Why I’m Going to TBEX in Québec City (and Why It Terrifies Me Just a Little)

In just a few short weeks, I’ll be heading to Québec City for TBEX—one of the biggest conferences for travel creators, bloggers, and anyone who spends more time than they’d care to admit obsessing over obscure walking routes, flight hacks, and hole-in-the-wall noodle joints.

It’s my first time attending, and yes—I’m fully aware I’m not the new kid on the cobblestones. I’m not in my twenties, I don’t have a six-figure follower count, and I didn’t quit my job to live out of a sprinter van (though I did once survive a bus ride across Turkey that I’m fairly sure earned me some sort of badge in travel resilience).

What I am is someone with over 25 years of travel under their belt—and a long-standing habit of jumping headfirst out of their comfort zone. From spontaneous solo trips to Tanzania to multi-month adventures with my husband, I’ve done a lot, learned more, and now find myself with stories to tell—and some genuinely useful tips for anyone wondering how to make their travel dreams happen.

So no, I’m not a spring chicken. But I do know how to breeze through customs in Frankfurt and how not to lose your Trusted Housesitter’s pet in rural Wales. Surely, that counts for something.

I’m Here to Learn (and Maybe Panic a Little)

I’m going to TBEX because I want to be better at this whole “sharing your travels online” thing—especially in a way that actually connects. I want to create content that feels honest and helpful to travellers 35 and older. People who are dreaming about that next big trip, but feel overwhelmed by all the details—or just unsure of where to begin.

TBEX offers a whole toolkit for that: sessions with seasoned creators, workshops on everything from writing to SEO, and—just to keep things spicy—speed networking with brands and tourism boards.

Now, I’ve never pitched myself in eight minutes before, but I can already feel the nerves brewing. I fully expect to be doing it while sweating through my blazer and forgetting my Instagram handle. I imagine it’s like speed dating—but instead of flirting, you’re trying to remember if you brought enough business cards and how to sound confident while clutching a tote bag full of trail mix and tech cords.

Still, I’m showing up. Because this is where things start to shift from dream to doing. These conversations might lead to partnerships, collaborations, or simply inspiration—and I’m here for all of it.

Finding My People, Telling My Stories

Mostly, I’m just excited to be in a room full of people who get it—people who understand why a train ride through the Alps can change your life, or why finding an empty café in Ljubljana can feel like discovering a new part of yourself.

There’s something magical about connecting with folks who share this strange little obsession with travel—not just as a holiday, but as a way of seeing the world (and your place in it) differently.

And let’s be honest: there are worse places to gather than Québec City. With its cobblestone streets, river views, and timeless charm, it’s a destination that doesn’t need much of an introduction. Wandering through Old Québec feels like stepping into a European fairy tale—just one with excellent poutine and really impressive stonework.

Final Thoughts: Why TBEX Matters to Me

I’m not heading to Québec City just for swag bags or selfies (though I won’t turn either down). I’m going because I care deeply about making better content—stuff that resonates with the people I want to speak with. I want to create travel stories that aren’t just pretty and polished, but real, thoughtful, and actually useful.

I know I’m late to the content game. I know I’m not 22 with a drone and a TikTok dance (honestly, nobody wants to see me dance). But I love travel to my bones—and I’ve been doing it long enough to know what it takes to plan, adapt, and thrive in unfamiliar places. I want to share that—not from a pedestal, but as a peer. For the folks who are ready for that first international trip in a while, or who are searching for something a little deeper than a top-10 list.

So if you’re curious where this leads, stick around. And if you see me in Québec City—probably speed-networking with wild eyes and a coffee stain on my name tag—please say hi. I’ll be the one with a notebook full of ideas and a carry-on that’s somehow both overpacked and missing something essential.

Curious about how this all plays out? Follow along on my Instagram or subscribe for my post-TBEX breakdown.