Representatives from TravelManagers attended Signature Travel Network’s annual Global Conference in Las Vegas last month, seizing the opportunity to mix with around 2,700 fellow luxury-minded travel experts and over 600 travel advisors in attendance. This year’s event was also the final show in Las Vegas before the event relocates to Orlando from 2026.
Tasmania-based personal travel manager (PTM) Ange Bowerman attended the event, citing its invaluable exposure to world-class suppliers and colleagues as her main motive for attending.
“For me, the standout sessions were those that centred on innovation, client experience, and the future of luxury and expedition travel. I particularly loved hearing from suppliers who shared global insights and trends, and were incredible open in talking about their strategies, challenges, and opportunities.”
Fellow PTM and first-time attendee, Renee Millard, noted that she was deeply impressed by the “power and connection of so many luxury travel advisors in one space”.
“Trade shows are always a great opportunity to ‘speed-date’ with many suppliers, but the Signature Conference is so much more than that,” she adds. “I also thoroughly enjoyed the session with Signature’s Marketing Technologist, Kha Ly, which looked at marketing trends and technology developments. It provided useful insights that I’m eager to apply in my own business.”
“Attending an event of this scale is an investment in the future of my business and my clients’ travel experiences,” agrees PTM Allen Suss. “It’s invaluable for understanding the global direction of luxury travel and connecting with top-tier suppliers, and as an added bonus, I was able to combine the conference with some touring in the United States.”
Tania Myles, TravelManagers’ Marketing Manager, was a first-time attendee at the Las Vegas event. She says she was inspired by the excellent line-up of speakers and created many valuable connections across the three days.
“Although I’m not a travel advisor, I learned so much which I will take back to our network of PTMs to empower them, particularly around how to market their businesses.”
For Troy Coelho, TravelManagers’ Operations Manager, the 2025 event was his fourth consecutive Signature conference, and says he noticed a change in focus this year.
“For the past three years, the industry has been playing catch up with the demands of travellers, however, now it’s about evolving our business and business practices. For example, keynote speaker Ryan Leak is a personal development speaker who focused his message on how to ‘level up’ your personal and professional development, one step at a time.”
Coelho adds that TravelManagers values the social and networking opportunities that arise from attending the Signature Conference each year, which he says help to strengthen the partnership that began in 2022.
“For example, the trade show gives us direct access to more than 700 suppliers, many of whom don’t get the opportunity to visit us in Australia. The time we spend with them, via one-on-one and roundtable meetings, is extremely valuable for building relationships, expanding the luxury side of the business, and learning from our peers.”
Lead image: TravelManagers attendees at Signature Conference: (from left) Allen Suss (PTM), Renee Millard (PTM), Lisa Harrison, Managing Director AU/NZ, Signature Travel Network; Joe Araullo, CEO, TravelManagers; Tania Myles, Marketing Manager, TravelManagers, and Ange Bowerman (PTM).
