Visit SLO CAL WINS BID TO HOST CALIFORNIA LUXURY FORUM
Visit SLO CAL Puts Luxury Travel on the Map for San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County, California, June 23, 2022 – For the first time in its history, Visit SLO CAL has been awarded the bid to host of The California Luxury Forum, Powered by Connections Luxury, in partnership with Visit California. The bid beat out other California destinations in the selection process for this sixth edition, slated for October 23-26, 2022 throughout SLO CAL.
The California Luxury Forum is poised to showcase SLO CAL’s finest travel products to 30 hand-picked luxury buyers from the United States and around the world, connecting elite travel buyers with SLO CAL’s various communities and suppliers, including hotels, venues and experience providers. The event will allow Visit SLO CAL to highlight the world-class wineries and exclusive experiences on the Central Coast, like SLO CAL’s Michelin Guide culinary scene, rooftop poolside yoga and helicopter wine tasting with exclusive experiences common to SLO CAL like interacting with the winemaker.
As a result of the last four California Luxury Forum events held throughout the state (two in-person, two virtual), total dollars driven to California were estimated to be $40MM.
Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California said: “I’m excited to take this exceptional program to California’s incredible Central Coast to really show the breadth of what California has to offer. Visit California is extremely proud of the state’s partnership with Connections, which is a platform unlike anything else in the world. We’re looking forward to welcoming a critical industry segment to SLO CAL this fall.”
Chuck Davison, President and CEO of Visit SLO CAL, said: “Luxury travel remains an important market for SLO CAL. Hosting the California Luxury Forum allows Visit SLO CAL to showcase our destination and connect with key travel buyers from regional markets across the globe. This is a first of its kind opportunity to share SLO CAL, partner assets and world-class experiences with the luxury community and we are proud to be bringing this business to SLO CAL.”
Greg Reeves, Managing Director of Connections said: “We can’t wait to introduce SLO CAL to our buyer community, adding another extraordinary Californian destination to their product portfolios. It will be a brand new experience for many, and the region is ready and waiting to welcome the luxury traveler.”
For more information about Visit SLO CAL, go to SLOCAL.com or email Eric Parker, Eric@SLOCAL.com
###
ABOUT VISIT SLO CAL:
Visit SLO CAL is the countywide non-profit destination marketing and management organization (DMMO) for San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL). Visit SLO CAL is responsible for promoting SLO CAL as an attractive travel destination and enhancing the public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, Visit SLO CAL strengthens the economic position and provides opportunity for all people in the community. Built on research with a strategy of continuous improvement, Visit SLO CAL aims to establish SLO CAL as a favorite West Coast destination known for its signature slower pace of life and unique mix of incredible, immersive guest experiences. For more information, go to SLOCAL.com.
ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA:
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to visitcalifornia.com. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com.
ABOUT CONNECTIONS:
Connections is the international private community for trusted decision-makers in luxury travel. The brand brings together the industry’s most respected travel agents and suppliers throughout the year, in destinations across the world. Since its inception in 2014, Connections has hosted over 50 global events, giving decision makers the opportunity to meet through memorable experiences and educational debates. Connections is based in London and forms part of Jacobs Media Group, the global voice for the travel and hospitality industries. In 2020, Jacobs Media Group won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for international trade, recognizing the expansion of its global business in the previous three years by over 50 percent. For more information about Connections, go to weareconnections.com.
