Travel writers, bloggers and tourism professionals to gather for immersive destination experiences and industry programming
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (April 23, 2026) –Southern Travelers Explore (STE), in partnership with Visit Tuscaloosa, will host its 2027 annual conference in Tuscaloosa from March 18–21, 2027, bringing together travel bloggers, journalists, influencers, destination marketing organizations and tourism industry professionals from across the United States.
Now entering its eighth year, Southern Travelers Explore is a premier conference focused on tourism, economic development, and storytelling through hands-on destination experiences. The event is known for its high-impact format, including educational sessions and networking opportunities as well as exploration of the host destination.
“We are thrilled to welcome Southern Travelers Explore to Tuscaloosa in 2027,” said Kelsey Rush, President & CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa. “This conference is a natural fit for our destination, allowing us to showcase Tuscaloosa’s culture, culinary offerings and community to our guests in a fun and immersive way. Hosting STE provides a great opportunity to connect with influential industry members who want to share Tuscaloosa’s story with audiences across the country.”
Tuscaloosa was selected as the 2027 host destination through a competitive bid process. Conference programming will take place at locations throughout the community, including meeting spaces, local restaurants, and off-site attractions, offering attendees an authentic look at the destination. The 2027 conference is expected to host approximately 65–75 attendees representing 20–24 states, generating an estimated 200 total room nights over a three-day period.
“Southern Travelers Explore is designed to connect passionate storytellers with destinations in a meaningful way,” said Melody Pittman, founder and organizer of Southern Travelers Explore. “Tuscaloosa offers an incredible mix of experiences, and we are excited to partner with Visit Tuscaloosa and local stakeholders to create a memorable conference for our attendees.”
For more information on Southern Travelers Explore, please visit https://www.facebook.com/SouthernTravelersExplore/.
For more information on Visit Tuscaloosa, please visit: https://visittuscaloosa.com/.
About Visit Tuscaloosa
As Tuscaloosa’s destination organization, Visit Tuscaloosa’s vision is to excel in illustrating the Tuscaloosa area as the South’s premier college town, celebrated for its storied legacy and hospitality. The organization is a community asset that stimulates economic growth and fosters resident pride through tourism and promotion efforts that inspire people to discover Tuscaloosa County. Visit Tuscaloosa’s efforts generate revenue for the community and consistently enhance the area’s public image as a dynamic place to live, work, play and visit. www.visittuscaloosa.com
