WHY IT RATES: The event will bring together innovators, destinations, cruise lines, and travel agents all intent on better serving travelers with disabilities. By putting all of these industry professionals in one room, awareness and new ideas may form to help make travel more accessible for travelers.-Alex Temblador, TravelPulse Associate Writer
TravelAbility Summit, the inaugural gathering of industry professionals dedicated to improving travel experiences for individuals with physical, behavioral, and cognitive disabilities will take place on November 12 and 13, 2019 in San Francisco.
The conference is produced by North American Journeys, a tourism media and marketing company that has been organizing specialized conferences for the tour and travel industry for over 20 years.
"While legislation over the past 40 years has made travel possible for those with disabilities, it certainly hasn't made it pleasant. The predominant mindset among travel providers has been one of litigation avoidance," stated Jake Steinman, president, North American Journeys.
"Meanwhile, a group of innovative developers has responded with products and services that reduce barriers to travel and offer more robust travel experiences. The TravelAbility Summit provides the first-ever platform for innovators to meet and disseminate these ideas to forward-thinking tourism executives who view diversity and inclusivity as a marketing opportunity that will only increase as baby boomers age into their 70s and 80s."
Limited to 150 participants, during the two-day program attendees will engage with transportation executives, specialized travel agents, cruise lines, and destination marketers who are in the best position to spread the ideas and best practices through their network of community partners to create a ripple effect of greater awareness.
Two examples of a few of the Fabulous 50 accessibility products that we plan to invite to TravelAbility Summit are Hoobox, the world's first AI-powered wheelchair controlled by facial expressions via their "Wheelie kit." See it here.
Tennessee Tourism's coin-operated roadside binoculars that allow color-blind travelers to experience fall in the Smoky Mountains. See the video here.
And even designer Tommy Hilfiger has launched "Adaptives," a new apparel line for people with disabilities. See it here. To view the full list of "Fabulous 50" products click here.
TravelAbility Summit takes place November 12-13th at the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco, CA. To register and take advantage of "Early Bird" registration rates, click here.
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