I came across a riddle that stuck to my mind when I visited the 2025 Travel and Adventure Show in Dallas, Texas.
“When does going away bring people together?”
The answer, of course, is travel. Physically together by way of shared geography, socially together through shared travel experiences, and emotionally together through learning about each other (and ourselves) along the way.
We can all relate to the beginning of a friendly conversation with phrases like “Oh you’ve never been here?…let me show you the way” or perhaps “Oh you’ve been there too?” Travel is a common language.
With this togetherness concept in mind, I was abundantly pleased to gather with thousands of like-minded guests at this year’s Travel Show.
A Little Background before We Go
If you’re not familiar with the Travel & Adventure Show, allow me to share with you about this iconic Travel Show series.
Of note, it’s the largest Travel Show in the U.S., serving as a one-stop hub where both seasoned travelers and first-timers can gather a wealth of information, all in one place. See here for a previous article on our initial visit to the Show.
It offers guests a comprehensive platform to discover new travel destinations and book upcoming trips. With rows upon rows of destinations, hotels, cruises, and tour operators on-site, attendees have access to valuable information and expert insights to help plan their future travel adventures.
Join me as I provide a taste of the experience at the 2025 Travel & Adventure Show at Dallas Market Hall in Dallas, Texas.
Travel Show Experiences
Location & Exhibits
In terms of accessibility, the location was well selected. Central to the Dallas areas, the Dallas Market Hall is right off the interstate and easy to locate. Parking was free, though the parking spaces themselves were extraordinarily narrow (I suppose it’s good to allow free parking to as many people as possible, right?).
Entry was simple and straightforward with signage pointing to where to purchase entry tickets. I do suggest checking online first as sometimes they have pre-show deals and early bird discounts.
Once inside, you are faced with a challenging decision right off the bat. How should you attempt to tackle this vast array of inviting exhibits just beckoning to scratch that travel itch?
The exhibitions are clustered by geographic area (e.g, “Texas” section in one area and “Europe section” in another section). You can go cluster to cluster in an organized fashion or, as my wife preferred, just jump right in and let the flow emerge as you go.
It was through her chaotic yet effective strategy that led us to one of our favorite exhibits, the Canada Revealed booth. In speaking with Owner/Founder Anjuli Bhatia and her team, we learned of the very tailored work that goes into crafting boutique Canadian “rugged luxury” adventures.
Never been to Canada. Want to go now.
This Year’s Speakers
There are three stages set with a scheduled lineup of travel experts.
The content for each stage is distinct. The Destination Theater, as the name implies, highlights specific places to provide a deep dive into what makes that particular destination unique.
For us, we checked out several of the Destination Theater presentations including by the Explore Branson team. It was a standout, as we were delighted to see them present a show by the talented Matt Gumm followed by an overview of Branson’s eclectic entertainment scene.
The Branson destination rapidly climbed my bucket list as I learned that there are serene water options (think, lakes…several of them) nearby the better-known glitz of Branson’s iconic entertainment. The Explore Branson representatives including Joslyn Schott and Jada Twitchell gave generous time to answer our questions, leaving a very positive impression of the hospitality guests can expect when visiting.
The Savvy Traveler Theater offers pro tips and travel hacks to make sure your next travel experience is on point. Travel experts like Lee Abbamonte, Angel Castellanos, and Russell Hannon graced the stage with user-friendly advice.
Several featured speakers on the Travel Theater stage offered a depth of travel wisdom, including explorer/photographer Chris Burkard and points expert Scott Mayerowitz.
A major headliner this year, Andrew McCarthy (yes, THAT Andrew McCarthy, of “Brat Pack” fame), offered intimate details of his travel experiences. More importantly, he noted, it’s what he learned throughout the travel experiences and the influence on his mindset regarding travel opportunities.
Make sure you check the speakers schedule to see all the different topics covered by the expert presenters. Also, remember to confirm the timing of your desired presentations.
New for the 2025 Travel Show
There were several new aspects of this year’s Show as compared with the 2024 Travel Show.
Several new exhibitors made their debuts this year, including Explore Branson and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee representatives.
For those inclined, there were even opportunities to test drive a Tesla in the parking lot and practice your golf swing with unique products by Travel Q Golf Zone.
From my perspective, the eye-catching creativity of the exhibits seems to elevate year after year. Visiting the exhibit by Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, visitors could snap green-screen photos with their own personal selection of exotic backgrounds. I got a great snapshot of me next to a tornado, looking astoundingly brave in the face of severe weather.
We can’t forget to mention the trip giveaways and substantial show-only savings. For what it’s worth, don’t bother trying to win a prize by guessing the number of shark teeth…I feel pretty confident that my guess already nailed it.
We also enjoyed seeing on-site representation by passport officials to help support passport acquisition.
Several of the Show’s sponsors, including AAA Travel, were also well represented with prominent displays near the front entrance.
Insights from CEO John Golicz
I spoke with John Golicz, CEO of the Travel & Adventure Show, and he offered insights into this year’s show in Dallas.
First, much to the delight of my Texan heart, Mr. Golicz noted that “it’s bigger this year…the Texas section is growing”. This much was clear when visiting the “Texas section”, a collection of exhibitors representing various destinations throughout the Lone Star State.
Now in it’s 21st year, I was curious about the sustained success of the format. I asked Mr. Golicz what he considers to be a “successful” Travel Show.
He described the firm emphasis on quality and authenticity of the exhibitors and guest speakers, recognized the Show’s financial sponsors, and emphasized the efforts of hard-working staff.
Notably, he resisted the opportunity to credit himself though perhaps the CEO’s established leadership track speaks for itself.
Creating the Show’s “Magic”
Further, Mr. Golicz shared a critical ingredient of the Travel Show success, a way that the Show sets itself apart from other travel industry events and online forums. Here, at the Travel & Adventure Show, visitors are active participants in gathering travel knowledge suited to their individual tastes.
Unlike passively watching YouTube videos and social media reels, visitors get to ask questions from informed exhibitors in real-time.
What makes an informed exhibitor, you may ask? In most cases, the authenticity comes from the fact that the exhibitors actually live in the destinations that they represent.
They can tell you the best restaurant in town because…they ate there last Tuesday. They’ll share with you the most convenient means of transportation throughout the area because…that’s how they get around every day.
Exhibitors will also take you deep beyond the photos in the brochures, like how local traditions got started and why they’re still important today.
Take, for example, Terry Natwick of Discover Crystal River Florida, who regaled us with stories of careful preservation of marine environments related to manatee presence in the area. Do you know the connection between Jacques Cousteau and the manatee population in Crystal River? Check them out to learn more.
Final Thoughts on the 2025 Show
What truly made this travel show stand out was the sense of authenticity that permeated every interaction. The presenters and exhibitors at the show weren’t just promoting places; they were sharing the heart of those destinations—what made them special, the stories they tell, and the unique experiences travelers could have.
This focus on authenticity makes the whole travel planning process more enjoyable and fulfilling, as travelers are given the opportunity to truly connect with the essence of each location…and each other!
In many ways, these interactions were an extension of the kind of camaraderie that travelers often experience when they meet others on the road—discussions about the hidden gems of a particular city, shared tips for a seamless trip, or even anecdotes from their own adventures.
Travel has always been about connection—whether it’s connecting with locals, fellow travelers, or even with oneself in new environments. This travel show encapsulated the sense of community, not just through the discussions with exhibitors but through the atmosphere of the event.
Travel Show CEO John Golicz offered this helpful pearl: “Travel as a guest and the world is your oyster”. This is a firm reference to the power of humility when encountering new people and lands. Rather than demanding conformity to your way of doing things, humbly learn about other people, cultures, and environments. It is door-opening.
So to return to our initial riddle, when does going away bring people together? Well, if the popularity of the Travel & Adventure Show is any indication…travel is indeed the answer.
Check out the Travel Show’s official website Travel & Adventure Series for the latest updates, schedules, and to buy tickets for the next Show near you. Find them on social media and remember #DallasTravelShow.
Happy Travels,
Dr. L
Founder, PsychologyofTravel.com
Disclosure: Special thanks to Travel & Adventure Show – Dallas for sponsoring our entry ticket admission, media credentialing, and courtesy media photos. All opinions remain my own and an honest attempt to review my experiences for my readers and followers. For more information, see our disclosure statement.