Every Travel Blogger Needs to Attend TBEX! Here’s Why…
If you’re a travel blogger and haven’t attended TBEX yet, you’re missing out on an incredible opportunity to elevate your craft. TBEX is THE travel blogger event you want on your calendar every year.
I recently attended my first TBEX North America in Puerto Rico, and it was an experience that left me inspired, connected, and eager for more. I’ve never felt like a conference over delivered until now. I simply purchased my ticket and they took care of the rest. I could not ask for more…
So, let me tell you why you should mark your calendars for the next TBEX Summit in Alaska this September 2024, TBEX North America 2025 in Quebec City, Canada and TBEX Europe 2025 in Donegal, Ireland…
Pre-BEX and Post-BEX: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck
TBEX isn’t just a two-day conference; it’s more like a week-long extravaganza filled with Pre-BEX and Post-BEX experiences that let you dive deep into the hosted destination. These mini – familiarization (FAM) trips are designed to immerse you in the local culture and attractions. This allows you to get rich content to share with your audience while at the conference.
It’s a great opportunity to connect with other bloggers and exchange ideas on creating content.
Pre-BEX Highlights…
TBEX partners with the tourism board of the hosted destination to offer tours and activities for attendees to take part in. Puerto Rico’s local tourism board, Discover Puerto Rico, offered TBEX North America 2024 attendees a long list of activities to select from both before and after the actual conference days.
Of course I opted for a cultural experience and a mixology tour….
Loíza Community Tour: My first adventure was a half-day tour of the Loíza community, guided by Bespoke Lifestyle. We delved into the history, visited the art studio of renowned artist Samuel Lind, and participated in a lively Bomba dancing class. It was a day to celebrate and showcase Afro-Puerto Rico culture!
Casa Bacardi Mixology Class: My second adventure was a trip to Casa Bacardi, where we learned the art of mixology and toured the legendary Bacardi Rum distillery. Let me tell you… our tour began at 10AM with a welcome drink… then we were offered a taste of their best rum before class… then we crafted two amazing cocktails… Long story short, I was back at my Airbnb and napping by 1:30 PM.
Another amazing aspect of TBEX, is being able to connect with bloggers from all over the world and planning activities together in addition to the hosted itinerary. Bianca Alba of This Latina Travels organized a wonderful group dinner, bringing seven bloggers traveling solo together to enjoy our first local meal in Puerto Rico. Each person I met at this dinner, I have kept in contact with since…
TBEX Conference: Networking, Learning, and Fun
The official two days of TBEX conference kicked off with a opening mixer and ceremony at the Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC), followed by a dope after-party with desserts and cocktails at Distrito T-Mobile.
Conference Days:
The actual conference days were just as exciting! First things first, TravelPayouts kept the party going by sponsoring our mid-day Pina Coladas. Who knew the choice between coffee and a frozen beverage would be so hard?
- Sessions and Keynotes: Thursday and Friday were packed with insightful sessions and keynotes. We learned about the evolving digital landscape of blogging from bloggers who are thriving in the industry. They shared their challenges and their triumphs, leaving many of us energized to get started or keep going.
- Speed Networking: Connecting with brands actively seeking mutually beneficial collaborations was a major value add. This was a golden opportunity to have focused 8-minute appointments with brands that align. A potentially immediate ROI for the price of your TBEX ticket, flight, and accommodation.
- Happy Hours: Stay 22 and TravelPayouts also hosted various happy hours around the city, blending work with play perfectly!! They even provided transportation to their events.
- Closing Party: This blogging conference concluded with a spectacular party at Casa Bacardi. With food, drinks, music, and more networking opportunities, it was the perfect way to wrap up the official events. Bespoke Lifestyle Management provided Roundtrip Transportation from the conference center after the final keynote. It was obvious that the smallest details were taken care of and I loved that!!
Post-BEX Adventures: Exploring Puerto Rico’s Natural Wonders
My TBEX experience didn’t end with the conference. I joined a 3-Day FAM tour sponsored by Discover Puerto that focused on Puerto Rico’s natural wonders adjacent to El Yunque Forest. This FAM confirmed that TBEX would now be my go-to conference.
Note: You do have to apply to attend FAM tours! Pre & Post-Bex Tours are first come, first serve.
- Day 1: After checking out of my Airbnb in San Juan, Bespoke Lifestyle and Discover Puerto Rico picked us up at the PRCC and transported us to La Parilla, a fabulous seafood restaurant on the beach where we picked our own lobsters and enjoyed an amazing lunch.
- After lunch, we went to The Serene House to check in for the next few days. This private estate blew me away. The Serene House is a beautiful locally owned bed and breakfast near El Yunque Forest hosted by a lovely couple – Pablo & Maribel. Their estate has 4 stand alone villas (or casitas) and a family room overlooking the pool.
I stayed in my own casita which felt like my own little cottage in the rainforest. It would be perfect for an unplugged solo getaway or a solo writing retreat. Not to mention, Pablo prepares amazing breakfast options for guests.
The Overall Itinerary…
- In addition to our delicious made-to-order breakfasts at The Serene House, we ate at local favorites like:
- And, took part in activities like:
- Midnight kayaking in the bioluminescent Fajardo bay with Eco Adventures
- Mini speedboating and snorkel with Kayaking Puerto Rico
- Ziplining at Rainforest Zipline Park
On our last afternoon, we visited Loiza and I took part in another Bomba class and visit to Samuel Lind’s studio. It was a great way to culminate such a well planned itinerary!
Put TBEX on Your Radar!
From the inspiring sessions and diverse networking opportunities to the incredible Pre-BEX and Post-BEX experiences, TBEX is a conference that every travel blogger should experience. Puerto Rico’s Tourism Board – Discover Puerto Rico – truly showcased the island’s beauty and culture, making the entire week unforgettable.
I learned, I experienced, and I connected with a community of passionate travel content creators. Now, I’m looking forward to attending every TBEX in the future. Don’t miss out on the next one – it promises to be another fantastic opportunity to grow your travel blogging career.
