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?

Agenda

8:00 – 9:00 AM 
Check-in & Networking Breakfast
Doors open for breakfast and networking.

9:00 – 9:10 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association, will offer welcoming remarks.

9:10 – 9:35 AM 
Maximizing Angel and Preparing for Venture Investments for Travel Tech Startups
Hear directly from travel tech-focused angel and venture investors about their approach to and advice for pre-seed and seed-level innovators.

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 – 10:20 AM   
Networking Break
Meet other travel tech start-ups, investors, Travel Tech board member company representatives, and others

10:20 – 10:55 AM            
5 Minute Lightning Pitches
Four start-ups in attendance will be invited to present a five-minute version of their pitches.

10:55 – 11:25 AM            
Partnering with Travel Tech Industry Leaders for Scale and Success
Corporate partnerships offer travel tech innovators the opportunity to scale their businesses, gain market validation and more. Hear advice from a travel tech start-up and travel tech industry leader on how to prepare for this opportunity.

11:25 – 11:50 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.

11:50 AM – 12:30 PM    
Boxed Lunch and Travel Tech Start-Up “Town Hall” Meeting
Join other event attendees to share your thoughts on how the Travel Technology Association can support you and the travel tech industry start-up community.

12:35 – 12:55 PM
5 Minute Lightning Pitches
Four more start-ups in attendance will be invited to present a five-minute version of their pitches.

12:55 – 1:00 PM
Closing Remarks

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Optional — Special Tour of the U.S. Capitol

2:00 – 4:00 PM
Set-Up for Policy & Innovation Showcase

Start-Up Summit speakers to be added as confirmed.

Event Sponsors

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