I’m just back from Virtuoso’s Travel Mart at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. I’m still processing all of the information that I took in, and the +500 new business contacts I’ve made that will enable me to “vip” my clients. But the immediate takeaway for me is: “what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas!”
Just like a fashion designer going to Milan to see what’s new in fashion, I headed to Las Vegas to the largest Luxury Travel show in the world, Virtuoso’s Travel Mart, to see what was new in travel. Thanks in large part to my affiliation with Virtuoso®, an organization of the top travel agencies, the finest travel providers, and premier destinations in the world, I met with a world of resources to plan my clients’ future travel dreams.
As this article notes, http://www.travelpulse.com/the-virtuoso-travel-agent-difference.html,
The Virtuoso Travel Mart…is one of those industry events that makes you firmly believe in the profitable future of travel agents.
I met with 312 hoteliers, suppliers, and onsite destination specialists in 4-minute “speed dating on crack” type meetings, plus met another dozen or so for further in-depth 10 minute sessions. I attended at least 6 cocktail parties, 3 supplier lunches, 2 major supplier-sponsored dinners, and a GALA dinner. I hardly had time to breathe, let alone take in the Vegas sights. (I think I got a 10 minute break for a dip in the Bellagio pool on the last day.)
My head was spinning, as it was the first Travel Mart I’d ever attended. But, while I’m no longer a Travel Mart virgin, I can tell you that everyone in attendance leaves feeling energised and exhausted.
My “aha” moment from attending Virtuoso Travel Mart? The power of making personal connections came through clearly. At lunch on Wednesday, I met the Corporate Sales Manager, Parul Kaushal, of the Four Seasons San Francisco at lunch. The lovely Parul then “vip’ed” my client who was checking into her hotel at noon on Thursday with a special amenity awaiting for her family in their room at check in.
So – if you want to get “vip’ed” on your travel, give me a call. Let me put my Virtuoso partners to work for you!