TMLA Background

William H. Coleman, Inc. is an international events management firm headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, with offices in London and Toronto.

William H. Coleman, Inc. was originally established in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida to provide Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations services for domestic USA and International clients. The Company’s first significant assignments in the Travel Industry were to help launch the first Rendez-Vous Canada in Toronto, and the inaugural TravelMart LatinAmerica (Bolsa de Turismo) in Lima, Peru, in 1978.  These two events marked one of the first times that a “pre-scheduled appointments system” had been used to help organize a “Buyers and Suppliers” Trade Show.

The Company used this revolutionary new format to create new Travel Industry events in Florida, The Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and several regions in the USA.  Virtually all Travel Industry Events now using the “pre-scheduled appointments” format are based on the original William H. Coleman, Inc. “SelectMatch” management systems.

Today, TravelMart LatinAmerica (TMLA) is widely recognized as the most important “strictly business” annual event for building business to Latin America from world-wide markets. The Event provides an efficient and effective opportunity for Buyers of Leisure Travel Services to research, identify, and develop the new products and services in South and Central America. Senior Sales Executives representing South & Central America Suppliers have the opportunity to “show and tell” their product, pricing, and promotion policies to Buyers who are genuinely interested in what they have to offer in an efficient and cost effective “strictly business” format.

Attendance at TravelMart LatinAmerica in the recent years has been limited to 400 total delegates: 100-150 Buyer Delegates, 100-150 Supplier Organizations/200 Supplier Delegates, and 50 VIP’s.  Supplier participation from Central and South America Countries is carefully managed to make sure that ALL Latin America Countries are represented. The original decision to limit total attendance is strictly applied, and it is one of the reasons why the Event continues to provide business opportunities and value for participants.

The Travel Industry around the world has changed dramatically since the first TravelMart LatinAmerica was held in Lima, Peru! Some important things remain the same, however, including the high level of professional service provided by Latin America Suppliers, and the diverse tourism opportunities that exist throughout the region.

TravelMart LatinAmerica continues to be one of the most important Travel Industry Events of the year and William H. Coleman, Inc. continues to be one of the most respected event management firms in the Travel Industry.