Wednesday, May 7, 2025

9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Capitol Hill | 21 D Street, SE | Washington, DC

All attendees will be invited to participate in Travel Tech’s Policy & Innovation Showcase on Capitol Hill from 5:00 to 7:00 pm to demonstrate the breadth of our industry to policymakers and build constituent connections.

Community

Town Hall: What does the travel tech start-up community need to feel supported?

Programming

What do travel tech investors look for? How can start-ups navigate partnerships with incumbent travel tech players?

Advocacy

What is Congress doing for start-ups and what public policies are needed?

Special Travel Stipend Available for Travel Tech Start-Ups 

Fifteen (15) travel tech start-ups will be selected to receive a $750.00 travel stipend to attend Travel Tech’s Start-Up Summit and participate as an exhibitor for free at its Policy & Innovation Showcase held on the U.S. Capitol campus both held on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Last year, over 200 people attended the Showcase event, including five Members of Congress, their staff, and travel- and policy-focused media outlets.

Interested in learning more about the events, $750.00 travel stipend and how to register?

Contact Bethany Reitsma, Senior Manager, Industry Relations

Agenda

8:00 – 9:00 AM
Check-in & Networking Breakfast

9:00 – 9:05 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association, will offer welcoming remarks.

Startup Investment & Funding

9:15 – 9:30 AM
Maximizing Angel and Preparing for Venture Investments for Travel Tech Startups
Learn the most successful strategies to raise a pre-seed or seed-stage round.

Speakers: Matt Zito, Managing Partner, TSi

9:35 – 10:00 AM
Seeking SBA Funding
Learn about the many resources, programs, and support the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers to start-ups and how you can access them.

10:00 – 10:15 AM
Networking Break
Meet other travel tech start-ups, investors, Travel Tech board member company representatives, and others.

Supporting Travel Technology Start-Ups

10:15 – 10:40 AM
Advocating for Public Policies to Support Travel Tech Innovation and Access to Capital
Brandon Palumbo, Travel Tech’s Director of Policy & Government Relations and a special guest from Capitol Hill to discuss efforts in Congress to support start-ups.

10:40 – 11:00 AM
Travel Tech Start-Up “Town Hall”
Join with other attendees to share your thoughts on how the Travel Technology Association can support you and the travel tech industry start-up community.

11:00 – 11:55 AM     
5-Minute Lightning Pitches
A select group of start-ups will present a five-minute version of their pitches. Investors from angel groups based in Washington, D.C. have been invited to attend this session and stay for lunch to meet with start-ups in attendance.

11:55 AM – 12:00 PM
Closing Remarks

12:00 PM
Boxed Lunch and Networking

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Private U.S. Capitol Hill Tour for Start-Up Summit attendees only

2:00 – 4:00 PM
Exhibitor Set-Up for Policy & Innovation Showcase in the Cannon Caucus Room

4:00 – 5:00 PM
Media availability in the Cannon Caucus Room organized by Travel Tech’s media consultant

5:00 – 7:00 PM
Policy & Innovation Showcase, Cannon House Office Building at the U.S. Capitol
Showcase your travel startup company to some of the largest travel companies in the world, members of Congress, their staff, and media. 200 people attended last year.
Each start-up will be provided with a high-top table to present marketing information at the Showcase. You will also be provided information on how to invite your member of Congress to visit your table. Travel Tech board member companies, like Booking, Tripadvisor, Chase Travel, Travelport and others, will also have tables at the Showcase, along with company executives in attendance, offering an opportunity for you to network with them.

Event Sponsors

Interested in attending as a start-up? Fill out this form:

Consent(Required)