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ATWS 2023
© Hokkaido District Transport Bureau and Hokkaido Tourism Organization
Get ready for your 2023 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) experience! Whether you’re a new delegate or hoping to learn how to maximize your time in Hokkaido, tune into this 1-hour webinar with the ATWS event team for a virtual orientation to the following:
- Location, Venue and Traveler Info
- Day of Adventure
- Summit agenda
- Who is attending; how to schedule meetings
- Connecting with media
- Time for your questions
All delegates, regardless of what business you come from or what your goals are, should be able to glean some tips to maximize your time at the Summit from this webinar.
General FAQs
What is the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS)?
ATWS, or the Summit, is the preeminent global event for adventure travel professionals to gather. Over the course of this multi-day event, delegates network with adventure-based tour operators and media from around the world, advance their professional development and knowledge of adventure travel trends, and help promote their company’s adventure product to the adventure travel industry’s influencers and decision makers. It is not a traditional trade show.
This year’s Summit is a four-day event that kicks off with a Day of Adventure, giving delegates the opportunity to casually connect and network with other delegates while exploring the island of Hokkaido. The event days that follow are jam-packed with educational sessions, inspirational speakers, networking events, Marketplace (a session of pre-scheduled meetings between suppliers and buyers), MediaConnect (impromptu meetings with media members), and entertainment.
Check out our Events page to view videos of previous Summit adventures, plenary sessions, and highlights.
Who should register to attend the Adventure Travel World Summit?
Every year, representatives from the adventure travel industry come together at the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) to learn, get inspired and enjoy a decidedly adventurous destination anywhere in the world. Produced by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the Summit is for tour operators, adventure travel writers and influencers, tourism boards, gear partners, and industry partners. More than just a conference, the Summit is a global gathering of an industry that works hard and plays hard, offering deep-dive educational content, keynote speakers and endless networking opportunities – both structured and impromptu — including a Tour Operator Marketplace with a globally diverse group of businesses and destinations and a MediaConnect session where delegates can pitch story ideas to international travel writers and editors.
What does the $1,799 USD (Business Member*) $2,199 USD (Non-Member) registration fee include?
Your paid registration includes entrance for one person to all four days of the Summit (11-14 September 2023) which includes:
- Access to all ATWS educational and networking events
- Listing in the online delegate directory
- Scheduled Summit meals – three lunches
- Access to the ATWS exclusive online community and networking app
- The Day of Adventure – including transportation, an adventure activity, equipment (if needed), and lunch. Available on a first-come, first-served basis.
*A business member registration is per person rather than per company. If your company is an ATTA Member, you may purchase the member-priced ticket at $1,799 USD, instead of $2,199 USD. There is no limit to how many registrations can be purchased by a single company.
What is not included in the registration fee?
Marketplace Table – Marketplace is a special session of pre-scheduled meetings between suppliers and buyers. Suppliers including Inbound Tour Operators and Accommodations may purchase a Marketplace table while supplies last.
Please note: Within the event agenda, there are numerous other opportunities to network, such as during the Day of Adventure, social events, and meals. As a delegate you will receive access to ATTA Compass, the official event navigation and networking app for ATTA events. Additionally, the sessions are full of information to help you improve your business, and the MediaConnect networking session will enable you to meet editorial staff from many publications.
Lodging/Hotels – There are many hotels and lodging options with easy access to the Sapporo Convention Center, where the Summit will take place. You can find more information on the Traveler Information page.
Flights/Airfare – Flights to and from Hokkaido, Japan, are not included in the registration fee.
What if I need to cancel or transfer my registration to a co-worker?
Please see ATTA’s Refund Policy page for details about a cancellation or transfer.
Do I book my hotel accommodations through the ATTA?
No. Delegates must book their own accommodations. Recommendations for lodging can be found on the ATWS Traveler Information page or through the special booking link here. If you have any difficulty booking your reservation through this special booking site, which is not operated by ATTA, please contact JTB Corp Hokkaido Branch at [email protected] or TEL: +81-11-221-4800
What is the cancellation policy for accommodations?
Please check with the hotel you booked for its cancellation policy.
Are there any airline discounts?
At this time, there are no special airline discounts available.
Are volunteer opportunities available for ATWS?
No, we do not have any volunteer opportunities available.
How many people from my company can attend?
There is no limit to how many people from one company may attend. Note: One registration is valid for one person. As long as there are Summit registrations still available for purchase, anyone can register.
How can I attend as a media delegate?
If you produce, publish, or sell a media product, we encourage you to attend the Summit as a regular delegate and immerse yourself in the adventure travel community while helping promote your company’s adventure product to the industry’s influencers and decision makers. There are a limited number of official media delegate badges available for selected international freelance journalists, on-staff writers and editors, and professional bloggers/influencers. Official media delegate badge holders are selected through an application process well in advance of the event. If you applied for an official media designation but were not selected, or if the media application window is now closed, you are also welcome to register as a regular event delegate (without media credentials). Half-day passes may be available for local television, radio, or newspaper representatives to access a local press conference and the event’s opening session. Contact [email protected].
Networking App
What is the official networking app link for 2023?
How do I set up the app?
Watch this video tutorial on using the app. Please note the tutorial is using the AdventureNEXT Bogotá as the demo but features are the same across all events.
I have a question about the app, where can I find answers?
For more questions, you can reference the Attendee Knowledge Base.
Marketplace
What is Marketplace like?
Marketplace is a small, intimate environment that connects suppliers and buyers. Similar to “speed dating” but with an emphasis on quality over quantity. Marketplace provides a great atmosphere for introductions, learning about new opportunities, and engaging in product development discussions. Each meeting is 12 minutes long with a 3 minute transition between meetings, giving you the opportunity to have up to 11 meetings
As a supplier, how can I secure quality Marketplace meetings?
ATTA Compass is the first step to having a great Marketplace experience. Reaching out to buyers you wish to meet with prior to the appointment request process is the second step — the more you reach out in advance, the more meetings you will have on-site. Utilize the “Message” feature on the app to reach out to buyers and ask them to request you, as requests will be approved based on buyer-supplier matches.
I didn’t receive all my requested appointments. Why?
In the weeks before ATWS, all Marketplace participants will be invited to request meetings by indicating who they would like to “Meet”, “Must Meet” or “No Thanks”. Our software then analyzes everyone’s preferences and schedules meetings so that everyone receives the maximum number of “Meet” and “Must Meet” matches that are mathematically possible. The algorithm ensures maximum fairness, but cannot guarantee any particular meetings.
The good news is that once you have your finalized Marketplace schedule, you are then free to request meetings through the app with any delegates that you wish outside of the Marketplace session.
How can I meet people without participating in the Marketplace?
The Summit is developed for networking throughout the entire event — Marketplace is just one of many ways to connect. Dedicated networking/coffee breaks and the Day of Adventure are great ways to connect with other delegates. Registered delegates may use the ATTA Compass app for pre-event networking, knowledge-sharing, and appointment scheduling at the event. There will be a dedicated MEET ME HERE location to help delegates find each other. Connecting with fellow delegates will also take place during lunches, at the partner networking tables, and during the concurrent sessions as well.
How big is my Marketplace table and what should I bring for my table?
Table - Your table will be a rectangular table 78in x 18in / 200cm x 45cm, equipped with four chairs per table. Any table toppers or flags need to be short and narrow enough as to not block anyone's view during the meetings.
Recommended marketing materials - Whatever you are able to bring and pass out to your meeting attendees works great. ATTA is trying to reduce the amount of paper products we have at our events to be more sustainable, so here are some suggestions and other ideas that have been used before: pens, notepads, lip balms, stickers, artisan made crafts and souvenirs, fabric napkins/handkerchief, candy, mints, hand sanitizer, maps, bright rug (table cloth, table runner) etc.
I see two Marketplace sessions on the agenda, do I have meetings in both sessions?
Suppliers will be able to participate in one of the two Marketplace sessions. There is a morning session and an afternoon session. Your meeting location will specify which session you will participate in.
Example: “Table 1 - Morning” -OR- “Table 1 - Afternoon”
Buyers / Outbound Tour Operators will participate in both Morning and Afternoon Marketplace sessions.
Health / COVID-19 FAQ
As part of ATTA’s commitment to nurturing a responsible and sustainable adventure travel industry, we ask all delegates to prioritize the health of the communities that we visit by following all local regulations and taking steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Links will be provided here to the most updated local rules and regulations with regard to COVID-19 and may include the following: requirement to be vaccinated, proof of testing for an illness, mask requirements, social distancing or other culturally appropriate requests. Local policies can change, sometimes rapidly, and we all must be prepared to adapt to them if they do.
Are there special COVID screenings and/or requirements for this event?
As of January 2023 there will be no special COVID screenings or requirements to participate in this event beyond the local rules and regulations.
Visit the official website for the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to learn about the current border measures in Japan with regard to COVID-19.
Visit the official website for the Office for COVID-19 and Other Emerging Infectious Disease Control to learn about mask-wearing and other local regulations with regard to COVID-19.
Be sure to bookmark these pages and check them frequently before you travel for any changes.
Medical Resources
Guide for when you are feeling ill in Japan
24 Hour Health Hotline with Multi-Language Support
Sapporo Hospital with Multi-Language Support and a 24 Hour Emergency Department
Where to find a COVID test in Japan?
COVID-19 Information & Resources (Japan)
Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Coronavirus Helpline
ATTA Contact Info if you need assistance - [email protected]
What should I do if I feel sick during the event?
If you feel sick, we thank you in advance for promptly avoiding contact with other delegates and seeking a COVID test.
If you test positive for COVID-19, it will not be permissible for you to participate in the event since face-to-face contact would put other delegates at risk. Regular cancellation policies apply if you are not able to participate in the event due to any type of illness (including COVID). Please reference our policies here.
If you need assistance, please contact us at [email protected]. We want to make sure you are able to rest, recuperate and get home safely.
See the links above for resources to help you build your personal plan-of-action to navigate an illness while traveling. We also highly recommend securing a Travel Insurance policy that would reimburse you if your travel plans are interrupted. Some ATTA-member Travel Insurance providers we recommend investigating are World Nomads, AIG, Global Rescue, and Ripcord – powered by Redpoint.
If you test negative for COVID-19 and you are feeling well, you may participate in the event. Please note that it is culturally expected in Japan to wear a mask if you are not feeling well for the benefit of others around you, especially if you have any visible signs of illness such as sweating or coughing.