McAllen Travel Show

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce takes great pride in inviting you to participate as an exhibitor at our 21st Annual McAllen International Travel Show. Show dates are Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10, 2009. This will mark our second year in the still new McAllen Convention Center. Our show grew dramatically last year and we anticipate additional growth for the coming year.

We project over 15,000 people attending for the two days and have planned accordingly. We have reserved the entire exhibit hall at the Convention Center for the Show. The map of the booth layout is on the back page of this invitation. The Show will attract, not only "Winter Texans" whose numbers grew dramatically in 2008, but also more and more local and "year-round" residents who come to the Show on Saturday.

Break-out rooms adjacent to the exhibit hall, are available for special presentations. See the attached sign-up sheet. In addition to the normal "perks" for exhibitors, this year we have included the opportunity to travel to Monterrey,
Mexico, on the day after the show for two days of sales calls. This will be especially attractive for cities and destinations who wish to build a larger base of customers from Northern Mexico. Please contact us for more details about this opportunity.

Exhibitors will again receive an advance copy of the Rio Grande Valley R.V. park and tour and travel company mailing list. Many exhibitors find this a useful tool for prospecting before, during, and after the show. We will have our traditional "Border Buttermilk" reception for VIPs and exhibitors at 4:00 pm the first day of the show. This year, with a minimum of "fuss," we will make the show greener than ever.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Show in January!

Who Should Exhibit?

Tour operators
Hotels & resorts
CVB's
Car rental companies
Cruise lines
Attractions
RV parks & campgrounds
Airlines
Tourism offices
Travel agencies

Registration Includes

10' x 10' pipe and drape
6-foot skirted table
Chairs
7" x 44" ID Sign

Terms

Booth registration is $450 for a corner booth and $400 for and interior booth. Full payment is requested with signed contract. All payments are due by December 12, 2008. NO refunds on cancellations made after December 12, 2008.

Booth Selection

At exhibitors' request, booths will be grouped by geographic region. The large regions of Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and the Rio Grande Valley will each be in an area designated in the exhibit hall. Show management will attempt to accomodate exhibitors as to location based on first-come, firstserved. However, show management reserves the right to assign booth locations if necessary. NOTE: For maximum exposure, exhibitors are encouraged to register for corner booths if desirous of a "double booth".

Giveaways and Door Prizes

Exhibitors are encouraged to bring giveaways and donate door prizes. You are welcome to register attendees at your booth or let us handle all of the work for you. Prizes will be announced every half hour during the show.

Transportation

McAllen has full jet service via Continental, American and Delta Airlines. There are several car rental companies in the area. Contact information will be in the exhibitor packets.

Hotel Accommodations

With over 150 hotels in the area, you won't have trouble finding one to fit your taste or budget. A complete list of Chamber-member hotels offering Travel Show rates will be included in the exhibitor packet.

Exhibitor Packets

Once registration is received, a detailed exhibitor packet will be sent to you. It will include the sign-up forms for nametags, doorprize donations and the FINAL DETAILS about the show.

Decorator

Information about shipping instructions, service order forms for carpet, special decorations and services will be included in the exhibitor packet.

Setup and Breakdown

Booths can be set up on Thursday, January 8, from 12 noon to 7 pm. Exhibitors may enter the hall at 7:30 am on Friday. In order to maintain the integrity of the show, displays may be dismantled only after 4 pm on Saturday. Exhibitors who begin to dismantle before 4 pm can be invoiced at $50 per booth.

Security

The hall will have security both Thursday and Friday nights. The Convention Center parking lot will be patrolled during setup, show hours and breakdown. Every effort will be made to protect your goods; however, the McAllen Convention Center, McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the Mcallen CVB and their employees and volunteers are not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Lots to See and Do!

McAllen offers plenty of diversions to keep you busy during any "down time" you might have, including dining, shopping, nightlife and MEXICO!