My Women in Travel Summit Review
Why WITS Was the Conference I Didn’t Know I Needed
If you’ve spent even five minutes with me, you’ll know one thing: I’m obsessed with blog conferences. They’re the perfect blend of learning, networking, and fun, and I always leave with a full notebook and even fuller heart.
So when I discovered that the Women in Travel Summit (WITS) conference was coming to my hometown of Salt Lake City, there was no hesitation. I clicked “register” faster than you can say, “travel blogger paradise.”
And wow, was it worth it!
What Made WITS Worth Attending – Women in Travel Summit Review
Let me back up for a second. Just a couple of months before, I had attended a travel conference in Playa del Carmen. (Sounds dreamy, right? But it wasn’t quite my vibe—too much fluff, not enough actionable tips.) That’s why I was cautiously optimistic about WITS.
Spoiler alert: WITS exceeded my expectations in every way. From the moment I joined their vibrant Facebook group, I could tell this wasn’t going to be your average conference.
Conversations were buzzing, connections were forming, and within days, I had organized a 16-person dinner with my fellow travel bloggers. (Okay, we had to split into two groups because no restaurant could handle us!)
One thing I LOVE about WITS is that it’s an on-going thing. They meet every year in a different city, so you don’t just meet people once, you have a chance to create on-going partnerships year after year. WITS is the only conference I’ve seen that has a huge repeat attendance.
You also LEARN a ton about making money as a travel blogger
- Real travel-industry education
- You get to schmooze with some big name travel bloggers (they are usually very gracious and helpful)
- Better networking than online groups alone
- Sponsorship and affiliate opportunities
- The value of recurring conferences
- Why staying onsite matters
- The fun and destination experiences
A conference ticket does not magically produce revenue, but it can create introductions, sponsorship opportunities, affiliate relationships, collaboration partners, and skills that make the blog more profitable.
But then, you’ve got to go home and implement what you’ve learned. That’s where the wheels come off sometimes….
Glitz, Glam, and Genuine Connections
The WITS team gets it. They know how to craft an event that balances education, networking, and sheer fun. Here’s a little taste of what made this conference unforgettable:
- Epic Social Events: From a fancy kickoff party at the Natural History Museum to a glamorous dinner at Deer Valley Resort, every evening felt like a VIP experience. And let’s not forget the scavenger hunt in Park City—racing down historic Main Street with my new friends was a blast.
- Unique Local Adventures: Want to go whiskey tasting? Take a photography tour on the Salt Flats? How about glassblowing? WITS had it all. Spoiler – I chose the whiskey tasting and the Family History Center tour.
- Incredible Opportunities: The conference floor was buzzing with vendors eager to collaborate. By the end of the weekend, I had locked in a couple of sponsorship deals and scoped out some fabulous affiliate programs.
Learning with a Side of Laughter
The workshops were top-notch, too. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, WITS offers something for everyone. I left sessions with actionable advice on SEO, email marketing, and diversifying income streams. The keynote speakers? Inspiring and unfiltered—just the way I like them. And we featured several well-known WITS authors:
Home-Court Advantage
One of the perks of hosting a conference in your hometown is, well, convenience. But let me tell you—stay at the hotel. I made the rookie mistake of commuting to a conference once, and never again. You miss the late-night conversations and risk falling into the “Oh, I’ll just check emails” trap.
This time, I stayed at the iconic Little America Hotel, and they treated me like royalty—even when my A/C broke on night one. Within minutes, the staff upgraded me to a better room and personally moved my bags within minutes. It’s the little things, you know?
Already Packing for Next Year
This conference left me so energized that I didn’t hesitate to grab my ticket for WITS 2025 in Lower Manhattan. If you’re a travel blogger (or even thinking about becoming one), I can’t recommend it enough.
And hey, if you want more tips for making the most of conferences, swing by my other blog, Your Fairy Techmother. I’ve got packing lists, insider advice, and a complete guide to all the best blog conferences in the U.S.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll see you at the next WITS—and we can toast to new adventures and even better blog content. 🍸
Looking back, WITS was valuable because it gave me more than a fun weekend. I left with practical ideas, new industry contacts, possible partnerships, and a much clearer sense of where travel blogging could go next. That is what a good professional conference should do.
