Miami, FL, October 16, 2024 – The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) along with its Premium Members, travel agency executives, and industry suppliers gathered onboard the Valiant Lady in Miami today for the annual Premium Business Summit, October 16-20, 2024, hosted by the Society’s longstanding Proud Partner, Virgin Voyages. The four-day event is an exclusive benefit for ASTA’s Premium Members, where networking with key figures from the travel sector and valuable educational sessions are the main draw.
Over the years, the Premium Business Summit has earned respect from attendees. In a survey of past attendees, a staggering 100% of participants expressed their intention to recommend this event to their industry colleagues, while 97% rated it as extremely valuable, proving the Summit’s impact and significance within the travel community.
Attendees will take part in three transformative storytelling sessions, led by storytelling expert Erik Dominguez. These sessions are designed to reshape attendee’s leadership style and elevate their client interactions. Additional features of the program include tackling tough topics such as:
- AI’s Ethical Challenges with Sam Hilgendorf, CIO, Fox World Travel
- Navigating AI for Business Leaders featuring Dr. Jill Schiefelbein, Chief Experience Officer, Render
- 5 Myths of Accessible Travel & The Path Forward led by John Sage, CEO, Sage Inclusion
- Evolving Travel Risk & Duty of Care with Bruce McIndoe, President, McIndoe Risk Advisory LLC
- Protecting Your Agency: Fraud Prevention Tactics with Jeannine Hankinson, Managing Director, User Experience, ARC; Bruce McIndoe, and Sam Hilgendorf
- Capitol Hill Insights presented by Jessie Klement, VP of Advocacy, ASTA
- The Overtourism Dilemma: Building a Sustainable Future panel moderated by Marc Casto, CEO, MVC Solutions, featuring Julie Higgins (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises), Greg Takehara (Tourism Cares), and John Diorio (Virgin Voyages)
- The Licensing Debate: Regulation vs. Growth moderated by Peter Lobasso, Senior VP & General Counsel, ASTA, with panelists Chris Dane (Hickory Global Partners) and Eric Maryanov (All-Travel)
- Sheilding Your Travel Agency: Cutting-Edge Fraud Prevention Tactics led by Robbi Hamida, Senior Vice President, Nexion Travel Group, joined by Jeannine Hankinson, Managing Director, Operations & Customer Experience, Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC); Bruce McIndoe, President, McIndoe Risk Advisory LLC; Sam Hilgendorf, Chief Information Officer, Fox World Travel
ASTA’s Premium Membership program has stood as a pinnacle of excellence within the agency community since its launch in 2007. This elite program caters to industry leaders, offering a customized approach to membership that reflects their prominence and commitment to the travel advisor profession. The heart of this program is the Premium Business Summit, renowned not only for its unparalleled networking opportunities but also for its unique and exceptional education and ability to bring together industry luminaries, experienced leaders, and the next generation of industry advocates. To learn more about ASTA’s Premium Membership, contact Pam Bonin, Director of Strategic Member Partnerships.
Photos are updated throughout the event and can be accessed here.
