Search Results

Hotel Information Go West Summit is partnering with nearby hotels to provide discounted rooms to all attendees. All hotels are within walking distance of the Galveston Island Convention Center , home to Go West Summit 2027. Transportation will also be provided between these hotels and the Convention Center. Booking links are available only through registered attendees' account pages. You must approve your name badge before accessing links. Hilton Galveston Island Resort San Luis Resort Holiday Inn Resort On The Beach Images courtesy of Visit Galveston *BEWARE OF HOTEL BOOKING SCAMS* There is a growing trend of scammers targeting convention attendees by offering fake hotel bookings. These scammers call or email attendees, claiming to represent the conference, and encourage customers to book rooms using fake promotion codes. The ONLY way to access Go West Summit's discounted room block is through your attendee landing page after you register for the event and approve your name badge. Go West Summit does not partner with 3rd party reservation groups and will not be calling anyone to make a room reservation. If ANYONE contacts you about hotel bookings that are not from one of our partner hotels or Go West Summit staff, please be advised that they are poachers and should be reported to Go West Summit immediately, then ignored. Authentic Go West Summit emails will come from either gowestsummit.com or itm.travel.

Event Sponsors Become an event partner! Check out our Complete Sponsor Menu, and let's talk! Click on the logos below to visit the sponsor's website 2027 Destination Sponsor Title Sponsor 2026 Principal Sponsors BWH Hotel Group Sponsor page 2027 State Sponsors 2027 Host State 2027 Event Sponsors 2027 Event Partners

OVERVIEW Overview - Internationally Based tour operator or wholesaler - US-Based receptive operator - Domestic tour operator All buyers must be an established operator selling pre-packaged or customized multiday tours to Go West Summit states and produce a brochure and/or website promoting these tours. Western US, Canada and Mexico-based suppliers offering a tourism product or service that serves the needs of our tour operators are welcome to attend as a primary registrant. Journalist and travel writers looking to publish work and promote travel to Western US and Canada. Technology companies, marketing firms, and advertisers looking to sell their products to DMOs, hotels, attractions and other tourism suppliers of the American West. Photo credits, left to right: Visit Idaho—Coeur d’Alene Resort, Idaho Tourism—Boise Foothills, Capital City Market, The Sphere Las Vegas Top image courtesy Visit Galveston

Image courtesy Travel Texas FAM Trips 2027 FAM Trips will be announced in the Fall of 2026. Subscribe to our email list to be alerted once FAM Trips are announced. All requests are subject to approval by each FAM trip organizer. FAM itineraries are subject to change. Participation in FAM trips requires buyers to complete the entire FAM trip. Late arrival and early departure requests will not be honored. All Pre-FAM attendees are responsible for their own transportation to the start of the FAM Trip. Organizers will transport attendees to Las Vegas for Go West Summit 2026. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation home. At the end of Go West Summit, Post-FAM organizers will transport attendees to the start of their FAM Trips. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation home at the end of the FAM Trip. FAM trips are coordinated by and requests are reviewed by the agency in which the event takes place. Go West Summit is not granted any approval rights since they have neither created nor administered them. Each agency has been asked by their partners to first grant permission to buyers and journalists representing their key markets before considering requests outside those markets, so be sure your profile is accurate and up-to-date before submitting your requests. Pre-FAM organizers will determine their start location and ask you to join them there. They will then transport you to the start of Go West Summit. Post-FAM organizers will transport you from Go West Summit to the start of their trip. It will be your responsibility to arrange your flight from your final destination.

When: Friday, January 10, 2025; 10:00 am – 2:30 pm Where: Desert Hills Premium Outlets Coach departs from the Palm Springs Convention Center at 10:00 am. Coach will return from Desert Hills to the Palm Springs Convention Center at 2:30 pm. Departure location is Entry 3; Tour Group Arrival & Departure at Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Self-drive option: 48400 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CA 92230. Complimentary self-parking. Experience: Compliment your stay in Greater Palm Springs with a bit of retail therapy at Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Known for its mix of high-end designer stores, such as Celine, David Yurman, Balenciaga, Givenchy and everyday brands you love, like Bath & Body Works, Converse, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren and Fabletics. Desert Hills Premium Outlets will offer all registered participants an exclusive shopping experience which includes a Welcome Bag, Digital Coupon Book, Swag, and Specialty Experiences. How to Book: Log in to your GWS account page to find booking links. Limited availability. Reservations are required to secure your spot on the coach. For those choosing the self-drive option, reservations are required to obtain the discounts and amenities provided by Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Cost: Free for all GWS attendees Cancellation: For those registered to transfer via the provided coach, request any cancellations 7 days in advance. Otherwise, no cancellation fees are applicable.

FAQs Image courtesy Visit Galveston General FAQs What kind of ROI can I expect from attending Go West Summit? The 2026 post-event survey revealed that attending buyers expect to generate $33.95 million over the next 18 months as a result of the 2026 event, with $2.6 million generated directly on the Marketplace floor. Over 9,000 individual appointments were scheduled over the two days of Marketplace. With one buyer to every 1.6 suppliers in 2026, suppliers averaged 40 appointments each, while many buyers attended with full schedules of 60-73 appointments! Who attends? Suppliers - CVBs, lodging properties, winter and summer resorts, adventure outfitters, shopping facilities, attractions, air tour, state tourism offices and other DMOs, sightseeing and transportation providers, and other tourism-focused companies from U.S. states West of the Mississippi River. We are now also welcoming suppliers from Western Canada and Mexico. Buyers - Qualified buyers of US travel products and services, Internationally based tour operators or wholesalers, US-based receptive operators, or large volume domestic tour operator sourcing their own product. Technology & Marketing Providers (TMPs) - Technology companies, marketing firms, and advertisers looking to sell products to DMOs, hotels, attractions and other tourism suppliers. Media - Journalists who cater to an international travel audience and can provide distribution/readership information upon registering as well as previous examples of published works about travel within the American West. What about adding a second person? Secondary registrations are available for buyers, suppliers, and TMP registrants. Secondary registrants enjoy all the deliverables of a primary registration but share one set of Marketplace appointments with the primary delegate. After registering, you can add your second delegate from your landing page by clicking the "register secondary delegate" link under the REGISTRATIONS tab at the top of the page. *The primary registration fee must be paid before adding a secondary registrant. Because Marketplace tables only accommodate two chairs, one secondary registration is permitted per primary registrant's account. Can I attend without taking appointments? Attendees find the most value at Go West Summit by participating in Markeptlace, and a standard registration is recommended. We do offer a Supplier Lounge Sponsorship with a booth representative pass that allows access to the Supplier Lounge break area and events. Additional information can be found on our Sponsor page. Spouses/ Guests: Evening events and other activities are intended for networking and business purposes; therefore, Go West Summit does not permit spouse/guest attendance to events. Should a spouse be involved in the business, they are encouraged to register as a secondary registrant. Go West Summit does not offer daily passes. If an attendee has a special needs request, please contact us to discuss accommodations . When should I arrive? Most attendees will arrive on Saturday, February 27th, 2027. Registration is open from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM on that day. Go West Summit Itinerary at a glance: For additional details, check out our Timeline & Agenda Page Saturday, February 27, 2027 Registration 1:00- 5:30 Buyer Welcome Reception Sunday, February 28, 2027 Education Day State Caucuses Buyer Site Tour Lunch How to Summit Opening Reception Monday, March 1, 2027 Marketplace I Lunch Marketplace II Tuesday, March 2, 2027 2028 location Reveal Breakfast Marketplace III Lunch Marketplace IV Closing reception Wednesday, March 3, 2027 Destination Day What is the last day to register? We recommend registering before appointment selection opens on February 5, 2027 . Companies can register up to the start of Go West Summit. Appointment slots fill up quickly, and those who register after the appointment selection closes on February 22nd will attend with empty schedules. It is important to note that registration payments must be received before Appointment Selection opens on February 5, 2027, to send and receive Marketplace meeting requests. What is the dress code? Professional or business casual. Although Go West Summit does not have strict dress code guidelines, treat the event as you would any business meeting. As a reminder, suppliers will be walking during Marketplace appointments, so a pair of comfortable shoes is highly recommended. What if I need to ship something to the conference? Please contact Go West Summit Staff for shipping details. What does it take to host a Go West Summit? We are now taking applications for GWS 2028 and beyond! Join our ever-expanding list of Go West Summit host destinations! Contact us for our room night and meeting space requirements and to get more information about hosting a future Go West Summit! Appointment FAQs What is the appointment process? On February 5th, 2027 , the Go West Summit appointment schedules open, allowing attendees to log in to their accounts and request meetings for the two-day Marketplace. Appointment slots can fill up quickly. It is important to send your requests early. Remember to check back regularly to view new registrants, incoming requests, or adjust your schedule. The system automatically approves appointment requests after 72 hours, but these can easily be canceled or rescheduled when necessary. Appointment scheduling closes on February 22nd, about a week before the Summit, so attendees already know whom they will meet with before they travel. Click here to learn how to review companies to meet with, select appointments, and approve appointment requests. A consolidated cheat sheet can be found here . How do I request a meeting? After logging in to your GWS account, navigate to the Appointment Selection Page. Before requesting appointments, the system requires that you set breaks for when you will be unavailable. These breaks can be changed or canceled at any time. Proceed to step two- Select Companies and schedule Appointments . Use the filters to find companies you want to meet, and begin selecting companies by clicking on the Request meeting button to find a meeting time that works for you both. If you cannot find a meeting time that works, click on the details link to email them directly and see if they have availability in their schedules, or to connect outside of Marketplace. How do I cancel a meeting? During the appointment selection process select "Request Meetings with Companies" on the appointment dashboard, then click the Marketplace button of the appointment to be deleted. Click the trash icon beside the appointment. Attendees are welcome to enter text in the chat box describing their reason for canceling. If a meeting needs to be canceled after appointments close or during appointment week, simply email the other party to inform them of the cancelation. Where can I find table lists, my appointment schedule, and other important information? Closer to the event, registered delegates are invited to log in to their GWS accounts, where they will find links and event information, attendee contact information, digital welcome bag, maps, hotel room reservation links, Destination Day registrations, and more. Download the Go West-to-Go microsite. designed for your phone so you can access your account directly on the Marketplace floor. What is Marketplace? The heart and Soul of Go West Summit is Marketplace, where suppliers will use their appointment schedule to visit buyers, media and TMPs at their tables for 12-minute meetings. There are a total of 73 appointment slots over the two-day Marketplace. Go West Summit 2026 saw over 9,000 confirmed Marketplace appointments with suppliers averaging 40 appointments each, and many buyers attended with full schedules! Where can I find additional information? Our How To Summit page contains additional resources to help you understand Go West Summit.

BUYERS Buyers Who Qualifies to Attend? Qualified buyers of US travel products and services Internationally based tour operator or wholesaler US-based receptive operator Large volume domestic tour operator sourcing own product All buyers must be an established operator selling pre-packaged or customized multiday tours to Go West Summit states or Canadian provinces, produce a brochure promoting these tours, and have a working website. (Pages or groups on social media sites do not qualify.) Appointments are conducted in English; translators are invited to attend at the secondary delegate registration cost. Your Registration Package Includes: One set of pre-scheduled appointments (if registered before the appointment selection process closes) One breakfast, three lunches, and evening events with fun, food, and networking! Discounted hotel rates (if registered before the reservation cut-off date) FAM Trip consideration Delegate profile directory “Best of the West” itineraries Access to Destination Day Activities How to Register: Buyers are welcome to register at the rate of $295. Click the registration button below to complete your registration form and submit your payment. You will receive an email confirmation that includes instructions as well as other important Go West Summit information. Register Cancellation Policy Attendees who wish to cancel on or before December 27, 2026: Full refund (less a $75 processing fee) December 28, 2026 - January 24, 2027: 50% refund will be granted. No refunds after January 25, 2027, for no—shows or “acts of God.” Cancellation requests must be sent here. Required Presence: Future attendance at Go West Summit will be reviewed for those who cancel immediately after being declined for FAM trips, do not honor scheduled appointments, or use their appointment time inappropriately.

Company Details BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality network comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotelsTM, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels®. Built on the foundation of Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR), an iconic hotel brand that boasts over 70 years of legacy and experience, BWH Hotels was formed following BWHR’s acquisition of another renowned hotel brand, WorldHotels. WorldHotels boasts a stunning collection of hotels and resorts in premier destinations around the world in the upper upscale and luxury segments. With SureStay Hotels already experiencing tremendous success in the economy segment under the guidance of BWHR, the WorldHotels acquisition brought together three standout companies and created a portfolio of hotel options in every market segment – from economy to luxury. BWH Hotels serves as the umbrella parent organization to each hotel company, bringing a full-suite of options to travelers, while also protecting the unique identity of each brand. This creates a global network of approximately 4,300 hotels across every chain scale segment, in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. Links >>About Best Western Hotels >>Featured Destinations >>Pet Friendly Hotels >>National Parks Hotels >>Top Beach Destinations >>Our Brand Portfolio Stay Connected • BWH Home • Travel Zone Your Go West Summit Contacts Sandi Lackey Associate Director, Worldwide Sales Phone | 630-730-5682 Email | Sandi.Lackey@bwh.com Rolland Cheng Worldwide Sales Manager Phone | 407-802-2288 Email | Rolland.Cheng@bwh.com

Technology & Marketing Providers Who Qualifies to Attend? Technology companies, marketing firms, and advertisers looking to sell their products to DMOs, hotels, attractions and other tourism suppliers of the American West. What's Included: One set of pre-scheduled Marketplace appointments. A table in Marketplace alongside tour operator and media delegates. Comprehensive digital resource manual with attendee contact information. Discounted hotel room rates (if registered before the reservation cut-off date). One breakfast, three lunches, and evening networking events with fun, food, and entertainment! Access to Destination Day activities. It is important to note: Suppliers have the option to opt out of appointments with technology and marketing providers. Therefore, not all companies will be available to schedule Marketplace appointments. Tech & marketing companies do not have the option to schedule Marketplace appointments with tour operators. Those wishing to schedule appointments with buyers and media must register as suppliers. We encourage you to contact companies unavailable for Marketplace appointments directly using the provided delegate contact information to connect before, during and after Go West Summit. Add Some Visibility: Technology & marketing registrants can expand their visibility by adding on a Supplier Lounge Sponsorship to their registration at a discounted rate of $1,500. In addition to the deliverables above, Supplier Lounge Sponsors will receive: A table and exhibit space in the Supplier Lounge break area. Early access to the attendee database for earlier outreach and better results during the Summit. Logo inclusion above your profile in the digital resource manual. Recognition on GWS sponsor page of the website and resource manual. One article in the GWS newsletter, distributed to our database of 5,000 tourism industry contacts. Sponsor ribbon on name badge. How to Register: Technology and Marketing Providers are welcome to register at the $2,495 registration rate. Click the registration button below to complete your registration form and submit your payment. After approval, you will receive an email confirmation, which includes instructions and other important Go West Summit information. Secondary registration for an additional attendee is available for the discounted rate of $1,195 and can be found on the primary registrant's landing page, under the Registrations Tab . Secondary delegates share the set of appointments with the primary registrant. Because Marketplace tables only accommodate two chairs, one secondary registration is permitted per primary registrant's account. Three Options to Pay: * Please note that payment must be received before appointments open to participate in the Marketplace Appointment Selection. Pay with a debit or credit card. Select ACH payment to receive a link to the ACH payment portal. Click the option to be invoiced and pay via check. Standard Registration Register Registration & Supplier Lounge Sponsorship Register Cancellation Policy Attendees who wish to cancel on or before December 27, 2026: Full refund (less a $75 processing fee) December 28, 2026 - January 24, 2027: 50% refund will be granted. No refunds after January 25, 2027, for no—shows or “acts of God.” Cancellation requests must be sent here.

FAM Trips THIS FAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW REQUESTS PLEASE NOTE THIS FAM TRIP IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW REQUESTS. REQUEST YOUR SEAT ON ANOTHER FABULOUS GWS 2026 FAM TRIP. FAM Trip attendees are required to arrange their own transportation to arrive in Las Vegas, Nevada, by 4:00 PM on Monday, March 30th. At the end of the FAM, organizers will then transport you to Rio Resort on Tuesday, March 31st, for the start of Go West Summit 2026. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements after the FAM trip concludes. All requests are subject to approval by each FAM trip organizer. FAM itineraries are subject to change. Participation in FAM trips requires buyers to complete the entire FAM trip. Late arrival and early departure requests will not be honored. FAM trips are coordinated by and requests are reviewed by the agency in which the event takes place. Go West Summit is not granted any approval rights since they neither created nor administered them. Each agency has been asked by their partners to first grant permission to buyers and journalists representing their key markets before considering requests outside those markets, so be sure your profile is accurate and up-to-date before submitting your requests.

How To Summit Glossary of Terms Click here to open a handy PDF that will help you navigate your way through all the industry-specific terms used at Go West Summit. Preparing for Go West Summit View or Download Conference Maps Marketplace Table numbers organized by Company Name or Table Number. View the Marketplace Map HERE. View The Supplier Lounge Map HERE . How to Summit Webinar: We presented an hour-long webinar designed to increase your chances of a successful Summit. Click here to view the recording on YouTube. Click here for our tips for a successful Summit to help you get the most business out of this event. Click here for a helpful checklist of what you will need to be prepared for the Summit. Preparing for Appointments Watch our 2026 appointment Deep Dive training video. Our improved matching system gives you more control! Go West Summit has created an innovative alternative to traditional meeting formats that allows you to view customizable appointment opportunities and request a meeting, and no more waiting for a final appointment schedule! On February 5, 2027 , Go West Summit appointment schedules open, allowing attendees to log in to their accounts, set their break times, review company profiles, and request meetings for the two-day Marketplace. Attendees register right up to the start of Go West Summit, so check back regularly to view new incoming requests or make changes to your schedule. Appointment scheduling closes on February 22nd, 2027 , about a week before the Summit, so attendees already know who they will be meeting with before they travel. Click here to learn how to review companies to meet with, select appointments, and approve appointment requests. A consolidated cheat sheet can be found here . Click here to open an informational PDF describing how to prepare for your appointments at Go West Summit, "Your Appointment Schedule is Finalized...Now What?" See a sample profile sheet here . See a sample DMO lead sheet here . See a sample Supplier lead sheet here . Go West Summit Week Go West Summit kicks off with Education Day on Sunday, February 28th, with expert panels, speakers, and forums on various travel/ tourism topics and trends in the industry. This day also includes lunch, state caucuses, a How to Summit class for first-time attendees, and a site tour of nearby hotels and attractions for buyers and journalists. The day concludes with the evening Welcome Reception, open to all Go West Summit attendees. The heart and soul of Go West Summit is the two-day Marketplace ( Monday, March 1st, and Tuesday, March 2nd). Suppliers will use their appointment schedule to visit buyers, media, and tech & marketing providers at their tables for 12-minute meetings. Suppliers move from table to table. There are a total of 73 appointment slots over the two-day Marketplace. Not able to schedule an appointment with someone? Use our hour-long Speed Appointment Session on Tuesday afternoon to meet buyers, journalists and TMPs at their tables for one hour of unscheduled 5-minute appointments. All attendees are invited to the Tuesday morning Reveal Breakfast to find out where Go West Summit is going in 2028. Then join us that evening at the Closing Reception to celebrate the conclusion of Marketplace. Enjoy the company of new friends, and toast to another successful Summit. Don't head home too quickly! On Wednesday, March 3rd Destination Day offers attendees the opportunity to explore Las Vegas by offering discounted tickets or free admission to some truly incredible experiences. For additional information about Go West Summit week, visit our Timeline and Agenda page. After Go West Partnerships take time, and follow-up is key to maintaining long-term relationships. Go West Summit makes it easy to download delegate contact information so you can continue to connect and grow your business after Go West Summit concludes. Downloads are available on appointment-taking attendee landing pages once appointment selection opens. Remember to also download the Digital Resource Manual of company profiles and contact information to aid in your follow-up.

ITM/History ITM Staff Mary Motsenbocker President Bob Rebello Vice President Julianne Krogseng International Marketing Director Christine Cool Marketing Director Consulting Staff Aydee Suarez Founder & Managing Partner, AJL REPS Jairo Ramirez Founder & Managing Partner, AJL REPS Contact Information For specific questions on Go West Summit, please visit the "Contact Us " page. International Tourism Marketing, Inc. 6833 South Dayton St. #147 Greenwood Village Colorado 80112 Tel: 303-850-7144 History International Tourism Marketing, Inc. was established in 1990 by President Mary Motsenbocker. ITM provides professional marketing services throughout the Western United States, including the American Rocky Mountain Region and the Southwest. ITM is an inbound, international tourism destination marketing organization representing various public and private sector tourism associations and companies. ITM is an international specialist developing tour operator/supplier relationships, airline cooperative marketing programs, airport route development marketing programs, public relations and media programs, familiarization tour planning and special events coordination. ITM is also a meeting planning company in industries outside of tourism. Go West Summit is a premier travel trade marketplace produced by International Tourism Marketing, Inc (ITM). Go West Summit is a marketplace that brings together the highest quality suppliers in the western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Summit provides the international - and US - based receptive tour operators a venue to meet with suppliers from the American West to generate tourism business into the Western United States. The Summit is regarded by participating tourism and travel professional as a premier conference—among the best of its type—as well as an efficient and economical mechanism for booking international business.