It’s that time again — we’re just a month away from another Arival Event, and we couldn’t be more excited. Since Arival Berlin and Arival Bangkok blew us away, we know that Arival Orlando is going to end off 2019 with a bang.
Over the last couple of years, the Arival team has done a fantastic job of bringing in-destination experiences to the forefront. Now the biggest event for tours, activities, and attractions, this multi-day conference is jam-packed with learning and networking opportunities.
Whether you’re new to Arival, a regular attendee, or still on the fence about going, we’ve compiled (almost) everything you need to know about the next event.
When is Arival Orlando, and where
Arival Orlando is taking place from October 28-31, 2019, and will be at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Can you think of a better way to celebrate Halloween?
You can stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort if there’s still availability, but Arival tends to sell out, and rooms at the host hotel always get booked up quickly.
Why go to this Arival event
That said, it’s not too late to register for Arival Orlando. We strongly encourage you to attend — especially if you haven’t been before. And here are six reasons why you shouldn’t miss it:
- we’re going to be there, along with hundreds of operators, distribution companies, and other travel tech
- there will be tons of valuable workshops and demos that can help with your specific hurdles
- theatre sessions are always buzzing with new insight, thought-provoking opinions, and spirited debates
- with many one-on-one opportunities, you can get the answers you need
- you can socialize with your fellow attendees, including big names in the industry
- not to mention Disney World is nearby — before or after the event
What’s happening at Arival Orlando
There’s a lot planned over four days. By figuring out what you want to prioritize, you can make the most of Arival Orlando. We’ll go over what you can generally expect from this event, but you should also check out the detailed agenda here.
First day and registration
The first day of anything is always the best — first day of school, launching your tour business, wearing a new pair of jeans. It’s the same for an Arival event.
Everyone comes eager to learn and connect; there’s palpable energy in the Networking Lounge. By arriving early, you can be part of that initial camaraderie, while also enjoying pre-Arival workshops, and exploring the Specialty Spaces. Plus, there’s a Welcome Reception for first-timers with the Arival co-founders.
Most importantly, the first day is great for setting up meetings. While you can chat during coffee breaks over the week, you have uninterrupted time to sit down with who you want. Having said that, Checkfront will be available throughout to talk about our booking management platform.
So, if you’re curious about online bookings, or want to find out more about optimizing your operations, feel free to contact Alex via email or LinkedIn. You can also message him on the Arival ConnexMe app during the event, or anyone from the team. Here’s who you can look forward to seeing:
*Note: Registration opens at 10 am on October 28th, in the Sun Lobby on Level 2.
Theatre Sessions
Arival never disappoints with the hot topics discussed on the main stage. As expected, there’s an amazing line up at Arival Orlando, covering everything from the big picture to the nitty-gritty — including tech, tools, data, strategies, and trends.
Our very own co-founder and CEO, Jason Morehouse, will also be speaking during The Great Tech Debate: A Roundtable of Reservations. Joining other CEOs of booking software companies, he’s keen to share what we do and what makes us different. So bring the popcorn.
The Great Tech Debate: A Roundtable of Reservations
Wednesday, October 30th
9:05 am, Arival Theatre
Of course, there are plenty of sessions happening all week. To figure out which ones are a must-attend for you, check out the detailed list of the program.
However, we recommend you make it to the first session of the week — The Best Part of Travel (and the Biggest Opportunity). Hosted by the co-founder and CEO of Arival, Douglas Quinby, it’s a great way to kick off the event with the Arival community.
The Best Part of Travel (and the Biggest Opportunity)
Tuesday, October 29th
9:05 am, Arival Theatre
Workshops and Demo Labs
For a more focused and hands-on experience, the workshops and demos are where it’s at. Not only will you get to hear from experts in their field, but you’ll also bond with other participants who want to learn about the same thing.
There are plenty of workshops and demos to choose from, and you can pre-register for these to guarantee a seat. Keep in mind that some might overlap in time, so double-check the agenda before you do.
Just like last year, we are hosting two unique demos:
Master Your Booking Strategy with Optimized Business Operations
Tuesday, October 29th
12:15 pm to 12:45 pm
Using Your Booking Management Platform to Create an Omnichannel Experience
Wednesday, October 30th
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
As for workshops, here’s the full list. But there are a couple, in particular, we think you should add to your schedule:
Scaling Yourself: The Path to Growth for Small & Medium-Sized Operators
Josh Oakes, Co-founder of the Sunshine Tribe
Tuesday, October 29th
11:30 am to 12:15 pm
Using Your Online Reviews to Drive Sales
Kelsey Tonner, Founder of Be a Better Guide
Tuesday, October 29th
11:30 am to 12:15 pm
As you can see, these workshops occur simultaneously. Luckily, we’re hosting a live webinar with Kelsey and Josh on October 2nd at 1:00 pm PST. So you can get a sneak peek into their tips and tactics, as well as the opportunity to ask them both questions.
Register for the free Webinar, How to Grow a Tour Business, with Kelsey Tonner and Josh Oakes
Networking Parties
After a full day of learning, you might want to retreat to your hotel room. While that’s understandable, it’s a good idea to stick around for the networking parties. These social events are perfect for making new connections and having fun with the Arival community.
Here’s what is going on every night:
The Big Arival Welcome Reception
Emerald Plaza & Castillo de San Marcos Fort
Monday, October 28th
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The Lawn Happy Hour Party Hour
Coquina Lawn
Tuesday, October 29th
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Wednesday Late Night
Tu Tu Tango
Wednesday, October 30th
9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
How to get there and around
By far, driving is the most convenient way to get around Orlando. While renting a car might seem like the best option, you should consider the parking rates at the Convention Center first. Even if you’re staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort, it’s $24 USD plus tax for on-site parking, per day.
That’s why we suggest taking a cab, Uber or Lyft. For your reference, Arival’s official transportation partner is Taxi2Airport — which doesn’t mean the fare is included in your ticket. Transportation services aren’t offered to and from the airport, by Arival or the Gaylord Palms Resort.
Once you arrive, it’s relatively easy to get around the Convention Center. The Arival Event will be on the west side of the building, the Sun Lobby. Here’s the layout of the event:
Some weekend fun in Orlando
If you’re attending an event that celebrates in-destination experiences, wouldn’t it make sense to enjoy some in-destination experiences while you’re there? Yeah, we agree.
Luckily, Orlando is chock-full of incredible experiences — from swimming with manatees to airboat rides and gator spotting. Here are some ideas for fun weekend activities in Orlando, depending on your travel plans:
- Disney World, and other theme parks — of course
- Scuba dive the Blue Grotto
- Go fishing at Lake Toho
- Check out Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit
- Solve riddles at an Escape Room
- Paddle along Shingle Creek
- Take a boat tour of Winter Park
- Enjoy a themed dinner and show
- Drink at the Ice Bar
- Swim with manatees in Crystal River
- Master your axe throwing
- Get muddy with an ATV ride
- Explore the Everglades by airboat
- See Orlando by helicopter
- Get close enough to kiss a gator
- Race in a Nascar go-kart
- Visit the Kennedy Space Center
Other tips for Arival Orlando 2019
Okay, let’s quickly summarize. For Arival Orlando 2019, you should arrive early, pre-register for workshops and demos, set up a meeting with Checkfront, participate in social events, avoid parking fees, and have fun on the weekend. So, are you ready?
Just in case, here are other tips for the event:
- Wear your name badge at all times, or you won’t be allowed access to Arival
- Dress how you wish — casual, formal, or sporting your swag
- Bring your ID (in case you lose your Arival badge), as well as a phone charger, business cards, pens, notepad or tablet, reusable water bottle, snacks, etc.
- Pack a lunch for Monday and Thursday, Arival will provide lunch for Tuesday and Wednesday
- Download the Arival ConnexMe app to connect with other attendees during the event
Want to try Checkfront before meeting the team at Arival Orlando?
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