The 2018 TMS Family Travel Conference in Gallup, NM
(This Conference was sponsored my TMS Family Travel as well as this year's Sponsors. However, the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own. You can read my full disclosure here.)
Have you ever heard of the TMS Family Travel Conference?
The TMS Family Travel Conference is an Anual Conferenceenece bringing together top family travel writers, brands & destinations to discuss the latest in "trends, technique, and technologies" for the family travel industry, featuring family travel experts, products and destinations.
Each year this conference is hosted at a different incredible family-friendly destination across the country. This year the Conference was held in Gallup, New Mexico which is only an 8 ½ hour drive away from where we live (while not traveling that is). Yey for road trips!
As soon as I heard about the TMS Conference, I knew I just had to go. Though I didn't hear about this conference until the last minutes I decided to apply to attend along with my husband. The application for travel writers includes information about your publication (for me that was this blog & social channels) as well as samples of recently published work. The TMS Staff carefully vets each applicant, not just looking for the size of your following but the quality of your following (yeah engagement is a big thing.). If you are accepted than the whole event (conference, food, accommodations, and FAM activities are completely hosted. All you have to do is get there!
I was told that they get hundreds of applications every year but keep this conference small. normally about 70ish people including speaker and sponsors so the competition is real. Which is why I was both humbled and really excited when I received word that our application was accepted.
For this conference, we were set up at the Days Inn at Redrock right on Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico. Not the most glamorous place we have ever stayed in mind you. But it was clean, well kept and had great service. Really a perfect budget-friendly accommodation for families visiting the area. (stay tuned for my review)
The Conference itself was held at the Red Rock Convention Center (which was covered in amazing western murals) This year we had speakers from The Disney Public Relations & Public Affairs, Carnival Cruise Line, Beaches & and Sandles Resorts, Go RVing, MMGY Global And an Adventure Travel panel. On the second day of the conference, they even have a speed networking event where we were able to sit down with each of the sponsors/destination representatives in attendance to talk about how we could work together.
What did I learn? A lot. But a few that come immediately to mind are that engagement is more important than just numbers and brands/ destinations are starting to realize this. Creating Videos is becoming even more important every year. (I guess it means I have to get over my insecurities and get filming.) People are looking for Authentic Vacations (though the definition of what is Authentic varies from person to person.)Adventure travel isn't just about physical activities but trying new things. Pinterest is a great tool when used right and can really drive traffic.
In between the exceptional classes we got to have many amazing experiences showcasing what Gallup has to offer families visiting the area. To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect from New Mexico (let alone Gallup which isn't even one of their larger cities). it is one of the few states in the US that I hadn't yet visited. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed our stay in Gallup. It is a unique city found right on the historic Route 66. It is surrounded by Native American tribes on all sides so the area is saturated in Native American Art & Culture. My husband and I totally fell in love with New Mexico and now are planning to go back this time with our kids.
Here are a few of my favorite experiences in Gallup:
After dinner our second night in Gallup we were entertained with Native American Dancing (performed by a talented local Native American family). Most Native American Dances are part of sacred ceremonies and are not to be recorded. This dance, however, was a traditional yet non-ceremonial so I was allowed to take videos and photos. The grace and beauty of these dances performed brought a sense of awe to everyone present.
After dinner, we were shuttled to a nearby stadium where we got to watch a balloon glow (where the Hot Air balloons are filled and then the lights are all turned off so the night is let by the flames shot into the balloons. It was super cool. Afterward, we got to make delicious smores (courtesy of Go RVing.) Have you ever made a s'more with a Reeces Peanut Butter Cup? Well, they are amazing!
The next morning my husband and I got up bright and early to go on our very first Hot Air Balloon Ride (in the same balloons that had done the balloon glow the night before. (stay tuned for a post all about our first Hot Air Balloon Experience). Thanks Redrock Balloon Rally!
Later that day we got to explore some of the venues downtown. (Specifically: Tanner's Indian arts, Gallup Native Arts Market, City Electric Shoe Shop, Callup Coffee Sop, Sammy C's Rockin Sports Grille, & the El Morro Theater.) Then we went to the Perry Null Trading Company where we were each given a beautiful Xuni necklace made from died corn (my daughter totally claimed mine when we got home.
After our speed networking hour, we were given a cattle roping and bull riding demonstration and I even got to try to rope a fake cattle. I was horrible at it but gained an even greater appreciation for those who have developed the skill.
Dinner the last night was at the El Rancho Hotel. An old western hotel right on Route 66 that many famous movies stars once stayed at (Ronald Regan, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Lucille Ball, Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, The Marx Brothers etc. After Dinner (where we were serenaded by a local band that was quite good) we got to go on a tour of the hotel. We even got to look through the rooms the Marx Brother's stayed at once upon a time.
At the end of the even they have a special giveaway with beautifully crafted products donated by local businesses...and guess what?!? We WON! My husband won a beautiful Native American blanket. The colors were vibrant yet classy and it was soo Soft. I won a hand carved Zuni Fetish.
What else should I mention about the conference?... Hmmm, the food was amazing? I didn't think I liked Spanish food, but the authentic enchiladas, tacos, tamales, beans etc were all soooo delicious. I have been spoiled for life. Our food for the conference was hosted by local venues (Anthony’s Taste of the South West restaurant, Hilton Garden Inn, El Rancho Hotel, Glenn's Bakery, Camille's Sidewalk Cafe, Burchies, Pizza 9 Gallup) and there wasn't a single thing I tried that I didn't love.
Oh the TMS conference is intentionally kept small (about 70-75 people including sponsors and speakers) so that you have the chance to really network and become family as Joanne Vero (the amazing lady behind the TMS Family Travel Conference) would tell us. I made soo many great friends and contacts while at the conference it really was just where we needed to be to take our business to the next level.
If you are a Family Travel Writer, Blogger, Podcaster or Youtuber I highly recommend checking out and applying to attend next year's TMS Family Travel Conference. Seriously if I only go to one conference a year this would be it. Learn More -->MORE<--
