70 luxury travel buyers to attend Connections California Luxury Forum

B2B events specialist Connections, the sister company to Connecting Travel, will stage the first-ever winter edition of the California Luxury Forum in Lake Tahoe from 22–25 March. Organised in partnership with Visit California and Lake Tahoe Travel, the forum marks the ninth edition of the signature event in the state.

 

Hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, the gathering will bring together 35 leading California luxury suppliers and 35 international travel designers for a curated programme of one-to-one meetings, networking sessions and immersive experiences. Attending agencies will include several from the UAE and Qatar, reflecting strong interest from the Gulf region’s luxury travel market.

 

For the first time, the California Luxury Forum will take place in an alpine setting, showcasing Lake Tahoe’s winter resorts, outdoor adventures and year-round luxury appeal. Set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the event will position the region as a premier winter destination for discerning travellers.

 

The three-day programme will blend pre-scheduled business meetings with hosted experiences designed to foster “meaningful connections and long-term commercial partnerships”. Delegates will also take part in activities such as skiing, snowboarding and après-ski events, enabling stronger connections beyond the boardroom.

 

RELATED:

Explore Bahrain with Connections convenes 35 luxury travel buyers

Connections Cruise Arabia returns to Dubai in 2026

Connections to launch first-ever Explore Hungary event in Budapest

 

Following the main event, travel designers will embark on a post-forum familiarisation trip to Yosemite National Park, based at Firefall Ranch at Yosemite. The extension will offer delegates a contrasting Californian experience, immersing them in the state’s natural landscapes and luxury outdoor travel offerings.

 

Sam Blunsdon, Commercial Director of Connections – part of the international portfolio of Connecting Travel owner Jacobs Media – said: “Bringing this winter edition to Lake Tahoe allows us to highlight a different side of the destination, while continuing to prioritise high-quality meetings and lasting commercial relationships.

 

Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California, added: “With its breathtaking alpine setting and world-class winter experiences, Lake Tahoe, and the greater High Sierra Region, offer a unique perspective on the state’s luxury offerings, making it the perfect host for this year’s forum.”

 

Bart Peterson, Sales Director at Lake Tahoe Travel, said: “Winter is one of Lake Tahoe’s strongest seasons, and working closely with Visit California, Connections and our local partners, including The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, gives us an excellent platform to showcase the destination first-hand to the international luxury travel trade.”

 

The California event follows the success of Explore Bahrain with Connections, which recently gathered 35 European luxury travel designers and 35 of Bahrain’s leading hospitality and experience partners for a three-day forum in Manama. Connections will continue its global series with the second edition of Connections Luxury Middle East, returning to Doha, Qatar, from 29 March to 1 April 2026.

 

For more information, click here or contact enquiries@weareconnections.com