Southern Travelers Explore Conference: All You Need to Know

The 8th annual Southern Travelers Explore Conference is taking place March 18-21, 2027, in the heart of Alabama football country, Tuscaloosa. #STETuscaloosa will be an educational vacation with a true southern experience for those in the travel world.

Here is everything you need to know about it.

Group photo of Southern Travelers Explore Conference attendees gathered on the lakeside patio during the Oconee County, South Carolina conference.

What Is The Southern Travelers Explore Conference?

The Southern Travelers Explore Conference is a small-scale travel conference created in 2020 by Melody Pittman and Taylor Hardy (owners of Wherever I May Roam Blog).

#STE travel conference brings bloggers, influencers, journalists, CVBs, and DMOs from across the country together for a weekend of educational sessions, small group discussions, and a marketplace, while enjoying all that the host city has to offer.

Southern Travelers Explore Conference has taken place in Thomasville, GA ( Feb 2020), Tupelo, MS (Feb 2021), Huntsville, AL ( Feb 2022), Irving, TX (March 2023), Alabama Beaches (Feb 2024), Oconee County, SC (March 2025), and Louisiana River Parishes (March 2026). #STE has also expanded to include small scale retreats, the first taking place in Johnson City, TN (#STEJohnsonCity 2021).

The 8th Southern Travelers Explore Conference will be held March 18-21, 2027 in Tuscaloosa, AL—thus, named #STETuscaloosa.

Travel writers and influencers participating in educational sessions, networking, hosted breakfasts, and social events during the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.

Why You Should Attend:

A Collaborative Spirit: At #STE, we believe there’s room for everyone to thrive in the travel space. Our mission is to educate and empower our #STE Family, fostering an environment where knowledge, opportunities, and genuine connections are shared freely.

Making Everyone Feel Welcome: #STETuscaloosa is designed to be laid-back and inclusive, where every participant feels valued from the moment they arrive. You’ll find a warm, supportive community that’s eager to learn and grow together.

Valuable Takeaways for Everyone: Our programming is fully integrated, so CVBs and DMOs attend every session and activity alongside writers. You won’t just walk away with new contacts; you’ll walk away with real relationships and a deeper understanding of what today’s travel content creators need.

Southern Travelers Explore Conference attendees enjoying a group dinner and networking event at a restaurant in Seneca, South Carolina.

Who Is Invited To #STE (Southern Travelers Explore)?

All travel writers, bloggers, influencers, journalists, CVBs, and DMOs who want to learn skills related to their profession, network with others in the travel industry, and experience a fantastic southern destination are invited.

You don’t need to attend this conference with a friend or know anyone there. Melody and Taylor will see to it that you are “with friends” as soon as you arrive in town.

Professional portraits of travel creators and tourism professionals taken during the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Louisiana River Parishes.

Professional headshots of Southern Travelers Explore Conference attendees during the Louisiana River Parishes conference, featuring travel writers, bloggers, influencers, and destination marketing professionals. — One of our favorite surprise perks? Complimentary professional headshots! While we don’t offer them at every Southern Travelers Explore conference, we love including them whenever we can. It’s the perfect opportunity to update your media kit, website, speaker bio, and social profiles—all with one less thing to check off your to-do list.

How Much Does #STETuscaloosa Cost?

Tickets for travel writers, bloggers, influencers, journalists, and travel enthusiasts are $319 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. Your ticket includes all programming, local activities, meals, networking opportunities, transportation during the conference (to and from the host hotel), and a gift bag courtesy of our product sponsors.

If you are a CVB or DMO, please reach out to southerntravelersexplore@gmail.com for information about tickets and sponsorships. Tickets are currently $599. We even have virtual sponsorships available for destinations unable to attend.

There are a limited number of #STETuscaloosa tickets available.

Highlights from the Southern Travelers Explore Conference at Texican Court in Irving, Texas, including educational sessions, attendee networking, western-themed activities, and group discussions.

Where Will I Stay In Tuscaloosa?

We will have a designed host hotel (Embassy Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown)with special rates. It will be in a walkable location. More details to come soon.

You’re welcome to seek other lodging options in Tuscaloosa, but you will be responsible for your own transportation to all conference events.

The hotel is within a mile of Dinah Washington Center, Bama Theater, Children’s Hands on Museum, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, City Center, and the Historic Alabama Capitol.

Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, filled with fans as the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band performs on the football field before kickoff.

What If I’m Flying In?

Transportation to and from Tuscaloosa will be provided the day the Southern Travelers Explore Conference begins and ends from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), if you arrive before 1 PM on March 18th and depart after 3 PM on March 21st.

Airport arrivals outside of that timeframe will be responsible for their own transportation to the host city. The distance between the two is 62 miles.

What Will I Learn At #STE?

There will be educational sessions with amazing speakers during the conference . The number will be either four or five, depending on the time frame educational sessions have been announced. We may have educational seminars and group discussions, as well.

Promotional graphic highlighting the educational speakers for the 2020 Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Thomasville, Georgia, featuring keynote speaker Patricia Schultz and five additional travel industry presenters.

In the past, some of our conference sessions have been:

How To Create Content By Working Smarter Not Harder

Led by: Megan Bannister of Olio in Iowa

Cashing In Beyond Writing

Led by: Melissa Garcia of Roaming My Planet

Promotional graphic showcasing educational session speakers for the 2023 Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Irving, Texas, featuring travel creators and industry experts presenting on SEO, affiliate marketing, YouTube, social media, and tourism marketing.

#STETuscaloosa Conference Overview

Thursday, March 18

Attendees will meet at designated spot for opening and introductions, then be off to the opening event sponsored by Visit Tuscaloosa.

Friday, March 19

Attendees will have breakfast, then spend half the day (around 3-4 hours) in educational sessions before breaking into smaller groups for 1/2 day activities around and nearby Tuscaloosa.

We will have a short rest then split into groups for the dine around event, which may look a bit different this year.

Saturday, March 20

Ditto Friday with different 1/2 day activities and educational session. We will have a special evening reception on this day and a surprise activity.

Sunday, March 21

Brunch in the midst of a marketplace and special sessions. Lastly, the #STE closing and goodbyes and hopefully announcement of 2028 conference location.

Please note: There may be optional pre and/or post FAM trips, late evening activities, and additional sightseeing options, but that won’t be shared until much closer to conference time.

Photo collage highlighting the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Louisiana River Parishes with attendee group photos, destination tours, tourism marketplace appointments, networking opportunities, conference participants, and hosted local experiences.

Join Us For #STETuscaloosa!

We would love for you to join us in March for a weekend of educational sessions, small group discussions, and a marketplace, while also enjoying some of what the beautiful city of Tuscaloosa (T-Town) has to offer.

Stay up to date with all things #STE on our Facebook page.

Learn more about the Southern Travelers Explore Conference

*Tickets are nonrefundable

*All ticket holders must be at least 21 years old

Summary of Previous #STE Conferences

#STELARiverParishes 2026

Louisiana’s RiverParishes immersed attendees in the rich culture, complex history, and unforgettable experiences of Louisiana’s River Parishes. Our seventh annual Southern Travelers Explore Conference welcomed more than 70 creators while maintaining the close-knit atmosphere that has always defined #STE.

Photo collage from the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Louisiana River Parishes featuring attendees networking, group photos, educational sessions, Mardi Gras masks, conference activities, casino fun, and a visit with a mascot during hosted destination experiences.

Over 3 1/2 days, attendees explored three unique parishes, gaining thoughtful perspectives on the region’s plantation history through knowledgeable interpreters, historians, and guides. The itinerary also showcased the area’s adventurous and flavorful side with swamp tours, zip-lining, a hands-on Cajun cooking experience, live music, casino entertainment, a premier tobacco tour, and visits to popular film locations. It was a meaningful and memorable week that highlighted the incredible depth and diversity of one of Louisiana’s most fascinating regions.

Photo collage from the Southern Travelers Explore Conference showcasing networking events, attendees, welcome gifts, local cuisine, live entertainment, destination tours, and social gatherings throughout Louisiana River Parishes.

#STEOconeeCoSC 2025

This was one for the books! Visit Oconee County welcomed Southern Travelers Explore attendees with open arms, showcasing the best of South Carolina’s Upcountry through unforgettable experiences, scenic landscapes, and genuine Southern hospitality. For many attendees, it was their very first visit, making the destination’s waterfalls, wineries, charming towns, and outdoor adventures even more memorable.

We enjoyed unique meeting venues—including a picturesque winery and a converted water tank building—along with horse-drawn carriage rides, dance lessons, visits with miniature farm animals, and a warm welcome reception at Off the Alley at Nimmons Hall.

Collage of attendees enjoying the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Oconee County, South Carolina, featuring networking, group transportation, marketplace meetings, and travel creator friendships.

#STEAlabamaBeaches 2024

This was our biggest conference yet, but it still felt like a family reunion. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach treated attendees to beautiful beachfront accommodations, inspiring meeting spaces, and the warm hospitality the Alabama Gulf Coast is known for. Many attendees discovered this coastal gem for the first time and quickly fell in love with its white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, and laid-back atmosphere.

Conference highlights included a classic Gulf Coast seafood boil, a hands-on sandcastle-building lesson with Sand Castle University, live music, delicious dine-around experiences, and an unforgettable evening at the legendary Flora-Bama. It was a week filled with meaningful connections, memorable adventures, and plenty of reasons to start planning a return trip.

Collage of Southern Travelers Explore Conference attendees enjoying Alabama Beaches, including Flora-Bama, networking, educational sessions, hosted meals, and destination experiences.

#STEIrving 2023

Irving was packed with Texas-sized hospitality, unforgettable experiences, and valuable learning opportunities. Visit Irving welcomed Southern Travelers Explore attendees with open arms, introducing many to one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s most vibrant destinations. Our home base at the charming Texican Court set the stage for educational sessions covering YouTube growth, TikTok and Reels, affiliate marketing, content repurposing, and diversifying income beyond writing.

Between sessions, attendees customized their own Stetson hats, added personalized locks to Irving’s Love Lock Bridge, enjoyed surprise gondola cruises on scenic Lake Carolyn, participated in bonus educational workshops, and received professional headshots. It was an inspiring weekend filled with creativity, collaboration, and authentic Texas charm.

Collage from the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Irving, Texas, featuring attendees exploring the city, educational sessions, customized Stetson hats, and networking activities.

#STEHuntsville 2022

Huntsville launched attendees into an unforgettable weekend in Alabama’s Rocket City, no pun intended. Travelers from 21 states gathered in Huntsville for our third Southern Travelers Explore conference, where the stylish 106 Jefferson Hotel provided exceptional hospitality and an ideal setting for learning and networking. Educational sessions focused on strengthening partnerships with destination marketing organizations, how tourism boards evaluate creators, and building successful brand collaborations.

Beyond the conference room, attendees toured the U.S. Space & Rocket Center beneath the legendary Saturn V rocket, enjoyed a rooftop brunch with panoramic city views at Baker & Able, and experienced Huntsville’s vibrant food and entertainment scene during a dine-around at Campus 805 and Stovehouse. It was an inspiring weekend that showcased why Huntsville continues to be one of the South’s most innovative and welcoming destinations.

Collage from the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, featuring educational sessions, marketplace appointments, networking, and welcome signage in Rocket City.

#STETupelo 2021

This event proved that even unexpected challenges can lead to unforgettable memories. Held just after the historic 2021 winter storm that brought much of Mississippi to a standstill, our second Southern Travelers Explore Conference became a true testament to resilience, flexibility, and community. Despite icy roads and temporary business closures, attendees embraced the experience while learning about video creation, Pinterest strategy, SEO, and tax planning for content creators through both in-person and virtual sessions.

More importantly, the weekend forged lasting friendships and transformed a group of travel creators into the #STE family we know today. What could have been a setback instead became one of our most meaningful conferences and laid the foundation for the close-knit community that continues to grow each year.

#STEThomasville 2020

Thomasville was where the Southern Travelers Explore story began. Just weeks before the world changed in 2020, 25 travel creators gathered in the charming town of Thomasville, Georgia, for our very first conference. Hosted at the beautiful South Eden Plantation, attendees learned about podcasting, email marketing, blog monetization, and standing out in the ever-changing digital landscape. A true highlight was welcoming bestselling travel author Patricia Schultz (1,000 Places to See Before You Die), whose inspiring presentation set the tone for the weekend.

Amidst educational sessions, attendees enjoyed dining inside the historic Showboat Theater, sampling local favorites on the Taste of Thomasville Food Tour, and snapping photos beneath the iconic Big Oak, it was the beginning of a community built on education, collaboration, and a shared passion for travel.

Collage from the inaugural Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Thomasville, Georgia, featuring South Eden Plantation, Patricia Schultz, local wine, networking, and educational sessions.

#STEJohnsonCity 2021 Retreat

JohnsonCity hosted our very first Southern Travelers Explore Retreat, bringing creators together for a weekend dedicated entirely to photography. Hosted at the elegant Carnegie Hotel & Spa in Johnson City, Tennessee, the retreat featured eight hands-on photography sessions designed to help attendees sharpen their skills while exploring the region’s most photogenic locations.

The weekend kicked off with a lively welcome event at Tennessee Hills Brewstillery, followed by a guided visit to historic Jonesborough—the oldest town in Tennessee—and an evening at the hidden Windsor Speakeasy. It was the perfect combination of education, inspiration, and East Tennessee hospitality, giving attendees plenty of opportunities to grow their craft while making lasting friendships.