IMM North America and NYC Media Mission drive travel media engagement

At International Media Marketplace (IMM) North America 2026, Visit California continued its successful partnership with TravMedia, once again hosting the California Pavilion in New York. On Jan. 22, 52 California destination and tourism business partners participated in the event, securing more than 1,200 one-on-one appointments with top-tier travel media and influencers.

During the IMM luncheon, Visit California previewed a slate of major experiences coming to the state in 2026, including the centennial of Route 66, the full reopening of Highway 1, and global moments such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, back-to-back Super Bowl games and the LA28 Olympic Games. The audience also viewed a teaser of the brand’s latest road trip series. 

Visit California closed out IMM North America by hosting the event’s official closing reception, showcasing the state’s food and beverage scene with a curated selection of California wine and craft beer, offering attendees a true taste of the Golden State.

To extend partner engagement on the East Coast, Visit California hosted an additional day of programming through the NYC Media Mission. Held at People Inc., the program brought together 40 California partners for a networking breakfast with 14 editors from outlets including Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine. After editorial briefings on 2026 priorities, Visit California facilitated small-group networking and raffled two hosted media trips provided by Visit Mammoth and Visit Carlsbad. The morning concluded with presentations from MMGY and People Inc. on current travel trends and the evolving media landscape.

The next California media event will take place in Washington D.C. on April 16 followed by the Los Angeles Media Event on April 30. To stay in the loop about future events hosted by the public relations team, visit the earned media partnership planner and be sure to sign up for the public relations newsletter.