I’m still recovering from the marathon that is Virtuoso Travel Week. This annual event in Las Vegas is a whirlwind, and I’m here to tell you that what happens in Vegas most definitely doesn’t stay in Vegas (shoutout to comedian Dane Cook for that one)! The connections, updates, and innovations I absorbed are already being shared with all of you.
Last week, I’d shared highlights from Day 1 and 2. See
**Day 1: Off to a Roaring Start**
I kicked off Virtuoso Travel Week 2024 with a bang—globetrotting without ever leaving the Aria. The first day was epic, starting with two trade show sessions featuring whimsical and elaborate booths from top adventure travel partners. I caught up with some of the best in the business, including Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea, Natural Habitat, and Rocky Mountaineer. These partners gave me a sneak peek into the latest and greatest travel experiences around the globe.
Lunch, hosted by the Los Cabos Tourism Board, was both delicious and enlightening, with a focus on sustainability. And, I’m thrilled to announce that I was nominated for the Top Sustainability Advisor award—what an honor!
The day continued with another trade show featuring my amazing cruise partners like Oceania, Crystal, Azamara, and Uniworld. Barely catching my breath, I made it to the opening reception at the Bellagio, where I met with travel luminaries like Sven Lindblad and reconnected with colleagues from Direct Travel.
Dinner at Mastro’s Ocean Club with Windstar Cruises was the perfect end to a busy day—the seafood platter was insane, the steak was like butter, and the “chocolate sin cake” lived up to its name. Plus, I somehow managed to squeeze in a few client calls, resolve a travel issue, and even book an Ama cruise on the fly!
**Day 2: Taking It to the Next Level**
Day 2 did not disappoint. I attended trade shows for top cruise partners, including Ama Waterways and Seabourn, followed by professional development sessions on branding, luxury mindset strategies, and maximizing LinkedIn. Grand Velas treated me to a pedicure, a much-needed break amid the frenzy.
The day wrapped up with a special dinner for Cruise Icons at the hottest restaurant in Vegas. Each connection I make here translates directly into better experiences for you, my clients.
Then I started diving into the one-on-one meetings and matched appointments I had with luxury travel suppliers from around the globe.
**Day 3 of Virtuoso Travel Week: The Travel Olympics!**
Day 3 of Virtuoso Travel Week turned into a hilarious adventure—a day that felt more like a networking obstacle course than a conference! Imagine me, sprinting through the bustling corridors of the Aria, dodging fellow advisors left and right, all while juggling back-to-back appointments with some of the most amazing travel partners in the industry.
I started the day by rubbing shoulders with A&K Argentina, ProColombia, Silversea Cruises, DuVine Cycling, Carillon Wellness, and The Mall Italy luxury fashion outlets. Picture a chaotic sea of advisors, each trying to squeeze in just one more meeting before the next bell rings. It was like a decathlon for travel pros!
After navigating the networking gauntlet, I made my way to the Bellagio for the inspiring “Under One Sky” sustainability lunch. I didn’t take home the top prize for sustainability advisor this time, but being nominated among such passionate advocates for sustainable travel was an honor in itself. I had the pleasure of dining with Marett Taylor and Cristina Levis of A&K, who took home the Culture award, and my friend Ashish Sanghrajka of Big Five, who won the Economy award. We also celebrated Wilderness Safaris, the well-deserved winner of the Planet award.
The next leg of the Travel Olympics had me racing back to the Aria for another round of fabulous appointments. This time, I caught up with Azamara, Uniworld, Southern World Australia, Explora Journeys, and the ever-inspiring Lindblad Expeditions. Despite the hustle, I managed to steal a few moments at Vdara’s Pinnacle Lounge to hear from the legendary conservationist and scientist, Dr. Sylvia Earle—a true highlight of the day!
And just when you thought I might run out of steam, I did my best Superwoman impression with a quick costume change before heading off to an incredible sushi dinner at Yellowtail with Samuel Chamberlain of Ponant. The perfect end to a day packed with adventure and inspiration.
Through all the busyness, my clients have been at the forefront of my mind. Who is this product perfect for? How can I help them travel the world better? And how can I make their travel a force for good? These are the questions that guide me as I navigate the thrilling chaos of Virtuoso Travel Week, always with your next great adventure in mind.
**Day 4 of Virtuoso Travel Week: Pinball Wizardry and Cruise Night Fever!**
Day 4 of Virtuoso Travel Week was nothing short of a hoot! Picture me bouncing between meetings like a pinball wizard, all while snagging some delicious chicken and waffle nibbles along the way. The day was packed with appointments at Aria with top travel partners like Big Five Tours, Tahiti Tourism, Nomadic Expeditions, Dromoland Castle, Approach Guides, Cunard, Travel 2, Wilderness Safaris, Ritz Carlton Yachts, Conrad Bora Bora, Andaz Maui, Luggage Free, Swan Hellenic, and Azamara. Each meeting was a whirlwind of ideas, collaborations, and exciting opportunities to enhance your future travels.
Next, it was off to Bellagio for a fabulous lunch at Michael Mina’s with my Shangri La homies. Nothing beats sharing a meal with industry pals who are just as passionate about luxury travel as I am. Post-lunch, I took a moment for a headshot (because, why not?), followed by a chat with Tony Logan about the Virtuoso Cruise Icon program—always thinking ahead to elevate the cruise experiences I offer my clients.
After a quick costume change (because in Vegas, you’re always just one outfit away from the next event), I headed to the Aria preferred partner lounge to catch up with more of my incredible cruise partners, including A&K Expeditions, Quark, and Lindblad Expeditions. The day wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the presidential suite at the Bellagio to see my Fairmont Hotel partners—nothing like a little luxury to keep the energy high!
The grand finale of Day 4 was the legendary Cruise Night Out at the Cosmopolitan. This exclusive event is the hottest ticket in town for top sales-producing cruise advisors like yours truly. We cheered on our cruise partners, including Ama, Silversea, Aqua Expeditions, and Quark, who all took home well-deserved awards. It was an evening filled with celebration, recognition, and excitement for the future of luxury cruising.
Remember, what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas—I’m bringing back all the knowledge, connections, and insights to ensure your travels are more extraordinary than ever!
**Day 5 of Virtuoso Travel Week: Still Standing, Still Smiling!**
It’s Day 5 of Virtuoso Travel Week, and guess what? I’m still standing! The day kicked off with a fantastic breakfast with Ashish from Big Five Tours—a great start to any day. But as with all good stories, there was a twist. After breakfast, I headed to my morning matched appointments…only to realize I was at the wrong hotel! A quick hoof across the strip, and I finally found myself at the right tables at Bellagio, ready to dive into a series of meetings.
The morning was packed with insights from some amazing destination management companies, courtesy of A&K, covering South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Australia, and the USA. Then, I had the pleasure of meeting with some top-tier hoteliers, including Mountain Shadows in Scottsdale, Park Hyatt in Buenos Aires, Sofitel in Rome, Shangri La in Sydney, and Mallima in Jerusalem. Each one offered something unique that I can’t wait to share with my clients.
Lunch was a delicious break with my friends from The Brando, an experience that never disappoints. Afterward, it was time for more meetings at the Preferred Partner Lounge at Aria, where I caught up with partners like Australis, Ama Waterways, Uniworld, and Southern World New Zealand. I even managed to squeeze in a couple of Virtuoso Professional Development sessions about marketing—always learning, always growing!
Despite the busy schedule, I found time for some much-needed wellness sessions with Canyon Ranch and the Virtuoso Canada team, because self-care is crucial, even in the midst of a travel whirlwind.
The day ended on a high note with some hilarious and lively cocktail parties hosted by Uniworld, South Pacific and Polynesia, and Ama Waterways. Nothing beats ending a productive day with laughter, great company, and a few well-deserved cocktails.
This, my friends, is what I call “traveling better”! Each day here equips me with more tools, knowledge, and connections to make your travel experiences unforgettable. Stay tuned—there’s more to come!
**Day 6 of Virtuoso Travel Week: Wrapping Up with a Bang!**
Virtuoso Travel Week ended on a high note for Day 6, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with how the week wrapped up! I started the day with a delightful breakfast with Alison May of Wilderness, setting the tone for what was to be a whirlwind of exciting meetings.
The morning appointments were non-stop, with sessions featuring some of the top names in luxury travel. I connected with Prive Jets, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Air Tahiti Nui, Fairmont Kea Lani, Windstar Cruises, Empire CLS, the Korean Tourism Board, and many more. Each meeting offered fresh ideas and exclusive opportunities that I’m eager to share with you.
After a lovely birthday lunch with Sarah, I dived into more meetings in the afternoon. I caught up with Paul Gauguin, Ponant, Hurtigruten, Seadream, Lindblad, and had a fantastic chat with Michelle Palma of Uniworld. Every conversation added a new layer to the luxury travel experiences I can curate for you.
As the evening approached, it was time to glam up for the conference Gala—a night of celebration and reflection on an incredible week. I enjoyed a fabulous dinner with Silversea, a brand I’m super excited to sail with soon! The night was filled with cheering for my partner winners, savoring a delicious meal, and having wonderful conversations with the lovely Kemi Wells.
To cap off the night, I headed to Club V for a glass of champagne, raising a toast to the end of an amazing week and to Lesley-Anne’s birthday. I’m absolutely pooped, but also pumped with new ideas, connections, and a renewed passion for helping my clients explore the world in the most luxurious and personalized ways possible.
Stay tuned—I’ve got so much more to share and can’t wait to help you plan your next unforgettable journey!