It always amazes me how much we remember our first time doing something big. Our TBEX experience in Wichita arrived with a quiet mix of curiosity and resolve. We had attended one Midwest-focused travel blogging conference, which was enough to understand the basics. This one would put us on the international stage. That gap became the reason we showed up with nervous anticipation.
From the first moments, it became clear this was not about collecting tips or chasing trends. It was about discovery. We found ourselves listening more carefully, observing how others moved through the space, and noticing how the industry reveals itself when you stop trying to define it too quickly.
TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange) felt like an invitation to see our work differently.
The Rhythm of Two and a Half Days
The conference unfolded over two and a half tightly packed days of meetings, classes, and shared moments that rarely followed a straight line. Schedules mattered, but flexibility mattered more. We learned early that the real value often appeared between sessions rather than inside them.
We have always loved visiting Wichita, and it proved to be a thoughtful host. The city’s pace offered room to breathe, which softened the intensity of the days. Midwest hospitality showed up not as spectacle but as steadiness, creating a setting that encouraged conversation without pressure.
From the locally-focused menus to the well-organized layout, the conference exuded Midwest charm. Even the handouts from destination partners silently spoke of Kansas heritage. That balance shaped how we absorbed everything else.
An Opening Night That Set the Tone
Opening night ceremonies landed us at Exploration Place. The atmosphere felt less like an event and more like a reunion. Food trucks lined the space, conversations overlapped, and familiar faces appeared when we least expected them.
Reconnecting with Ritz from Visit Kansas City Kansas, reminded us how relationships in this industry become friendships. We’ve had the opportunity to work with so many great tourism partners, and this evening we were able to see them again. It confirmed that consistency matters more than constant visibility.
While mingling, I thought back to each visit we have made in the past. It’s humbling to imagine the trust these partners place in us to share their stories with our audience. The night established a tone of long-term connections.
A Playground That Reflects a City
We were excited to discover that we would be some of the first to see the newest exhibit being constructed at Exploration Place. An outdoor pavilion would feature aviation and plains-themed play equipment. Our tour guide exuded the energetic ambition that is needed to bring this type of dream to reality. We lingered longer than expected, watching how it took shape against the Wichita skyline.
The space mirrored the city itself. Wichita understands where it comes from and builds on its roots without erasing them. As first-time TBEX attendees, we were in awe of the disciplined message that this city displays.
Growth does not require noise to be real, but it does account for all ages. As we prepared to walk back to our hotel, we discussed the need for a return visit to see the finished project.
Hearing Our Value Spoken Aloud
Our TBEX experience kicked into high gear the next morning. The opening conference session offered a perspective that we needed to hear. The speaker articulated the value travel bloggers bring to industry relationships with clarity and respect. It reframed collaboration as a partnership rather than a transaction.
For those navigating a first-time TBEX experience, that message landed with weight. It shifted how we viewed our role in conversations with destinations and brands. We were truly beginning to understand our position in the tourism industry.
Exploring Wichita Between Sessions
Free time in Wichita gave us space to experience the city on its own terms. We wandered into a Mexican restaurant we had not planned to visit and were met with attentive service and dishes that lingered in memory.
These moments reinforced why Wichita continues to resonate with us. The city rewards curiosity without demanding it. You feel welcome without being rushed or marketed to.
That authenticity carries its own authority. Throughout the conference, we heard people remark about the city’s hospitality and Midwest charm.
Learning Curves That Clarified Direction
TBEX classes revealed more about where we stood than where we were headed. Sessions challenged assumptions, exposed learning curves, and clarified expectations that had previously felt abstract. We discovered that we had been using many of the best practices without even realizing it.
Rather than overwhelming us, the content brought focus. We saw how professionalism in travel blogging is less about scale and more about intention. Standards exist not to limit creativity but to protect it.
At times, we have felt like we were moving with less focus than needed. The sessions we attended showed us that we had laid the groundwork for future success. That realization stayed with us long after the sessions ended.
An Evening Built on Shared Experience
Our final night took us to the Sedgwick County Zoo. Here, we discovered an immersive experience rather than a formal gathering. Food, atmosphere, and conversation blended into something that felt unstructured in the best way.
We talked with people at different stages of their journeys and quickly found common ground. The setting removed hierarchy. Everyone was present, engaged, and willing to listen. While we each had different aspirations, this TBEX conference showed us that we were all critical pieces in the tourism industry.
This connection became the key takeaway.
Walking Out With Light and Momentum
As the evening wound down, it was time to head back toward the zoo entrance. We were delighted to find the early glow of the zoo’s Wild Lights display. It provided one last “aha” moment. Not everything was fully illuminated yet, but enough was visible to suggest what was coming.
Our TBEX experience left us with clarity rather than conclusions. We better understood our momentum and recognized how future conferences could help us grow intentionally. Armed with a renewed purpose, we left Wichita on a high note. New plans were already in the works, and we were excited to see where the future would take us.
Curiosity is undoubtedly the most reliable compass.
