It’s All About the Beach as IPW 2026 kicks off in Fort Lauderdale

Opening day at IPW 2026 this week gave host city Fort Lauderdale, FL the opportunity to showcase its most iconic attraction – its broad, soft white beach, facing the Atlantic Ocean.

IPW – America’s largest international tourism marketplace – kicked off with a welcome celebration that started in the late afternoon under warm, sultry South Florida skies.

It invited thousands of delegates to stroll between open-air pavilions to take in musical performances and dance, while snacking on trays of finger foods. The pavilions were linked by walkways that terminated at the broad beach, where delegates were tempted to kick off their footwear and experience the oceanfront sand.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of international media assembled at The Fort open air sports complex for a brunch, before leaving on tours that explored the city’s many attractions.

But before then, Brand USA president and CEO Fred Dixon took the stage at the media brunch and announced expansions to the organization’s America the Beautiful brand platform.

One of those is the “Get Facts. Get Going” initiative, which has been designed to provide real-time information on visa and entry policies, fees, and more to combat misperceptions.

“Get Facts. Get Going serves as a single source of information to address misperceptions head-on,” said Dixon. “We want international visitors to know that we are open for business and warmly welcome them.”

Brand USA says misperceptions about visa requirements, entry procedures, fees such as visa integrity and national park pricing, and screening policies have created confusion among some international travellers. Until now, no single easy-to-use resource has brought this information together in one place, says the organization.

With the by-line “Travel with Confidence to the USA”, the initiative addresses a range of misperceptions circulating on social media and in international markets, including outdated or incomplete information, says Brand USA.

“In each case, the facts tell a far more welcoming story than what travellers are hearing,” said Dixon. Brand USA is publishing a full set of facts at visittheusa.com/entry

IPW 2026 continues until May 22 at the Broward County Convention Center. It is being attended by up to 6,000 American tourism product suppliers, plus tourism buyers from around the world and international media members.

In the Photos

Enjoying the Fort Lauderdale beach at the IPW opening night party.

Brand USA president and CEO Fred Dixon addresses the media during day one of IPW.

Enjoying a beachfront perspective during the IPW welcome party event.

Stacy Ritter, president/CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale convention and visitors bureau took the stage at the IPW media brunch.

Dance partiers meet during the IPW first night event in Fort Lauderdale.