2024-09-10

Improving the Attendee Experience: Inclind's Frontend Refresh for the U.S. Travel Association

The collective strength of over 1,100 member organizations growing the $1.5 trillion U.S. travel industry.

The U.S. Travel Association, an advocate for the travel and tourism industry, hosts IPW—an international marketplace connecting travel professionals. To improve the attendee experience, the U.S. Travel Association collaborated with Inclind to revamp the event schedule. The goal was to create a modern, intuitive platform that aligns with web standards and offers an exceptional experience for all participants.

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. Travelers in the United States are estimated to spend $1.1 trillion in 2022 (still 10% below 2019 levels). U.S. Travel advocates for policies to accelerate an even recovery across the travel industry and restore economic and job growth for this essential contributor to our nation’s success. 

The Challenge:

The prior IPW event schedule faced several usability and operational issues. Attendees struggled with navigation, leading to frustration while searching for event details. The outdated design did not meet accessibility standards and had slower page load times. Additionally, the content management system (CMS) took a lot of work to update, creating inefficiencies for the U.S. Travel Association team.

Our Solution:

Inclind developed a strategic approach focused on both user interface enhancements and back-end optimization:
 

  1. User-Centric Schedule Design: The schedule was redesigned to prioritize easy navigation and a clean, engaging layout, ensuring attendees could quickly access the information they needed.
  2. Performance Enhancements: Key improvements were made to reduce page load times and enhance media handling, meeting Google’s Core Web Vitals for an optimal user experience.
  3. Streamlined Content Management: We identified bottlenecks in the current workflows and simplified processes, allowing the U.S. Travel Association team to update the schedule efficiently.
  4. Accessibility Upgrades: We ensured compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards, making the schedule more accessible to all users and reinforcing the association’s commitment to inclusivity.
  5. Quality and Usability Testing: Rigorous testing was conducted across devices to ensure the schedule functioned smoothly before launch, reflecting our commitment to ongoing support and maintenance.
  6. Enhanced Analytics Integration: Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics 4 were added, providing valuable insights into attendee behavior to support ongoing improvements.

The Result:

Event Schedule for IPW.com Case Study

This collaboration between Inclind and the U.S. Travel Association transformed the IPW event schedule into a more responsive and engaging platform. The improved layout and navigation increased attendee satisfaction, while the streamlined CMS reduced management time. Compliance with accessibility standards made the event inclusive for all attendees. The integration of analytics tools provided actionable insights, setting a solid foundation for future event enhancements.

 

Looking Forward

The new IPW schedule positions the event to foster deeper connections within the travel industry. As the event evolves, the scalable solutions implemented by Inclind will continue to support ongoing innovation, ensuring IPW maintains its leading position through custom integrations.

Inclind looks forward to continuing its partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, which will help it further its mission to advance the U.S. travel industry. Learn more about Inclind's collaborative approach.

 

About Inclind

Inclind specializes in custom web design and development, crafting impactful digital solutions. We focus on fostering partnerships and driving growth through innovative digital experiences. Learn more about our projects at inclind.com.

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US Travel Association

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. Travelers in the United States are estimated to spend $1.1 trillion in 2022 (still 10% below 2019 levels). U.S. Travel advocates for policies to accelerate an even recovery across the travel industry and restore economic and job growth for this essential contributor to our nation’s success.