The 12th Annual Chicago Travel & Adventure Show landed at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, on Jan. 23- 24.
Hoping to stir tourism with locals, companies were on hand to entertain and give out information.
Official travel partner AAA Travel stands out every year with a massive display right front and center in the convention area as people enter to massive room.
The state of Arizona really stepped up with multiple areas that featured a photo booth, tons of information and even cactus-seed samples to take home.
Stages along the edges of the room hosted cooking demonstrations and dancers from around the world. Sessions on packing and photography were presented throughout the two days to give travelers tips on how to travel more successfully.
Camel rides and animal encounters with owls gave attendees a chance to be up close and personal with creatures from the wild.
Travel celebrities such as writer Rick Steves and editorial director Pauline Frommer signed autographs following their speaking engagements to the crowds.
Everywhere from Kentucky to West Virginia to Florida was represented nationally while representatives with international destinations Italy, Australia and Africa were among others marketing out brochures.
With chaotic weather in Chicago, this was a much needed excursion for many to wrangle up travel plans for the future.
For more on this expo, visit travelshows.com .
Text by Jerry Nunn