This May, 110 travel industry professionals from across North America gathered in Myrtle Beach at Travel Alliance Partnership’s (TAP) annual conference. Known as “TAP Dance,” the conference brought destinations, attractions and travel suppliers together with tour operators to meet, foster connections and develop collaborative tour products and travel offerings for consumers.
Myrtle Beach’s Avista Resort hosted TAP Dance from May 18-20. Over the conference’s three days, attendees from across the U.S. and Canada gathered to promote group travel. Travel suppliers grouped into regional pods attended focused sessions with each of the TAP Tour Operators who represent 21 companies from across North America. These sessions showcased the variety of products available in each region, expanding each attendee’s business opportunities.
“Hosting TAP Dance 2025 was a tremendous opportunity for Myrtle Beach to showcase our commitment to group travel," said Bob Harris, Executive Vice President of Sales for Visit Myrtle Beach. "I extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated team, local partners and the broader community whose collective efforts made this event a success. Group business, including meetings and conventions, contributes over $70 million annually to the Grand Strand economy, enhancing the quality of life for our residents by supporting jobs and local businesses. Events like TAP Dance not only drive economic growth but also reinforce our reputation as a welcoming and vibrant destination for all.”
Another part of TAP Dance is TAP Gives Back, an annual charitable initiative that raises funds for an impactful organization within the city hosting the annual conference. To date, TAP Gives Back has raised $136,800 for children’s charities located in the conference’s host cities.
This year, TAP Gives Back donated $2,210 for Champion Autism Network (CAN), a South Carolina nonprofit founded in 2012 by Becky Large, a business professional and mother of a child on the autism spectrum. CAN is dedicated to creating supportive, sensory-friendly experiences for families living with autism. The charity aligns with the host city’s reputation as a leader in autism inclusion – in 2016, Surfside Beach became the first certified autism-friendly destination.
Upon accepting the donation during Tuesday’s delegate luncheon, Large reiterated CAN’s mission “to create and ensure inclusive communities where all people can happily live, work and play, by building a worldwide network of autism champions including businesses, local nonprofits and individuals with autism.”
Large’s passion for inclusion is also featured in “Traveling the Spectrum,” a six-part docuseries now streaming on Peacock that follows three families on the spectrum during a sensory-friendly vacation in Myrtle Beach. Large helped take part in the creation of the series, which puts a spotlight on the power of inclusive travel and its lasting impact.
For more information on TAP Dance and other TAP offerings, visit TravelAlliancePartnership.com.
