IPW 2026 Showcased Fort Lauderdale’s Rise as a Global Destination

May 27, 2026

Last week, thousands of the world’s top travel professionals, media, tour operators, and tourism leaders experienced Fort Lauderdale as IPW 2026 officially took over the city.

As the largest gathering of global travel professionals, IPW is projected to generate more than $1 billion in inbound travel for Fort Lauderdale over the next three years, increasingly putting DowntownFTL in front of a global audience at an unprecedented scale.

Beyond the significant economic impact generated by the conference, IPW represented a tremendous opportunity to unveil the new Broward County Convention Center to the world and showcase the evolution of Fort Lauderdale as a premier global destination.

From Las Olas Boulevard to the New River and beyond, visitors received a firsthand look at the energy, vibrancy, and continued evolution shaping Fort Lauderdale.

The DDA was proud to play its part in championing Fort Lauderdale on the global stage throughout IPW. As part of its Fueled by Water campaign, the DDA helped welcome international media and travel professionals during a special press brunch alongside the City of Fort Lauderdale's Economic Development Division where reporters learned about what makes Fort Lauderdale such a special place to live and visit.  

The DDA also curated a DowntownFTL experience that gave visiting media a firsthand look at some of the city’s newest and most exciting destinations. Featuring a walking tour along the New River with stops at Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, Santorini by Georgios, and Huizenga Park, journalists experienced the hospitality, culinary scene, and vibrant public spaces, helping redefine Downtown Fort Lauderdale as a world-class destination.

The stories, images, and experiences shared throughout IPW will continue traveling far beyond Fort Lauderdale in the months and years ahead. As global media begin publishing coverage inspired by their time in DowntownFTL, IPW represents the beginning of a new chapter in how Fort Lauderdale is seen, experienced, and recognized on the international stage.