Buyer Types & Eligibility Criteria

International Leisure Buyers source and purchase U.S. travel products for sale to outbound travelers in their respective markets.

Applicants may represent:

• International tour operators
• International travel wholesalers
• Online travel agencies
• Internationally based receptive operators

The applicant must:

• Be directly responsible for sourcing, developing, negotiating or contracting U.S. travel products
• Have purchasing authority or directly influence product and contracting decisions
• Attend IPW to develop, contract or expand bookable U.S. travel programs
• Be able to negotiate and contract products directly or through receptive tour operators or DMCs
• Have the ability to package travel and work with commissionable or contracted rates

Applicants should normally reside and work in the country under which they register. An applicant based in the United States may qualify only when purchasing products exclusively for an international parent company, not for third-party B2B wholesale distribution.

The organization must:

• Have the sale of travel as a primary business activity
• Actively sell or distribute U.S. travel products
• Offer bookable products throughout the year
• Have the ability to view and secure travel inventory
• Be registered to sell travel through BSP, ARC or IATA, or belong to a recognized travel trade association
• Feature travel products through a functioning website, brochure or tariff

Representatives attending primarily to sell their organization’s marketing, technology, advertising or distribution services do not qualify as International Leisure Buyers.

International MICE Buyers source and secure U.S. destinations, venues, accommodations and services for business events, incentive programs, corporate meetings and group travel.

Applicants may represent:

• Incentive, corporate or business travel agencies
• Full-service incentive houses
• Professional conference or congress organizers
• International institutes, federations or associations that organize meetings, conventions or congresses internationally

The applicant must:

• Have direct responsibility for planning, organizing, recommending, sourcing or financially approving international business events
• Have the authority to select or recommend U.S. destinations, venues, accommodations or event services
• Be able to negotiate and contract products directly or through receptive tour operators or DMCs
• Attend IPW to source and develop future U.S.-based meetings, events or incentive programs

Qualifying responsibilities may include:

• Corporate meetings and hospitality programs
• Incentive travel programs
• Association meetings and congresses
• Conferences, seminars and exhibitions
• Roadshows and product launches
• Promotional events and training programs

Representatives whose roles are limited primarily to sales, business development or the promotion of services to other attendees do not qualify as MICE Buyers

Domestic Leisure Buyers source and purchase U.S. travel products for sale or distribution to leisure travelers within the United States.

Eligible organizations must be based in the United States and be one of the following:

• A tour operator or wholesaler that combines multiple U.S. travel components into bookable packages sold directly to American consumers
• A B2B travel marketplace/platform whose core function is distributing U.S. travel product to other domestic sellers
• An eligible e-commerce travel business that sources and packages U.S. travel product for sale directly to American consumers

Organizations whose primary business is selling marketing, technology, advertising, affiliate or distribution services are not eligible under this category.

The organization must also:

• Have a demonstrated and proven ability to package and sell U.S. travel product
• Not operate as a receptive/inbound operator. The core business must not be booking or distributing U.S. product on behalf of tour operators, travel agencies, or other travel sellers based outside the United States.
• Feature product from multiple U.S. destinations or regions and multiple U.S. suppliers — not primarily its own owned/operated product
• Offer bookable travel products throughout the year
• Have been in business for at least three years
• Maintain a fully functioning consumer or trade website
• Be registered or accredited to sell travel through an organization such as ARC or IATA, or be a member of a recognized association such as ABA, ASTA, NTA, USTOA

The individual applicant must:

• Hold a role such as product manager, buyer, director/VP of product, owner, or other executive with direct responsibility for the company’s product line
• Sales, marketing, partnerships, or business development roles are not eligible for buyer registration
• Be directly responsible for packaging, contracting, or negotiating U.S. travel product, or have direct authority over those who are
• Have the authority to make, recommend, or materially influence purchasing decisions
• Attend IPW to develop bookable domestic travel packages and programs

Representatives of U.S.-based destination management companies and receptive tour operators may qualify for Buyer registration when their organization has purchased IPW booth space, and the individual has direct responsibility for sourcing and contracting U.S. travel products.

The applicant must:

• Personally source, negotiate or contract U.S. travel components.
• Have responsibility for developing re-sellable itineraries, packages or programs.
• Attend IPW primarily to purchase product and develop inbound U.S. travel programs.

The organization must:

• Operate primarily as a receptive inbound tour operator or destination management company.
• Be based in, or maintain an office in, the United States.
• Package multiple travel components, such as accommodations, attractions, transportation and destination services.
• Generate the majority of its business from B2B international inbound travel.
• Actively feature U.S. destinations and products as a core part of its business.
• Serve group, FIT or MICE business.
• Purchase IPW booth space before applying for Buyer registrations.

Individuals representing online travel agencies or bed-banks may qualify as Buyers when their primary purpose at IPW is to source and contract U.S. travel products for sale through their organization’s platform or distribution network.

To qualify as a Buyer, applicants must personally be responsible for activities such as:

• Sourcing and purchasing U.S. accommodations, attractions, transportation or other travel products
• Negotiating rates, inventory, allocations or contractual terms with U.S. suppliers
• Developing or expanding bookable U.S. product
• Selecting destinations and products to be featured on the organization’s platform
• Managing contracted inventory for resale or distribution

When an Exhibitor Registration Is Required

Representatives do not qualify as Buyers when their primary purpose is to promote or sell their organization’s:

• Advertising or paid-placement opportunities
• Marketing campaigns or promotional packages
• Affiliate participation
• Technology or platform solutions
• Distribution access or other commercial services

Organizations seeking to promote or sell these services to IPW attendees must participate as exhibitors.

The determining factor is the individual representative’s role and purpose for attending, not simply whether the organization is classified as an OTA or bed bank.