PASSES AVAILABLE SOON

EVENT DETAILS

2026 SCHEDULE

*Calendar may be subject to change

PRE-EVENT

Sunday, June 21 – FAMs

Monday, June 22 – FAMs and Masterclassses, Welcome Event

TRAVELCON
2026

Tuesday, June 23 – Opening Breakfast, MasterClasses, Education Sessions, Networking Cocktail, Welcome Reception

Wednesday, June 24 – 1:1 Meetings with Brands & DMOs, Masterclasses, Education Sessions, Evening Events

Thursday, June 25 – 1:1 Meetings with Brands & DMOs, Education Sessions, TGA Show Floor Open to Creators

POST-EVENT

Friday, June 26 – FAMs

2026 Speaker Preview

Meet Jackie Nourse, the founder of The Budget-Minded Traveler and host of the long-running JUMP Podcast, and named iHeartRadio’s Best Travel Podcast, inspiring thousands of travelers to explore the world with confidence. Jackie has built a passionate global community through her storytelling, courses, and group trips — empowering people to travel farther, deeper, and more intentionally.

Jackie will share her insights at TravelCon 2026. If there’s anyone you can learn from about building a meaningful, adventure-driven life through travel, it’s Jackie.

Link Instagram Youtube Podcast

2026 Speakers & Applications Coming Soon

Creators Who’ve Been There, Done That, and Are Ready to Show You How

Behind every polished post or episode is a story of trial, error, and breakthrough. Our speakers share the real strategies that helped them grow, monetize, and sustain their creator businesses, so you can do the same.

2025 session SPEAKERS

EVENT HOST

Meet Katherine

Katherine Fan is a personal finance expert, journalist, and public speaker. She began her career in tech sales before transitioning to journalism in 2015.

Katherine currently serves as Personal Finance Insider’s correspondent for credit card coverage.

Before joining Business Insider as Senior Editor of Credit Cards, Katherine covered aviation, award travel, loyalty programs, and credit cards as a senior reporter for The Points Guy, and small business finances as a lead writer for Nerdwallet.

Katherine has also freelanced for CNN Underscored, Forbes Advisor, Wall Street Journal Buy Side, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, the Dallas Morning News, LendingTree, Upgraded Points, Fortune Recommends, Newsweek, and Slickdeals Money. Her work has been syndicated by Nasdaq, MSN and Yahoo.

Her articles, guides, and reviews span multiple beats including credit card benefits and rewards, small business finances, points and miles travel, loyalty programs, and real estate investing.

Katherine has been a speaker at TravelCon, and has been featured on multiple podcasts including NPR Life Kit, Expedia’s Out Travel the System, and The Points Guy’s Miles Away.

In her spare time, Katherine moonlights as a photojournalist covering Formula 1, Austin City Limits, and SXSW for the Austin American-Statesman and other media outlets. When she’s not jetsetting around the world, you’ll likely find her in Austin cooking up a batch of spicy Chinese food.

Learn More:

Close

More Money, Less Problems: How to Have a Successful Campaign from Start to Finish

Meet Amanda

More Money, Less Problems: How to Have a Successful Campaign from Start to Finish

Creators lock down a collaboration! Now what?? Getting paid to post on socials is a literal dream but the work doesn’t end once the contract is signed.

Creators will walk through what they need to know and do to have a successful campaign, from the content briefing, ideation phase, content posting, and finally the follow-up.

  • Briefing – what to expect and look for in a content brief, what questions to ask before filming, and what to do if there is no brief
  • Ideation – coming up with concepts that are in alignment with the creator’s content style, while communicating the key campaign points – and how to advocate for your authentic voice.
  • Posting – best practices for posting a collaboration, including days, times, and what to do after you post
  • Follow Up – what steps to take in the days and weeks after posting the campaign deliverables, including what to do if the posts don’t perform as well as hoped

Amanda Brown left her corporate job in 2021 to pursue her dream of traveling full-time.

During that year, she realized she didn’t want to return to the traditional 9-to-5 grind.

After completing her travels, she went back to work with a renewed determination to find a way out again.

Today, Amanda has built a thriving six-figure social media business that far exceeds what she earned in her former corporate career.

She’s passionate about content creation, believing it’s one of the best and most accessible jobs for those willing to approach it with seriousness and dedication.

Learn more:

Close

Stop Chasing Followers: Monetizing With A Small Audience

Meet Ashley

Stop Chasing Followers: Monetizing With A Small Audience

Skip the follower chase! Learn strategies to build profitable partnerships and generate revenue with an engaged, authentic audience – no matter the size.

Ashley will share how to showcase your work to land profitable brand deals without massive follower counts.

You’ll learn how to identify and cultivate profitable partnerships that complement your brand and expand your reach, discover techniques for creating mutually beneficial relationships that drive growth, and explore various monetization strategies tailored for smaller audiences and maximize your earning potential by leveraging multiple income sources.

Through Vegan Ventures, Ashley Castellanos empowers travelers to explore sustainably while discovering the world’s best plant-based experiences.

Learn more:

Close

Growing Your Audience from 1K to 100K in a Year: Key Strategies and Lessons

Meet Brighton & Mila

Growing Your Audience from 1K to 100K in a Year: Key Strategies and Lessons

Instagram growth is often described as winning the lottery. But once you take luck out of the equation, what actionable strategies can you implement to grow your account and consequently, grow your business?

We’ll cover the fundamentals of increasing your engagement by using lead magnets, enabling automation, and providing consistent value to your target audience.

In addition to providing the exact strategies we used to nurture 100K+ followers in a year, we ask this: why do you want to grow your account, and how do you plan to capitalize on this growth?

Brighton Lui & Mila Temnyalova (@themilescouple) are DC-based content creators and business owners who specialize in teaching people how to leverage their credit card points for nearly free luxury travel.

Currently, Brighton is pursuing his dream professional career full-time, while Mila is also completing her PhD.

Despite splitting their time between their full-time jobs and their online business, they’ve been able to grow their platform and establish their credibility as experts in their field.

Learn more:

Close

WOULD YOU RATHER: 1 Million Subscribers or $1,000,000 Dollars? Defining Real Success

Meet Fin

WOULD YOU RATHER: 1 Million Subscribers or $1,000,000 Dollars? Defining Real Success

In their keynote, Tim and Fin share their 10-year journey from earning $100 on YouTube to building Tripped Travel Gear into a $10 million-per-year business. They’ll challenge attendees to rethink their focus: Is your goal more followers, or building a sustainable business?

Tim and Fin emphasize that social media is a tool, not the endgame—it’s marketing for your business, but first, you need to define what that business is. Through personal stories and actionable insights, they’ll show how to turn audience growth into tangible revenue, balance creativity with strategy, and create a meaningful, lasting legacy.

This session will inspire creators to think bigger, work smarter, and transform their passions into true success—proving the numbers that matter most are the ones that build the life you want.

Allison “Fin” Diemer is one-half of the travel duo behind the popular YouTube channel Tim and Fin.

Since launching their channel in 2015, she has built a thriving community of over 250,000 subscribers, sharing stories of adventure, practical travel tips, and insights into the digital nomad lifestyle.

With a background in storytelling and a passion for creative problem-solving, Fin has been instrumental in turning their travel brand into a global phenomenon.

In addition to her work as a content creator, Fin co-founded Tripped Travel Gear, a multi-million-dollar e-commerce brand designed to meet the needs of savvy travelers. Her entrepreneurial mindset and dedication have helped scale the business to over $10 million in annual revenue.

Through her content and business ventures, Fin inspires others to dream big, work smarter, and build a life filled with freedom, exploration, and purpose.

Learn more:

Close

Building a Following with Authenticity and Crafting Viral Content That Connects

Meet Janelle

Building a Following with Authenticity and Crafting Viral Content That Connects

Ready to grow your audience with authentic, high-impact content? In this session, Janelle will share how she built a loyal following of nearly 200k through relatable, story-driven content.

She’ll dive into the strategies behind creating viral content that resonates, focusing on a case study of a campaign that successfully connected with audiences.

You’ll learn actionable tools and techniques, from storytelling that balances transparency and humor to tips for engaging with followers in meaningful ways.

Perfect for travel creators looking to expand their reach, this session will equip you with practical insights into the business of audience growth—helping you maximize impact and build a brand that truly connects.

Janelle Rupkalvis is a travel and lifestyle creator who has grown a dedicated community of nearly 200k followers by blending strategic storytelling with authentic, relatable content.

With an engineering background, she brings an analytical approach to content creation, crafting viral moments that drive both engagement and business value.

She’s partnered with major brands like Delta and IHG, using data-driven insights to deliver results that resonate with her audience and benefit brand partners.

Known for her transparency and expertise in audience growth, Janelle empowers fellow creators to build impactful brands through effective storytelling and strategic partnerships.

Her goal is to help creators thrive in the business of content creation by connecting meaningfully with their audiences and maximizing reach.

Learn more:

Close

Engage & Grow: Building a Thriving Travel Community

Meet Joy & Hugh

Engage & Grow: Building a Thriving Travel Community

In the ever-evolving world of travel content creation, transforming a passive audience into a passionate, engaged community is key to growing your brand.

This session will explore alternative traffic sources and innovative strategies for growing and engaging your audience.

Discover how to harness the power of AI, automation,and innovative tech tools to foster a vibrant community and expand your reach.

This session offers actionable insights to elevate your travel brand’s impact, whether you’re looking to deepen connections with your current community or attract new people to it.

Joy and Hugh, the dynamic duo behind Afrostylicity, has turned their passion for exploration into a way of life and a source of livelihood. Afrostylicity not only inspires travel but also celebrates diversity and encourages diversity. With a keen eye for hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path experiences, this power couple has become a go-to resource for both seasoned travelers and aspiring globetrotters.

Learn more:

Close

How to Earn $100K in a Week With a Course Launch

Meet Julia

How to Earn $100K in a Week With a Course Launch

If you are looking to launch a course or earn more on your next launch, this session will teach you how to structure your offer, prepare for launch, and set up the necessary tech platforms that Geobreeze Travel used to earn $100k in one week.

Julia Menez is a points and miles consultant, podcast host, and content creator. Through her Instagram and YouTube channels, she prepares step-by-step tutorials for how to maximize your points and miles and travel in luxury for next to no cost.

Learn more:

Close

You Don't Have to Be a Model to Make a Million on YouTube

Meet Mark

You Don’t Have to Be a Model to Make a Million on YouTube

This session will give attendees insights on what it takes to develop a personal brand that will carryover all platforms.

The talk will give you skills to build your own personal brand and super charge their travel reach.

Meet Mark

Multi-award-winning PhD professor of marketing, the OG of YouTube travel content and self-confessed hodophile, Mark Wolters shares his worldly experiences with millions of loyal Wolters World followers every month.

With his mischievous sense of fun and bold truths, Mark has made it his mission to share wholesome, honest travel and cultural advice with all who need to hear it.

Mark’s witticism has led him to create over 2,000 compelling YouTube episodes since 2009. 

Learn more:

Close

Growing Pains: How We Built Our Audience from Zero to 100K

Meet Matt & Nat

Growing Pains: How We Built Our Audience from Zero to 100K

Join Matt and Natalie as they deep dive into how they grew their audience from zero to more than 100,000.

They will be discussing specific audience-building strategies, including insights on growing engagement through community-building, leveraging data, and why quality connections trump large numbers.

In addition, they’ll share some of the challenges faced, lessons learned from mistakes, trial-and-error, and key growth moments.

Meet Matt and Nat, the dynamic duo behind Adventures of Matt and Nat! Their work has been featured on ABC, NBC, Good Morning America, and Buzzfeed.

In 2021, they visited all 50 US states as part-time travelers with non-remote jobs, now they’re on a journey to see the “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” based on the NY Times Best Seller.

Whether uncovering hidden gems, savoring local eats, or offering insider tips, Matt and Nat inspire fellow travelers to step off the beaten path and embrace unique experiences.

Their website offers detailed travel guides, while their YouTube channel brings destinations to life through vibrant vlogs, and their Instagram showcases stunning photography and real-time travel stories.

If you’re looking for authentic adventures, travel tips, and a dash of wanderlust, Matt and Nat are the ultimate guides for your next getaway!

Learn more:

Close

The Quality Over Quantity Approach: Building a High Ticket Offer

Meet Tommy

The Quality Over Quantity Approach: Building a High Ticket Offer

Sharing innovative strategies for travel content creators seeking to elevate their business models. Tommy Lonergan of Travel Like Tommy will outline how to design and implement a high-ticket coaching program tailored to affluent clients. By prioritizing quality interactions and personalized service, Tommy’s session will equip attendees with actionable insights on building a sustainable business that caters to high net worth individuals, transforming their approach to travel coaching.

From Executive Chef to Executive Traveler. Tommy Lonergan mastered the game of credit & travel hacking during his 20’s which has now brought him to nearly 90 countries and millions in luxury travel over the years, all made possible by points & miles.

After a decade of doing this for himself while working as an executive chef, 3 years ago Tommy finally decided to go all in on turning his knowledge, passion for travel, experiences and helping others into a business. He started with only 500 followers and within 7 months had grown his account and personal brand to over 100k followers which has been a crucial piece of his success and credibility.

Learn more:

Close

Short-Form Video AMA

Working to improve your Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts? This AMA is your chance to hear from creators who know how to make short videos that grab attention and drive engagement.

Send in your questions ahead of time to get tips on everything from how they come up with ideas and hook viewers in seconds to growing a loyal audience across platforms.

DASH OF TING

Meet Tinger

Tinger is an entrepreneur with the travel and food blog Dash of Ting, which brings cultures together through food.

Utilizing knowledge from working in corporate advertising coupled with her experience creating content as a blogger, host, and influencer, she founded the marketing consultancy Dash of Media, specializing in influencer marketing.

Tinger has also been featured in or hosted shows for Trip Advisor, Thrillist, PopSugar and Buzzfeed. Tinger has also collaborated with brands such as Google, Qatar Airways, Paramount Pictures, and Visit Southeast Asia.

Learn more:

Close

STACKING ADVENTURES

Meet Haley

Haley Plotkin is a passionate travel blogger and content creator based in Austin, TX.

Through her brand, Ready Set Jet Set, she shares immersive travel stories with a community of over 500,000 engaged followers across social platforms and her blog.

Whether documenting her latest adventure, highlighting hidden gem stays, or championing body positivity in travel, Haley inspires others to explore the world with confidence and curiosity.

She also curates and hosts group trips, creating meaningful, community-driven travel experiences for women.

Her love for travel began while studying abroad in London and Glasgow, sparking a lifelong passion that has led her to explore destinations around the world.

Over the past seven years, she has collaborated with leading tourism boards and global brands, including Amazing Thailand, Seabourn Cruises, Visit Mexico, Universal Studios Florida, Tourism Ireland, and Intrepid Travel.

Learn more:

Close

JOSH RIMER

Meet Josh

Josh Rimer is a travel content creator focused on the LGBTQ community, with over 100K followers across social media. Voted “Best Content Creator of the Year” on GayCities in 2014, he produces and hosts Josh Rimer Travels, a travel program on OUTtv, Canada’s national LGBTQ TV station.

Josh also writes about travel for GayCalgary Magazine, which focuses on LGBTQ Albertans, and Luxe Beat Magazine, which covers luxury travel.

Learn more:

Close

YOUTUBE AMA

Curious about growing your travel YouTube channel or making your content stand out? This AMA is your chance to get advice from travel creators who’ve done it—sharing tips, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes stories.

Submit your questions in advance and hear how they turned their passion for travel into a YouTube career—wins, mistakes, and everything in between.

TOURIST TO LOCAL

Meet Juliana & Martin

Juliana, from the USA, and Martin, from Mexico, are a multicultural duo passionate about cultural immersion.

They’ve been exploring the world together since meeting on cruise ships in 2016, and they run the bilingual travel brand Tourist to Local and Bitácora de Viajero. Their mission is to explore every state in each other’s countries while diving deep into global cultures.

With a unique twist, they post weekly travel videos in both English and Spanish, allowing them to connect with two completely different audiences.

Their content strikes a balance between the tourist and local sides of each destination, offering viewers an authentic, enriching travel experience.

Learn more:

Close

YELLOW PRODUCTIONS

Meet Chris

Chris Raney, creator of Yellow Productions, got started making online travel videos in 2004 to share with his family and friends, but shortly thereafter took his videos to YouTube in 2008.

Since then, Chris spends hours every week researching & shooting informative videos to allow curious travelers to make informed decisions about where to go, where to stay, what to eat and what to do in a destination.

His ability to be as detailed and informative as possible, along with his passion for traveling in Asia, has his audience referring to him as the “Rick Steves of Asia.”

Learn more:

Close

DATING BEYOND BORDERS

Meet Marina

Learn more:

Close

PODCAST AMA

Want to level up your podcast?  Whether you’re looking for tips on growing your audience or making your podcast stand out, this is your chance to get answers directly from seasoned travel podcasters.

You’ll be able to submit questions in advance, ensuring you get the insights that matter most to you. 

ARMCHAIR EXPLORER

Meet Aaron

Aaron Millar is an award-winning travel writer and podcaster. He contributes regularly to The London Times, National Geographic Traveller (UK), and many other international publications.

His podcast, Armchair Explorer, has been nominated for two Webbys, and won the 2022 & 2024 British Guild of Travel Writers Travel Broadcaster of the Year. His production company, Armchair Productions, produces audio content for destinations around the world, including Visit Utah, Tourism Ireland, Experience AlUla, Brand USA and more.

His passion is telling stories that inspire people to explore the world, celebrate the outdoors, and live life to the full.

He’s trekked with Shugendo monks in Japan, descended into a volcano in Iceland, and staggered through a 100-mile pub crawl in the UK, but this is his favorite gig yet. Hates rom-coms and shellfish; loves sci-fi and tequila.

Learn more:

Close

STACKING ADVENTURES

Meet Crystal

Crystal Hammond is the co-host of the Stacking Adventures Podcast, where she inspires listeners to explore the world through engaging stories, actionable travel tips, and expert advice on maximizing travel rewards.

A founding member of the FinCon community, Crystal has been at the forefront of connecting personal finance with travel adventures, empowering audiences to achieve their wanderlust dreams without breaking the bank.

As an experienced traveler, she’s explored destinations from the Swiss Alps to bustling Japanese cities, sharing her insights along the way.

When not podcasting, Crystal combines her passion for personal finance, storytelling, and adventure to help others budget smarter, pack lighter, and experience more.

Catch her at TravelCon, where she’ll bring her unique energy and expertise to help you take your next trip to the next level.

Learn more:

Close

THE THOUGHT CARD

Meet Danielle

Danielle Desir of The Thought Card shares practical travel and money tips to help others achieve their financial goals and travel dreams. Her destination guides focus on food, drink, and uncovering lesser-known history and culture, inspiring meaningful and unforgettable experiences.

Learn more:

Close

VOYASCAPE

Meet David

David Brodie is a trailblazer in travel podcasting and digital media, with over 20 years of experience in content creation and storytelling.

He founded Travel in 10 in 2005, one of the world’s first travel podcasts, which has charted #1 in Canada, the UK, and the UAE, and remains a top-10 podcast globally in the travel category.

As the founder and CEO of Voyascape Media, David leads the world’s only dedicated travel podcast network, which has garnered over 1.1 million downloads across six critically acclaimed shows, three of which are in the top 5% of all podcasts worldwide.

A former Global Vice President at Citizen Relations, David has spearheaded award-winning campaigns for travel brands like Tourism Australia, Emirates, and Expedia.

With experience as a senior advisor to Canada’s Prime Minister and travels to 50+ countries, David combines unparalleled industry knowledge with a passion for inspiring exploration through engaging, accessible travel content.

Learn more:

Close