Virtuoso Travel Week 2024: Celebrating connection, innovation, and luxury travel

This year’s Virtuoso Travel Week, held from August 10-16 in Las Vegas, was a dazzling convergence of luxury travel advisors and suppliers from around the globe. Joining more than 4,700 attendees and over 2,000 travel brands, 1000 Mile Travel Group’s (1000MTG) attendance at this year’s event once again is a testament to the growing demand for and innovation within the luxury travel industry.

Networking with a purpose

One of the most significant changes this year was the introduction of a new application process for advisors, allowing Virtuoso to curate a more balanced mix of top producers and emerging talents.

Nicola Veltman, 1000MTG CEO and Co-founder reflected that the change led to “more purposeful and effective networking opportunities,” with advisors having the freedom to select their supplier appointments.

Christy Shafer, 1000MTG Senior Vice President and General Manager North America echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the new format allowed advisors more flexibility to design their week, creating more personalized and impactful experiences. “This year was all about what you make of the week,” she noted, praising the opportunity for one-on-one discussions that helped foster growth in the luxury space.

Networking is still at the core of Virtuoso Travel Week, and this year’s event did not disappoint. The curated appointments and ample free time allowed 1000MTG’s travel agents to make meaningful connections that will benefit their businesses for years to come.

As Shafer aptly put it, “These are not just networking opportunities but a human connection to the product or property being sold, giving advisors the confidence to sell knowing they have a strong support system.”

For first-time attendee Chrissy Gates, the event was a revelation. She was particularly impressed by the quality of suppliers and the spontaneous connections that aligned perfectly with her business niche. The 1000MTG Cocktail Party was a personal highlight for Chrissy, offering her the chance to connect with both familiar faces and new advisors who could offer guidance and support.

Memorable events and new offerings

The week was packed with events that left lasting impressions on attendees. The Hilton for Luxury lunch, meetings with Virtuoso’s leadership, and of course, 1000MTG’s North American Ambassador Breakfast sponsored by Globus, all stood out for Veltman, who appreciated the high-value conversations and the chance to reconnect with industry peers and highly skilled travel agents.

A standout moment for many was the evening at Allegiant Stadium, the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Attendees enjoyed the thrill of entering through the tunnel and experiencing the stadium from the field, complemented by a variety of food truck offerings and fun activities like catching and kicking footballs.

New offerings like “Brain Dates,” informal group discussions, a Hotel Showcase, and wellness activities such as fitness classes and yoga were also well-received providing attendees with varied opportunities to connect, learn, and unwind, contributing to the overall success of the event.

High-impact keynotes and emerging trends

Among the presentations, Daena Oczachowski highlighted Neen James’ session, “Elevate Your Leadership: Be the Luxury Leader You Want to Be,” which resonated deeply with attendees. James’ challenge to dedicate just 15 minutes a day to business development struck a chord with many of the attendees including Daena, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort in achieving long-term goals.

The Tech Summit also offered valuable insights, with artificial intelligence (AI) being a hot topic. Veltman noted the importance of AI in shaping the future of travel, a trend that advisors and suppliers alike are keen to explore further.

A theme of tailored experiences

This year’s theme, “The Voice of Luxury,” emphasized the importance of delivering tailored experiences to affluent travelers, a sentiment that was echoed throughout the week. Whether through curated appointments, high-value conversations, or new industry insights, Virtuoso Travel Week 2024 reinforced the luxury travel community’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

The week was a resounding success, offering attendees not just opportunities for business growth but also a renewed sense of connection and purpose.

“As the luxury travel industry continues to evolve, events like this ensure that our advisors and partner suppliers are well-equipped to meet the demands of their discerning clientele while growing successful independent businesses,” said Veltman.