This week: Ensemble members celebrate under a Tuscan sun; Virtuoso is set for top tech conference; and TRAVELSAVERS Canada honours own of its own.
Ensemble
Ensemble has wrapped its second annual ‘Beyond Extraordinary Experiences’ event; this year set against the backdrop of Tuscany. Held from July 21 to 24, the highly anticipated program brought together the network’s top-performing advisors for a journey recognizing individual achievement, but also inspiring members with what’s possible when creativity, access, and Ensemble’s resources intersect.
The multi-day experience culminated in an unforgettable evening at the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, where attendees were treated to Andrea Bocelli’s 20th anniversary concert featuring a global lineup of guests and performers including legendary tenor Placido Domingo who performed a duet with Bocelli.
Prior to the concert, guests attended a private dinner hosted by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, joined by members of the Bocelli family. Beyond the main event, advisors participated in cultural exploration throughout Florence and the Tuscan countryside with a highly curated itinerary that included various options based on personal interests.
“Beyond is our way of honoring the remarkable accomplishments of our top performers and the standard they set for excellence both within Ensemble and the broader industry,” said Michael Johnson, President of Ensemble. “It is also a reflection of how we view our members as valued business partners and want to celebrate their success with an event that transcends a basic trip that they could do on their own and instead create a once-in-a-lifetime experience to demonstrate and inspire what’s possible with Ensemble.”
Now in its second year, Beyond Extraordinary Experiences honours Ensemble’s top-performing members and deepens advisor-supplier relationships through immersive, shared travel in extraordinary settings.
“Beyond isn’t just a trip or a reward to mark great performance, it’s a showcase,” said Shahla Lalani, SVP of Marketing. “What sets the Beyond series apart in the industry is that, beyond traditional recognition, these journeys offer VIP access, exclusive experiences, and unmatched immersion. They illustrate and inspire the kind of elevated, personalized travel our members can deliver when their creativity and expertise are supported by Ensemble’s global network and premier partnerships.”
The inaugural Beyond event in 2024 took advisors to Paris for VIP access to the French Open at Roland Garros. Tuscany marked the next chapter with future Beyond experiences expected to continue showcasing world-class opportunities in art, music, cuisine, sport, and culture.
Beyond is part of Ensemble’s broader portfolio of signature events, which also includes Uncharted, virtual events for the entire network; Summit, a leadership retreat for owners and managers; Skyline, a series of regional gatherings across North America; and Horizons, the consortium’s flagship network-wide event.
Virtuoso
Virtuoso is hosting its fourth annual Travel Tech Summit during the 37th annual Virtuoso Travel on Saturday (Aug. 9) at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Dedicated to innovation within the luxury travel industry, the Travel Tech Summit is a one-of-a-kind event that focuses on using smart technology to elevate and enhance human connection, rather than replace it.
“One of the things that makes the Travel Tech Summit such a success and something people want to attend year after year is that we continuously evolved the format and topics,” said Virtuoso board member Gilad Berenstein. “In previous years, we’ve focused on showcasing ideas and innovations from outside of Virtuoso for mutual learning, which has fueled an ecosystem of startups tailoring their systems and products for travel advisors. This year, we are highlighting technology developments from within Virtuoso.”
Thanks to the evolution of Virtuoso’s Tech Innovation Program, the level of tech sophistication in the network has grown exponentially. This year’s Tech Summit aims to empower advisors and partners to dive further into the developments available to them through Virtuoso, celebrate in-house innovation and, most importantly, walk away with actionable steps and inspiration they can incorporate into their own businesses.”
The tech summit format will range from presentations to panels, Q&A sessions and roundtable discussions, allowing attendees to engage with the innovators and with each other. They will hear from a variety of Virtuoso advisors, partners and executives during the Summit.
TRAVELSAVERS Canada
During this year’s TRAVELSAVERS Canada Travel Market, Teresa Payne, Owner of Enjoy Travel was honoured with the organization’s President’s Award, a recognition presented to the agency that has achieved exceptional preferred partner production and showcased an unwavering commitment to supplier support and revenue growth. Accepting the award on behalf of Enjoy Travel is Senior Travel Advisor, Jenn Kennedy.
From humble beginnings in Orillia, Ont., to now operating 10 offices across the province, Enjoy Travel has grown into a trusted, family-owned agency helping thousands of travellers. As they approach their 30th anniversary in 2025, the award marks a significant moment in their continued pursuit of excellence.
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