If you weren't in Miami for the 5th Annual ABTP Summit
this August, you definitely missed one of the most vibrant, culture-packed
events in the travel advisor industry.
Picture this: over 100 travel advisors from across the
country gathered under the palm trees to learn, network, celebrate,
and—yes—bust a few line dance moves.
Hosted by the Association of Black Travel Professionals
(ABTP), the Summit isn't your typical industry conference. Sure, there are the
powerful business sessions you'd expect, but this gathering goes deeper,
celebrating Black culture while empowering advisors with tools to grow their
businesses.
One minute you're taking notes on new supplier
opportunities, the next you're watching the crowd fan themselves to "Boots
on the Ground," and by the end of the night, Uncle Luke is blasting in
true Miami fashion.
ABTP, founded to focus on the development, growth, and
certification of Black travel professionals, has become the premier hub for
those serious about elevating their place in the industry. And judging by this
year's turnout and energy, the momentum is only growing.
As co-founder Veranda Adkins put it, "This was
the 5th Annual ABTP Summit and each year our numbers are growing with both
agents and supplier partners. We have received so much positive feedback about
the connections that were made with those in attendance."
ABTP Summit. (Photo Credit: Belvin Baldwin II)
Suppliers are taking note, too. The Black travel market
represents a staggering $145 billion in spending power, according to MMGY
Travel Intelligence. Companies like AmaWaterways are leaning in—Jazzmine Douse,
their national accounts manager, announced multiple new Soulful Experience
river cruises to capture and celebrate this audience.
As Jeffery Heard from Generali Global Assistance summed
it up, "It was inspiring to see the tremendous growth of ABTP and to
witness the energy and impact the organization is driving in the
community."
But here's the thing: while the ABTP Summit shines a
light on Black culture in travel, it's not just for Black advisors. The doors
are open to anyone curious about the business of travel and excited to
experience a culture that continues to shape the industry.
ABTP Summit. (Photo Credit: Belvin Baldwin II)
As one co-founder, Shawnta Harrison, explained, "The
ABTP Summit is a place for networking and learning new tools to grow and
develop your business. Each year, we get calls from agents that say they
learned something at the Summit that they have successfully implemented in
their businesses."
So if you're picturing a stiff conference with endless
PowerPoints, think again. The ABTP Summit is where serious business meets
unapologetic fun, where culture isn't an afterthought—it's the heartbeat of the
entire experience. And judging by how fast it's growing, you might want to go
ahead and mark your calendar for year six in Charlotte, NC, August 20-23, 2026.
Because in Miami, it wasn't just about travel—it was
about community, culture, and a movement that's only getting stronger.
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