U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow Coming to Denver

DENVER, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Denver will host the U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow (IPW) from May 19-23, 2018. "IPW is the largest and most prestigious international tourism trade show that is held in the U.S., so it is a great honor that the U.S. Travel Association has selected Denver to host this important event," said Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT DENVER, the Convention & Visitors Bureau.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130612/DC31165LOGO)

IPW is the U.S. travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the U.S.

In just three days of intensive pre-scheduled business appointments, more than 1,000 travel organizations from every region of the USA (representing all industry category components), and close to 1,200 international and domestic buyers from more than 65 countries, conduct business negotiations that result in the generation of more than $3.5 billion in future U.S. travel. At IPW, buyers and sellers are able to conduct business that would otherwise be generated only through an exhaustive number of around-the-world trips.

"There is simply nothing we could do better to showcase all the exciting things that are happening in Denver to more than 1,200 travel buyers from 65 countries around the world than to host IPW. This convention will have a lasting impact on our city, helping us secure more international flights and bring more foreign visitors to Denver," said Scharf.  "Previous studies show the city that hosts IPW can reap up to $350 million in future international tourism business. It will require a huge cooperative effort from VISIT DENVER, our tourism business members, the Colorado Tourism Office, Colorado Ski Country, Vail Resorts and many others, but this is a wonderful opportunity to show off our state and jumpstart our international tourism efforts."  

IPW was last held in Denver in 1991. "By 2018, IPW delegates will be able to travel by train from Denver International Airport to downtown Denver and see an exciting, walkable and active young city with more than 9,100 first class hotel rooms, all within easy walking distance of the critically acclaimed Colorado Convention Center," Scharf said.

Since IPW was last in Denver, The Mile High City has built two new sports stadiums, four new art museums, a new history museum, an opera house, a downtown theme park, more than a dozen new microbreweries, doubled the size of the convention center, and added 5,000 new hotel rooms and more than 200 new restaurants. 

"The last time IPW was in Denver, we ended with a John Denver concert by the lake in City Park overlooking the skyline and the Rocky Mountains," Scharf.  He said it was too early to announce plans for IPW 2018, but he promised equally spectacular events.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating more than 100 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Tourism is the second largest industry in Denver, generating $3.3 billion in annual spending in 2011, while supporting nearly 50,000 jobs. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER, on Twitter @iknowdenver and the VISIT DENVER Facebook page, or by phone at 800 2 DENVER.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:
Rich Grant: (303) 571-9450 or [email protected] 
Debbie Park: (303) 571-9451 or [email protected] 
Katie Converse: (303) 571-9418 or [email protected] 

SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau