For the last twenty years, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has crafted events for a thriving community of thousands of adventure travel professionals to gather, network, and learn from one another. Through these events, our collective dedication to collaboration, sustainability, and creative partnerships has spanned continents and created a globally connected network.
Whether you are a long time member or brand new to the adventure travel community, understanding the differences between ATTA-branded products and events – let alone deciding which to attend – can be tricky, even for seasoned veterans.
This article is intended to guide you toward finding the right match based on the type of company you represent in the adventure travel ecosystem, your professional goals, and individual interests.
What to Expect and Commonalities
Before we dive into breaking down the specifics of each ATTA event and product, let’s take a look at a few commonalities of what you can expect no matter which one you choose to attend, anywhere on the globe. In general, you can expect three key components: connection, education, and experience.
Connection happens through structured and unstructured networking opportunities scheduled throughout events. This includes Marketplace, where buyers and suppliers meet to discuss product offerings and goals, MediaConnect, where all delegates can meet media to coordinate working together, and the peer to peer sessions where delegates have the chance to share, collaborate, and learn from each other. More casual, unstructured opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and build relationships include the welcome reception, breaks between sessions, closing party, free nights in the destination, and the Day of Adventure.
Education is an integral part of ATTA events, including content on the latest trends, business topics, and thought leadership through panel discussions, speakers, and interactive roundtables. Hear from industry experts, leaders, and colleagues through participation in workshops and plenary sessions — all on topics relevant to adventure travel. A collaborative environment is a key feature, as delegates and attendees share and learn from one another.
Experience includes the more personal, intangible, and spontaneous attributes that makes ATTA events so memorable. Think of it as the difference between actual facetime and virtual FaceTime. Whether it is an epic welcome reception, Day of Adventure, or meeting a kindred spirit along the way, joining an in-person ATTA experience offers multiple opportunities for fun, connecting on a deeper level with a global community of like-minded individuals, and immersion in the host destination. A common refrain among ATTA event attendees is, “I have found my people.”
ATTA Events and Products
While all Adventure-branded events and products feature some key commonalities and attributes, now let's take a look at the differences between them and dive into features of each, from largest to smallest.
Adventure Travel World Summit
The Adventure Travel World Summit is the biggest event of the year for adventure travel professionals who work and play like no other industry. Over the course of four days, an estimated 600-800 tour operators, accommodations, destination representatives, adventure travel writers, industry partners, and thought leaders from across the globe gather as one like-minded community to explore travel trends, celebrate milestones, and develop new connections. Event highlights include innovative ideas from keynote speakers, panel presentations and workshops with expert voices, a marketplace for buyers and suppliers, a “Day of Adventure” to experience the host destination while networking on-the-go, and a MediaConnect session to pitch story ideas to international writers and editors.
The Adventure Travel World Summit is held annually in a different location around the globe.
Ideal for:
- Businesses looking for cutting edge thought leadership and inspiration, to form partnerships and grow their network, and to connect with friends and colleagues from across the globe at the biggest adventure travel event of the year
- Buyers and media who are interested in both the host destination and also global partnership opportunities to meet other destinations and brands attending the event
- Destinations and industry partners who are looking to showcase their brand to and build relationships with buyers, media, and adventure travel companies from around the globe
AdventureELEVATE
Originally developed for North America, AdventureELEVATE is now a regional event held across the globe. It is similar to the Summit, but a few key differences set it apart. For one, it is smaller in size – about 300-500 delegates versus the 600-800 of the Summit. Like the Adventure Travel World Summit, the three-day AdventureELEVATE brings the adventure travel community together for inspiration, education, and networking, but with regionally-focused insights and speakers. The smaller event size allows for more intimate networking opportunities for both first-time and veteran delegates. Delegates can expect an ATTA-quality Marketplace for pre-scheduled meetings between buyers and suppliers.
AdventureELEVATE is held once a year in each region (currently in North America, Latin America, and Europe).
Ideal for:
- Members of the ATTA community who want the key attributes of Summit but at a smaller, regionally-focused event to focus on region-specific challenges, innovation, and influence
- Businesses looking to grow and expand their network, form partnerships, and build connections
- Buyers and media who are interested in partnerships and opportunities in the destination where the event is hosted, as well as partnership opportunities with other destinations and brands attending the event (both regionally-based and global)
- Destinations and industry partners who are looking to showcase their brand to and build relationships with buyers, media from specific markets (ie Europe, North America, Latin America, etc.)
AdventureNEXT
AdventureNEXT helps put destinations on the adventure map. Smaller in size, AdventureNEXT is a host-focused, application-only event, held “on-demand” by destinations interested in positioning themselves as attractive for their natural resources, cultural heritage, or unique activities. Local suppliers, invited by the host destination, have the opportunity to present their products to international buyers and media through multi-day hosted adventures followed by a Marketplace and two days of keynote speakers and workshops designed especially for regional topics.
Ideal for:
- Host destinations and their suppliers looking to grow their adventure travel business, develop international partnerships, and put their destination and products on the global adventure map
- Buyers who want to expand their portfolio to include tours to the host destination
- Media who are interested in stories and experiences about the host destination
AdventureWeek
Designed by adventurers for adventurers, AdventureWeek is a fully-hosted adventure-based program designed for a small group of 10-20 buyers and media to experience complete immersion in the best adventure opportunities of a destination alongside an ATTA staff member. Each AdventureWeek concludes with a Marketplace day to connect with local suppliers. A multimedia storytelling team comes along, too, to document the trip, create cutting edge content, and promote the destination through visual content.
Ideal for:
- Destinations who are looking for high-quality connections with buyers and media, market activation, content creation, and education around adventure product development
- Buyers and media actively working to form partnerships, develop itineraries, and write about the host destination
AdventureFAM
An AdventureFAM brings together a vetted group of esteemed travel trade professionals (outdoor-focused tour operators, travel advisors, and media) to travel to a destination and experience a nature-based active itinerary. Host destinations receive access to key markets and support on itinerary curation, while tour operators, travel advisors, and media experience the destination through a fully-hosted adventure. Unlike AdventureWeek, AdventureFAM experiences are not co-hosted by the ATTA, there is no ATTA-organized Marketplace, and an ATTA team member does not travel on AdventureFAMs.
Ideal for:
- Destinations who would like to begin establishing relationships with the ATTA community of buyers and media
- Buyers and media from select key audiences and markets actively working to form partnerships, develop itineraries, and write about the host destination
AdventureConnect
Held all over the globe in various formats – from casual networking to group outings to panel discussions – AdventureConnects are typically a few hours long and offer a chance to meet with folks who live or work in that region. They are hosted locally in major cities or hubs or at tourism conferences, expos, and events where the adventure travel community naturally gathers. Since they are mostly free to attend and only require registering as an ATTA community member, AdventureConnects are a fantastic introduction to the ATTA – come meet the team and learn more! Nothing nearby? You can also attend a monthly member connect (which happens virtually in the ATTA Member HUB) and is led by members of our membership team.
Ideal for:
- Anyone new to the ATTA looking to meet and make connections with adventure travel professionals in a casual, fun, and educational setting.
- Destinations and industry partners who are interested in co-hosting the events to showcase their product and brands to ATTA community
Other Considerations
Beyond the descriptions above, members often choose to attend specific events for more singular, personal reasons. While not an exhaustive list, these can include:
Who else is attending
The ATTA publishes a list of attending delegates for Adventure Travel World Summit and AdventureELEVATE events to allow the adventure travel community to know in advance who else is going. Sometimes members may decide to attend because they want to reconnect or connect with a colleague, potential partner, or media member who will also be there.
Destination interest
Whether personal or professional, all travelers have specific destinations that hold special interest to them. Many members choose to attend an event for the simple reason that it is held somewhere they have always wanted to visit, and offers chance for professional development and business opportunities with the host destination.
Scheduling and accessibility
From personal lives and busy schedules to the cost and carbon footprint of long haul flights, there are a number of reasons members may only be able to attend one event that is close to home or at a particular time of year. Finding one that best fits your schedule and lifestyle is a key reason the ATTA works to ensure all events and products meet the ATTA seal of approval.
Start small
For anyone brand new to the adventure travel industry or to the ATTA, a great place to start is by attending an AdventureConnect. Here, attendees can meet other ATTA members in that area, talk to an ATTA staff member who can answer any questions about what we do, and hear from others about their experience at ATTA events. Then, once you are ready to continue growing within the community, be sure to check if there is an upcoming AdventureELEVATE in your region!
Ready to go?
All upcoming ATTA events can be viewed on the event homepage. As previously mentioned, participation in AdventureFAM, AdventureWeek, and AdventureNEXT is by application or invitation only.
There is still time to register for the upcoming Adventure Travel World Summit in Panama City, Panama, held 7-10 October 2024.
Registration has just opened for AdventureELEVATE North America, which will be held in Denver, Colorado, USA from 28-30 May 2025.
Are you a destination interested in hosting an ATTA event? Learn more about our Signature Events and Market Activation solutions, and use the Get in Touch form to be connected to the right team member for your region.
To stay up to date with all event announcements, you can:
- Subscribe to ATTA emails, and update your communication preferences
- Follow the ATTA on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
- Join the ATTA’s online community, the HUB
- Connect with your community lead for any further questions about events, and how to make the most of your ATTA membership!
