
What an incredible motivator and inspiration to travel. There is nothing like death to remind us to live life to the fullest. There is so much of the world I’ve yet to see, but I’m traveling domestically in the meantime with and without the kids.
I travel with and without my daughter as well. It took my husband a minute to get used to not putting the kids first. I believe our spouses should come first and we need to nurture our relationships.
I’ll see you there and I’m looking forward to your talk. As a food and travel writer your focus on culinary tourism interests me.
look forward to meeting you! I love TBEX
I love the luggage so vintage yasss! Also where you get that chair from you travel with it lol jk! I would love to go to TBEX one day, as I am a growing and budding travel blogger myself and I will.
I purchased the chair for 20 bucks at an antique store and I got the luggage for 50 off facebook store. #winning
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. How great that you’ve been able to turn it into something positive. And that pink dress is giving me life right now!
Thanks so much! My brother is missed but I know he is proud of me but his death taught me to stop waiting for retirement to travel. I found that dress in a little shop for 40.00
These pictures are gorgeous!!! I learned a little bit more about you in this blog. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully you’ll do another workshop to talk about the things you learned at the conference.
thanks lady.. I am actually starting a private facebook group which will be a very small group with a focus on pitching not exchanging emails
First of all these pictures are so beautiful! What an awesome experience congratulations! I also love traveling unfortunately I haven’t been abroad yet this year but I’ve done a few State side trips. Enjoy the Czech Republic!
you dont have to travel abroad as long as you are traveling.. We went to Scottsboro, AL yesterday to Unclaimed Baggage yesterday. I love road trips
How exciting and Cogratulations! What a great way to honor your brother and helping others along the way.
This is amazing and congratulations. I love the Czech Republic. Will you over any other ways to take advantage of your pitching talk? I can’t go go the conference this year and don’t want to miss out.
I am starting a private facebook group which will be really small. Maybe 10 people at the most and it will be focused on pitching not swapping contacts.
Wow. I loved reading your story. Traveling definitely broadens our horizons. I need to do way more of it.
What a beautiful and inspiring way to honor his death with your life. And girl you are definitely “werking” that dress. All the best to you!
Ma’am fist congratulations! Sounds like a super dope experience.
Next, your photos are absolutely AMAZING! I am loving the vintage look! Fabulous
Congrats on your speaking engagement at TBEX. I would really love to go one day, and you are right people are just working to pay bills and I definitely travel more to break out of that cycle.
I am super excited for you! It looks like it is going to be an amazing experience! I am looking to take a leap and experience and do life the way I know its intended to be experienced! Fully!
Well I just learned something new. This is my first time hearing about TBEX (probably because I’m not a travel blogger) and it looks like a wonderful and informative experience. I love your inspiration behind becoming a travel blogger and Congrats on your role in TBEX Czech Republic!
TBEX is a great way to meet brands.. It’s similar to speed dating and Thanks again!
I saw on Facebook! So excited! Do your thang girl! Then come back and tell us all about it! I wanted to go to the one in NY but school has my funds tied all the way up so hopefully next year. Lol
That’s so dope!! I would love to travel all over and gain new experiences. Such a dope concept with the conference I can’t wait to be where you are one day.
Looking forward to meeting you, Tomiko! I’ll be hosting the SEO Bootcamp workshop with Laura.
My aunt bought me Oh, The Places You Go! She passed last year (far too young) so the book is close to my heart too.
See you in a matter of days.
Gemma
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