Way back in the dark ages of the 1990’s I got my start in the travel biz by offering “traveler training” seminars to new recruits at Fortune 500 companies. Eventually my career path veered into the media world, but my company and this blog still retain the name TravelSkills, reflecting our origins.

So I’ll be going back to my roots next month when I speak at the popular Frequent Travel University Expo at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare over the weekend of November 17-19.

I’ll be sharing the stage with Johnny Jet for our presentation, “Travel Like a Rock Star,” which is packed with news, advice, insight and experience that you find here on TravelSkills or on Johnny Jet’s newsletter. The last time we did this presentation together was at the New York Times Travel Show (pictured above)– FTU organizers were there and thought our content would be a good fit for their new Expo.

Organizers are expecting a crowd of around 3,000 in Chicago for two days of presentations from a lot of bright and interesting travel personalities like Rudy Maxa, Nomadic Matt, Gary Arndt and Chris Guillebeau.  What’s new about this FTU is the broad and diverse array of speakers presenting. In the past, these events  were geared primarily for miles and points geeks or travel hackers, but this event will be much broader. There are 28 speakers covering a wide range of topics– such as travel photography, choosing the best credit cards or travel gear, or getting the most out of United’s MileagePlus program.

Might you be in Chicago on November 18? Then get registered for the event, drop by, say hey and bone up on your Travel Skills! Johnny and I speak at 9 am.

The fee for the Nov 18 Expo is just $39 for full day admission. Register here. You can also register for the broader, multi-day Signature Event here.

Need more reasons to go? FTU suggests the top 10 things you can learn how to do at the Travel Expo –

1. Earn hundreds of thousands of miles in a year with travel rewards credit cards.
2. Earn miles through everyday activities from restaurant dining to your business expenses.
3. Beat the airlines and win at frequent flyer miles
4. Experience the world’s most lavish airlines in first and business class on miles
5. Enjoy the world’s best airline lounges prior to your flights
6. Stay in luxury hotels around the world on points.
7. Get VIP treatment at hotels with credit card benefits and status matches.
8. Find incredible airfare deals for when you just want to get away
9. Take ‘trips of a lifetime’ every year, soon you’ll need a new travel bucket list
10. Do all this on an economy class budget

ICYMI, see the 25 most recent TravelSkills posts right here

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