Signature Travel Network recently held its 2024 Regional events in the United States, reinforcing its commitment to educate and connect advisors and partners. The events, held in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, drew more than 1,200 attendees and featured 7,000+ appointments and 50+ presentations over the course of one month.
The “Regionals” comprised three key components:
Regional Management Meetings: Focused on network growth, sales performance, and priorities for leveraging Signature’s marketing, sales, training and technology tools.
Embark Sales Bootcamp: Designed for new-to-industry advisors with an emphasis on building strong client relationships.
Travel Exchanges: Facilitated networking and experience sharing among advisors and Signature preferred partners.
As part of the Regional Management Meetings, Signature reported impressive sales growth across various travel segments.
Overall preferred cruise sales are up 21% for 2024 compared to 2023, with luxury and river cruises leading the way. River cruise sales for 2025 have shown a 45% increase compared to the same time last year.
A spokesperson for the network told LATTE that Signature is enjoying substantial growth with all preferred river partners, which includes AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Viking.
In the land travel category, FIT and luxury segments are performing strongly, up 25% in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, guided tours and FIT/luxury travel for 2025 are up 25% compared to the previous year.
Signature’s preferred land partner portfolio includes 15 partners. Small group tours are leading the way for both 2024 and 2025. Private and family are also outpacing other guided experiences for 2025.
Exploration Travel, which includes expedition cruises, active and adventure experiences, have seen a 14% increase in 2024, with bookings for 2025 up by 36%. Signature has more than 40 preferred partners that provide active, adventure, soft-adventure, and expedition cruise experiences.
Each Travel Exchange location offered unique destination experiences, including evenings with South Africa Tourism and African Travel, Inc., Tourism Fiji and Aruba Tourism Authority. In Chicago, Ignacio Maza delivered keynote sessions on “Asia: Beyond the Ordinary” and “Solo Travel: Our Next Great Opportunity.”
Signature Travel Network members and partners praised this year’s Connection event format.
“The small group setting was incredibly beneficial,” said Amanda Arias, Travel Advisor at Sun Travel. “The combination of lecture time and group work fostered an open and collaborative environment, making the experience both enjoyable and productive.”
“The opportunity to network and collaborate with dedicated travel advisors was invaluable. In an industry fuelled by connection, fostering and strengthening relationships with members across the network allows us to better serve advisor partners and their clients,” said Corey Lassman, Director of National Accounts, Signature Travel Network Preferred Partner, Villas of Distinction. “I truly appreciate the chance to engage with passionate professionals in our industry, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration with Signature Travel Network advisors.”
In an effort to support local communities through its Travel Elevates program, Signature Travel Network partnered with local organisations in LA and Fort Lauderdale (Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, The People Concern and Visit Lauderdale) to donate materials and proceeds to Sojourn for survivors of domestic violence and Seafarers’ House for refugees.
“This year’s Regionals were incredible,” reflected Alex Sharpe, President and CEO of Signature Travel Network. “Seven events in four cities, and we were able to engage with 75% of our owners, 200 partners and more than 1,000 advisors.
“It’s invigorating to see the exchange of information, knowing the knowledge and strong connections between advisors and preferred partners create for even better travel experiences for members’ clients,” Sharpe added.
Signature Travel Network’s next opportunity to bring advisors and partners together will be at its annual conference, taking place 11-14 November 2024 at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In April, LATTE exclusively revealed Signature Travel Network’s highly-anticipated move into the Australian market throught the appointment of Lisa Harrison to the newly created role of Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand.
“I am confident that under her leadership, we will continue to grow our presence and deliver exceptional service to travellers and our network in Australia and New Zealand,” Sharpe told LATTE at the time. Read that story here.
Our exclusive deeper dive article with Sharpe and Harrison can also be viewed here.
