Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Black Travel Summit FAQ page! Below are answers to the most common questions about our events, membership, sponsorships, and more.
General Questions
The Black Travel Summit (BTS) is a global platform, created in 2019, dedicated to empowering Black travelers, creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the travel industry. We host annual summits, networking events, and educational workshops to foster collaboration, celebrate Black travel culture, and drive industry innovation.
The Black Travel Film Festival (BTFF), a subsidiary of BTS created in 2023, is a pioneering event dedicated to amplifying the voices and perspectives of Black travel filmmakers, creators and visionaries. Committed to showcasing stories from the African diaspora that have often been overlooked or marginalized, this festival celebrates the richness, diversity, and resilience of Black travel culture.
Black Travel Alliance (BTA) is a professional 501(c)(3), created in 2020 to encourage, educate, equip and excel Black travel professionals in education, media, and corporate positions. In 2024, BTA became a sister organization of BTS to continue strengthening the community through their three pillars–alliance, amplification, and accountability.
BTS is for Black travel enthusiasts, content creators, entrepreneurs, influencers, hoteliers, investors, hospitality and tourism professionals, trade, and brands looking to connect, learn, and grow with the Black travel community and within the travel industry. Whether you're an experienced travel professional, a budding content creator, or a business owner in travel and hospitality, there's a space for you at BTS.
The 2026 Black Travel Summit will take place from October 15-18 and the Black Travel Film Festival on October 15. Both will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Stay tuned for official agenda updates and event details here and by subscribing to our newsletter, or following us on social media.
While BTS centers Black travelers and professionals, we welcome allies and supporters who share our mission to uplift Black tourism professionals, celebrate Black travel culture, and wish to connect with our community and advocate for equity in the industry.
Passes, Registration & Schedule
We have five tracks of focus to foster community, spark meaningful conversation, and drive thought leadership. The tracks are:
Creator: Designed for content creators and influencers to explore strategies for growing their personal brands, collaborating with industry leaders, and amplifying diverse travel narratives.
Corporate: Focusing on professionals and organizations, this track will delve into the importance of diversity in travel marketing, corporate social responsibility, and building inclusive travel products and services.
Entrepreneur: Designed for business owners, founders, and aspiring entrepreneurs to gain insights into launching, scaling, and sustaining travel-related ventures. This track explores strategies for brand building, funding opportunities, global market expansion, and forming impactful partnerships within the ecosystem.
Hoteliers & Investors: This track brings together hoteliers and investors to discuss opportunities for creating innovative, culturally inclusive hospitality experiences and securing investment for diverse travel ventures.
Trade:Designed for travel advisors and operators, this track focuses on enhancing the guest experience, curating culturally relevant tours, and fostering partnerships with destinations that cater to the Black travel community.
Passes are available for purchase on our official website. Keep an eye on our Global Summit page.
Yes! This year, we have an automatic 15% discount for bulk purchases of 5 or more of the same pass type.
- Select your chosen pass
- Fill in your details as the main organizing member
- Then add others to your booking under “add member” and fill out their details
Once you reach over 5 members, the discount is automatically applied to each pass!
Your pass provides access to panels, workshops, networking events, and cultural experiences.
VIP access, granted through speakership, exhibiting, or sponsorship, may include additional perks such as exclusive receptions, priority seating, and premium networking opportunities.
Your pass provides access to,Black Travel Alliance’s Wavelength (must be a creator to register), our Expo, Opening Reception, Wellness experiences, Breakfast, Keynote and Speaker Series, Lunch, Practitioner Breakouts, Black Travel Awards Gala, Competitions, Appointments, and our Closing Reception.
Your pass provides access to ourWellness experiences, Breakfast, Keynote and Speaker Series, Lunch, Practitioner Breakouts, and Black Travel Awards Gala.
Your pass provides access to our Expo, Opening Reception, Wellness experiencesBreakfast, Keynote and Speaker Series, Lunch, Corporate and Practitioner Breakouts, Black Travel Awards Gala, Competitions, appointments, and Closing Reception.
Your pass provides access to ourWellness experiences, Breakfast, Keynote and Speaker Series, Lunch, Corporate and Practitioner Breakouts, and Black Travel Awards Gala.
Your pass provides access to our VIP Reception, Black Travel Alliance’s Wavelength (must be a creator to register), our Expo, Opening Reception, Wellness experiences, Breakfast, Keynote and Speaker Series, Lunch, Corporate and Practitioner Breakouts, Black Travel Awards Gala, Competitions, Appointments, and Closing Reception.
Passes are non-refundable, but they may be transferable depending on the type of pass purchased until September 15, 2026. Please review our terms and conditions carefully prior to purchase, or reach out to us for assistance at [email protected].
Sponsorship, Partnerships, and Exhibiting
We offer multiple sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for brands and businesses looking to engage with the Black travel community. For more information on sponsoring, email [email protected]. For more information on exhibiting, click hereor email [email protected].
Absolutely! We work with brands to curate meaningful activations that align with our audience. Contact us [email protected]to discuss opportunities.
We thrive in creating partnerships with destinations that are passionate and intentional about creating products, services, and experiences for diverse audiences. For more information on what it takes to host a BTS in your city/region/country, reach out to our Partnerships team at [email protected]!
For Speakers
We welcome dynamic speakers, industry experts, and travel content creators to share insights at our events. Although our application for speakers for 2026 has closed, please subscribe to our newsletter to be notified about speaker applications for 2027.
Apply for a Media Pass
Yes! If you’re a journalist, writer, or content creator covering the travel industry, you can apply for a media pass. We have a limited number of passes available, so apply early. More details can be found on our Press & Media page.
Travel & Accommodation expenses are not covered, however accepted applications will be granted VIP access to the entire weekend.
Travel & Accommodations
Yes! We have partnered with the hotels located within a 1–15 minutes walk of the main event venues to support our attendee’s accommodation search. Click here to book your room today.
Securing travel insurance is highly recommended! When doing your research, be sure that you choose limits you feel comfortable with, particularly when it comes to healthcare coverage. Your choice in provider should be made once you have done a thorough review of company history and customer feedback.
Medical Emergencies
Yes. Registered nurses will be available on-site as medical volunteers to provide an initial assessment and assistance in the event of an emergency. The nurses will also coordinate with venue staff and utilize any available on-site emergency equipment and resources, where appropriate. Each venue will have established emergency procedures and contacts in place so that emergency medical services can be reached promptly if a higher level of care is required.
Black Travel Summit Community
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn for the latest updates.
We love having dedicated volunteers help make our events successful! Although applications have closed for 2026, if you’re interested in volunteering, sign up for our newsletter and watch out for application announcements for 2027.
Miscellaneous
If you have any other inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], and our team will be happy to assist you!