TBEX

BlogWorld is pleased to announce the acquisition of the world’s largest conference for travel bloggers, TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange). BlogWorld will take over all production and operations for TBEX events and use our experience to help TBEX and the travel blogging community grow. Travel bloggers can expect to see the same commitment to quality educational sessions and networking at TBEX events that BlogWorld has become known for, and TBEX will continue to be held at unique travel destination venues.

While this may seem like a surprise move for BlogWorld to some, it’s really a no brainer. In fact, the TBEX story shared some similarity to BlogWorld’s at its inception.

Kim Mance, TBEX’s founder explains, “When I first got into travel blogging, I was amazed by the friendliness of this community of people with a similar passion online. After a couple of years, I was dying to meet many of the bloggers I already ‘knew’ virtually, as well as be face-to-face with members of the industry I’d worked with. It turned out others felt the same…and an event was born, which doubled in size each year.”

Putting together a conference each year became a challenge for Kim, however. “As a writer with a love for new media, event planning was just never my strong point, and it became clear we needed to get some pros to come in and save the day with logistics and planning. To my delight, while looking at hiring event planners, I got a call from BlogWorld’s CEO, Rick, and we began to talk about TBEX instead being acquired and run by a group who could really help take the event to the next level. ”

“BlogWorld’s mission has always been to help all bloggers, podcasters and WebTV producers succeed and grow their businesses,” says Rick. “We approached Kim about making TBEX a part of the BlogWorld family because it is the largest and best travel blogging event in the world. We think it’s a perfect fit, and we think we can help TBEX continue on its amazing growth path here in the United States and around the world.”

So far the reaction among travel bloggers has been favorable. Mary Jo Manzanares, a travel blogger, flight attendant and Track Leader at BlogWorld L.A.’s Travel Track in 2011 sees it as a positive beginning, “Entrepreneurial spirit meets travel passion in this acquisition, and the result is a winning combination for travel bloggers. With BlogWorld we can be assured of a professionally run, top-notch event, providing us with unparalleled opportunities to learn, share, and grow. There are exciting times ahead of us.”

Andy Hayes, also known online as “That Travel Guy” concurs, “I’m excited about the TBEX announcement.” he said, “Blogworld has always been a place for online publishers of all kinds to come together to share ideas and innovations; this move will be a huge boon to the travel blogging industry.”

Beth Whitman, a travel blogger who attends both TBEX and BlogWorld also feels the acquisition is a good move. “The acquisition of TBEX by Blog World Expo makes perfect sense. This will give TBEX the chance to grow into a world class blogging event while increasing BWE’s reach deeper into a niche it is already working with. ” Beth adds, “I’m thrilled to see the marriage of these two great organizations – a large network of travel bloggers with a well-established event that can offer professional resources that will ultimately help this community grow their businesses. ”

Jennifer Miner, one of the industry’s most followed travel bloggers, and past speaker at both BlogWorld and TBEX said, “It’s wonderful news that Blog World has bought TBEX and will now run the annual travel bloggers’ conference. It’s not often that two companies I enjoy so greatly come together like this. As an organized person, I’ve often thought that TBEX could benefit from a more precise approach to conference-running. As a travel blogger, I’ve often thought that BlogWorld could benefit from, well, more travel bloggers! We’re a lively bunch, after all. The synergy of the two groups is exciting. We travel bloggers are about to see what it’s like to have an internationally respected, well-run, and important conference all our own. The new ownership ensures that travel bloggers and bloggers of other niches can learn from each other, enhance our professional skills, and continue to grow.”

BlogWorld will now take over regular operations of all TBEX accounts including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and we’re already working on a plan for Pinterest. We look forward to spending time getting to know the TBEX community as we move forward to our first event as the new owners of TBEX. We hope all travel bloggers will join us June 15 – 17 in Keystone, CO, at the Keystone Resort & Convention Center.

“I think TBEX + BlogWorld is a win for everyone in the travel blogging community, many of whom are really looking to make this their full-time career if it isn’t already,” says Kim. “Having the preeminent and largest travel blogging conference in the world now run by event professionals passionate about new media is a perfect fit. It not only ups everyone’s visibility and credibility, but things will be run more smoothly, allowing attendees to really maximize all the learning and networking opportunities at the TBEX events. I’m excited.”

We’re excited too.