By
- Advance Local Express Desk
Destination Ann Arbor will host the WITS Travel Creator Summit in May 2027, marking the first time the world’s largest gathering of women travel creators will take place in Michigan
The event, organized by Wanderful, is scheduled to begin Friday, May 21 and end Sunday, May 23, 2027
It’s expected to bring more than 400 attendees to the Ann Arbor area. The summit will mark the 14th in-person WITS conference
“Hosting WITS is an exciting opportunity to introduce Ann Arbor to a global community of travel storytellers,” said Sarah Miller, president and CEO of Destination Ann Arbor. “This summit aligns with so much of what makes our destination distinctive, from our arts, culture and culinary scene to our inclusive, welcoming spirit and the wide range of experiences available throughout Washtenaw County.”
WITS brings together creative entrepreneurs, influencers, tourism brands and travel industry leaders for professional development, networking and destination experiences. The event will showcase Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County through curated tours focused on culinary travel, outdoor recreation, agritourism, arts and culture, accessibility, solo travel and the county’s diverse communities
Local partners will have opportunities to participate in Media Marketplace and connect directly with travel creators. At the 2026 WITS conference, Media Marketplace included more than 600 pre-scheduled appointments
Past conferences have generated substantial exposure for host cities. The 2026 WITS conference in Chattanooga generated approximately 3,500 pieces of content, 3.8 million views and 3.8 million impressions around the host destination
“When WITS comes to a city, we bring the people who tell its story,” said Beth Santos, founder and CEO of Wanderful. “Hundreds of women creators, from travel writers to podcasters to photographers and more, seek out the corners of a place that often go unseen and share them with global audiences. For the small businesses, local makers and under-told destinations that deserve more attention, this is a really special moment.”
Al Snow, director of sales and service for Destination Ann Arbor, said the event demonstrates the area’s capacity to host large-scale conferences
“It shows the Ann Arbor area can attract and host national events of this scale, while introducing hundreds of influential travel creators and industry leaders to our communities,” Snow said. “The impact can extend well beyond the conference through the stories, content and relationships that come from their time here.”
Additional details about programming, speakers, tours and local partner opportunities will be announced closer to the event
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