Events

The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) is excited to announce that its 2026 APTA Global Forum will take place September 25–27, 2026, in Livingstone, Zambia, at the edge of the world-famous Victoria Falls. This marks the first time the Forum will be hosted in Zambia and represents APTA’s return to Southern Africa following the highly successful Cape Town Global Forum in 2023 and the record-setting Arusha Forum in 2025.

The APTA Global Forum is a premier opportunity for North American travel advisors, tour operators, and tourism partners to meet and network with a curated delegation of African hoteliers, safari operators, destination management companies, and tourism organizations from across the continent. Whether participants are seasoned Africa specialists or advisors looking to expand their Africa portfolio, the Forum delivers unmatched access to the latest trends, destinations, and products shaping African tourism today.

Livingstone, Zambia, the host city for the 2026 Global Forum, is one of Africa’s most iconic and inspiring destinations. Located on the Zambezi River and adjacent to Victoria Falls—one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World—Livingstone offers a powerful combination of natural spectacle, adventure, and cultural depth. The destination provides strong infrastructure for international events, with high-quality accommodations, unique venues, and memorable social settings that elevate both business meetings and networking experiences.

We Are Africa is going stateside for a seventh edition at Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, USA. The four-day event will combine immersive, inspiring thought-leadership with carefully curated business meetings and powerful bonding experiences for tribe members who share a common purpose: to grow high-end travel from North America to Africa, as part of their continued mission to rebrand African travel.

North America is the top international source market for much of the We Are Africa tribe, offering enormous return potential; but challenges such as high in-country marketing costs and sheer geographic scale make it challenging for suppliers to cover and reach the right buyers with traditional sales calls and marketing channels.

We Are Africa North America will showcase a mix of iconic, high-end travel product covering a diverse range of experiences in Africa and the Indian Ocean to the lucrative North American market. The We Are Africa North America buyer programme will comprise a meticulously curated mix of North American travel professionals, invited on the basis of their industry influence and potential to grow bookings to Africa.

Unlike the Cape Town event, which prioritises Africa specialists, the Sundance edition will deliver a totally different profile of buyers in the form of travel agents and independent consultants demonstrating their desire to grow their product knowledge and supplier base in Africa – those expressly identified by the tribe as a vital tool in their strategy to grow high-end business out of North America.

The APTA Southeast Chapter is officially launching this October — and we’re inviting our Corporate Members to take the stage. We’re hosting two in-person kickoff events, and we’d love to reserve a presenter slot for you in Charleston, SC.

Charleston, SC — Thursday, October 15, 2026
Location: Coming Soon | Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Why present:

• Direct access to travel advisors and tour operators across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
• A featured presentation or tabletop slot in front of an engaged, Africa-focused audience
• Brand visibility in event signage, materials, and chapter social media coverage
• A first look at the Southeast Chapter as it forms its founding member base and event calendar

Presenter slots are limited at each location, so we’re asking Corporate Members to confirm interest by
September 7, 2026.

👉 Reserve your presenter slot!

Questions about format, timing, or what’s included? Reach out anytime — contact info is below.
Looking forward to having you in the room,

Priscilla Holmes
President, APTA Southeast
Priscilla@cillatravel.com
1-843-539-6331
Whatsapp 1-843-539-6331

Stephany Hennings
Membership Chair, APTA Southeast
stephany@travel-essence.com

Africa Showcase is a leading global platform dedicated to promoting African tourism in international source markets. Registered in the EU, Africa Showcase operates as an independent entity committed to expanding Africa’s tourism share and facilitating meaningful business connections across the continent.

Our roadshows are designed to create real opportunities for African tourism businesses to connect with high-quality travel buyers in a focused, professional environment. By tailoring each event to its specific region, we ensure relevance, impact, and value – building relationships and ultimately converting connections into results. With a strong reputation for delivering engaging, efficient events, Africa Showcase continues to champion the diversity of African travel on the world stage.

North America remains Africa’s most sought-after source market – and for good reason. With strong economic resilience, a growing appetite for long-haul travel, and rising interest in immersive, meaningful experiences, the USA and Canada present a powerful opportunity for African tourism businesses ready to scale.

Backed by expert in-market insight from our partners at Rethink Travel Marketing, Africa Showcase North America is your most efficient way to build meaningful partnerships, stay ahead of market shifts, and convert interest into business.

Roadshow Format
2026: LIVE meetings and networking with pre-qualified buyers in key cities across North America