Being a Virtuoso travel consultant is more than client meetings, itinerary research and travel planning.

It’s also about professional development, making connections to the travel suppliers, finding out about new properties, and the cool new experiences. That’s why I went to Virtuoso Travel Week.

Welcome to Las Vegas sign

Virtuoso Travel Week, held every year in Las Vegas, brings together over 5,000 of the best travel suppliers, including hotels,  tour operators, cruise lines, airlines, service providers and tourism boards with the Virtuoso Travel Advisors from more than 100 countries. The conference was held at Bellagio, Aria and Vdara hotels with activities at all three during the week.

One day of Professional Development, one day of Supplier Showcase organized by themes, four days of Personal Appointments. 

 

Aria Ballroom

One of the meeting rooms for personal appointments during Virtuoso Travel Week. This view is of half the ballroom.

I had over 270 personal appointments over four days in this ballroom turned meeting room. About six hours each day of meeting time.

Bebe and Marla at table

Bebe and Marla at their table-my Travelwize teammates.

Lori and Alyse at table

Lori and Alyse at their table-more Travelwize teammates

 

 

 

 

ice bar with sushi

Cocktail Party Sushi Bar

One of many cocktail parties hosted by Virtuoso and other suppliers.

 

silversea seafood

Caviar and seafood bar

I came home with a lot of great material: brochures and fact sheets, USB drives, gifts from suppliers and stacks of business cards.

brochures and things

One day’s gathering of materials

Virtuoso Dinners are over the top, especially the desserts:

flower dessert

All edible!

dessert plates

Each person got a different country design that tied into the Virtuoso Travel Week Theme

There were many opportunities to win prizes of all kinds

Molly and Marco and chocolates

I win a huge box of Belgian Chocolates from Tourism Flanders and Marco Frank

Virtuoso Travel Week hosted parties at the Jewel Night Club at the Aria Hotel, among others.

nightclub aria

I’d say a good time was had by all! Lots of connections made; friendships renewed; so much material learned!

Thanks to Virtuoso, and my team at Travelwize.

And to all the suppliers I was fortunate enough to meet.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Travel Unites.” Virtuoso Travel Week fulfilled that theme in a big way.

And the chocolates were pretty good!

Chocolate bites