Dear Exhibitor:

As we move into 2022 it looks like the COVID-19 Pandemic still has a few last punches to throw… Omicron!

Last week we announced the postponement of our New York Travel & Adventure Show to March 18-20, 2022.

We have been examining the situation on the ground in the Chicago Metro Area, and in working with the Donald Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, we have decided it would be also prudent to move our 17th annual Chicago Travel & Adventure Show two weeks further into February.

Chicago Travel & Adventure Show – Moved to February 19-20, 2022 @ the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Why?

While Chicago is one of our longest running shows with consistent attendance, exhibitors, and great speakers – the Omicron surge in cases increased the risk of an early February show for all stakeholders.

We have examined the data and spoken with the venue and local health officials, and all agree a few weeks will make a lot of difference.  The Omicron surge is expected to peak in the weeks ahead and will quickly be behind us. 

You Do Not Need to Do Anything – Your Booth Contracts & Assignments Will Apply to the New Dates

While the news continues to be filled with stories regarding the Omicron surge, we are pleased to see many stories now confirming studies and science that show Omicron infections result in mild symptoms for most and are NOT resulting in increased rates of severe hospitalization and death.

Travel Continues to Recover

Fresh data from our partners at Destination Analysts show that despite record COVID cases in the U.S., and a holiday period of massive flight cancellations, Americans’ overall travel sentiment has improved.

Those in a ready-to-travel state of mind rose to 77.9%, up from 76.0% December 13th and among the highest levels since the start of the pandemic.

Omicron did not impact local sentiment towards tourism to the same degree that Delta or the original viral strain did. While Omicron has and will impact short term travel, thus far it has not quelled Americans’ interest in travel in the ways previous COVID surges did.

Strong excitement for leisure travel grew to 69.2%. Americans are also increasingly enthusiastic to learn about new travel experiences (61.1%).

They are also willing to make the financial commitment for travel—35.5% feel that now is a good time to spend on travel and 57.5% will prioritize spending on travel in the next three months.

Over 30% of American travelers expect to take more leisure trips in 2022 than 2021.

So, while we delay our travel show season slightly to let the Omicron wave pass, the good news is people are ready to buy travel, our show series is in the new Wave Season and more people will be vaccinated and possess natural immunity leading to finally having the COVID Pandemic behind us.

We apologize for any inconvenience this change may have caused you.

Please make sure to update any travel plans.  

NOTE: If you booked your hotel at our Show Hotel - The Hyatt Regency O'Hare - we will reach out with more information on your reservation once we have details from the hotel. 

If you have already shipped freight to the advanced warehouse, or have and need it re-routed, please call Lauren Doyle, your Customer Success Manager at (203)713-1089 for assistance.  Otherwise, the freight will be held for the new dates in February.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email Lauren ldoyle@travelshows.com or your Sales Representative.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Best personal regards,

John Golicz
CEO, Travel & Adventure Show Series