It all starts with a visit. Every corporate executive looking to locate or expand a business, producer scouting for filming locations, event planner searching for meeting and sports venues, or anyone who moves here – the decision to come to Georgia always starts with a visit.

Explore Georgia, the tourism division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the official destination marketing organization for the state, continues to highlight the opportunities Georgia offers as a destination to live, work, and visit by elevating the state’s brand on a global stage.

Members of the Explore Georgia team and representatives from destinations in every region of the state attended the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2024, a valuable in-person platform to conduct business and build connections around the world.

In May, Explore Georgia led the largest-ever statewide delegation at the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2024 in Los Angeles, California. IPW is the leading international inbound travel trade show that influences billions of dollars in future travel to the U.S.

Sharing space and costs, Georgia’s partnership approach made it possible for destinations of all sizes across the state to exhibit and engage with critical international business contacts. Exhibiting partners included Visit Americus, Visit Athens, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Braves, Destination Augusta, Only in Cartersville-Bartow County, VisitColumbusGA, Pick Ellijay, Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Macon, Okefenokee Swamp Park & Adventures, and Visit Savannah.

Together, the state and these 12 public and private organizations created an impactful presence on the trade show floor. The 90-by-30-foot exhibit booth featured dedicated space for each organization involved, along with a shared lounge area. The booth design provided guests with a comprehensive Georgia story, showcasing every region of the state.

Team Georgia met with travel buyers and media to promote the state and negotiate future business, strengthening Georgia’s position on the global map and showcasing the best of what the state has to offer.

Strong representation at key industry trade shows like IPW is critical to driving future visitation. During the three-day event, the collective Georgia team conducted business with over 300 tour operators and 100 journalists from around the globe. These fruitful meetings contribute to the Peach State’s growing international visitation, with 838,700 international travelers in 2022, and will continue to keep Georgia on the minds of travelers worldwide.

Ready to start planning your visit to Georgia? Browse the 2024 Official State Travel Guide or visit georgia.org/WhyGA to discover why Georgia is the place to be.