Over the years, I have preached to travel advisors about the need to change and adapt regarding everything from business cards to business plans.  As a media and events company, we also looked at how we serve you and provide tools that make you each more profitable.

More than 13 years ago, we came up with Luxury Travel Expo as a vehicle for you to become immersed in luxury travel. This event expanded to become the largest gathering of travel agents in the world. Luxury Travel Expo evolved beyond our expectations as commission cuts and competition from the Internet, among other contributing factors, drove you—the travel professionals—to find business that could warrant booking fees. And that business resided in the luxury market.

Now we look at the landscape and find that technology and data intelligence make it easier for buyers and sellers to meet. Over the past few years, we tested the model of one-to-one appointments and it has been extremely effective for both the agents and the suppliers. To have the ability to meet with those specific suppliers that you express an interest in is a very effective use of your time. Likewise, suppliers could focus on agents who are targeting their business.

Over those years, we have perfected the technology that has made this a highly productive experience. And, of course, our world-class educational program will continue to be the cornerstone of our event as we take the next step forward.

I am pleased to announce the transformation of Luxury Travel Expo to Luxury Travel Exchange International. You and all of our friends in the travel field can call us LTX. (If you haven’t already learned the details of this welcome transformation, you can read all about it on page 45.)

As the stewards of luxury travel worldwide, it is our passion, privilege, pleasure and responsibility to educate and inspire you and help you develop your skills to give you a competitive edge now and well into the future—all of which will be ensured with LTX.

See you at The Palazzo Las Vegas, November 27-29!