Buyer Registration Overview
Invitations
For tour operators who desire to expand or develop new itineraries to the most popular travel region in the country, Showcase is the primary source to experience the authentic South! More than 200 suppliers from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia along with representatives from major national hotel companies, restaurants and casinos anxiously await the opportunity to help qualified Buyers plan itineraries and ultimately enhance revenues.Invitations are extended to Travel Buyers and Tour Operators that meet qualifying criteria:
- Buyers must be full-time employees involved in tour planning, contracting and itinerary development.
- Buyers must be prepared to supply a business license, IATA or Federal Tax ID number to qualify.
- Buyers may be asked to submit itineraries or letters of recommendation from southern suppliers.
- Receptive operators can attend if the company does outbound business in at least three (3) Travel South USA states.
- All registrations are subject to review of the Showcase Committee. Travel South USA may request additional information in the qualifying process.
Registration Policy and Fees
Included with the registration fee is participation in the Showcase Marketplace appointment sessions, three (3) nights complimentary hotel accommodations at a host hotel (a $500 value), social functions, city tours and activities which are part of the official program. FAM tours can be added for an additional $50 per person per tour.The Buyer registration fee is $395.00 until November 22, 2019. Beginning November 23, 2019, the registration fee increases to $450.00. Payment may be made by company check or online via credit card. All payments are due to TSUSA prior to December 13, 2019 or immediately upon registration thereafter.
In an effort to maximize the Showcase experience, more than one appointment-taking Buyer delegate may attend from each company as long as the additional delegate(s) is an employee of the company, participates in the tour planning process and will benefit from meeting with Suppliers. The registration fee for additional appointment-taking delegates with shared accommodations is $250.00. If separate hotel accommodations are preferred, additional delegates may register at the regular Buyer registration fee ($395.00 Early Bird or $450.00 Regular). Each delegate will have an individual appointment book.
Buyer delegates that would like to register a non-appointment-taking delegate (includes spouses, guests or appointment-sharing delegates) may contact Travel South USA to add the additional registration. Non-appointment delegates are welcome to attend all social functions and may share a room with the primary delegate. However, non-appointment guests and spouses are not permitted to participate in the Marketplace sessions. The fee for a non-appointment registration is $450.00.
All participants must be over the age of 21.
All appointment-taking Buyer delegates must have individual pre-scheduled appointment books. Attendance is mandatory for all pre-scheduled appointments. The Marketplace sessions take place in the Exhibit Hall at the the Baton Rouge River Center.
Travel South USA strives to maintain a strict ratio of Buyer and Supplier delegates. Buyer registrations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis and may be subject to category qualifications in addition to an invitation.
There is a $50.00 fee for delegate name changes after Febrary 21, 2020.
Cancellation and Refunds
Cancellation policy: Full refund with written cancellation prior to December 12, 2019. 50% refund with written cancellation received between December 13, 2019 and January 22, 2020. There are no refunds after 5:00pm January 22, 2020. There are no exceptions.