Domestic Buyer Program

Domestic buyer companies and registered delegates are subject to the approval of the U.S. Travel Association and the IPW Advisory Group, which is made up of exhibiting destinations and organizations.

First-time domestic buyer organizations must complete the online Domestic Buyer Qualification Questionnaire. There are limited openings for domestic buyer organizations, and approved organizations may register no more than four  delegates each. Applications will no longer be accepted once we reach capacity or close registration.

Buyer delegates must have the ability to negotiate and contract product. Individuals registered as a domestic buyer can only request appointments with those exhibitors who have not selected the Opt Out of Domestic Buyer Appointments Option.

Who Qualifies as a Domestic Buyer?

Only Domestic Tour Operators, Domestic Wholesalers, and Domestic Retail Agencies/E-Commerce will be considered for the domestic buyer registration category under the conditions stated under the Criteria to Attend section.

Most importantly, delegates must have the ability to negotiate and contract product.

NOTE: Receptive/Inbound tour operators, online travel agencies (OTAs), and Marketing and Technology Providers (organizations that offer a marketing, technology, or distribution solution as their primary business) should refer to the new Exhibitor Buyer category for criteria and program guidelines.

Criteria to Attend

1
Required Conditions

Eligible companies interested in attending IPW as a domestic buyer must meet the following conditions:

  • U.S.-based organization that purchases U.S. domestic product but does not sell or distribute to the international group or leisure market, either through 3rd party agreements or affiliate programs, and does not offer a marketing or technology solution as their primary business
  • Packaged travel is the core function of the business, offering a combination of hotels, attractions, transportation, etc.
  • Packages must feature multiple U.S. destinations/regions.
  • Organization must be in business for a minimum of three years and be able to provide three current U.S. supplier references.

NOTE: The domestic buyer delegate must have the ability to negotiate and contract product.

2
Additional Criteria for Consideration

Eligible companies should also meet the majority of the following criteria:

  • Have the ability to transmit travel (view and secure inventory)
  • Have a fully functioning website
  • Be registered to sell travel (ARC, IATA) or be a member of an accredited travel association such as ABA, ASTA, NTA, USTOA, RSAA, SYTA, etc.
  • Feature product on a year-round basis

Ineligible Organizations

The following organizations do not qualify to register as domestic buyers under the new program guidelines. However, these types of organizations may participate at IPW through the Marketing and Technology Pavilion, and, if exhibiting, may also qualify for the Exhibitor Buyer program.

  • Technology or cloud-based solutions as core company function
  • White label booking engine services
  • Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) or other organizations with affinity programs
  • Distribution channel management, revenue and reservation systems
  • Print, broadcast, and interactive media
  • Advertising; Public relations; Research servicing companies
  • Marketing systems (SEO/SEM, email campaigns, social media, web design)
  • Bedbanks  
  • Member-based travel groups and organizations, gift distributors, non-profits and any other marketing- or sales-based entities

Registration Information

Online registration requires organization login codes. If you attended as a domestic buyer in the past, and still qualify for this category, we will email you your organization login codes to submit your registration.

If you need organization login codes, please submit the brief Login Code Request Form. Due to the high volume of requests, we cannot guarantee that login code requests submitted fewer than 5 days in advance of a registration deadline will be processed in time for you to qualify for a particular registration fee discount or to submit your registration form before registration closes.

Learn the difference between organization login codes and individual login codes

What Is Included in My Registration?
Up to 42 pre-scheduled appointments with U.S. suppliers/exhibitors
All meals and related functions which are an official part of IPW
Destination experiences and post-familiarization tours
Year-long organization listing on ipw.com and online access to all registered U.S. exhibitors

Member Rates

To be eligible for the member rates, 2024 member dues must be paid by March 29, 2024, regardless of when the registration purchase was made. If the dues payment is not received by March 29, 2024, the Non-Member Rate will be applied to the IPW registration invoice (paid or unpaid) and balance billed.

Learn More About U.S. Travel Membership Benefits Contact the Membership Team

Hosted Housing

Your registration will not be considered valid and your hotel room will not be covered by U.S. Travel if you do not submit and accept a minimum of 25 appointments.

Notes to all Participants

  • IPW participants MAY NOT organize or sponsor any activities that conflict with the official IPW program or sponsored event during official conference hours. Violation of these terms may render the participant ineligible for future participation in IPW.
  • IPW does not offer a guest registration for family members, and no partial registration to attend only the IPW social events.

Additions and Changes

Registration additions, substitutions and changes may be made online via the My IPW portal (using individual login credentials).

Payment must be included for each additional registration; however, there is no charge for name changes or substitutions.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation notices must be submitted by email.

In the event of a paid delegate cancellation, the registration fee will be refunded in full if written cancellation notice is received by U.S. Travel Association on or before February 23, 2024. Notices received February 24-March 22, 2024, will receive a 50 percent refund. No refunds will be granted for registration cancellations received after March 22, 2024.

Contact Us

Note: Refunds due from credit card payments will be credited back to the credit card used for the original transaction. Refunds due from check payments will be refunded by check sent by U.S. mail. If you require the refund check to be sent by express mail, a $25 processing fee will be deducted from your amount due.

The U.S. Travel Association cannot be held liable for any financial responsibilities incurred on the part of individual delegates or organizations.