About Expo 2009

Did you attend the 2nd Annual World Religious Travel Expo? If so, you were a part of history. Once again, the event served as a momentous and pivotal event in the faith tourism industry. Dozens of memorable highlights filled the 3-day event including the Expo's co-location with the National Tour Association Convention in Reno, Nevada (USA). And for the second year in a row, the celebrated religious travel tradeshow and educational conference attracted more than 500 tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries. Destinations represented stretched from India to Armenia to Turkey to France to Africa to Mexico and, of course, to the USA.

The theme of Expo 2009 was "Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever." Based on the remarkable networking that took place between sellers and buyers on the tradeshow floor, as well as during the special Speed Networking Hour, it was clear that the Expo delegates were determined to fulfill this theme. In addition, the Expo's exhibitors and attendees attended multiple industry leading business and educational seminars on religious tourism. Topics included such things as new trends, emerging destinations, how to build a thriving religious travel program, developing faith-based products and services, igniting the group travel planner, effectively using social media, and much more.

The Expo's Keynote speakers included WRTA President Kevin J. Wright, Greg Stielstra - Author of Faith-based Marketing and PyroMarketing, Scott Koepf - NACTA President, and Keith Powell - the very popular Business Revivalist. The Jordan Tourism Board hosted the Holy Land Panel, featuring representatives from leading biblical destinations. WRTA's Charter Members served on the roundtable for the Soundbites from the Global Faith Tourism Industry general session panel and discussion. The Farewell Celebration & Prize Drawings Banquet spotlighted the entertainer and singer Karen Knight, back by popular demand from the inaugural Expo 2008.