TBEX

05/31/2026

From blogging in internet cafés without a laptop… to building an 8-figure travel media business.

Will Hatton, founder of The Broke Backpacker - Adventure Travel Blog, has spent the last 15 years proving that there’s no single path to success in travel media. Long before “digital nomad” became a buzzword, Will was sleeping in train stations, living out of a tent, and documenting adventures across the world on a shoestring budget.

Today, he’s launched more than 30 business ventures, built one of the most recognizable travel brands in the backpacking space, and operates the world’s first custom-built digital nomad co-working hostel in Bali.

At TBEX Asia 2026 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Will will present his two-part session:

13 Lessons from 13 Years of Travel Blogging

Expect honest insights, hard-earned lessons, entrepreneurial realities, and practical takeaways from somebody who has seen nearly every side of the travel creator industry, including the failures most people never talk about.

Whether you’re building a blog, growing a media brand, diversifying revenue streams, or simply trying to stay relevant in a rapidly changing creator economy, this session promises real-world perspective from one of travel blogging’s original pioneers.

05/28/2026

In just a few short months, TBEX Summit America is going to kick off in a way only Visit Fargo-Moorhead can.

Picture this: craft drinks from Drekker Brewing, heavy appetizers, flash tattoos, live energy, creative chaos, and a room packed with travel creators, destination marketers, storytellers, and industry insiders all ready to make connections that could shape the next year of their business.

Our Opening Night Party at Brewhalla is not your average conference mixer. It’s the kind of atmosphere where collaborations start over cocktails, creators discover their next story angle, and attendees immediately understand why Fargo proudly calls itself “North of Normal.”

Already registered?
Get ready, because this is going to be a great one!

Still thinking about attending?
This is your sign. TBEX Fargo is bringing together bold creators, innovative destinations, and unforgettable experiences, starting with one seriously fun opening night.

Come for the conference. Stay for the atmosphere, the people, and the stories waiting to happen.

Register now before rates increase and space disappears: https://tbex.regfox.com/tbex-summit-america-2026-fargo

05/28/2026

Your perspective matters and we want to hear it.

The deadline for the Stay22 x TBEX Contest is almost here… applications close June 1, 2026. If you’ve been sitting on an idea that could help shape the future of travel content creation, monetization, audience engagement, or the creator industry as a whole, now’s the time to share it.

Whether your idea is bold, practical, experimental, or completely outside the box, this is your chance to put it in front of people who genuinely care about where this industry goes next.

🏆 Prizes include:
• $2,500 Grand Prize
• $1,500 and $1,000 Runner-Up Awards
• TBEX tickets for the Top 5 ideas

Submitting is simple:
🎥 A quick 30-second video
📄 A one-slide summary

Apply now: https://www.stay22.com/tbex-contest

05/26/2026

At TBEX North America in Richmond, accessibility is part of the hospitality experience, not an afterthought.

We’re proud to partner with Visit Richmond VA to help create a more welcoming conference environment for all attendees through several accessibility initiatives taking place throughout the event.

This year’s accessibility offerings, provided by Richmond, include:
• A dedicated Zen Zone quiet space in Room B15 of the convention center
• Live captions during keynote sessions
• Audio description support for attendees who are blind or have low vision
• Complimentary sensory support items available at the Visit Richmond information tables all conference long

Travel storytelling becomes stronger when more people can fully participate in the experience.

Learn more about accessibility resources in Richmond here:
https://www.visitrichmondva.com/plan/accessibility-richmond-va/

05/20/2026

We’re excited to welcome Andrew Wilder of NerdPress to TBEX North America 2026 in Richmond for:

It’s Not Accessibility, It’s Hospitality: What Every Publisher Should Know About Welcoming Readers

What if accessibility isn’t about compliance… but about hospitality?

In this insightful session, Andrew Wilder explores how better accessibility creates better experiences for all readers while helping creators build more welcoming, trustworthy, and audience-friendly platforms.

If your content is meant to connect with people, this conversation matters.

📍 Richmond, Virginia
📅 June 23–26, 2026
🌐 TBEXCon.com

05/19/2026

Big news for TBEX Asia in Almaty, Kazakhstan!

Because of the incredible excitement and momentum surrounding this event, TBEX is moving to a new venue to create an even bigger and more elevated experience for our attendees, partners, and creators.

We’re thrilled to announce that TBEX Asia will now take place at the stunning The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty.

Set high above the city with breathtaking mountain views, world-class hospitality, and an unforgettable setting, this new venue reflects the caliber of conversations, networking, storytelling, and global connections happening at TBEX.

We cannot wait to welcome the travel creator community to one of Central Asia’s most exciting destinations in a venue that truly matches the energy around this event.

Learn more about our new host venue here:
The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/alarz-the-ritz-carlton-almaty/overview/

05/16/2026

05/15/2026

Big ideas, bold storytelling, and the brands helping power the conversations shaping the future of travel content creation.

A huge thank you to our growing lineup of sponsors and partners for TBEX North America in Richmond, Virginia, June 23–26. From destinations and tourism boards to travel technology and transportation partners, these organizations are helping connect creators, storytellers, and industry leaders from around the world.

We’re excited to welcome support from:
• Rokitplace
• Kazakh Tourism
• Visit Williamsburg
• Amtrak
• Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
• GigSky
• Chickasaw Country
• Stay22

And this is just a small snapshot. 👀
Richmond is shaping up to be one of our most dynamic events yet!

See every brand and destination who'll be joining us there: https://tbexcon.com/tbex-north-america-2026/tbex-north-america-2026-sponsors/

05/15/2026

Speaker Announcement: Bianca Alba Joins TBEX North America 2026

We’re excited to welcome Bianca Alba, Founder of This Latina Travels, to TBEX North America 2026 in Richmond, Virginia, June 23–26, 2026.

Session Title:
Beyond the Feed: Building a Travel Brand That is Not Reliant on Social Media

Based in Puerto Rico, Bianca Alba is a storyteller, speaker, and community builder helping creators develop intentional, sustainable brands rooted in authenticity rather than trends. Through nearly a decade of experience in travel content creation, podcasting, and creator leadership, she has built This Latina Travels into a purpose-driven platform centered on community, voice, and meaningful storytelling.

This session is designed for creators ready to build a brand people remember, trust, and follow beyond the algorithm.

05/12/2026

Some stories don’t just grow an audience… they change the way people see the world.

We’re excited to welcome Travel with Balnur as a speaker at TBEX Asia 2026 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, August 20–23.

Known for thoughtful storytelling from destinations many travelers misunderstand, Balnur has built a powerful personal brand rooted in curiosity, cultural connection, and authenticity over sensationalism. Through her travels in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan, she challenges fear-driven narratives and replaces them with human stories that create trust, empathy, and meaningful engagement.

At TBEX Asia 2026, Balnur will present:

🎤 Turning Fear Into Followers: How Traveling to “Misunderstood” Places Builds Powerful Personal Brands

In this session, attendees will explore how creators can move beyond clickbait storytelling to create content that builds long-term credibility, stronger audience loyalty, and deeper emotional connection.

Topics include:

• Turning fear-based destinations into trust-driven stories
• Building authentic personal brands through cultural connection
• Replacing shock value with credibility and long-term audience growth
• Using language and local interaction to deepen storytelling
• Avoiding common mistakes when filming in misunderstood places
• Attracting loyal followers and meaningful brand partnerships through authenticity

This session is a reminder that some of the most impactful travel storytelling happens when creators are willing to listen longer, stay curious, and show audiences the humanity behind the headlines.

📍 Almaty, Kazakhstan
📅 August 20–23, 2026