Virtuoso®, the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, welcomed an audience of 5,000 luxury travel’s top professionals for its 34th annual Virtuoso conference yesterday.
Running August 13-19, Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa will provide the backdrop for more than 180,000 one-to-one networking appointments between advisors and travel companies roster of professional development sessions by renowned presenters and its first Travel Tech Summit. Whether attendees are face-to-face or participating remotely, Virtuoso presents a well-curated and highly dynamic experience that unites the travel agencies, advisors and preferred partner companies leading luxury travel’s resurgence.
Virtuoso Week’s Opening Ceremony, themed “We Believe,” featured keynote speaker Alison Levine, renowned polar explorer, expedition leader and author, who delivered a message that inspired a standing ovation and resonated with the audience: “Backing up is not the same as backing down.”
While business is already booming for most of its network, Virtuoso focuses on taking this unique opportunity to expand and grow the luxury-advised market globally – targeting those who prioritize travel, spend more and value advice from an experienced professional. McCabe-Young shared that Virtuoso has been quietly laying the groundwork and is now ready to launch a consumer campaign to further elevate Virtuoso’s global branding and consumer appeal by sharing what the network already does best.
With longer, selected appointments complementing the shorter, Virtuoso Week matched one-on-ones and a full day of Globetrotting sessions focused on Virtuoso’s Communities in cruise, adventure, family, culinary and ultra-luxe travel, Virtuoso members and partners had plenty of structured time to network.
Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch followed with his message to the network, acknowledging that the rapid return of business has put a strain on many of those within the network: You have the power to choose who you serve. Her emphasis on leaning in to continuously assess and reassess the environment versus being fixed to a set gameplan inspired the audience to rethink setbacks in a new light: “backing up is not backing down”, encapsulating what she learned while leading two all-female expeditions to climb Mount Everest.
Upchurch also shared with the audience key innovations that his organization had been working on for the mutual benefit and success of the entire Virtuoso network. Continuing to grow consumer preference for Virtuoso members, advisors and partners and innovating how travellers collaborate with the network through digital has been a focus.
A dedicated Cruise Café plus partner lounges and the debut of the exclusive Pinnacle Lounge, a by-invitation-only setting for Virtuoso’s top producing advisors to meet with select partners, will provide additional opportunities to reconnect and conduct business. Following the integration into its website, Virtuoso.com, the travel dreaming site Virtuoso Wanderlist®, now could be shared more widely through published lists that don’t require an account or platform sign-in to view.
Virtuoso agencies remain very optimistic about their businesses. Kolner shared that 2023 could be the industry’s best year yet, with significant continued growth in subsequent years.
Virtuoso Travel Week will continue through Friday, August 19, with news, trends and industry recognition to be shared during the week. In line with the Spirit of the Virtuoso organization led by CEO Matthew D. Upchurch, her lessons are reflected in an industry that has largely rebounded incredibly fast and with full force after two years of demonstrated resilience and commitment.
Upchurch explained that a key step in transforming its digital traveller experience is this expanded accessibility that brings more qualified travellers into its network. For Virtuoso advisors, in particular, he conveyed that their wisdom, knowledge and connections were in higher demand than ever, putting advisors in a position to work with clients who value these assets the most.
Virtuoso Senior Vice President Helen McCabe-Young next took the stage to share a look into Virtuoso’s consumer strategy as it prepares to launch it is a first-ever consumer-facing global campaign.
Following Upchurch, Executive Vice President David Kolner looked at industry insights Virtuoso has been observing. Virtuoso’s Sustainability Council met Sunday, followed by a wider network session, Under One Sky, furthering its sustainability mission of over ten years. With attendees from 100 countries, this is the largest Virtuoso event since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 4,320 in-person attendees and another 680 virtual.
As with any Virtuoso event, professional development continued to play a pivotal role.
Said Upchurch, “We’ve chosen to work together because we all believe that there is more to be gained from sharing than individually. Both in-person and remote attendees received access to Virtuoso Week’s robust training lineup from well-respected, expert presenters.
Written by: Matthew Thomas
