You should know spring break and summer vacations are just underway for most and this is the time to become a well-informed consumer in all things travel and adventure. Guess what the Travel & Adventure Show is coming to Washington D.C. this weekend and it is just minutes from Baltimore and Virginia. Did you know? The Travel & Adventure Show is a series of consumer travel events in the United States and its last stop for the year was take place in D.C. According to a Travel & Adventure Show representative they are expecting over 18, 000 visitors this weekend and I must tell you they do have the space and vendors to accommodate such a crowd. I was recently invited to attend a Taste of the Travel & Adventure Show. Because, the showroom was one third of the way complete during my preview I can really only give you guys just that. Here is the scoop on the Travel & Adventure Show:
Who: Open to the general public and it costs $15 to attend whereas, children 16 and under with a accompany adult can attend for free.
What: Attendees will have access to travel experts, hands-on activities, educational seminars and cultural performances. There were four featured hands-on attractions at the Taste of the Travel & Adventure Show accessible to me.
For starters, SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Animal Encounter was an entertaining and educational experience. Check out this interested note: A SeaWorld representative told me that at their last show in California a little girl won a fully paid vacation to Florida by playing a mechanical game at their exhibit. Show goers will have the opportunity to experience lots of giveaways to include a Florida vacation, SeaWorld tickets, bracelets, flash drives, and photo opportuneness and video opportunities. I had the chance to dance with animated penguins via a video shoot and received a keepsake video.
Next, I learned how to cast a line by an American Fly fishing instructor during my show preview. You should know fly fishing demos and kayaking in a huge indoor pond will be available during the Travel & Adventure Show this weekend.
I must admit, I was a little chicken to experience the scuba diving. However, the show will offer free scuba lessons from certified scuba instructors in a 4 foot deep 18, 000 gallon heated scuba pool to include wetsuits, masks, air tanks and hairdryers are all provided. Some of the other attending journalists did some scuba diving and were able to do interviewing underwater, film it and take a picture of it from a large TV screen. You should know this event is sponsored by Beadiver.com. Although swimming supplies are provided, I would suggest attendees to bring your own swim suit and swimming cap.
My last hands-on with Mixologist Trey Wheat was the most spirited impression. Talk about a true gem for the DMV area, Trey is the owner of Barstars Bartending and has over eight years’ experience as a Mixologist and it shows. Thanks to Trey; Travel & Adventure Show attendees will have the opportunity to explore the world through a few cocktails inspired by four countries with a highly populated tourist count. Trey's samplings from the media event included cocktails inspired from Brazil and Cuba and they were fully loaded.
Now there is a lot of ground that I did not cover which includes culinary stages full of book signings and food demos from expert food and travel speakers such as Arthur Frommer, Andrew Zimmern and Rick Steves. Look forward to over 20 cultural costumed stage performances sponsored by the World Heritage Cultural Center. Lastly, I should mention I saw a rock climbing wall being set-up for show-goers to experience as well. Based on my taste of the Travel & Adventure Show preview; it seems for certain the show is going to be educating and entertaining. Besides, if your planning a vacation why not include adventure?
When: This weekend of March 9, 2013 from the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday March 10, 2013 from the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Hall C ~ 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW Washington D. C. 20001
FYI: According to a Sage Communication Company representative, if you order your tickets here online using promo code DCPR the cost of tickets will be discounted to $10.
