If Las Vegas is where ambition goes to stretch its legs, then Signature Travel Network’s annual Evolve conference proved the perfect proving ground for the future of luxury travel, and TravelManagers was right in the thick of it.
Held recently in the Nevada desert, the 2025 Signature Global Conference drew an impressive 2,700 luxury-focused travel professionals, including more than 600 elite travel advisors and access to over 700 premium suppliers. For TravelManagers’ delegation, it was equal parts intelligence gathering, relationship building and a timely temperature check on where the high-end travel market is heading next.
For Tasmania-based personal travel manager Ange Bowerman, the value of the conference lay well beyond the bright lights and ballroom scale.
“For me, the standout sessions were those that centred on innovation, client experience, and the future of luxury and expedition travel. I particularly loved hearing from suppliers who shared global insights and trends, and were incredible open in talking about their strategies, challenges, and opportunities.”
TravelManagers attendees at Signature Conference: (from left to right): Allen Suss (PTM), Renee Millard (PTM), Lisa Harrison (Managing Director AU/NZ, Signature Travel Network), Joe Araullo (CEO, TravelManagers), Tania Myles (Marketing Manager, TravelManagers), Ange Bowerman (PTM).
It’s that openness — rare in an industry still catching its breath after several volatile years that resonated strongly with TravelManagers’ cohort. According to Bowerman, hearing candid assessments from global suppliers reinforced the importance of adaptability, collaboration and deep product knowledge in an increasingly discerning luxury market.
First-time attendee Renee Millard echoed that sentiment, describing the conference as both energising and grounding.
“Trade shows are always a great opportunity to ‘speed-date’ with many suppliers, but the Signature Conference is so much more than that,” she says. “I also thoroughly enjoyed the session with Signature’s Marketing Technologist, Kha Ly, which looked at marketing trends and technology developments. It provided useful insights that I’m eager to apply in my own business.”
Millard also noted the collective influence of having so many luxury specialists in one space, a reminder that independent advisors, when aligned, wield considerable commercial and strategic clout.
That sense of investment in the long game was not lost on fellow PTM Allen Suss, who combined conference attendance with broader touring in the United States.
“Attending an event of this scale is an investment in the future of my business and my clients’ travel experiences. It’s invaluable for understanding the global direction of luxury travel and connecting with top-tier suppliers.”
Behind the scenes, TravelManagers’ leadership team was equally focused on translating global insights into local advantage. Marketing Manager Tania Myles attended the event for the first time and left with a notebook full of practical ideas.
“Although I’m not a travel advisor, I learned so much which I will take back to our network of PTMs to empower them, particularly around how to market their businesses.”
Lisa, Troy and Tania, at Allegiant Stadium for the closing celebration: Enjoying some fun and games on the football field in Las Vegas, hosted by Signature.
Operations Manager Troy Coelho, attending his fourth consecutive Signature conference, observed a notable shift in tone this year.
“For the past three years, the industry has been playing catch up with the demands of travellers, however, now it’s about evolving our business and business practices.”
That evolution was underscored by keynote speaker Ryan Leak, whose message focused less on disruption and more on steady, intentional progress, “how to ‘level up’ your personal and professional development, one step at a time,” as Coelho described it.
Notably, the conference also reinforced the strategic partnership between TravelManagers and Signature Travel Network, a relationship that began in 2022 and continues to mature.
“For example, the trade show gives us direct access to more than 700 suppliers, many of whom don’t get the opportunity to visit us in Australia,” Coelho explains. “The time we spend with them, via one-on-one and roundtable meetings, is extremely valuable for building relationships, expanding the luxury side of the business, and learning from our peers.”
In an era where luxury travellers expect both personalisation and polish, TravelManagers’ presence at Signature Evolve sends a clear signal: the future of high-end travel will belong to those who invest in knowledge, relationships and global perspective, not just glossy brochures.
For an industry rediscovering its confidence, Las Vegas didn’t just host a conference. It hosted a quiet recalibration.
For further information, visit https://www.signaturetravelnetwork.com or https://www.travelmanagers.com.au.
