More than 300+ media and PR professionals gathered at Suntec Singapore on October 13 for The TravMedia Summit, the flagship conference held alongside IMM Asia 2025. The day-long program delivered what delegates came seeking, actionable intelligence to futureproof careers in an industry transformed by artificial intelligence, shifting consumer expectations, and the evolving art of storytelling.
The TravMedia Summit, sponsored by Expedia Group, armed attendees with practical skills they could deploy in newsrooms and agencies immediately, setting the stage for the broader IMM Asia experience.
“This is about arming travel media professionals and PR practitioners with the knowledge they need to stay ahead,” said Nick Wayland, TravMedia Founder and CEO, welcoming delegates to the Summit at IMM Asia. “From navigating crisis communications to harnessing AI, our sessions are built around real-world applications.”
Nick Wayland/TravMedia Founder & CEO/doc. TravMedia
Setting the Stage at The TravMedia Summit
The TravMedia Summit opened with James Marshall, Vice President of Account Management for Air at Expedia Group, unveiling the 2026 Travel Outlook, a data driven exploration of emerging trends reshaping how travelers discover and book their next adventures.
CNN International news anchor Richard Quest then delivered the keynote address at the TravMedia Summit, weaving together the evolution of global travel, AI’s disruption of consumer booking patterns, and the timeless power of compelling narratives. Quest reminded the IMM Asia audience that amid technological upheaval, human stories remain paramount.
Six Sessions Driving Industry Forward
The TravMedia Summit’s carefully curated program at IMM Asia tackled the challenges keeping industry professionals awake at night:
Crisis Response & Responsible Reporting saw Gaynor Reid of Catalyst Communications and CNBC Travel’s Monica Pitrelli guide TravMedia Summit attendees through balancing speed with accuracy when news breaks, protecting both credibility and brand reputation in moments of chaos.
Decoding the New Indian Traveller brought together Aindrila Mitra from Robb Report India, Hilton Asia Pacific’s Candice D’Cruz, and Sartha Global Marketing’s Sheema Vohra to dissect one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound markets, essential intelligence for crafting campaigns and stories that resonate.
Redefining Wellness Tourism pushed beyond spa clichés as Mark Sands of Six Senses, Four Seasons’ Peter Draminsky, and others explored how wellness has evolved into holistic experiences encompassing mental health and transformative journeys that today’s conscious travelers increasingly seek.
The Best AI Tools for PR and Media delivered a hands-on masterclass where Chatrine Siswoyo from Vero and AI Singapore’s Will Tan showcased cutting edge tools revolutionizing research, writing, and content distribution, practical strategies for staying competitive in an AI driven landscape.
Slam with Travel Editors offered unfiltered truth from top editors including Adam White from Cathay magazine, The Star Malaysia’s Melody L. Goh, and Condé Nast Traveller Middle East’s Scott Campbell, revealing what makes pitches stand out, intelligence worth its weight in gold for PR professionals.
Rewriting the Rules of Freelancing featured independent professionals including CNN Travel’s Lilit Marcus and content creator Dotz Soh sharing real strategies for building sustainable careers and thriving amid industry disruption.
Building Connections at IMM Asia, The TravMedia Event
Between TravMedia Summit sessions, networking breaks allowed connections to form organically, the spontaneous conversations that often yield the best collaborations. The Summit concluded with drinks sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts, celebrating the community that makes IMM Asia a cornerstone event for the region’s travel industry.
The two day IMM Asia event continued with thousands of prescheduled one on one meetings between more than 150 travel journalists and 120 leading tourism brands. TravMedia’s IMM Asia then celebrated excellence through the TravMedia Awards Asia, recognizing outstanding achievements in travel writing, PR, and content creation. The grand finale unfolded at Raffles Singapore, where IMM Asia delegates gathered for an elegant cocktail reception at one of Asia’s most iconic hotels.
“For more than 25 years, TravMedia has connected the world’s travel media with destinations, hotels, and tourism boards,” Wayland reflected. “At IMM Asia, we brought together some of the most influential voices in Asian travel to share insights, challenge assumptions, and prepare for what’s next.”
The TravMedia Summit at IMM Asia 2025 proved that even as technology accelerates change, the industry’s foundation remains unchanged: powerful stories, authentic connections, and professionals committed to excellence. As delegates departed Singapore armed with new skills and renewed energy, one truth emerged clearly: the future of travel storytelling belongs to those willing to adapt, collaborate, and never stop learning.
IMM Asia continues to serve as the region’s premier platform where travel media and tourism brands forge the partnerships that shape global travel narratives across the Asia Pacific.
