From Wanderlust to Wanderful: Is WITS Creator Summit Worth Attending?

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Why I Keep Going Back to WITS Creator Summit

Is WITS worth attending? Absolutely. I asked myself that same question before signing up for my first Women in Travel Summit in Portland, Maine. I didn’t know a soul. But by the end of the weekend, I felt like I had found my people. These weren’t just travelers. They were women building something—platforms, brands, and ideas—with purpose and heart.

Since then, WITS Creator Summit has become a permanent event on my calendar.

I’ve attended every summit I could—even the one hosted virtually during the pandemic, which I famously joined from the bathroom during our quarantine in South Korea. It was the only place I could turn on a light and a camera without waking my husband. I sat on the commode, wrapped in a blanket, participating quietly from that one-room prison. And even from there, I felt happy to be connected—to the women, the stories, and the creative energy I’d been craving.

Table of Contents

1. Is WITS Creator Summit Worth Attending?
2. Bruised, Booted, and Still Going
3. Looking Ahead to WITS in New York City
4. Staying Connected Between Summits
5. Why I Keep Coming Back
6. Like it. Pin it.

Bruised, Booted, and Still Going

Last May, I went to Salt Lake City for the first time to attend WITS. Just weeks earlier, I had returned from a month-long visit with my daughter Ashley in Italy, where we celebrated my birthday with a week in Malaga. Somewhere between the beach and the vineyards, I made the not-so-wise decision to ride an ATV—and nearly broke my ankle in Spain.

I spent the next couple of months hobbling around in a boot—but that didn’t stop me from going to WITS. This should answer the question of whether WITS Creator Summit is worth attending.

I stayed at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, where I could see Temple Square from my window while sipping coffee. It was warmer than I expected for May, and I loved the panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains from my hotel room’s balcony. My boot may have slowed me down, but it didn’t stop me from soaking up every part of the experience.

During the 3-day conference, there was an elegant evening reception at the Natural History Museum of Utah, a spirited afternoon at High West Distillery with unlimited food and whiskey tasting hosted by Visit Utah Tourism, and an exhaustive mural tour that revealed Salt Lake’s creative side. I joined the group for a visit to Park City, took part in a fun scavenger hunt, and enjoyed a delicious dinner at a ski resort tucked into the mountains.

And that’s just some of the activities and excursions available.

⭢ Read: Top 7 Attractions for First-Time Visitors to Salt Lake City

Looking Ahead to WITS Creator Summit in New York City

This year, WITS is heading to Lower Manhattan, and I’m already preparing to attend. This time, I’m bringing someone special—my mother. She’s curious, creative, and endlessly supportive. I want to share this community with her. Who knows—she may even connect with her own crew.

I want her to sit in those rooms and feel what I feel when I’m surrounded by women who believe in their stories.

I also stepped forward and applied to be a speaker. Honestly, I thought my submission was solid—even if the idea probably didn’t showcase my unique skills. It was meaningful, but not the message I was most excited to share.

I didn’t get selected. And if I’m totally honest, which I strive to be, it took me by surprise. I’ve been a member of Wanderful for many years and thought that my relationship would count for something. I’ve always contributed to the community. So yes, the rejection stung.

It’s strange—before I heard back, I was anxious, constantly reshaping the presentation in my head. I second-guessed every detail. But once I got the word, I exhaled. The pressure lifted, and all that remained was the excitement to attend. I’ll try again next year—hopefully with a topic that feels more grounded in where I am now.

I also registered for the Documentary Filmmaking for Travel Creators workshop, which will take place near the conference venue in Manhattan’s Financial District. I’ve told stories with words for decades—now I want to learn how to shape them through sound and motion. I’m ready to stretch.

Staying Connected Between WITS Creator Summits

WITS may only happen once a year, but Wanderful keeps me connected long after the closing keynote.

I attend virtual events weekly, from pitch coaching and business strategy to live-streamed cultural experiences and casual chats with women who get it. I also joined the Wanderful Accelerator Program, which helps creators like me define our goals, take consistent action, and stop waiting for permission to grow.

And something beautiful has happened along the way—I’m still meeting people in real life whom I first got to know virtually. A familiar name from a Zoom screen becomes a conversation over dinner. These connections don’t fade—they evolve.

And because community isn’t just digital, I also signed on as a Wanderful Hub Leader for the Quad Cities, where I live now. It hasn’t been easy. I haven’t recruited new members yet, and I’ve had moments of doubt. But I keep showing up. I believe in what this platform makes possible.

I plan to use the hub to spotlight women- and Black-owned businesses in my area—because travel doesn’t always require a plane ticket. Sometimes, it starts right where you are.

Is WITS Worth it?

The real question is whether attending WITS Creator Summit is worth it for you. There’s so much information out there—strategies, tools, trends—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The summit helps me focus on what actually matters and let go of what doesn’t. Yes, some people show up with big followings or TV credits. That’s great. The rest of us are just doing the work—writing, filming, editing, and trying to figure out what’s next. I go because I always leave with something useful— a tool, a contact, a little more direction. And I go because a few people notice when I am there. That really matters to me.

I’ll be in New York City May 16–18—with my cameras ready to vlog another WITS Summit with my mom—every blogger’s very first subscriber. She’s never been to a travel conference before, and I’m excited to share this world with her. If it’s your first WITS, look for us—so you won’t have to sit alone.

⭢ Register for WITS Creator Summit 2025 in NYC

Like it. Pin it.

Are you a woman in the Quad Cities who loves to travel—or dreams about it often? Join our local Wanderful Hub, where we turn inspiration into action and strangers into friends. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, weekend adventurer, or curious first-timer, you’ll find real connection here. We host casual meetups, share travel tips, support one another’s goals, and stay inspired through every season of life. Let’s build a sisterhood that explores, grows, and thrives—right here in the heart of the Midwest.

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