Connections hosts New York's first luxury travel trade show 

B2B travel events specialist Connections Luxury has celebrated the success of the first luxury travel trade show ever to be held in New York City.

The Connections Luxury Americas New York City event took place from March 9-12 and brought together more than 160 luxury travel professionals from 33 countries including US-based agents and global luxury suppliers.

Guests were selected from a community with a combined $7.8 billion in annual spending power and participated in networking receptions and more than 1,200 targeted one-to-one meetings in addition to immersive cultural activities.

Events took place at venues including the Harmonie Club, the second-oldest members’ club in New York, and Bar SixtyFive at the top of the Rockefeller Center. Guests also enjoyed the Metropolitan Opera’s premiere of Moby-Dick.

Julie Coker, president and chief executive of New York City Tourism + Conventions, said: “Today, we are experiencing two firsts. This is the first Connections event in New York City, and it is also the first luxury travel trade show to be hosted in the city.”

Gregory Reeves, managing director, international at Connections Luxury and Travel Weekly parent company Jacobs Media, added: “Bringing the Connections Luxury experience to New York City has been a remarkable milestone for us.

“The enthusiasm and engagement from participants has reinforced our commitment to fostering genuine relationships in the luxury travel industry.”

Connections said its debut New York City event reflected its strategic expansion in the US market.

The event was supported by New York City Tourism + Conventions, Tourism Ireland, Newport Beach, XO Private, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, The Metropolitan Opera, Rockefeller Center, Beyond Times Square, Knickerbocker Hotel, Equinox Hotel, Intercontinental Barclay, Lotte New York Palace, Park Hyatt New York, The Ned, The Peninsula New York, The Prince Kitano New York and Trump International.