Every year, the Travel Channel puts on a Travel Adventure Show extravaganza in several cities around the country.
I’ve missed previous years but this year I managed to plan better and ended up at the Los Angeles show that was actually held in Long Beach, California.
Are we there yet?
The 50 minute flight from Phoenix to Long Beach was smooth and carefree.
Proper advanced planning helped me snag a 16th floor Club Room at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach for the same price as a regular room. There are few perks that come with the room: free wifi, access to the Club Room filled with food, snacks, and drinks (liquor is a nominal fee). And to me, the best perk for a photographer such as myself is a great view of the Pine Avenue Pier.
Sunset over Pine Avenue Pier in Long Beach, California
After the spectacular sunset, I decided to venture 2 blocks into the downtown area to grab a bite to eat and check out the nightlife for a bit.
Neon nightlife in downtown Long Beach, California
The temperature hovered around 60 and it seemed that everyone who wasn’t eating at the pier was strolling on the crowded little streets.
The Show
Anyway, I woke up refreshed and had breakfast buffet at the Hyatt.
In addition, the hotel is right next to the Long Beach Convention Center with a walkway that goes almost up to the front door. The side door, however was closer and so I went inside that way.
Welcome to Long Beach Convention Center
Though the lines were long, thankfully, they moved rather quickly and we were entertained by a Polynesian band as we waited.
I spent most of my time on the first day listening to the speakers. There were 3 stages:
- Travel Channel Theater: for the top travel celebrities and authors
- Destination Theater: for in-depth destination specific information
- Savvy Traveler Theater: for tips and insider secrets
Rick Steves and Samantha Brown were two of the headliners while Angel Castellanos, Johnny Jet and Chris McGinnis took the other stages. Everyone told funny travel stories and provided a great wealth of tidbits and lessons learned.
Rick Steves and Samantha Brown are some of the headliners at the Travel Adventure Show in Long Beach, California
The show was very well attended – the LA Show is billed as the largest in the US – and it seemed like there were at least a thousand vendors and a million onlookers. My claustrophobia sometimes had me running to the exit doors for air!
Vendors galore at the Travel Adventure Show in Long Beach, California
And if you wanted to learn about diving in Bonaire, there was even a pool!
The Taste of Travel stage is where several chef’s sauteed and simmered and my mouth watered every time I passed by. It was always crowded whenever I stopped by and tried to see what they were cooking up. The tall people prevailed, unfortunately, I barely got a glimpse.
The Global Beats Stage featured different entertainers all day for both days. I certainly don’t remember seeing the same group twice.
Entertainment at Long Beach Convention Center
Also a few of the travel vendors put on a good show at their booths, especially some of the Asian countries that were represented there.
Of course, there were giveaways and contests for some expensive prizes. No, I didn’t win anything but I only entered two times…
Verdict
It was such a great show! Enough to keep me entertained for two whole days. Seriously. I gathered more pamphlets and free gifts than I could carry but then I’ll have lots of places to consider or reconsider as my next bucket list check-off.
I hope to do it again next year.
And I actually liked Long Beach from the little I saw of it but next time I come to this area – travel show or not – I’ll spend more time enjoying the pier. It looked like a wonderful place to stroll around in.
Special Note:
The Travel Adventure Show will be at the Washington DC Convention Center this very weekend (March 7 and 8, 2015) and I encourage all of my local friends to go. If you’re reading this, go to it if you can!
Danielle, the red, orange sky pic is beautiful. Great job!
Thank you so much, Dinesh!