TravelAge West
Search Sponsored by

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise
  • Job Seeker Center

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Immersive Family Experiences

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • Future Leaders in Travel Retreat

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
Kenneth Shapiro // (c) 2013 Kenneth Shapiro
Kenneth ShapiroVice President, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Share

  1. Home
  2. Events

Signature Travel Network Celebrates Continued Growth

Nov 14, 2022
Training and Education  Travel Agents  
Signature Travel Network Celebrates Continued Growth
Signature celebrated a strong return of business during its annual conference.
Credit: 2022 Signature Travel Network

Last week, more than 2,100 people attended the annual Signature Travel Network Conference, which took place at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. Attendees included about 1,300 travel advisors — with nearly 400 attending the event for the first time — along with more than 800 preferred partner attendees that included representatives from 45 new network partner companies. Attendance well exceeded 2021’s conference.

"Signature’s continued growth reflects the power of a focused vision and mission,” said Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature. “We serve both members and partners by creating inspirational and results-oriented marketing campaigns that drive sales, while also providing advisors the training and technology tools and support they need to navigate the evolving complexities of travel today.”

The theme for this year’s conference was “Together,” (the same theme as its annual Owners Meeting, which took place this year in September in Nashville) and attendees celebrated the strong partnerships and collaboration that fueled the group’s recovery coming out of the pandemic.

“To me, what ‘Together’ means is the fact that the network has done an incredible job creating a community of members, partners and the Signature team,” said Ignacio Maza, executive vice president for Signature. “It has been so powerful. Not only are we through the worst of COVID-19, but we are incredibly optimistic and bullish about the future. I am in awe of my colleagues and the partners who have been so supportive, and our advisors, who are just extraordinary people.”

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Not only are we through the worst of COVID-19, but we are incredibly optimistic and bullish about the future.

In fact, the collective strength of the organization was a theme throughout the event, with a wide range of suppliers coming on stage to support — and often attempt to woo — the group of luxury advisors who collectively account for more than $11 billion in travel sales. 

The network is having a very successful year in terms of revenue: Hotel bookings, for instance, are at 127% of 2019 sales. Looking ahead to 2023, overall Signature bookings are pacing far ahead of 2022.

More Resources and Support for New Members

With agency owners looking to grow, Signature is continuing to add resources and support for agencies as they recruit and train new agents. 

“There’s definitely a lot for new advisors to learn,” Sharpe said. “What we tell them is focus. Pick something you’re passionate about, pick something you have an affinity toward, and go in that direction and then expand from there.”

There’s definitely a lot for new advisors to learn. What we tell them is focus. Pick something you’re passionate about, pick something you have an affinity toward, and go in that direction and then expand from there.

Another topic that was discussed at the conference was Signature’s support for better commission payment policies for advisors. 

“I would love to see suppliers pay commission when advisors book,” Sharpe said. “But if we could see all partners pay right after final payment, then things are going to be a lot easier and fairer for all parties. Now that we are getting back to more normal booking and cancellation procedures, suppliers can be more creative when it comes to rewarding advisors.”

Other highlights of the conference included an overview of the top destinations for 2023 by Maza; a look at the latest technology tools by Karen Yeates, executive vice president of information technologies; and a marketing presentation by Karryn Christopher, executive vice president of marketing and preferred partnerships.  

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

Affluent Americans Are Planning 4 Trips This Year

Affluent Americans Are Planning 4 Trips This Year

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?
  2. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? New Details Released
  3. What to Know About Riding on the Alaska Railroad
  4. The Top Hotels in Mexico for a Romantic Getaway
  5. A Travel Agent's Guide to Pet-Friendly Travel Planning
  1. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? New Details Released
  2. 6 Unforgettable Chateau Experiences in the Loire Valley
  3. The Caribbean’s Newest Theme Park: Katmandu Park Punta Cana
  4. The Top Hotels in Mexico for a Romantic Getaway
  5. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?

From Our Partners

TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • Travel Weekly China
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here