Pow Wow 2011 Comes to a Close in San Francisco

Pow Wow 2011 Comes to a Close in San Francisco

Known worldwide in the travel industry as the major marketplace for transacting inbound U.S. travel business, International Pow Wow generated more than $350 million in tourism business for San Francisco in the short term alone.

More than 1,100 international and domestic tour operators from 70 countries “shopped” the largest travel industry trade show in North America inside Moscone Center, meeting in 70,000 pre-set appointments with some 3,500 exhibitors from every corner of the U.S.

More than 450 international and domestic travel journalists also attended to report on the event and the destination. There were three evenings of exclusive events for the attendees at some of San Francisco’s premiere attractions and unique locations, plus one night open for private parties.

In addition to the conference itself — which included representatives from U.S. convention and visitors bureaus, marketing groups, hotels, tours, airlines and cruise lines— show hosts over the weekend ferried attendees through The City’s popular destination neighborhoods, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Mission, the Castro and Haight-Ashbury, among others.

A record number of delegates from China attended International Pow Wow in San Francisco. Some 120 Chinese tour operators, meeting planners and journalists registered for the event, which was produced by the U.S. Travel Association.