Tripcon 2026 EUROPE: PORTO, PORTUGAL
Take incredible tours. Meet tour operators, guides, and tour directors. Unforgettable parties and chances to reconnect with your people.
HOST CITY
Welcome to porto!
Porto isn’t just a backdrop — it’s a whole mood.
EVENT HOTEL
THE TIVOLI KOPKE PORTO GAIA HOTEL
Our home base? The absolutely stunning Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia — and trust us, this is not your average conference hotel.
Perched above the Douro River in the historic port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, this place is a jaw-dropper. Think sweeping river views, wine heritage woven into the walls, modern design layered over centuries of history, and the kind of atmosphere that makes every coffee break feel cinematic.
Event Partners
The organizations below help make TripCon possible. Thank you, sponsors, tour partners, and supporting organizations!
The Schedule
A more detailed schedule is released closer to the event day.
Pre-Arrival Day
Optionally arrive today to maximize your time in Porto, taking tours.
Informal evening meetup for everyone.
Tours + Welcome Party
TripCon officially begins!
Registration desk opens at 9am at hotel. Check-in at your leisure to collect your bag and materials.
Free tours are available all day long.
5pm Introvert’s Welcome, for anyone who is not usually excited by larger crowds and socializing.
7pm Official Welcome Party!
education + wow awards
Today is all about education.
9am Opening Keynote Presentation
10am-4pm Dozens of educational workshops and small group breakout sessions for everyone.
4:30-6pm The “WOW” Award Ceremony + Guide Storytelling Competition!
1:1 interviews & more education
This is the day where things get real.
All day long, our stunning venue transforms into a powerhouse of 1:1 interviews, B2B meetups, networking magic, and high-impact education sessions.
Before you even arrive, you’ll upload your resume, website and company profile and then use our custom app to build your dream schedule — hand-picking interviews based on your goals and the exact operators you want to connect with. No random matchups. No wasted time. Just intentional, strategic conversations.
Whether you’re hiring, getting hired, or growing your business, this is where opportunity stops being theoretical… and starts shaking your hand.
And…don’t forget our legendary closing party!
The "clinic" + departures
9am-12pm — The Clinic is where industry experts will host tables for small group and individual meetings, focused on a range of topics related to improving your career. From tax strategy to tour design to marketing yourself, stop on by to have a conversation that might just change everything.
TRIPCON SELLS OUT
Save your place now!
Our events typically sell out. Save your spot by paying a deposit now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our most frequent questions
TripCon is where the entire travel world shows up — yes, the whole glamorous, jet-lagged, passport-stamped crew. Tour directors and guides? Come level up with education, interview, and soak up all the insider goodness. Tour operators? Come scout, schmooze, and interview the crème de la crème of directors and guides.
And if you run a tour business? Oh, you’re in the right room. Connect with fellow owners, marketers, and travel industry insiders who can help you grow, scale, and seriously level up your business.
We have a courtesy block at our partner hotel that we will utilize for most of the events, however you are free to book anywhere you would like.
Tour Business owners — whether you’re running a boutique operation or a full-blown travel empire — you’ll get practical education sessions, powerful one-on-one business meetings, and real networking (not the awkward kind) designed to help you grow and strengthen your current business.
In short: if you want better connections, better hires, and a better travel busines, this conference is for you!
We’d love to have you join TripCon!
Tour operators can attend at no cost when participating in the job interviews. We do ask that each operator conduct a minimum of 35 interviews to make the most of the event. We offer one free spot, but depending on your hiring needs, will allow more. Want to bring a colleague along? Just drop us an email below, and we’ll get them set up!.
Reach out to team@thetripschool.com
We welcome a wide variety of sponsors who are interested in being discovered by the community of tour leaders, tour guides, and tour operators. Reach out to mitch@thetripschool.com to set up a conversation.