How The Future Leaders in Travel Retreat Champions Young Travel Professionals
Returning to Aspen, Colo., for its second year, The Future Leaders in Travel Retreat takes professional development and networking to the next level
“What does fear feel like in your body?” Gina Murdock asked the crowd. “Do you notice it? Do you sense it? Is there a feeling of constriction, tightness? You know, a lot of us are familiar with stress and fear — they manifest in the body, but also in the mind.”
Quoting the likes of Gandhi and 13th-century poet Rumi, Murdock — the founder and creator of Aspen, Colo.-based nonprofit Lead With Love — probably doesn’t fit the profile of a typical travel industry speaker. But onstage for the keynote address at the second annual Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, dressed in a millennial-pink blazer and radiating timeless confidence, Murdock had earned the rapt attention of her audience: 78 travel advisors and suppliers between the ages of 22 and 37, most of whom are considered millennials.
But the tired rhetoric about how this demographic is lazy and entitled wasn’t part of the conversation. (And, by now, most industries should understand that such sweeping generalizations are toxic, as well as far from the truth.) Instead, taking into consideration her listeners’ around-the-clock dedication to their craft, Murdock called attention to a need that’s often overlooked in an era that glorifies being busy: well-being.
Gina Murdock gave the keynote address. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
Gina Murdock gave the keynote address. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
The Future Leaders in Travel Retreat returned to Aspen Meadows Resort for its second year. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
The Future Leaders in Travel Retreat returned to Aspen Meadows Resort for its second year. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
Workshops were interactive. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
Workshops were interactive. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
“Gina spelled out that success is not just measured by work and family milestones, but that it’s also an inside job,” said Mindy Poder, Executive Editor of TravelAge West, which hosted the event with parent company Northstar Travel Group. “That’s a powerful message that we think is beneficial for attendees to hear at this stage of their career, ideally before the burnout sets in. We hope it helps advisors prioritize their sense of health and fulfillment over other traditional markers of success.”
Scott Largay, director of marketing for Largay Travel, agrees.
“It is all too easy to get caught up in the ego and financial vision of success and overlook the real meaning of a life lived well,” he said.
Indeed, the theme of this year’s Retreat, held Sept. 3-5, was “Building a Roadmap to Success” — which encompasses a multifaceted journey that not only requires setting goals, having ambition and simply putting in the work, but also looking inward. And Aspen, with its lauded emphasis on nourishing the mind, body and spirit, once again proved to be the perfect environs.
“The Retreat’s attendees are the result of a big wave of change in the travel industry. People are traveling differently, and now, more than ever, the world needs travel advisors.”
But Murdock’s nod to self-care didn’t take away the importance of other best practices for achievement in the travel industry. Nor did it dilute The Retreat’s enduring mission of connecting the next generation of travel buyers and sellers. Understanding that this unique demographic craves organic relationship-building and interactive professional development, the team behind The Retreat created a highly curated itinerary that, every step of the way, encouraged attendees to escape their comfort zones.
Educational content took place at Aspen Meadows Resort, home of the eminent Aspen Institute. Here, a panel of industry veterans spoke from their own varied experiences, offering practical advice on how to cultivate a career that is both profitable and rewarding. Topics ranged from evaluating progress and learning from failures to fostering a mentor-mentee relationship. Panelists included Allegra Lynch, president of Authentic Vacations; Julia Pirrung, founder of Jet Set World Travel and Axus Travel App; Danny Genung, CEO of Harr Travel; and John Diorio, director of sales for the U.S. and Canada West at Virgin Voyages.
Attendee Max Kabin, co-owner of Travelwise International, says the panel was a reminder that success doesn’t have a cookie-cutter formula. Another takeaway: Be deliberate with time spent at work.
“As business owners, advisors often wear several hats in a day,” he said. “Setting daily, monthly, weekly and yearly goals will help us constantly move in the right direction while not letting the nonnegotiable everyday tasks go unfinished.”
Four small-group workshops offered a deep dive into specific professional development topics.
Gina Bang, director of marketing for Avanti Destinations, taught attendees how to create and refine their elevator pitch, while Pirrung presented on how to best engage and qualify clients. The following day, Jenn Lee, vice president of sales and marketing for Travel Planners International, explained how advisors can turn a profit and scale for success. During the adjacent workshop, Vanessa McGovern, co-founder and CEO of Gifted Travel Network, provided insight into how advisors and suppliers can nurture mutually beneficial relationships.
“I found that this year’s Retreat brought forward deeper content and conversations, which encouraged the sharing of business ideas, challenges and solutions. And what they say holds true: Great work does happen at the bar — no matter which demographic is hanging out there.”
A Think Tank — moderated by Largay and Brennan Quesnele, vice president of sales for Gogo Vacations — rounded out the closing general session. There was tangible excitement in the room as attendees shared personal event highlights, exchanged fresh ideas and expressed what’s next on their own roadmaps to success.
Amanda Bisack, owner of Travelista Travels, says The Retreat’s educational content inspired her to create a to-do list of actionable tasks.
“Immediately following The Retreat, I came home and purchased a work-only cellphone; that way, I can set boundaries with my clients and have more of a set schedule of when I am open for business,” she said. “Up next: I will hire an assistant. I learned that the more I can delegate tasks to other people and not take on everything by myself, the more my company will thrive.”
Morning yoga was hosted in Aspen’s Anderson Park. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
Morning yoga was hosted in Aspen’s Anderson Park. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
Off-site activities immersed attendees into the sophisticated culture and breathtaking nature for which Aspen is known. Divided into nine teams, advisors and suppliers explored downtown Aspen on foot during a spirited scavenger hunt; throughout the experience, they learned about the destination through riddles and proved their knowledge of event sponsors through quizzes.
“The scavenger hunt allowed us to rally around a common goal,” said Mark Nessle, senior partnership growth and training manager for the Americas at Intrepid Group. “Shaking up the ways in which we interacted and learned about the advisor business and fellow suppliers’ products enabled us to form stronger bonds.”
“So many advisors have told me, ‘Oh yeah, I’m a lifer.’ They’re in it for good. And how many career choices have people saying that? It’s a very bold statement. I love the confidence and the passion.”
The next day brought more opportunities to get outside, including sunrise yoga in Aspen Meadows’ Anderson Park; hiking or downhill biking at the majestic Maroon Bells; and hiking the Rim Trail in view of nearby Snowmass Village.
“When I think of leadership, I think of inspiring and empowering other people, and pouring back into the industry. Leadership and succession go hand in hand.”
“Whether you hiked or biked, you were able to build meaningful relationships in this relaxed, social atmosphere, which is what The Retreat is all about,” said Josh Hepp, field sales manager for the West at Trafalgar. “It doesn’t get much better than sharing best practices with your industry peers at the base of the Maroon Bells.”
Evening events were held in laid-back yet lively locales, from an opening mixer at Aspen Meadows to downtown Aspen hot spots including Silver City Mountain Saloon, the brand-new W Aspen hotel and nightclub Bootsy Bellows Aspen.
Olivia Link, a travel advisor for Lake Shore Travel, commends The Retreat for limiting traditional networking, which she says can be mentally draining and unproductive in the long run.
“The exchange of business cards without a more fundamental connection doesn’t cement long-term relationships,” Link said.
Indeed, even early on at The Retreat, a strong sense of camaraderie had clearly formed. Advisors and suppliers were full of support for the travel industry, as well as for one another as peers, connected by the shared objective of helping others discover the world.
“I don’t get a lot of chances to meet other people in the industry to start with, let alone people of a younger demographic. I’ve formed so many ideas from the workshops, and even from hiking.”
Emily Woods, a travel advisor for Q Cruise + Travel, says it’s rare to gather a community of people who are so mutually invested in one another.
“The Retreat brought together not only advisors from various walks of life and specialties, but suppliers, too,” she said. “And it’s on the same level, and we’re all part of the same team. Together, we are designing what this industry will look like.”
Some Retreat attendees hiked the area’s Rim Trail. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
Some Retreat attendees hiked the area’s Rim Trail. ©️ 2019 Mary Russell Productions
Meet The Retreat’s 2019 Guides
Selected for their passion and achievements, the following inaugural Future Leaders in Travel Retreat attendees returned to this year’s event as “Guides.” Here are their key takeaways.
Charlotte Filla, Frosch Travel
On Newfound Relationships: “This business has so much to do with who you know; having sincere connections between buyers and suppliers is hugely beneficial. People use who they like and tend to stay loyal to them.”
Andrea Espinosa, Harmon Travel
On Returning for Year Two: “It was great to see the collaboration and amazing growth that a year makes. The content was strategically planned, and the topics were meaningful to our demographic and what we’re experiencing every day in our industry.”
Joni Wu, Luxe Travel
On Next Steps: “I need to invest in getting help in order to level up. It’s something I’ve put off due to lack of time, not knowing where or how to look, and fear — but The Retreat gave me the resources and affirmation that I needed.”
Danny Genung, Harr Travel
On Being Part of a Community: “The most rewarding part of The Retreat was being able to share my personal successes and struggles with advisors who felt like they were alone. I had conversations with other advisors who are also trying to balance work and small children, and learned their strategies for coping and excelling.”
Kristin Hoogheem, Mosaix
On How The Retreat Reflects the Changing Industry: “Younger advisors are excited to build travel businesses. The resources for training are becoming more collaborative and accessible, and the way we are growing industry partnerships is through genuine and casual conversations.”
Kassey Weaver, The Joy of Travel
On Feeling Invigorated: “It was the reassurance I needed. It really lit a fire in my heart, and I’ve never been so excited about my business.”
Tiffany Harrison, AAA Travel
On What Makes a Leader: “You have to show up, while understanding that what you know today might not work tomorrow. That makes you a leader, because you are willing to say that you’ve failed — but still take that next step and go from there.”
Scott Largay, Largay Travel
On the Importance of Getting Outside: “What sets The Retreat apart from other events I attend is how seriously it takes the planning around time spent outside a conference room. They recognize that shared experiences can have as much, if not more, of an impact on a business relationship than discussions in a formalized setting.”
Thank You to The Retreat’s Sponsors
AIC Hotel Group, AmaWaterways, Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Carnival Cruise Line, Delta Air Lines, Delta Vacations, Funjet Vacations, GOGO Vacations, Norwegian Cruise Line, Quebec Original, Tahiti Tourisme, Tourism Australia, Trafalgar, Travel2, Travel Planners International, W Aspen
The Details
The Future Leaders in Travel Retreat
www.futureleadersintravel.com
