Luxury Travel Advisor's Ultra Summit

Lia Batkin of In the Know Experiences is flanked by Andrea Smagacz of Emirates and John Mannion of Starwood Hotels & Resorts after winning a luxury vacation to Dubai.
Lia Batkin of In the Know Experiences is flanked by Andrea Smagacz of Emirates and John Mannion of Starwood Hotels & Resorts after winning a luxury vacation to Dubai.

Luxury Travel Advisor’s Ultra Summit 2014, held in March at the Park Hyatt Chicago, brought together a hand-selected group of ultra-luxury advisors and suppliers, invited for their expertise as the world’s top purveyors of affluent travel. They participated in the invitation-only, three-day program, which featured intimate, prescheduled appointments, strategic networking functions and expert presentations about high-net-worth travelers, trends and business opportunities.

Ruthanne Terrero, Questex Hospitality + Travel vice president of content and editorial director, presented the results of an exclusive survey of ultra-travel advisors. A key finding was the fact that personal contact still matters in sales, as evidenced by more than a third of respondents who said they conduct 75 percent of their business by phone and in person.

Michelle Pragnell of Jet Set World Travel, with Denise Harvill of Etihad Airways and Andrew Rein of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts. Pragnell won an “Ultra” experience to Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad and Shangri-La.
Michelle Pragnell of Jet Set World Travel, with Denise Harvill of Etihad Airways and Andrew Rein of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts. Pragnell won an “Ultra” experience to Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad and Shangri-La.

Clayton Reid, president & CEO of MMGY Global, told the group that traveler intent, a measure of consumer plans to travel, is “picking up very dramatically,” to its highest point since 2004. “Eight in 10 U.S. travelers are suggesting they will take an international trip in the next two years,” he said. “That is double what it was 12 years ago.”

Kate Lorenz, content strategy director for Leo Burnett Group in Chicago, provided a primer for marketing through social media. Her advice included devoting a half hour to social media in the morning and again at the end of the day.

John Wallis, chief marketing officer for Hyatt Hotels Corp., joined Anthony Ingham, vice president of North American brand management for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Meridien, to discuss how their respective companies are redefining the luxury experience.

Peter Yesawich, vice chairman of MMGY Global, provided assurance to advisors that 29 percent of affluent travelers plan to use advisors to plan their next trips. Their attitude is, “If I’m going to travel, it had better be good,” he said.

Ken Neibaur of Cardoza-Bungey Travel and Barbara Nichuals of Bayside Travel Group confer with Nikheel Advani of Grace Bay Club in a pre-scheduled meeting.

Ken Neibaur of Cardoza-Bungey Travel and Barbara Nichuals of Bayside Travel Group confer with Nikheel Advani of Grace Bay Club in a pre-scheduled meeting.

Jack Bloch of JB’s World Travel Consultants catches up with Vo Tomulich of Morgans Hotel Group.

Jack Bloch of JB’s World Travel Consultants catches up with Vo Tomulich of Morgans Hotel Group.

Andrew Rein of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts listens to input from Roger Kershaw of Roger Kershaw Custom Travel and Amanda Kilmak of Largay Travel.

Andrew Rein of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts listens to input from Roger Kershaw of Roger Kershaw Custom Travel and Amanda Kilmak of Largay Travel.

Timothy Krenzien of Paul Klein Travel chats with Ruthanne Terrero of Luxury Travel Advisor and Bob Malmberg of Malmberg Travel.

Timothy Krenzien of Paul Klein Travel chats with Ruthanne Terrero of Luxury Travel Advisor and Bob Malmberg of Malmberg Travel.

Alexis Romer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company gears up for a series of pre-set meetings with Ultra travel advisors.

Alexis Romer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company gears up for a series of pre-set meetings with Ultra travel advisors.

Mark Kazlauskas of FROSCH, Geoff Pearson of Halekulani and Bob Romano of Fugazi Travel catch up at the opening reception at the Park Hyatt Chicago.

Mark Kazlauskas of FROSCH, Geoff Pearson of Halekulani and Bob Romano of Fugazi Travel catch up at the opening reception at the Park Hyatt Chicago.

Mary Ann Ramsey of Betty Maclean Travel and Bob Watson of Watson & Watson (an affiliate of Valerie Wilson Travel) greet John McMahon of Luxury Travel Advisor on opening night.

Mary Ann Ramsey of Betty Maclean Travel and Bob Watson of Watson & Watson (an affiliate of Valerie Wilson Travel) greet John McMahon of Luxury Travel Advisor on opening night.

Redefining the Luxury Hotel Experience for advisors are Anthony Ingham, vice president, North America Brand Management, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien, and John Wallis, chief marketing officer, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts International.

Redefining the Luxury Hotel Experience for advisors are Anthony Ingham, vice president, North America Brand Management, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien, and John Wallis, chief marketing officer, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts International.

Michael Holtz of SmartFlyer and Jessica Griscavage of McCabe World Travel exchange insights with Geoff Pearson of Halekulani.

Michael Holtz of SmartFlyer and Jessica Griscavage of McCabe World Travel exchange insights with Geoff Pearson of Halekulani.

Dealing with the Ultra-Luxury Client was the topic covered by Kristian Anderson, senior vice president of sales and general manager, North America, Silversea Cruises, and Etihad Airways’ vice president of guest services, Aubrey Tied.

Dealing with the Ultra-Luxury Client was the topic covered by Kristian Anderson, senior vice president of sales and general manager, North America, Silversea Cruises, and Etihad Airways’ vice president of guest services, Aubrey Tied.

Jamie Martinez and Carlos Fernandez from CasaMar Tulum show off updates to their resort.

Jamie Martinez and Carlos Fernandez from CasaMar Tulum show off updates to their resort.

 Kimberly Newbury of Luxury Travel Advisor is flanked by Carrie Wallace of MoonRings Travel and Jill Taylor of Jet Set World Travel.

Kimberly Newbury of Luxury Travel Advisor is flanked by Carrie Wallace of MoonRings Travel and Jill Taylor of Jet Set World Travel.

Jody Bear of Bear & Bear Travel engages with the content program at the Ultra Luxury Summit.

Jody Bear of Bear & Bear Travel engages with the content program at the Ultra Luxury Summit.