24th Annual NATJA Conference & Marketplace

Richmond Region, Virginia

May 18–20, 2027

OMNI Richmond Hotel

Registration now OPEN.

Payment plans available.

The James River and Richmond bridge at sunset, photographed by Chris Johnson — James River at sunset · Photo by Chris Johnson

Tucked along the banks of the James River, the Richmond community is a blend of Southern hospitality, creative energy, and unexpected experiences. Whether you’re catching a show in the lively Arts District, taking in the view from Brown’s Island and the James River Park System, or savoring a bite to eat after a day of storytelling and exploration, the team at Richmond Region Tourism hopes you’ll feel right at home.

Learn more about Richmond Region Tourism at visitrichmondva.com

Entrance to Omni Richmond Hotel — Omni Richmond Hotel · Photo courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts

The Omni Richmond Hotel is a refined downtown hotel located at 100 S 12th St, Richmond, VA, offering scenic views of the James River or city skyline.

Situated in the historic and financial Shockoe Slip district, steps from cobblestone streets and local dining, the OMNI Richmond Hotel is within walking distance of the Virginia State Capitol, the Virginia Governor’s Mansion and the James River.

Guest rooms and suites are modern and beautifully appointed. Oversized windows overlook majestic views of downtown or the James River. Enjoy in-room coffee makers, pillow-top mattresses and flat-screen TVs in every room. Features on-site dining/bar at Westham Porch and Westham Tavern, plus a full-service Starbucks in the lobby as well as a heated indoor pool and a year-round outdoor sun deck, plus a 24-hour fitness center.

NATJA will confirm complimentary valet parking for the first 25 qualifying registrations, based on the registration date and the driving option selected on the registration form. Once those spaces are allocated, valet parking is $25 per day. Self-parking is also available in the connected James Center garage.

Rewards Beyond The Room

We encourage you to join OMNI’s Select Guest loyalty program to earn rewards for your entire stay, including dining, golf and everything in between.

Experience a more rewarding stay as a member of our Select Guest® program. Earn rewards for every night you stay with us, and every time you take advantage of our on-property experiences. Plus, membership unlocks free Wi-Fi, beverages on us, and other benefits that will make each stay memorable.

24th Annual NATJA Conference & Marketplace

Richmond Region, Virginia

May 18–20, 2027

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

Where travel stories begin.

For three days in Richmond, Va., the people who tell travel stories and the people who make them possible share the same room, the same tours and the same dinner tables. You’ll pick up fresh skills in professional development sessions, hear straight from editors about what they’re buying and meet one-on-one with destinations and media at the Marketplace. In the afternoons, you’ll explore the city together, and in the evenings, you’ll dine together.

Whether you write, edit, pitch, photograph, host or are just starting out, you’ll leave with new contacts and real story leads. Many attendees also come home with their next assignment or partnership.

You belong here.

MEDIA MEMBER

Story ideas and photos from 4-hour afternoon tours led by the host destination
Face-to-face meetings with DMOs at the Marketplace, where press trips, FAM invitations and assignments begin
Direct insight from working editors at the Editors Panel, including what they buy and how to pitch them
Professional development sessions on the craft and business of travel media
Pre- and post-conference press trips (2 to 3 days)
Awards recognition at the Opening General Session
A chance to publish destination coverage in TravelWorld International Magazine

STUDENT MEMBER

A real-world look at how travel journalism works, from pitching to publishing
Mentoring and networking with working journalists, editors and communicators
The Editors Panel, a rare chance to hear what editors want from new writers
Professional development sessions that build practical skills
Portfolio-building material from tours and the host destination
Connections that can lead to internships, clips and first assignments
Awards recognition at the Opening General Session

DMO MEMBER

One-on-one Marketplace time with qualified travel journalists and content creators
Three days of relationship building on tours, at meals and at the dine-around, not just a booth
Pitching access to editors and freelancers who write for national and international outlets
Professional development on earned media, influencer partnerships and working with journalists
Awards recognition at the Opening General Session
Ideas and contacts for hosting a future NATJA conference

ORGANIZATION MEMBER

Face time with journalists who can feature your experiences in published stories
Chances to host or partner on afternoon tours and pre- and post-conference trips
Networking with DMOs for itinerary partnerships and co-marketing
Content and social media coverage from journalists who experience your product firsthand

PUBLICATION MEMBER

A room full of vetted freelance writers and photographers to recruit from
A seat on the Editors Panel to tell writers exactly what you want to see
Direct connections with destinations for story access, press trips and advertising partnerships
Visibility as a publication that working travel journalists want to write for
Awards recognition at the Opening General Session

PR AGENCY MEMBER

One-on-one Marketplace meetings to pitch clients to qualified media
Relationships with journalists and editors built over three days, not one email
Updates on how media want to be pitched and what’s working in earned media
Leads for client press trips, FAM trips and partnerships
Networking with DMOs that could become clients or partners
Awards recognition at the Opening General Session

Hear what previous attendees have to say about the conference:

“I love about this conference is that you have so much time casually to interact with a different journalists and also destinations, so that by the time you get to the marketplace day, you have a really good feel for if something might be a fit in the immediate future.”

Dannelle GayMedia Member2026North Little Rock, Arkansas

“On behalf of the Chapel Hill and North Carolina destination, I thank NATJA for choosing our site for their 2017 conference.  The group was productive, diverse and a pleasure to host.  We continue to experience positive media coverage from coast to coast and all of it has been authentic and tells the real story of who we are as people and as a progressive, college area in the middle of a beautiful state. ”

Laurie Paolicelli , Chapel HillDMO Member2018Chapel Hill, North Carolina

“I’ve made solid friendships via my interactions with members while together at the conference, and those continue through our online interactions on the NATJA Facebook page and privately. I’ve learned many travel tips from my NATJA friends, and this week, was referred to a prestigious travel publication for a terrific assignment for which a fellow member personally endorsed me. I feel I have found my new tribe among this eclectic group of travelers.  ”

Doreen Pendgracs Media Member2016Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

“The NATJA conference in Galveston was an incredibly rewarding experience, offering valuable insights into emerging topics like AI while providing wonderful opportunities to reconnect with friends and make new ones. Just as importantly, the connections I’ve made through NATJA have translated into real opportunities, including trips and story placements, making this organization an invaluable part of my professional growth as a travel journalist.”

Heide BrandesMedia Member2023Galveston, Texas

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT!

Richmond Region, Virginia

May 18–20, 2027