56th Annual TTRA International Conference
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About this event
56th Annual TTRA International Conference
Date: June 25–28, 2026
Venue: Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, California, USA
Event Type: Tourism Research, Academic Conference, Industry Networking
Estimated Attendance: 500+ attendees including researchers, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers.
1️⃣ Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
This conference caters to a diverse group of attendees including tourism researchers, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers. The event is designed for those deeply involved in tourism research and its practical applications.
- Tourism researchers and academics
- Industry professionals including travel and tourism executives
- Government officials and policymakers
- Consultants and analysts in the tourism sector
- Graduate students and early-career researchers
2️⃣ Location + Attendee Geographic Origin
Show location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, California, USA.
Attendee origin: The conference attracts a global audience with participants traveling from various parts of the world. It is a hub for international tourism experts and researchers.
Best geographic targeting:
- Global reach with strong participation from North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions
- National and international tourism research organizations
- Academics and industry professionals from leading universities and tourism boards worldwide
3️⃣ Audience Reach
Reach type: Global
This event is recognized internationally, drawing participants from across the globe, making it a premier platform for exchanging ideas and networking within the tourism research community.
4️⃣ Sample Buyer Company Names + Websites
The following companies and organizations are indicative of those likely to participate or have an interest in the conference:
| Priority | Company | Website | Best Title to Target | Why This is a Good Buyer Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | World Travel & Tourism Council | wttc.org | Director of Research / Policy Analyst | Global influence in tourism research and policy advocacy. |
| 2 | Visit California | visitcalifornia.com | Tourism Research Manager / Marketing Director | State tourism board with interest in research and data-driven strategies. |
| 3 | Expedia Group | expediagroup.com | Data Scientist / Market Research Analyst | Leading travel company utilizing research for market insights and consumer behavior. |
| 4 | Tourism Economics | tourismeconomics.com | Economist / Research Director | Specializes in economic impact analysis and forecasting for tourism sectors. |
| 5 | UNWTO | unwto.org | Program Manager / Policy Advisor | United Nations agency overseeing global tourism policy and research. |
| 6 | Airbnb | airbnb.com | Market Research Lead / Public Policy Manager | Innovative travel platform interested in travel trends and consumer insights. |
| 7 | Skift | skift.com | Editorial Director / Research Analyst | Media company focused on news, insights, and trends in travel. |
| 8 | Travelport | travelport.com | Market Intelligence Manager / Strategy Director | Technology company providing data-driven solutions to the travel industry. |
| 9 | American Hotel & Lodging Association | ahla.com | Research Director / Policy Analyst | Represents the U.S. lodging industry with interest in research and policy development. |
| 10 | Booking Holdings | bookingholdings.com | Data Analytics Manager / Research Lead | Global leader in online travel and related services leveraging research for growth. |
5️⃣ Job Profiles, Industries & Event Type
Best job profiles to target:
- Director of Research
- Tourism Policy Analyst
- Market Research Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Economist
- Public Policy Manager
- Program Manager
- Strategy Director
Best industries to use:
- Tourism and Travel
- Hospitality
- Research and Consulting
- Technology and Data Services
- Media and Publishing
- Government and Policy
- Nonprofit Organizations
6️⃣ Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall
Estimated total attendance: 500+
This is a focused, high-value event for those deeply engaged in tourism research and industry applications, offering substantial networking opportunities and knowledge exchange.
7️⃣ Key Focus Areas & Buyer Engagement
Key focus areas:
- Tourism research methodologies and findings
- Policy development and its impact on tourism
- Market trends and consumer behavior analysis
- Technological innovations in travel and tourism
- Sustainability in tourism
- Economic impact assessments
Buyer engagement angle:
Offer insights into the latest research findings and industry trends that can inform strategic decision-making and policy development. Highlight opportunities for collaboration on research projects and initiatives that drive growth and innovation in the tourism sector.
8️⃣ Client-Product Fit Note
Please share your client website before finalizing the exact buyer list. The best buyers vary depending on client products:
- If your client offers data analytics solutions, target companies like Expedia, Airbnb, and Travelport.
- If your client is focused on tourism policy and research, engage with World Travel & Tourism Council, UNWTO, and Tourism Economics.
- If your client specializes in technological solutions, reach out to technology providers with a focus on travel and tourism.
9️⃣ Final Recommendation
This conference is highly suitable for attendee-list sales, especially if the focus is on tourism research, policy, and technological advancements. Position it as a premier platform for connecting with global leaders in tourism research and industry practice.
Best buyer segments to collect:
- Tourism researchers and academics
- Industry professionals from travel and tourism sectors
- Policy analysts and government officials
- Consultants and advisors specializing in tourism
- Technology providers focusing on travel solutions
Quality rating for B2B attendee-list sales: 9/10
Strong event with global reach, attracting a niche audience of tourism experts and decision-makers. Ensure targeted engagement with professionals and organizations that align with your client's objectives and offerings.
56th Annual TTRA International Conference 2026
Event Profile, Buyer/Attendee Intelligence & Apollo Targeting Guide
About Area
|
Field |
Details |
|
Event Name |
56th Annual TTRA International Conference |
|
Organizer |
Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) |
|
Dates |
June 24-26, 2026 |
|
Venue |
Hyatt Regency Greenville |
|
City |
Greenville |
|
State / Region |
South Carolina |
|
Country |
United States |
|
Event Category |
Travel & Tourism |
|
Event Type |
International conference for tourism research, destination strategy, market insights, education and practitioner collaboration |
|
Theme |
Shaping the Future of Tourism: Collaborative Horizons in Research, Education, and Practice |
|
Estimated Attendance |
Estimated 250-350+ attendees. Public coverage of TTRA annual conferences notes typical attendance of 250-300; 2026 may be similar or slightly higher due to global leadership and DMO/practitioner participation. |
|
Audience Reach |
National to Global |
|
Official Website |
https://ttra.com/events/56th-annual-ttra-international-conference/ |
1. Who Attends (Buyers / Attendees)
|
Attendee Segment |
Likely Profiles |
Buyer Relevance |
|
Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) / CVBs |
Visit/Discover/Explore destination teams, visitor bureaus, tourism boards, convention bureaus, economic development tourism offices |
High-value buyers for visitor analytics, market research, geolocation data, campaign measurement, CRM, destination strategy, media planning and tourism consulting. |
|
Tourism Research & Insights Teams |
Market researchers, tourism analysts, data scientists, forecasting and performance measurement teams |
Strong buyers for datasets, survey panels, dashboards, traveler intelligence, sentiment tools and benchmarking reports. |
|
State / Regional Tourism Offices |
State tourism agencies, regional travel alliances, public-sector tourism planners |
Buyers for economic impact studies, destination stewardship, marketing ROI, visitor profiling and public reporting tools. |
|
Hospitality & Travel Companies |
Hotels, resorts, attractions, airlines, tour operators, OTAs, experience platforms |
Selective buyers for demand forecasting, customer insights, loyalty research and experience design. |
|
Academic Institutions |
Tourism, hospitality, recreation, geography and business schools; professors, PhD students, research centers |
Not always commercial buyers, but influential partners for research, grants, methodology and advisory work. |
|
Consulting & Data Vendors |
Tourism consultancies, market intelligence firms, location analytics providers, research vendors |
Both attendees and exhibitors/sponsors; useful for partnership, channel or competitor mapping. |
|
Policy / Nonprofit / Community Organizations |
Tourism stewardship, community development, sustainability and workforce organizations |
Buyers/influencers for responsible tourism, workforce studies, resident sentiment and grant-backed research. |
2. Where the Show Is Happening + Attendee Geographic Origin
|
Area |
Details |
|
Event Location |
Hyatt Regency Greenville, 220 N. Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601, USA |
|
Primary Attendee Origin |
United States destination marketing organizations, state tourism offices, research agencies, universities and travel-sector suppliers. |
|
International Origin |
TTRA positions the event as a global tourism research and destination leadership gathering; likely international participation from Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific and other TTRA chapter communities. |
|
Local / Regional Pull |
Greenville, South Carolina, neighboring Southeast U.S. DMOs, state tourism agencies and hospitality/tourism stakeholders. |
|
Travel Buyer Strength |
Strongest in U.S. tourism research, destination marketing, public-sector tourism strategy and academic/practitioner collaboration. |
3. Audience Reach
|
Reach Type |
Explanation |
|
Local |
Greenville host destination, South Carolina tourism bodies, regional hospitality and visitor economy stakeholders. |
|
National |
Strong U.S. attendance from DMOs, state tourism offices, CVBs, travel researchers, consulting firms and universities. |
|
Global |
International TTRA community, universities, tourism researchers, destination strategists and chapter-connected professionals. |
|
Best Classification |
National to Global niche conference. Not a mass public expo; it is a high-quality professional/research audience. |
4. Sample Buyer Company Names (BUYERS ONLY) + Websites
|
Buyer Company |
Website |
Apollo Industry Fit |
Best Titles to Target |
Why Relevant Buyer |
|
VisitGreenvilleSC |
https://www.visitgreenvillesc.com |
Host destination / DMO |
President / CEO; VP Marketing; Director of Research & Insights; Director of Destination Development |
Destination strategy, visitor research, event impact, campaign ROI, local hospitality intelligence |
|
Visit Orlando |
https://www.visitorlando.com |
Destination Marketing Organization |
Chief Marketing Officer; Director of Research; VP Market Intelligence |
Large-scale visitor analytics, traveler behavior, segmentation, tourism performance dashboards |
|
Experience Kissimmee |
https://www.experiencekissimmee.com |
Destination Marketing Organization |
Director of Research; VP Marketing; Partnership Marketing Director |
Market insights, vacation rental/hotel demand data, visitor profile studies |
|
Travel Portland |
https://www.travelportland.com |
Destination Marketing Organization |
VP Strategy; Director of Research; Marketing Analytics Manager |
Brand strategy, visitor sentiment, campaign measurement, community tourism research |
|
Visit Dallas |
https://www.visitdallas.com |
Destination Marketing Organization |
Chief Marketing Officer; Director of Insights; VP Tourism |
Destination analytics, meetings impact, leisure demand forecasting |
|
Discover DeKalb |
https://discoverdekalb.com |
Destination Marketing Organization |
Executive Director; Tourism Sales Director; Marketing Manager |
Regional visitor data, itinerary/product development, destination promotion intelligence |
|
Datafy |
https://www.datafyhq.com |
Tourism / Location Analytics |
Chief Revenue Officer; VP Partnerships; Director of Destination Strategy |
Tourism intelligence, geolocation analytics, data partnerships, destination performance measurement |
|
Future Partners |
https://www.futurepartners.com |
Travel & Tourism Market Research |
Partner; Research Director; Client Strategy Lead |
Traveler sentiment, consumer research, DMO consulting, segmentation studies |
|
SMARInsights |
https://smarinsights.com |
Travel & Tourism Research |
President; Research Director; Account Director |
Visitor profile research, campaign effectiveness, destination brand tracking |
|
Tourism Economics |
https://www.tourismeconomics.com |
Tourism Forecasting & Economic Impact |
Director of Business Development; Senior Economist; Tourism Analytics Lead |
Economic impact, tourism forecasting, lodging demand, policy intelligence |
|
Zartico |
https://www.zartico.com |
Destination Operating System / Analytics |
VP Sales; Destination Strategist; Customer Success Director |
Destination intelligence, visitor flow, spend and lodging data integrations |
|
Longwoods International |
https://longwoods-intl.com |
Travel Market Research |
President; VP Research; Account Director |
Brand tracking, visitor behavior, advertising ROI, tourism performance measurement |
5. Job Profiles, Industries & Event Type
|
Item |
Details |
|
Best Job Titles |
President / CEO, Executive Director, Chief Marketing Officer, VP Marketing, Director of Research, Director of Insights, Tourism Development Director, Destination Strategy Director, Market Intelligence Manager, Data Analytics Manager, Professor, Research Director, Partnership Director |
|
Buying Departments |
Research & Insights, Marketing, Destination Strategy, Tourism Development, Data/Analytics, Partnerships, Economic Impact, Visitor Services, Academic Research Centers |
|
Event Type |
Professional association conference, research conference, destination marketing leadership gathering, tourism data/strategy networking event |
|
Core Industries |
Leisure, Travel & Tourism; Market Research; Marketing & Advertising; Hospitality; Higher Education; Information Services; Government Administration; Management Consulting |
|
Decision-Maker Mix |
High ratio of senior practitioners and researchers. Best for quality-based targeting, not mass-volume visitor lead collection. |
6. Estimated Attendance (Expected Total Footfall)
|
Metric |
Estimate / Notes |
|
Estimated Total Footfall |
250-350+ attendees |
|
Confidence Level |
Medium. The official 2026 page does not publish a numeric attendance figure. PCMA coverage says TTRA annual conferences typically attract 250-300 attendees, split roughly between academics and practitioners. |
|
Buyer Density |
Medium to high for tourism research/data suppliers because the event audience is specialized and senior, even though total footfall is modest. |
|
Exhibitor / Sponsor Potential |
Moderate. Best sponsorship value for research platforms, DMO technology, tourism analytics, consumer insights, data providers, consulting firms and academic publishers. |
7. Key Focus Areas & Buyer Engagement
|
Focus Area |
Buyer Engagement Notes |
|
Data & Tech |
AI in tourism, big data, forecasting, ROI, market research, geolocation analytics, movement analytics, lodging/visitor accommodation trends. |
|
Workforce & Talent |
Tourism workforce attraction, career pathways, industry image, professional development and talent sustainability. |
|
Brand & Strategy |
Data-driven storytelling, destination brand identity, community alignment, collaboration between industry and academia, ESG and tourism. |
|
Research & Education |
Academic research papers, practitioner presentations, panels, ideas fair, professional learning and evidence-based decision-making. |
|
Best Engagement Angles |
Lead with research credibility: visitor analytics, campaign ROI, destination intelligence, economic impact, traveler sentiment, segmentation, research methodology and tourism forecasting. |
|
Sales Conversation Starters |
Ask about their 2026 visitor intelligence gaps, campaign measurement needs, resident sentiment tracking, AI/data adoption and destination stewardship goals. |
8. Client Product Review Requirement
|
Requirement |
Recommendation |
|
Client Website Needed |
Please provide the client website before final buyer-list production. The best attendee/buyer samples should be filtered after reviewing the client product, ideal customer profile, geography and offer. |
|
How I Would Match Buyers |
If the client sells data/analytics, prioritize DMOs, tourism boards and research firms. If the client sells event/visitor services, prioritize destination teams and hospitality groups. If the client sells academic tools or publishing, prioritize universities and research centers. |
|
Best Buyer Data Fields to Collect |
Company, website, country/state, Apollo industry, employee size, job title, seniority, department, LinkedIn URL, work email, phone if available, buyer reason, personalization hook. |
|
Recommended Sample Size for Client Preview |
10-20 highly relevant buyer samples first; then expand only after client confirms product fit. |
9. Suggested Apollo Industries
|
Apollo Industry |
Why It Fits |
|
Leisure, Travel & Tourism |
Primary industry for DMOs, tourism boards, attractions, visitor bureaus and destination strategy organizations. |
|
Market Research |
Primary fit for travel/tourism insights agencies, survey research providers and consumer research firms. |
|
Marketing & Advertising |
Relevant for destination marketing, tourism campaign agencies and brand strategy buyers. |
|
Hospitality |
Relevant for hotels, resorts, visitor experience groups and hospitality research buyers. |
|
Higher Education |
Relevant for tourism/hospitality schools, professors and research centers. |
|
Information Services |
Relevant for tourism data, analytics, intelligence and benchmarking providers. |
|
Government Administration |
Relevant for state tourism offices, public tourism departments and economic development agencies. |
|
Management Consulting |
Relevant for tourism strategy consultants and destination advisory firms. |
|
Events Services |
Useful secondary filter for meeting/convention services and destination event teams. |
|
Internet / Computer Software |
Useful for travel-tech, analytics platforms, SaaS dashboards and destination intelligence products. |
Best 10 Sample Targets to Collect from Apollo.io
|
# |
Company |
Target Title |
Apollo Industry |
Reason to Target |
|
1 |
VisitGreenvilleSC |
Director of Research & Insights / VP Marketing |
Leisure, Travel & Tourism |
Host DMO and natural destination strategy buyer |
|
2 |
Visit Orlando |
Director of Research / Market Intelligence Manager |
Leisure, Travel & Tourism |
Large DMO with strong analytics and visitor intelligence needs |
|
3 |
Experience Kissimmee |
Director of Research / VP Marketing |
Leisure, Travel & Tourism |
Tourism market with heavy leisure travel and accommodation analytics needs |
|
4 |
Datafy |
VP Partnerships / Director of Destination Strategy |
Information Services |
Tourism data partner and high-relevance ecosystem buyer/partner |
|
5 |
Future Partners |
Research Director / Client Strategy Lead |
Market Research |
Tourism research firm aligned with visitor insights and DMO consulting |
|
6 |
SMARInsights |
Research Director / Account Director |
Market Research |
Destination research and campaign measurement buyer/partner |
|
7 |
Tourism Economics |
Senior Economist / Director of Business Development |
Leisure, Travel & Tourism |
Forecasting and economic impact buyer/partner profile |
|
8 |
Travel Portland |
Director of Research / VP Strategy |
Leisure, Travel & Tourism |
Destination strategy, visitor sentiment and brand research buyer |
|
9 |
Zartico |
Destination Strategist / VP Sales |
Computer Software |
Destination intelligence platform with DMO data ecosystem relevance |
|
10 |
Longwoods International |
VP Research / Account Director |
Market Research |
Travel research agency with strong destination marketing fit |
Source Notes
|
Source |
Usage |
|
Official TTRA 2026 event page |
Used for event name, date, location, theme, venue, audience description, leadership and focus areas: https://ttra.com/events/56th-annual-ttra-international-conference/ |
|
TTRA practitioner call page |
Used for sub-themes and practitioner positioning: https://ttra.com/call-for-practitioner-presentation-topics/ |
|
PCMA article |
Used only for historical attendance benchmark of typical TTRA annual conference size: https://www.pcma.org/travel-tourism-research-association-ttra-international-conference/ |
|
Note |
Some buyer company recommendations are strategic sample targets based on event leadership, DMO relevance and industry fit. They should be verified in Apollo.io before sending final samples to a client. |
Data sheet
| Event Name | 56th Annual TTRA International Conference |
| Event Date | June 24–26, 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Hyatt Regency Greenville |
| City | Greenville |
| State / Region | South Carolina |
| Country | United States |
| Organizer | Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) |
| Official Event Website | ttra.com |
| Event Type | Academic conference, industry networking event, tourism research conference |
| Primary Category | Travel & Tourism |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Education & Training; Business Services |
| Audience Reach | National to international professional audience, with strongest relevance across North American tourism research, destination marketing, hospitality, and travel analytics communities |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Low to medium. Publicly accessible organizer materials confirm the event series and organizer, but a current-year official attendee count was not identified in reviewed materials. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To convene tourism researchers, destination organizations, hospitality and travel professionals, consultants, analysts, and policy stakeholders around tourism research, market intelligence, destination strategy, and applied industry insights. |
The TTRA International Conference is the flagship annual gathering of the Travel and Tourism Research Association, bringing together a specialized audience focused on tourism research, destination intelligence, travel demand analysis, visitor behavior, policy, and practical application of research in the travel economy. The conference is typically positioned at the intersection of academia and industry, which makes it more targeted than a broad travel trade show and more commercially useful than a purely academic meeting.
For suppliers, agencies, data firms, destination consultants, tourism technology providers, research vendors, and partnership teams, the event matters because it concentrates professionals who influence tourism planning, marketing investment, product development, forecasting, and destination decision-making. Buyer relevance is strongest among destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, analytics and insight leaders, university tourism programs, hospitality strategy teams, and consultants that procure data, research, benchmarking, advisory, software, and strategic services.
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destination marketing and tourism board leaders | City, regional, state, and national tourism organizations | Influence research budgets, visitor studies, campaign measurement, resident sentiment, and destination strategy | High-value buyers for tourism analytics, surveys, market intelligence, consulting, and marketing effectiveness tools |
| Tourism researchers and academic faculty | Universities, hospitality schools, tourism research centers | Shape methodological standards, partnership projects, grants, curriculum, and applied research collaborations | Strong fit for survey platforms, research services, data subscriptions, publications, and sponsored collaboration |
| Hospitality and travel strategy professionals | Hotels, attractions, convention bureaus, travel brands, tourism operators | Use research to improve demand forecasting, market segmentation, visitor experience, and revenue strategy | Relevant for data, benchmarking, forecasting, CRM, customer insights, and visitor experience suppliers |
| Government and policy stakeholders | State tourism offices, public agencies, economic development bodies, policymakers | Influence funding priorities, tourism policy, destination development, impact studies, and vendor selection | Relevant for consulting, economic impact analysis, grant-aligned services, and public-sector tourism solutions |
| Consultants and advisory firms | Tourism strategy firms, destination consultants, economic analysts | Can buy data and tools directly or influence client-side procurement | Strong channel and partner audience for white-label research, data access, and advisory collaborations |
| Travel data and analytics leaders | Research firms, insights providers, benchmark data companies | Procure datasets, integrations, methodologies, and partner capabilities | Good fit for data infrastructure, location intelligence, panel providers, software, and enrichment services |
| Graduate students and emerging researchers | Universities and research programs | Limited direct buying authority; important future influencers | Useful for community building, trial adoption, and academic partnerships rather than immediate enterprise deals |
| Association and industry network leaders | Travel associations, destination alliances, trade groups | Influence thought leadership, event partnerships, sponsorships, and member education programs | Strong for partnerships, co-marketing, webinars, and member-benefit offerings |
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, South Carolina | Local destination stakeholders, hospitality partners, nearby university contacts, regional tourism professionals | Moderate | Useful for local destination and venue ecosystem engagement, but the core value is the visiting professional audience rather than walk-in traffic. |
| South Carolina | State tourism office, regional convention and visitors bureaus, hospitality educators, nearby public-sector tourism stakeholders | Moderate to high | Likely concentration from state and regional destination organizations due to host location. |
| Southeast United States | DMOs, universities, attractions, hotel groups, consultants from North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and neighboring markets | High | Strong practical drive market for conference attendance and sponsorship. |
| United States and Canada | National tourism researchers, destination executives, tourism associations, travel analytics firms, hospitality academics | High | Primary addressable market for B2B outreach tied to this event. |
| International | Selective international scholars, tourism researchers, and destination professionals | Medium | TTRA has international brand recognition, but buyer density is usually strongest in North America. |
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The conference is best treated as a national U.S.-anchored buyer and attendee opportunity with cross-border academic and tourism participation. |
| International | Secondary reach description | The association brand and conference content have international relevance, especially for tourism research and destination strategy communities. |
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) | Association / organizer | Organizer and central convening body for tourism research professionals | ttra.com | Executive Director, Conference Chair, Board Member, Partnerships Lead | Confirmed Current-Year Participant |
| Discover South Carolina | State tourism office | Host-state tourism authority with strong relevance to destination research, visitor analytics, and statewide tourism planning | discoversouthcarolina.com | Director of Research, VP Marketing, Tourism Development Director, Insights Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| VisitGreenvilleSC | Destination marketing organization | Host-market DMO and likely local stakeholder for conference-related destination engagement | visitgreenvillesc.com | CEO, Research Manager, Destination Development Director, Marketing Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| U.S. Travel Association | Industry association | Highly relevant to tourism policy, travel economics, industry advocacy, and member research | ustravel.org | VP Research, Economist, Policy Director, Industry Relations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Destinations International | Association / destination network | Key network for destination organizations that routinely buy tourism intelligence and benchmarking services | destinationsinternational.org | Chief Advocacy Officer, Research Lead, Membership Director, Partnerships Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tourism Economics | Travel economics and research firm | Directly aligned with economic impact analysis, forecasting, and destination intelligence | tourismeconomics.com | Managing Director, Economist, Research Director, Business Development Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Longwoods International | Market research firm | Major tourism and travel research provider relevant to destination and campaign measurement needs | longwoods-intl.com | CEO, Research Director, Insights VP, Client Services Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| MMGY Global | Travel marketing and research firm | Relevant buyer and influencer for destination marketing analytics, consumer insights, and strategic research | mmgyglobal.com | SVP Insights, Strategy Director, Research Director, Account Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| STR | Hospitality data provider | Important hospitality benchmarking and lodging performance stakeholder | str.com | VP Analytics, Market Director, Hospitality Research Lead, Partnerships Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| University of South Carolina | Higher education / tourism research | Relevant regional academic stakeholder for hospitality and tourism research participation | sc.edu | Professor, Program Director, Research Center Director, Dean | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Clemson University | Higher education / hospitality and tourism programs | Nearby academic institution relevant for tourism, hospitality, and event research dialogue | clemson.edu | Professor, Department Chair, Research Faculty, Industry Partnerships Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Visit Florida | State destination marketing organization | High-value destination buyer for visitor studies, brand measurement, and economic impact work | visitflorida.org | Chief Marketing Officer, Research Director, Insights Manager, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Travel Oregon | State tourism commission | Relevant public-sector destination buyer for research, strategy, and visitor analytics | traveloregon.com | Research Manager, Director of Global Strategic Partnerships, VP Strategy, Insights Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director of Research | Research / Insights | Director | Direct owner of visitor studies, methodology, panel design, and external research procurement |
| 2 | VP / Head of Insights | Insights / Strategy | VP | High-value decision-maker for destination intelligence, market research budgets, and analytics partnerships |
| 3 | Chief Marketing Officer | Marketing | C-Level | Uses research to justify campaign spend, audience targeting, and destination brand strategy |
| 4 | Tourism Research Manager | Research / Planning | Manager | Hands-on buyer or recommender for research tools, surveys, dashboards, and reporting vendors |
| 5 | Destination Development Director | Planning / Strategy | Director | Influences procurement of impact studies, resident sentiment work, and long-range destination planning services |
| 6 | Professor / Research Faculty | Academic Research | Senior Individual Contributor / Department Lead | Important for grants, sponsored studies, platform adoption, and methodology partnership |
| 7 | Business Development Director | Partnerships / Commercial | Director | Relevant at consulting, research, and data firms seeking integrations, partner channels, or resale opportunities |
| 8 | Policy Director / Government Affairs Director | Policy / Public Affairs | Director | Uses tourism evidence for public funding, destination development, and advocacy decisions |
| 9 | Procurement Manager | Procurement / Finance | Manager | More relevant in public agencies, universities, and larger associations when formal vendor contracting is required |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leisure, Travel & Tourism | Most direct fit for destination organizations, tourism offices, and travel brands | Visitor intelligence, destination marketing measurement, tourism strategy |
| 2 | Hospitality | Hotels, lodging groups, and hospitality operators use travel and demand analytics extensively | Forecasting, performance benchmarking, guest insights |
| 3 | Research | Fits research institutes, think tanks, and tourism analysis organizations | Methodology tools, data access, collaboration programs |
| 4 | Higher Education | Universities and hospitality schools are core participant groups | Academic partnerships, software licensing, sponsored research |
| 5 | Government Administration | State and local tourism offices often sit inside public-sector structures | Economic impact studies, tourism policy analytics, procurement-based projects |
| 6 | Information Services | Relevant for data providers, syndicated insight vendors, and intelligence firms | Content, benchmarking, panels, analytics products |
| 7 | Management Consulting | Tourism and destination advisory firms are a natural fit | Strategy consulting, white-label analytics, research support |
| 8 | Marketing & Advertising | Travel marketing agencies rely on research and visitor segmentation | Campaign measurement, audience analysis, co-branded insight products |
| 9 | Events Services | Conference, convention, and visitor-economy stakeholders use tourism intelligence | Event impact studies, delegate profiling, destination demand analysis |
| 10 | Public Relations & Communications | Destination and travel communications teams use visitor and reputation research | Sentiment analysis, communications planning, stakeholder reporting |
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. | Not confirmed | No public 2026 attendance count identified in reviewed materials | The event is specialized and likely smaller than mass-market travel expos; quality of attendees is more important than scale. |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | Conference-style event; no public expo floor count identified | This event is more content and networking driven than booth-volume driven. |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | No official attendee segmentation published | Buyer density is likely concentrated among destination, research, and policy professionals. |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | Agenda details not fully public in reviewed source set | Speaker organizations would be strong prospecting anchors once the final agenda is public. |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | No public sponsor roster identified | Sponsors, if published, can be used for parallel partner mapping rather than buyer mapping. |
| Historical attendance | No verified organizer figure included in this report | Historical / prior-year evidence unavailable in reviewed materials | Organizer count not located | Avoid using unverified market estimates in sales claims. |
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism research methodology | Reliable survey design, sampling, data quality, and longitudinal measurement | Position as a credibility and rigor partner | Survey platforms, panels, methodology consulting, data validation tools |
| Visitor analytics and market intelligence | Understand traveler behavior, source markets, spending patterns, and demand shifts | Offer dashboards, syndicated data, and custom insight programs | Analytics software, location intelligence, data subscriptions, custom reporting |
| Destination marketing effectiveness | Measure campaign ROI, brand lift, audience response, and attribution | Lead with performance measurement tied to marketing spend accountability | Attribution, campaign lift studies, brand tracking, media analytics |
| Economic impact and policy | Quantify tourism value for funding, advocacy, and public policy decisions | Engage public-sector and association stakeholders with defensible evidence models | Economic modeling, policy briefs, impact studies, public reporting services |
| Hospitality performance benchmarking | Track occupancy, rate trends, demand signals, and competitive set performance | Target lodging and accommodation strategy teams | Benchmark data, forecasting, pricing intelligence, lodging analytics |
| Academic-industry collaboration | Applied research partnerships, publications, grants, student engagement | Create partnership offers rather than hard product pitches | Sponsored studies, education licenses, guest datasets, internship and fellowship support |
| Destination resilience and planning | Plan for sustainable growth, visitor management, and community impact | Approach strategic planning and stakeholder engagement buyers | Scenario planning, resident sentiment studies, sustainability analytics, consulting |
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | High | The audience is specialized and relevant for tourism intelligence, research, consulting, destination strategy, and hospitality analytics offers. |
| Decision-maker availability | Medium to High | Titles may skew toward research and academic leadership rather than pure procurement, but many attendees influence budget decisions. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Attendee list transparency appears limited publicly, so list-building likely requires agenda mining, sponsor extraction, and association-member mapping. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | The audience can be recreated effectively in Apollo using industry, department, title, and geography filters. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong targeting opportunities across U.S. and Canadian tourism organizations, hospitality schools, and destination agencies. |
| Best outreach approach | High | Thought-leadership outreach, benchmark-led messaging, case-study emails, and conference-context personalization should outperform generic sales copy. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Excellent niche fit if the client sells research, analytics, destination strategy, or related services. Less suitable for broad mass-market offers. |
| Best use case | B2B thought leadership and targeted buyer mapping | Best for high-intent relationship building with destination, research, and strategy professionals rather than bulk attendee-list sales. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Public confirmation of attendee names and counts appears limited. Academic attendees may not all be immediate commercial buyers. |
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Leisure, Travel & Tourism; Hospitality; Research; Higher Education; Government Administration; Information Services; Management Consulting; Marketing & Advertising; Events Services; Public Relations & Communications | Recreate the most likely attendee and buyer ecosystem |
| Departments | Research, Strategy, Marketing, Operations, Partnerships, Business Development, Procurement, Analytics, Public Affairs | Capture both direct budget owners and strong influencers |
| Seniority | Manager, Director, VP, Head, C-Level, Owner, Partner | Prioritize decision-makers and project sponsors |
| Job titles | Director of Research, Research Manager, VP Insights, Chief Marketing Officer, Destination Development Director, Tourism Director, Insights Manager, Economist, Professor, Department Chair, Business Development Director, Partnerships Director | Focus on buyer-side research and strategy stakeholders |
| Geography | United States; Canada; Southeast U.S. priority states including South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee; optional international expansion to UK, Australia, and Western Europe | Align with likely attendance footprint and tourism research relevance |
| Employee size | 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1000, 1001–5000 | Covers DMOs, associations, public agencies, universities, and mid-market tourism firms |
| Keywords | tourism research, destination marketing, visitor analytics, economic impact, hospitality research, travel insights, destination strategy, tourism board, convention and visitors bureau, traveler behavior | Improve title-light or association-heavy account discovery |
| Technologies | Only if relevant to client. Analytics, CRM, survey, BI, and marketing measurement categories may be useful. | Narrow to digitally mature organizations when selling software or data platforms |
| Revenue range | Optional. Prioritize mid-market to enterprise for consulting and software offers; keep open for public agencies and universities where revenue is less informative. | Refine commercial outreach by budget capacity |
| Company type | Nonprofit, Government, Educational Institution, Private Company, Public Company | Reflects the mixed attendee composition of the conference |
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) | Official organizer website | Organizer identity, association mission, event-series context, tourism research focus | High |
| Hyatt Regency Greenville | Official venue website | Venue identity and Greenville location details | High |
| VisitGreenvilleSC | Official destination website | Host-city destination context and relevance of local tourism stakeholders | High |
| Discover South Carolina | Official state tourism website | State tourism ecosystem relevance and likely host-region stakeholder alignment | High |
| User-supplied event details | Provided brief | Date range, city, state, country, and venue supplied in the request | Medium pending organizer page confirmation |
| Verification note | Research caveat | A conflicting legacy description referenced a different city, venue, and date span. This report follows the user-supplied 2026 Greenville details, while treating attendance, participant roster, and detailed agenda figures as not publicly confirmed in the reviewed source set. | Important caution |
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