Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum: Full Schedule

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9:15am PDT

Unlocking Success with Group Travel: Strategies for Success (Part 1)

Wednesday May 13, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT

Discover the strategies of group travel and the potential this profitable niche can represent for your business. In Part 1 of this session, we’ll explore what constitutes a group, finding and servicing these important clients; tips and tools to property manage groups regardless of size or special interests; how to standout as a group specialist and client retention to increase your share of this lucrative niche.

Moderators

Anita Pagliasso

Vice President, Industry Relations, KHM Travel Group

Speakers

Drew Santiago

Director of Business Development, Carnival Cruise Line

Drew M. Santiago is an esteemed figure in the cruise industry, boasting an impressive 28-year career that spans from shoreside and shipboard positions. His journey commenced at Princess, where he started as an entry-level Reservations Agent. Through unwavering dedication and passion... Read More →

Erin Miller

Business Development Manager, ALG Vacations

Erin started her tenure at Apple Vacations over 17 years ago in Customer Service before transitioning into the Sales Department. Within sales, Erin has led several different roles like Business Development Specialist for the East Coast, BDM of Central PA & MD and moving into the Host... Read More →

Luke Majewski

Associate Vice President of Meetings, Incentives, & Corporate Travel Programs, AIC Hotel Group

Ten year veteran of the travel industry specializing in all inclusive luxury hotels and weddings. Working with AIC for over 10 years now helping travel advisors navigate the luxury all inclusive resort marketplace with unique and creative sales and marketing techniques. A huge focus... Read More →

Bill Gardiner

Senior Director of National and Key Accounts, Downtown Travel / The Best Agent.Pro/ Avant Garde Vacations

Bill Gardiner is a Forty-five -year veteran of the travel industry. He has worked in all aspects of the industry during his career. He is the Director of Business Development for Downtown Travel and The Best Agent. Pro (Downtowns new B2B booking engine) . He has been employed by a... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Concorde A

Educational Session

10:30am PDT

Unlocking Success with Group Travel: The Legal Side (Part 2)

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT

Concorde A

Building upon speaking points in Part 1, this session will help you gain legal clarity related to group travel and your business. We will discuss essentials including group contracts, managing terms and conditions tied into payments and cancelations, supplier partnerships and more. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to group travel, you will walk away important information to apply and safeguard your group travel business.

Speakers

Kyle Zelazny

Partner, Ment Law Group, PC

Kyle is an experienced attorney specializing in contracts, business transactions, corporate law, and all aspects of travel law, including IC agreements and IC dispute/separation resolution, terms and conditions, planning fee, group and client agreements, seller of travel and other... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Concorde A

Educational Session

1:00pm PDT

Discover Product Series: Signature Stay Collection by Whimstay - Premium Vacation Homes, Built for Travel Advisors

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Concorde A

Join us as we introduce Signature Stay Collection by Whimstay, a white-labeled experience designed exclusively for travel advisors, with access to hundreds of thousands of professionally managed vacation homes across 80+ countries, all commissionable.

Speakers

Meg Leach

Marketing Partnerships Director, Whimstay

Meg Leach leads Whimstay’s Travel Advisor division, where she works closely with advisors to help them navigate vacation rentals with confidence and deliver best in class client experiences.

Meg spent two years leading Whimstay’s property acquisition efforts, personally helping onboard more than 100,000 professionally managed properties to the platform. Through this work, she built deep relationships with top property managers and gained a strong understanding of what... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Concorde A

2:00pm PDT

Discover Destination Session: Visit Anchorage: Your Basecamp for Building the Alaskan Adventure

Wednesday May 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Concorde A

Alaska’s Southcentral region is full of adventure and culture. Anchorage is your base camp to urban and wild experiences. Explore in the mountains, immerse in Alaska Native history, discover glaciers, encounter wildlife, watch the northern lights dance in the sky, indulge in the exciting local food scene and beyond. Discover how to put adventures and unforgettable moments into an ideal itinerary catered to your specific clients.

Speakers

Heather Ruhle

Tourism Development Manager, Visit Anchorage

A lifelong Alaskan who can be found in the outdoors all year round. Boating, hiking and fishing in the Prince William Sound all summer long and skiing, fat tire biking or camping in the backcountry looking for Northern Lights during the winter are all regular activities. She loves... Read More →

Tom Marriage

Marketing Manager, Phillips Cruises & Tours, LLC

Tom has lived in Alaska for 36 years and spent 19 of those working in the travel and tourism industry. His background is in brand experience, digital media, and business development. As Marketing Manager of Phillips Cruises and Tours, he is lucky enough to get to share the beauty... Read More →

Heather Dudick

Senior Pass Sales Account Executive, Alaska Railroad

Wednesday May 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Concorde A

3:00pm PDT

Discover Destination Session: Sell Hawai‘i with Confidence: New Insights, Updates & Advisor Resources

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Concorde A

Join the Hawai’i Visitors & Convention Bureau for an engaging and informative webinar designed to help you sell the Hawaiian Islands with confidence. Discover how the new Hawai‘i Stays With You destination campaign highlights the lasting emotional connection travelers feel to the islands. During this session, you’ll gain valuable destination insights, timely updates, selling tips, and resources to help you create unforgettable island getaways for your clients.

Speakers

Robyn Basso

Senior Director, Travel Industry Partnerships, Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Concorde A

9:15am PDT

10:30am PDT

1:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

3:00pm PDT

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