TBEX: Honest Review + Tips to Make the Most Out of It
Thinking about attending a TBEX conference? Here’s what to expect and how to prepare.
The Travel Blog Exchange, lovingly known as TBEX, is a conference for travel creators, brands, and tourism pros from all walks of life. There are usually 2–3 TBEX events each year — in North America, Europe, and sometimes Asia — offering a chance to learn, connect, and grow.
In June 2025, I attended my first TBEX in Quebec City as part of a big leap: I’d just gone all-in on Travelynne as both a travel blog and planning service. I was hoping to meet like-minded people, build partnerships, and get motivated and inspired to grow this business the right way.
It was a bit of a logistical splurge, but I’m happy to report — it was absolutely worth it. I left TBEX with greater confidence, determination, ambition, and a sense of community and belonging.
So, for anyone else wondering whether TBEX is a good fit — or just what to expect and how to prepare — here’s my recap with tips and insights I wish I’d read before going.
Exploring Old Quebec after a fantastic TBEX Conference in Quebec City!
🧭 TL;DR: Was TBEX Worth It?
Yes — especially if you’re strategic and seeking community. You’ll meet people who get it, walk away with fresh ideas, build real connections, and maybe even land your next collab or partnership. I’ve already registered for TBEX 2026 in Kazakhstan—hope to see you there! 😉
If you want tips to make the most of it — keep reading!
1. Finding Your Community
To most people, travel bloggers sound a little unhinged.
Common responses to this career path — read in a judgmental tone — include: “You think you can make a career out of travel?”, or, with the last word in air quotes, “Oh, you’re an ‘influencer’?”, or the classic, “So… you just vacation for a living?”
Even if you’re not a blogger, being travel-obsessed can make you feel like the odd one out in some circles. One new friend I met at TBEX — a talented graphic designer doing vanlife around North America — told me about a date where she talked about her adventures, and the guy asked: “Have you always been like this?”
In our world, that would be a compliment. He meant it as a judgment.
She had a moment of clarity during that conversation, realizing how not normal our lives are to most people. But at TBEX, it feels totally normal.
Finding someone else wearing lime green was a quick way to connect new friends at the TBEX opening party in Quebec City! Nele, pictured right, runs the successful Japan travel blog The Navigatio.
People ask where I’m based and I shrug: “Everywhere.”, or “Wherever I am, for now.”, or “Indonesia... but also Thailand. And Canada. Sometimes.” Others casually mentioned being in Europe last month, the Caribbean last week, and Canada today — and no one blinked. It’s just how we roll.
That might sound obvious. But let me tell you: the relief of being around people who get it? Who share your wild dreams? It’s magic.
You don’t have to explain yourself here. But you’re welcome to open up, trade stories, and get advice from people who have been there. It’s energizing and validating.
Everyone’s on their own path — from long-time pros (I met someone who’s been to 17 TBEXes!) to new bloggers to some blogging-curious folks. And that mix makes the whole experience feel real and accessible.
Strangers quickly become friends where you share the same ambitions! At TBEX, you don’t need to hold back, you can share your biggest dreams and find people who will cheer you on and offer useful advice.
2. Getting the Best Value
Let’s talk cost. I paid $450 USD for my TBEX ticket (using a discount code), and with flights, hotels, food and drinks, it added up quickly.
That said, I still feel I got my money’s worth. But if you plan ahead, it can be a ridiculously good value.
Early bird pricing makes a huge difference. TBEX usually announces locations a year out, giving you time to score the best ticket price and plan your travels. Prices vary depending on the country (TBEX Kazakhstan 2026 is just $177 USD early bird!), and yes, the cheaper tickets are sometimes in pricier-to-reach places... but hey, it’s a built-in excuse to travel. Win-win.
High-value events, like the TBEX opening party on a boat in Quebec City, make the conference feel totally worth the ticket price. This was a beautiful opening event with views of the city, wine and cheese, great acrobatic performances, and opportunities to meet conference-goers.
Here’s what was included with my TBEX Quebec ticket:
PREBEX: A whale-watching tour as part of PREBEX (others went on day trips to nature parks or food tours, etc.).
FREEBIES & DISCOUNTS: A “Privilege Card” with free access to museums, city tours, and shuttles, provided by the city, plus a gift bag, including several $20 local restaurant vouchers.
CONFERENCE: Full 2-day access to the conference (keynotes, panels/breakouts, speed networking — plus recordings).
NETWORKING: The marketplace and speed networking were formal spaces to meet travel brands, destination management offices (DMOs), and affiliate partners. Plus, the real gold of TBEX is the connections you’ll make with other bloggers, creators, and travel businesses — especially informally, at parties, during meals, etc.
MEALS: Sit-down lunch, coffee, and snacks were provided daily. Dinners were included at the parties.
PARTIES: Opening party (on a boat!) and closing party (in a castle-like armory) — both with dinner and drinks. There were also bonus sponsor events, although most were invite-only or first-come by RSVP.
FAM Trips: After the conference, a number of FAM (familiarization) trips are usually offered. While I couldn’t join this time, others went on epic 3-day excursions — think rafting, yoga, hikes, and lodge stays in national parks or a city escape in Montreal. Amazing value, especially if you’re creating content.
As part of a PREBEX Tour — included in my TBEX ticket — I was able to take a day trip to go whale watching in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park with TBEX sponsor, Croisieres AML. It’s a great opportunity to do what we love—explore a new destination—while meeting other conference attendees before things kick off!
TRAVELYNNE TIP
PREBEX tours and FAM trips (included in your ticket!) fill up fast and vary by location, but are usually high-quality and packed with value, from national park hikes to food and wine tours.
➡️ Register the moment they open (keep an eagle eye on your emails)!
3. Learning, Connecting & Collaborating
With an estimated 500 people in attendance, the range of experience at TBEX was huge. I met everyone from blog-curious folks just starting out, to seasoned creators who’ve been to 15+ TBEX conferences, and everything in between. And that diversity is a major strength of the conference.
If you're new, it can feel encouraging (and less intimidating) to connect with fellow beginners while also learning from people further down the road. And if you're more experienced, you’ll still benefit: explaining your process, hearing fresh perspectives, and swapping challenges can spark insights for everyone — the advice-giver and taker alike.
I found TBEXers were generally open to genuine conversation, not just doling out tips, but swapping ideas. That openness probably comes from understanding that this is a constantly evolving industry. Nobody has it all figured out, and there are endless paths to success in travel blogging.
During a panel sponsored by Stay22, speakers from Fuse Travels, Navigatio and the Broke Backpacker share their experiences with affiliate marketing in travel blogs.
Breakout Sessions
You’ll find people — and sessions — specializing in everything from SEO and storytelling to photography, videography, and drone work. Topics also include social media, email funnels, affiliate marketing, media and public relations, running tour businesses, and even the less glamorous (but essential) stuff like legal protection, productivity, and bookkeeping.
Some sessions were beginner-friendly, while others leaned more advanced. It would’ve been helpful to see more clarity around session levels, but if you take a few minutes to research the speakers ahead of time, you’ll get a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Sample of breakout sessions from TBEX Quebec 2025:
Breaking Into Droning – Nikki & Jeris Rue (@shesavesshetravels)
The Ultimate Email Funnel Playbook – Kim McCarter (@mskimmccarter)
How to Monetize Live Streaming on YouTube – Jay Jay Maniquis (@jaycationtv)
Key Takeaways from Attending the Google Summit – Tomiko Harvey (@tomiko.harvey)
Winning Affiliate Strategies for 2025 and Beyond – Nele Van Hout (@thenavigatio), Will Hatton (@thebrokebackpacker), Feuza Reis (@fusetravels) & Christopher Mitchell
Legal Armor for Digital Nomads – Kristina Liburd
Creating Click-Worthy Images for Pinterest – Kate Ahl (@simplepinmedia)
Harnessing AI for Wine & Travel Creators – Steve Noel (@childrenofthegrape)
Productivity & Efficiency in the Digital Age – Jami Savage (@adventureawaits.ca), Clementine Affana (@travelwithclem) & Chris Christensen (@chris2x)
User-Generated Content (UGC): Getting Paid by Brands – Lindsay Nieminen (@lindsaynieminen)
There were three breakout periods per day, with five sessions running simultaneously, so I attended six total over two days. That’s 30 sessions to choose from, and overall, the quality was excellent. I walked away with practical takeaways and new contacts from every session I joined.
In addition to the breakouts, there were three excellent keynotes: one to start each day, plus a closing talk to wrap things up.
![A guest speaker gives a presentation in a breakout room during TBEX. The screen reads: Bold storytelling is: vulnerable, human, imperfect, heart-centered, connected to beliefs, [your definition here]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/629b6ec76c0cc40a4e21a895/fcc19d81-415c-44f3-b09f-fe7d8683dcf7/Zach_Glassman_TBEX_Quebec.png)
Guest speaker Zach Glassman delivers a compelling breakout sessions on bold storytelling during TBEX in Quebec City.
Networking & Marketplace
Don’t sleep on the networking opportunities at TBEX! Between the Marketplace, speed networking, and organic connections throughout the event, you’ll meet:
Travel creators
Brands and affiliate platforms
DMOs (Destination Management Organizations)
Travel-adjacent services, tech platforms, and more
For example, in just a 10-minute speed networking session with TravelPayouts (an affiliate platform I already use), I got live help troubleshooting my questions, specific advice on optimizing my links for Travelynne, and even a follow-up call scheduled for two weeks later to check on my progress. Talk about great support and connections!
4. Managing the Rollercoaster of Energy
As someone who just made the leap into full-time blogging (after about three years of hobby blogging), I was a little nervous. Would people look down on my “small-time” operation? Would I be taken seriously?
Well, I was warmly welcomed and met with genuine enthusiasm for going full-time. People were curious, supportive, and open to having thoughtful conversations about what I want to build — and how to get there.
Snapped by a fellow TBEXer during a fun evening trying local restaurants (and maybe a McDonald’s soft serve, too!) with a couple of new friends.
The TBEX community, in general, felt welcoming, inclusive, and generous. It’s easy to make friends here because we’re bonded by something unusual: dreams that don’t seem too big or too weird in this space.
There’s also plenty of room to connect across niches — from outdoor adventure lovers to luxury travel creators, digital nomads, family bloggers, points-and-miles pros, and everything in between. You’ll find collaborators, mentors, cheerleaders, and friends.
That said, it’s a lot — mentally and socially. Between the sessions, networking, parties, tours, and nonstop passionate conversations, it’s easy to hit your limit by the end of each day. I definitely recommend building in a bit of downtime afterward to recharge. You’ll need it — in the best way.
5. How to Prepare for TBEX
You can totally go in blind, like I did, and still have a great time.
Or… you can learn from my mistakes 😁.
A little prep goes a long way — especially when you’re trying to make the most of your ticket, your time, and everything TBEX has to offer.
Being quirky and a bit of a dork is totally on- brand for me, personally, so I made custom t-shirts for each day of the conference. But you can wear whatever you’re comfortable in—the dress code doesn’t feel restrictive at all. Be yourself :)
Accommodations: If possible, book accommodations within walking distance to the TBEX venue. The days will be long and tiring, so you want to make it easy on yourself to get to and from the venue, or back and forth if you want to have a rest or freshen up.
Goals: Think about what you want to get out of the conference. Are you looking to learn? Network? Land partnerships? Knowing your goals helps you stay focused when the options feel overwhelming.
Arrival & Time Spent: If you’re crossing time zones, I recommend arriving a day or two early. You don’t want to be nodding off during sessions. Plus, there are often pre-conference tours (PREBEX), casual meetups, and time to explore the host city — all part of the experience. The same goes for staying after. Post-conference hangs, FAM trips, and a little decompression time? Highly recommended.
Online Presence Check: At least a month before attending, make sure your online presence — website, social networks, etc. — is working and up-to-date. You’ll have more eyes from potential collaborators and partners, so you want your bios current, content recently updated, etc. If you’re looking for brand partnerships, it’s a good idea to have a media kit as well.
Business Swag: It’s a good idea to bring business cards with your contact deets. Bonus points if you add a handwritten note or fun detail that helps people remember you. I made stickers (because of course I did) and even wore custom t-shirts that matched my brand — a little quirky, and not for everyone, but they made for great conversation starters. Depending on your goals, physical media kits can be useful for some people as well.
Dress Code: TBEX is chill. Business-casual is fine, but so are jeans and a t-shirt. My advice? Dress in a way that reflects you. How do you want to be remembered? Show up as that.
Session Planning: The schedule will come out in the month leading up to TBEX. I recommend skimming it and marking any breakout sessions you’re really interested in, and using the time to look up the speakers so you know which ones could benefit you the most. That said, be open-minded and flexible—maybe even sometimes attend the opposite of what you think is most relevant, because you might discover a whole new path you hadn’t considered.
Take Notes & Add Contacts: You’ll meet a ton of people, so take notes. Add new contacts on Instagram and/or LinkedIn, and send them a quick message that night or the next day to say hi and remind them where you met (“Loved chatting at the wine tasting!” or “Still laughing about that panel moment!”). That way, it’s easy to follow up down the line with context.
I also like to save names in my phone with context in the last name as a memory trigger (ex. First Name: Nele, Last Name: Navigatio - Japan Travel Blog & Facebook Group). As much as we think we won’t forget, it’s a lot, and we probably will!
Pace Yourself: Above all, ease in. TBEX is full-on — sessions, socials, networking, parties — and if you’re not careful, you’ll crash before the closing keynote. Take breaks, drink water (yes, you), and protect your energy.
Stay Open & Flexible: Be open to spontaneous convos, changing your plans, or tagging along with new friends for dinner or drinks. These moments are where the best connections, learnings, and memories usually come from!
This is your opportunity for growth, inspiration, and genuine community.
Lean in. You’ve got nothing to lose — and so much to gain!
Rick Calvert, founder of TBEX, speaks on stage during the opening session of TBEX in Quebec City (June 2025).
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re just starting your blog or content creation journey or scaling your business, TBEX offers a rare combo of inspiration, strategy, and genuine connection. It’s not just about learning — it’s about belonging to a community that sees you and believes in your ambitions.
If you’re on the fence about going, I say go. Just plan ahead to get the most out of your ticket, pace yourself, and be open to everything it throws your way.
And hey — if you do plan on attending: click here to contact me or DM me on Instagram @travelynnecollective. I’d love to answer any questions and plan to meet up if we’re at the same one!
GET INSPIRED FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE:
