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Here’s TREXpress!
TREX is shorthand for Travel Exchange, and TREXpress is the conference newsletter filled with announcements, instructions, and reminders, all aimed at keeping the NTA community on track for the big event, Nov. 9–12 in Ottawa.
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Hot bird summer
The Travel Exchange ’25 early bird is hot! Since registration for TREX in Ottawa opened June 10, we’ve seen a 39% increase in registration compared to this time last year—with a 62% increase in full-appointment-book buyers! A big reason for early sign-ups is the $300 savings for sellers, and the sun sets on that perk at the end of July. Another reason to register early is to better position yourself to get the appointments you want. When our software compares requests with available slots and creates appointments, one of the tiebreakers used is “date of registration.” And signing up now leads to less rushing later: You'll get a room in your hotel of choice, you can prepare your travel itinerary, and you can get a seat on one of the tour operator Fams and a sightseeing tour. Travel Exchange in Ottawa is the show you know with the connections you need—you can expect everything you love about TREX to return and new, innovative ways to form long-lasting connections.
Don't let the final weeks of early-bird registration—your chance to save $300—slip away. Just think of the money you'll save and the benefits you'll reap!
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What's new at TREX?
In recent years, NTA has added many ne ways for buyers to connect with sellers—and other buyers—including pitch sessions from groups of DMOs and several operator-only sessions. We also reduced the appointment load on full-book buyers, and we added universal breaks in the appointment sessions.
This year, Travel Exchange gives you these new innovations:
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TREXconneX allows delegates to digitally track the people they meet on NTA’s new exclusively designed app.
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Targeted education for tour operators will be provided online prior to Travel Exchange. TREX-registered operators and your staff can watch live or later.
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Destination Hub is an area on the TREX Floor where operators can gather information from DMOs and tour suppliers grouped by product themes.
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Learning Lab provides targeted education content geared toward small groups and one-to-one development.
Registration for Travel Exchange is open, and and we’ve got several options for operators, with fees starting at $0! If you register as a full-appointment-taking buyer, we’ll send you a Tim Horton’s voucher you can use at the airport or any of the 20 Timmies in Ottawa.
And let’s be clear, while this year’s event is located in Canada, it’ll be the show you know … and the connections you need. Click below to read more about how we're helping you make connections—and make them last—at TREX ’25.
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You’ll be hearing about business appointments, evening activities, and seminars soon. For now, though, we want you to prepare for conversing in Canada, where we’re not just NTA … we’re also NTeh! Let’s practice:
- Gotta love group travel, eh?
- TREX is a great show, eh?
- This association rocks, eh?
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There are new features to be enjoyed at Travel Exchange, and there are the hallmarks you can always find at the show, including high-quality, timely education sessions. From panels of experts who actively engage their audiences to sessions led by speakers from the TREX host city, you’ll find a wide variety of education. And where there is variety, there is opportunity!
We're building a robust education slate for this year's Travel Exchange, and here's a look at some of the presenters you'll see in Ottawa:
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Brad Anderson
Since 2009, Brad J. Anderson and his team at Blueprint have energized and educated tens of thousands of professionals across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. With a high-energy, engaging teaching style, Brad has built a global following by helping teams increase revenue, elevate the customer experience, and strengthen leadership at every level. Brad has a unique ability to connect with professionals across all sectors of tourism. Brad holds advanced degrees in business and hospitality and, before founding Blueprint, spent 15 years in leadership roles.
At Travel Exchange, Brad will present sessions on sales approaches and techniques to drive new business.
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Joel Hilchey
Joel, executive producer & CEO of Beanstalk Creative, is an ideas guy. His gift stems from a strange combination of observation, insight, and blatant disregard for conventional thinking. He’s also a juggler (literally and figuratively). In addition to leading the Beanstalk Creative team, he maintains a busy schedule as a keynote speaker, creating unforgettable spectacles on stage. He’s the father of three kids and attempts to be a good husband. Joel has authored three books, and he taught engineering for over a decade at McMaster University, where he was named one of the Top 150-plus Alumni.
Joel will lead the Opening General Session at Travel Exchange with a discussion about having fun at work.
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Sheila Scarborough
Sheila Scarborough is a speaker, trainer, and writer specializing in tourism, travel, and social media. She co-founded Tourism Currents, offering online and in-person workshops and training in social media marketing for tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Sheila also co-founded and still writes for the award-winning Perceptive Travel Blog, is a PanelPicker Evaluator for SXSW—the South by Southwest conference—and serves on both the Membership Committee for the Texas Downtown Association and the Entrepreneurship Council for the Round Rock TX Chamber of Commerce.
At Travel Exchange, Sheila will talk about effective email marketing and social media content ideas for attracting cultural tourism visitors.
| | Read more about upcoming education on NTAtravelexchange.com. | | |
Tour operators attending Travel Exchange in Ottawa can make the most of their time in the region by participating in a familiarization tour sponsored by Ottawa Tourism. You have two pre-conference Fams to choose from:
- Natural Wonders & Culinary Delights of Ottawa, Nov. 5–8
- Historic Journeys in Canada’s Capital, Nov. 6–8
You and a group of NTA colleagues can discover how Ottawa can be all or part of an intriguing itinerary. Find descriptions of the Fams here, with details of each trip’s activities, experiences, and destinations. Both Fams will be based from a single hotel, and both have limited seating. Applying for a spot on a Fam is one more reason to register today for Travel Exchange ’25! Click below to learn more.
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Or ... Fam it up after TREX!
Following four days in Ottawa for Travel Exchange, operators can unwind—and glean more itinerary ideas—during the Post-TREX Fam in Niagara Falls and Toronto, Nov. 13–17.
VIA Rail Canada will journey participants through the Ontario landscape to the first destination and a must-see natural wonder, the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. You can witness the breathtaking power of the falls from every angle, with unforgettable experiences by land, water, and air. From scenic viewpoints and thrilling attractions, Niagara Falls is an iconic bucket-list destination.
Just two hours away, the vibrant city of Toronto awaits. With its striking skyline, world-class museums and galleries, diverse cuisine, and lively arts and nightlife scenes, Toronto offers something for every traveler. During your two-night stay, you’ll explore a mix of iconic landmarks and new attractions. You’ll also enjoy a taste of Toronto’s multicultural food scene and take in the festive charm of the Distillery District’s Winter Village—one of the city’s beloved annual events.
Note: This Fam is limited to eight participants.
Click below for more details and to sign up.
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Get the NTA Events app!
We kicked off our brand-new mobile app at Contact ’25 on Mackinac Island, where attendees explored features that we'll roll out at Travel Exchange in Ottawa. During Contact, those attending used the app to scan badges of other attendees to create a log of connections. They played the Claim to Fame Game, where they matched interesting facts to their rightful owners to get to know their NTA colleagues. The Contact app experience, sponsored by Travel Portland, was loaded with useful info about the event, including a full schedule, announcements, and lists of sponsors and delegates. We plan to have all of this and more for the mobile app for Travel Exchange in November.
If you haven't downloaded it yet, get the new NTA Events app! First, please delete last year's app, then head over to the App store and download the new app to your device, also titled NTA Events; this will be the official mobile hub for both Contact and Travel Exchange. And be sure to turn on your notifications!
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It’s a heckuva Hub!
New for Travel Exchange ’25, Destination Hub is an area on the TREX Floor where tour operators can gather information from DMOs and tour suppliers grouped by product themes. We’ll start with two spokes TREX-goers already know—the National Parks Pavilion and the Route 66 Corridor—and we’ll add new ones to it, such as Scenic Byways, America 250, tourist trails, and other itinerary experiences. The hub will be a lounge where buyers and sellers can sit, relax, sip a cup of coffee … and discuss amazing itineraries. Stay tuned for more details!
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Get a room!
We have three fantastic hotels offering special rates for Travel Exchange registrants:
- Fairmont Château Laurier (the HQ hotel, 5-minute walk to convention center)
- Lord Elgin Hotel (8- to 10-minute walk to convention center, shuttles provided)
- The Westin Ottawa (connected to convention center)
With the increase in early registrants for this year's Travel Exchange, the NTA blocks will go fast, so be sure to book your room when you register for the show. Note that buyers must stay in one of the hotels listed to qualify for the rebate.
Stay vigilant: You might receive emails from a company unaffiliated with NTA promoting hotel rooms for Travel Exchange ’25 in Ottawa. Be mindful and do not fall for their ploy. Their rates are higher than what we have negotiated for our attendees, so be sure tp book through the TREX ’25 hotel webpage.
| | Grab a discount through Via Rail Canada | | VIA Rail Canada will offer discounted ground transportation for Travel Exchange. Here are the details: | | | VALID: | Nov. 3, 2025–Nov. 20, 2025 | | TERRITORY: | From all stations throughout the VIA system to Ottawa and return | | RESTRICTIONS: | Fare applies to a maximum of two passengers per booking. | | DISCOUNT: | 10% off the best available fare in Economy, Economy Plus, Business, Business Plus, Sleeper class.
Subject to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional discount is being applied. | | EXCEPTION: | Discount does not apply in any Escape fares and Prestige Class. | | IDENTIFICATION: | Participants must enter the event’s VIA convention discount code 15833 as a corporate code. | | |
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When you register …
When you sign up for Travel Exchange, you’re asked if you have any “special meal requests,” and you can select from a list that includes vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free meals. At the top of the list is the most popular option: none. In another line of the registration form, you have the option to report any food allergies or intolerances. Please answer these questions carefully and thoroughly. Our convention caterer will prepare enough special meals to meet all the requests and will minimize food waste by not preparing extras. If a delegate who didn’t request special meals asks for one, that means a person who made a request when registering will not get their meal. So please … make your preference known when you register!
Image: ©Shamsun/Adobe Stock
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Travel Exchange first-timer? No worries! Check out our Newbie Notes page on the TREX website! The page is loaded with bites of basic info, answering some of the most often-asked questions we get at NTA Headquarters about terms like Sales Mission, Best Pitch, and Dine-around—and giving tips on what to know between now and go-time.
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