The Luxury Travel Exchange International (LTX) educational programming presented a multitude of opportunities for advisors to grow their luxury knowledge through the program’s hands-on, relevant content. Held November 27-29, 2012 at the Palazzo Las Vegas, the show’s innovative conference program gave delegates the option to select education according to job function and interest. Tracks included sessions for Front-Line Advisors, Owners/Managers and Independent Contractors; advisors were able to attend sessions at their leisure as they were open to all.
“We are truly proud of the content delivered at this year’s LTX. Program development was a result of feedback from our Advisory Board and editorial staff, and most importantly, by the individual advisor applications we received from actual participants. Having a good understanding of where advisors are in their career and what is most important at this point in their career to push them forward, afforded us the chance to provide customized education relevant to their luxury travel business” stated Jennifer Fernandez, group show and event director, Luxury Travel Exchange. “The line-up of presenters and panels along with important product updates from supplier partners, proved to be valuable content rich programming which advisors appreciated.”
The well-received, debut Cruise Lines International Association Specialty Cruise Collection Showcase kicked off LTX with over 250 agents in attendance! Delegates were able to select from Coastal & River Cruise or Luxury Cruise which featured members of the Collection including: AMA Waterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, Crystal Cruises, Hurtigruten, Seabourn Cruise Line, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.
A standing room only audience, LTX’s General Session concluded the Tuesday activities with a mix of surprises and luxury content. The National Anthem brought the audience to their feet at the start of the one and a half hour session, followed a comedic snippet from Broadway’s Defending the Caveman.
The popular Cruise Panel gave advisors an arsenal of options allowing them to provide ideal luxury solutions for their variety of clients. Bill Smith, vice president, cruise sales and exclusive products for Virtuoso®, moderated the panel discussion with participants including: Robert W. Lepisto, president, SeaDream Yacht Club; Rick Sasso, president and chief executive officer, MSC Cruises; and Peter Shanks, president, Cunard Line.
Peter Yesawich shared his findings of the ‘2012 MMGY Global Portrait of American Travelers’ with the audience reporting insights on the top 2% of U.S. leisure travelers. Advisors walked away with real research they could use to tap into the affluent consumer. Veronica Fendt of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority shared some relevant facts and figures and gave the audience a look into their current consumer campaign.
LTX’s host hotel, The Palazzo Las Vegas, ended the General Session in elegant style treating the audience to a delicious display of candy, announcing an exclusive LTX giveaway to meet Faith Hill and Tim McGraw while closing the session with a visit from their ‘Winter in Venice’ characters.
Product Training & Certification one hour sessions saw advisors learning first-hand sales and marketing training from luxury suppliers around the world. Participating companies include AMResorts, Down Under Answers and Japan National Tourism Organization. Fast Track to Luxury Mini-Modules, held on Wednesday and Thursday, allowed attendees to learn from a host of suppliers during 30 minute seminars to further expand their portfolio of luxury offerings. A complete schedule of Fast Track sessions and the entire conference program, including speaker biographies and photos, can be found on the event website.
Platinum Pass delegates were given access to exclusive lunches including Wednesday’s Platinum Lunch featuring Graham Hawkins of Harlequin Hotels & Resorts where they gained valuable selling tools on the brand’s Caribbean resort properties. The Platinum Lunch on Thursday saw entrepreneur Ali Brown sharing her tips and techniques to ‘Becoming CEO of Your Own Career’ sharing that safe is the new risk and that only you have control of your future success.
For more information LTX, including photos, videos and the LTX Blog, visit LTXInternational.com and social media outlets including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The second annual LTX will be held in September 2013; location and venue to be announced shortly.