Travel & Adventure Show Takes Place This Weekend in Rosemont

The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show returns this weekend to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center at 5555N. River Rd. in Rosement. Head out on Saturday or Sunday for the 14th annual show, which will feature exhibits from all corners of the globe, demonstrations, entertainment and activities. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday.

This year there will be 60 first-time exhibitors, so even if you've attended in the past, there will be plenty of new places to explore. Also included in the price of admission is access to dozens of inspirational, educational and culturally focused sessions on five stages located right on the show floor, along with hands-on activities for the whole family.

A Wellness Travel Experience pavilion is a new addition this year that showcases trends in wellness travel. There are also seminar sessions with some of the world's top travel experts, including Rick Steves, Pauline Former and Samantha Brown.

The following stages will also be set-up with additional opportunities:

At the Savvy Traveler Theater, visitors will interact with travel experts on subjects ranging from packing and travel technology, to maximizing credit card reward points and travel safety tips and plan in an unpredictable world.

At the Destination Theater, travelers will receive destination-specific information from local experts containing information on when to go, how to get there, what to see and local, off-the-beaten-path attractions from destinations such as Australia, Maui and Canada.

The Taste of Travel Theater highlights top chefs who present live cooking demonstrations right on the show floor. Featuring cuisines from around the world, guests will have the opportunity to taste samples and get a full cultural experience in a stadium-seating styled theater.

At the Global Beats Stage, attendees can feel the beat and experience the rhythm of cultural dances and musical performances during more than 20 presentations throughout the weekend. 

 

Here are a few of the seminars and presentations that are lined up for the weekend:

Wellness Travel Experience

2018 marks the unveiling of the first ever Wellness Travel Experience pavilion, which highlights health-focused travel suppliers, products and services showcasing the latest trends and news in this growing travel sector. The program also includes an educational stage presentation on Saturday, February 10^th hosted by Founder/CEO of Travel to Wellness Anne Dimon. Wellness Travel Experiences will include aroma therapy from Sundara Inn and Spa, motivational cards, and an introduction to salt therapy.

“Now more than ever travelers are looking for experiences that focus on promoting mental and physical well-being,” said Dimon. “From influencer-led yoga retreats to instructional culinary vacations teaching participants how to cook healthy meals and make better food choices, this travel trend has quickly become the fastest growing travel sector worldwide.”

Wellness Travel Panel: Finding the Right Fit

Saturday, February 10

11:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Savvy Traveler Theater

Panelists:

Robert Jeffers, Health & Wellbeing Leader, Body Holiday;

Davina Bernard, Director of Wellness, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise;

Carla Minsky, Communication Specialist, Sundara Inn & Spa

To view the full speaker schedule click here.

Travel Theater

Guests learn the newest trends, hottest tips, and most reliable tools from some of the world’s top travel experts. This year’s celebrity travel speakers include:

Rick Steves | Writer and Host, Rick Steves Europe and Travel with Rick Steves

European Travel Skills

Saturday, February 10

10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Samantha Brown | Host, Places to Love with Samantha Brown (PBS)

Places to Love

Saturday, February 10

12:45 – 1:45 p.m.

Pauline Frommer | Editorial Director, Frommer’s Guides

Spend Less, See More: Strategies for Creating Dream Vacations in ALL Price Ranges

Saturday, February 10

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

To view the full schedule click here.
*Meet and greets follow each session.

Destination Theater

From where to go and when to go, to what to do and how to get there, destination experts give visitors the in-depth information needed to travel like a local.

Vicky Evans | Assistant Vice President, AAA Travel Sales Development

Explore Top Destinations and Benefits of Traveling with AAA

Saturday, February 10

11 – 11:30 a.m.

To view the full schedule click here.

Savvy Traveler Theater

Showcasing travel tips, tricks and actionable advice, you’ll learn how to travel like a pro straight from the experts. Topics include packing tips, technology skills, travel safety methods, budget travel hacks, etc.

Angel Castellanos | World Travel Expert, AngelsTravelLounge.com

Travel Like a Pro: Packing Tips & Savvy Travel Skills

Saturday, February 10

2:15 – 3 p.m.

To view the full schedule click here.

Taste of Travel Theater

Located at a stadium seating-styled theater right on the show floor, “Taste of Travel Theater” invites visitors to discover the unique cultural flavors of local, regional and worldwide cuisines. Guests can enjoy a variety of cooking demonstrations from world-class chefs and receive recipes for dishes from around the world.

Hosted by Blast Marketing & PR Founder and President John McCartney, featured demonstrations include:

Ryan Burns | Executive Chef, The Blanchard

Saturday, February 10

10:30 -11:15 a.m.

Recipe: Sturgeon with Charred Vegetables and Barigoule Emulsion

Meilie Tsai | Founder, Chicago Taiwanese Cuisine and Culture Association

Saturday, February 10

1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

Recipe: Taiwanese Taco (Gua Bao)

Ancilleno Solomon | CEO, Ice Chef Bahamas Catering & Events

Sunday, February 11

1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

Recipe: Bahamian Conch Fritters

To view the full demonstration schedule click here.

Global Beats Stage

Visitors are invited to watch and participate in performances representing several destinations from around the world (right on the show floor.) The interactive performances rotate throughout the day and provide a sneak peek into a diverse range of customs and cultures. Highlights include:

Nordic Folk Dances

Saturday, February 10 at 11 a.m.

Sunday, February 11 at 2:10 p.m.

Muay Thai Boxing Demonstration

Saturday, February 10 at 12 p.m. & 2:15 p.m.

Classical Indian Dance

Saturday, February 10 at 1 p.m.

To view the full performance schedule click here.

Single and two-day tickets are available online. Normally $15 for single-day and $22 for two-day admission, you can use the discount code of CHPR for a rate of $11 for single-day or $18 for two-day admission. For more information on attending the event, please visit www.travelshows.com/shows/chicago.