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Venue: Concorde A clear filter
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Thursday, May 14
 

8:30am PDT

Curating Authentic Holiday Experiences with DMC Partners
Thursday May 14, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
Destination Management Companies (DMCs) are the masterminds to creating immersive and authentic experiences.  Combining intimate in-destination knowledge with operational success, DMCs bring destinations to life helping you transform trips into unforgettable immersive experiences.  Join us and learn how to curate authentic holiday experiences with preferred DMC partners and the authentic elements.
Moderators
avatar for Amy Leon

Amy Leon

Agency Owner, Adventures by Amy
After saying goodbye to corporate America, Amy Leon founded Adventures by Amy in 2016, where she would share her love of travel while helping others plan their next big adventure. Since its inception, known as one of the premier destination wedding specialists on the East Coast, as... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for David Black

David Black

Head of Global Sales, Island Routes
David Black is a seasoned leader in travel, tourism, and hospitality, with over 30 years of experience driving revenue growth, forging strategic partnerships, and creating innovative solutions. Known for blending creativity with data-driven strategies, David consistently delivers... Read More →
avatar for Kumar Swaminathan

Kumar Swaminathan

Founder/GM, XperieNZ Limited
Kumar Swaminathan is the founder of XperieNZ, a New Zealand–based destination management company specializing in immersive, privately hosted journeys for discerning travelers. With more than a decade designing and operating high-touch travel across New Zealand, Kumar works closely... Read More →
avatar for Rossy Rodriguez

Rossy Rodriguez

Senior Manager, North America Sales & Business Development, Amstar
With over 30 years of experience in Sales and Marketing,including 20 years in the Travel Industry with Amstar DMC, sheleads strategic growth initiatives and key partnerships acrossMexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii, supporting traveladvisors through collaboration, innovation, and deepdestination... Read More →
avatar for Maria Downarowicz

Maria Downarowicz

AlpExcursion Switzerland
Maria is a Travel Advisor at AlpExcursion Switzerland, a premium DMC which specializes in designing and delivering unforgettable and seamless private journeys across Switzerland and to neighboring countries. She works closely with international travel designers to craft seamless... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
Concorde A

9:45am PDT

The Luxury Edge: Winning Strategies for High-End Travel Sales
Thursday May 14, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Discover how to attract, inspire and curate travel experiences for affluent clientele.  We will explore what constitutes luxury travel; refining your approach and techniques in capturing this important market; proven sales strategies that elevate your brand; current trends and emerging destinations; and how to position your brand as a trusted authority in luxury travel.
Moderators
avatar for Josef Shomperlen

Josef Shomperlen

Founder & Principle Consultant, Blue Pearl Consulting, LLC
Josef Shomperlen is the founder of Blue Pearl Consulting. A passionate advocate for everything travel, Joe helps travel distribution businesses transform their strategy and technology to maximize their growth potential. In his previous role, Joe served as Vice President of VAX VacationAccess... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for David Ridge

David Ridge

Regional Director of Sales, Sandals & Beaches Resorts

avatar for Micky Dixon, CTC, LTS, MCC, VTA

Micky Dixon, CTC, LTS, MCC, VTA

Founder, Travel Planning For You
Travel Planning for you celebrates it's 14th anniversary this month! After being in Germany for 20+ years, where I resided, studied, worked, and traveled like a local, it was only natural that I originally chose European travels and River Cruising as my niche market. I've since expanded... Read More →
avatar for Susie Albin-Najera

Susie Albin-Najera

Director of Leisure Travel & Strategic Partnerships, U.S. Market, Los Cabos Tourism Board
Susie Albin-Najera is Manager, North America Leisure Travel of Los Cabos Tourism Board and operates the Los Angeles office of Los Cabos, one of the top destinations in the world. Her primary role includes innovative destination marketing, new business development, curated travel advisor... Read More →
avatar for Steve Miller

Steve Miller

Director of Sales (South Central US), Kensington Tours
Steve has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, having held Sales Manager roles with leading companies including American Airlines, Sabre, and Carlson Wagonlit. Over the course of his career, he has developed extensive expertise in building strong partnerships and... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Concorde A

11:00am PDT

Stop Dating One Supplier: Diversify Your Portfolio Before Your Clients Outgrow You
Thursday May 14, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
In today’s evolving travel landscape, relying too heavily on one supplier or one product category puts your revenue and client retention at risk. As clients move through different life stages, their travel preferences shift and if your portfolio doesn’t evolve with them, they will outgrow you.

This session explores how smart advisors build diversified supplier relationships that stabilize income, increase average booking value, and protect long-term client loyalty. Learn how to strategically expand into adjacent categories, invest in the products you want to sell, and partner with specialized operators to elevate your expertise and differentiate your business.

Walk away with a clear framework for auditing your current supplier mix and actionable steps to future-proof your revenue while growing alongside your clients.

Speakers
avatar for Shayla Northcutt

Shayla Northcutt

Owner, Northcutt Travel Agency


avatar for Brad Lennox

Brad Lennox

Founder & CEO, Dekel Tours

Thursday May 14, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Concorde A

2:00pm PDT

Discover Product Series: Tern - Introducing the Agentic Future of Travel
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
You've never seen AI like this before. In this session, Tern's CEO will introduce you to your new assistant. For the first time, AI can complete tasks for you in your CRM. It can audit your trips for mistakes, categorize your inbox, and so much more. With Tern's new agentic features, being demoed live for the first time at LVTAF, your business will skyrocket. Your business can't afford to miss this session.
Speakers
avatar for David Shull

David Shull

CEO & Co-Founder, Tern

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Concorde A

3:00pm PDT

Discover Product Series - VAX VacationAccess: The Must Visit Leisure Travel Marketplace
Thursday May 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
VAX VacationAccess is the premier Leisure Travel Marketplace, home to a wealth of tools, resources, content and suppliers that advisors rely on, all in one spot. Let us show you how VAX can help you grow your business with bookable product, educational opportunities, offers & promotions and tons of exciting editorial content on The Compass. In this session you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the latest news from VAX VacationAccess.
Speakers
avatar for Kim Hall

Kim Hall

Account Implementation Advisor, VAX VacationAccess
Kim Hall is a training and implementation specialist who enjoys helping travel professionals feel confident using the tools that support their business. She’s known for breaking down complex processes in a way that feels approachable and easy to understand, and she brings a relaxed... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Concorde A
 
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