2012 Travel & Adventure Show

The nation’s largest travel and adventure show returns to Chicago January 28--29 for its eighth consecutive year. For the first time, Travel Channel star Samantha Brown will be appearing at the Chicago show, speaking about the joys of discovering everyday life around the world and meeting fans on both days. (Samantha appears Saturday, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., with an autograph signing to follow both days.)   

Other travel celebrities slated to appear include popular Chicago native and Travel Channel host, Mark DeCarlo, and Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die.  DeCarlo will host a Fiery Foods Challenge featuring Chicago area chefs (with tastings for the audience) and an interactive cooking competition that lets show attendees “cook off” for a Yucatan vacation.

A very unique feature of the Travel & Adventure Show is a 15,000 gallon heated scuba pool erected inside the convention center. Visitors to the show can take a dive and will be provided wet suits, scuba tanks, professional instructors, and even hair dryers!  Following a dip, visitors can take the fun to new heights with a climb up the rock wall and a stately ride on a live camel.  In between activities and visiting more than 100 world-class exhibitors, guests can pause for a moment to enjoy non-stop cultural music and dance performances on the Global Beats Stage.

The Travel & Adventure Show opens Saturday, January 28, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, January 29, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (The show opens 9:30 a.m. Saturday for travel professionals.) Adult admission is $9 online with Promo Code: CHPR or $15 at the door. Children 16 year of age and under are free.