Signature names award winners at Annual Conference

Nine luxury travel advisors and agencies are leaving Las Vegas with a Signature Travel Network Advisor Recognition Awards. In addition the network announced the recipient of its most prestigious Michelle Morgan Leadership Award is Nolan Burris, a training and development consultant for Signature.

Karen Yeates, EVP, Information Technologies, said in presenting the Michelle Morgan Leadership Award, “The person we are recognizing this year is someone who is a highly respected figure in the travel advisor community, who is known for their decades-long commitment to elevating the role and value of travel advisors. This person helps agencies and professionals adapt to changing industry landscapes, championing travel advisors’ ability to charge and justify professional fees, focusing on mindset, consistency and branding [and] inspiring advisors to see themselves not just as booking agents but as trusted consultants who bring unmatched expertise.”

Speaking about his relationship with Michelle Morgan, who first introduced Burris to Signature as a keynote speaker at an event over a decade ago, he said, “What an amazing person; what an amazing thing she helped create. And this is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

In addition to the Michelle Morgan Leadership Award, Shannon Garrett, Vice President of Member Engagement, presented the Advisor Recognition Award. Winners included:

Lori Stephens (center), the recipient of the Travel Elevates Spirit – Agency award (Photo by Joshua Martinez – Hawaii Media Collective)

Rising Star Award: Matthew Sontag, Keene Luxury Travel

This is given to an advisor who is either new to the industry or who has transformed and reshaped their business.

Mentor Award: Roxanne Boryczki, All-Travel

This award celebrates an advisor or manager who is generously sharing their time and their knowledge so that others can achieve their professional and personal goals.

Travel Elevates Spirit (Advisor): McKenzie Kellogg, 417 Travel

This award goes to someone who is leveraging their global travel partnerships to promote sustainability and enrich communities through education and economic empowerment

Travel Elevates Spirit (Agency): Lori Stephens, Sojourney Travel

This is given to an agency that puts hope into action

Garrett also announced the winners of the Sales Excellence Awards, of which there were five. These advisors, aptly, according to Garrett, are “really crushing their sales goals—whether it’s success with charging fees, or increasing efficiencies, or more client reach.” Winners were: