Washington, DC—The Travel Industry Association of America has acquired the Travel Commerce Conference and Expo — TravelCom from JD Events, a three-year-old company headed by Joel Davis. The selling price was not disclosed.
TIA is the organizer of PowWow, the largest generator of travel in and to the U.S. TIA said it will produce TravelCom in New York City April 17-19, just weeks before the 2006 PowWow in Orlando. The 2005 TravelCom was held in New York City in April and drew approximately 1,300 attendees and 50 exhibitors, according to the TIA. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) held its Internet marketing strategy conference in conjunction with TravelCom.
JD President Davis said he was proud of his company’s role in the growth the four-year-old TravelCom. Calling TIA the ‘gold standard’ of the industry, Davis said, “Anyone who has attended TIA’s annual International PowWow will instantly understand the value TIA will bring to this event.”
Roger Dow, TIA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said TIA is positioned to be the umbrella association for e-commerce leaders to network, further best practices and work together on government issues. “We’re excited by the possibilities this conference can bring to our members as well as by what more we can bring to the previous conference participants,” he said. As evidence of its commitment to the e-commerce segment of the travel industry, TIA has established an e-commerce committee overseen by Jay Gray, TIA’s Vice President of Technology, and chaired by Joan Lowell, Vice President of Distribution for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. “We want it to become the PowWow of e-commerce shows,” said Cathy Keefe, Communications Manager for TIA. Keefe said the organization didn’t have an existing e-commerce partnership and that Dow thought it was the right time to add that component. She said the TIA is not actively seeking other shows but would consider all opportunities that may present themselves. “We’ve already had inquiries about participation in the show and new membership as a result of the acquisition,” she said.
JD Events’ portfolio now includes the Satellite Application Technology Conference & Expo (SATCON), ShowBiz Expo and the recently acquired Symposium on Healthcare Design.
Reach Roger Dow at (202) 408-8422 or rdow@tia.com; Cathy Keefe at (202) 408-2183 or ckeefe@tia.org, www.tia.org; Joel Davis at (203) 371-6322 or joel@jdevents.com.
