Luxury Travel Expo proves to be a valuable commodity to the luxury travel industry (United States)
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Luxury Travel Expo proves to be a valuable commodity to the luxury travel industry (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Industry economy
- Trends / Expert's advice
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-12-12
Luxury Travel Expo, produced by Luxury Travel Advisor, Premier Hotels & Resort and Travel Agent magazine, and wholly owned by Questex Media, celebrated its tenth anniversary December 2 to 4 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Attendance included 2,784 travel agents who participated in three days of education, and visited over 600 exhibiting companies in a globally representative exhibit hall.
“The tenth anniversary of Luxury Travel Expo was more than we could have imagined especially with the challenges the current economic climate is posing for our industry. We are receiving such positive feedback from agents and suppliers regarding the quality of business they were able to conduct on the tradeshow floor,” remarked Alicia Evanko, show director. “We are proud that Luxury Travel Expo continues to be a significant contributor to the luxury travel market as an open forum for dialogue and education.”
Wednesday activities launched with a plated breakfast and informative presentation from key executives of TravCorp USA: Brendan Worldwide Vacations, Insight Vacations, Red Carnation Hotels, Trafalgar Tours, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. The day’s general session included presentations from Audrey Hendley, vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships, American Express Consumer Travel Network, USA and Kathleen Taylor, president and chief operating officer, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
The Thursday general session highlights included a welcome from Bill Hornbuckle, president and chief operating officer, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and a presentation on “Winning in Down Times” from Matthew D. Upchurch, CTC, chief executive officer, Virtuoso. The audience was also treated to an entertaining performance from the newest show by Cirque du Soleil, CRISS ANGEL Believe, a brief excerpt from the smash hit musical Jersey Boy and welcome from their cast member, Erich Bergen.
The eighth annual Leaders in Luxury awards were presented on December 4 during Luxury Travel Expo at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Selected by the editors of Luxury Travel Advisor, Premier Hotels and Resorts and Travel Agent magazine, the Leaders in Luxury awards are given to individuals who have exemplified superior leadership. The winners included: Maurice Bonham-Carter, president, Island Destinations (Tour); Marilyn Conroy, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas and David Morris, executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, Silversea Cruises (Cruise); Roland F. Largay, chief executive officer, Largay Travel, Inc. (Travel Professional) and Horst Schulze, chief executive officer, The West Paces Hotel Group, LLC (Hotel). The recipients shared their stories of gratitude and success with the audience.
Agents were able to learn from exhibitors ready to educate them on new properties, destinations, and promotions while being able to:
* Receive complimentary cocktail and dessert coupons for fine dining establishments in Las Vegas, compliments of American Express.
* Experience the wildlife of Australia.
* Enjoy the intriguing culinary delights, sights and sounds of the Mediterranean, Mexico, Caribbean, South Africa and Europe.
* Be immersed in a unique multi-sensory system from Greater Fort Lauderdale.
* Interact with the Maasai Warrior direct from Kenya.
* Create a piece of art for displayed at a children’s hospital in Florida at Paintfest in the VISIT FLORIDA booth.
* Learn about the keepsakes from several of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.
* Participate in more than ten sessions from top suppliers in the inaugural Travel Agent University LIVE!
* Relax in the comfort of VAustralia’s airline seats
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