SmartFlyer recognises its most elite members

Go back to the e-newsletter

SmartFlyer has revealed the recipients of its SmartFlyer ONE, Club 2A and Rising Star designations for 2024. Since the program’s inception in 2015, SmartFlyer ONE has served as a hallmark of success for the agency’s top-producing advisors. This year, on the program’s 10th anniversary, this esteemed cohort represents over US$182M in collective revenue. Notably, 50% of the agencies within the SmartFlyer ONE 2024 designation have surpassed US$10 million in annual revenue – a metric that underscores the ingenuity of SmartFlyer’s tightly-knit community of like-minded, entrepreneurial advisors. Rooted in New York City with a global footprint and helmed by Erina Pindar, Managing Partner & COO, and Michael Holtz, Founder & CEO, SmartFlyer empowers its affiliates to cultivate their own distinct brand identities while thriving collaboratively within the framework of the agency’s ecosystem. This spirit of innovation makes SmartFlyer ONE more than a recognition program—it is a testament to SmartFlyer’s 35-year roadmap to becoming a top-producing agency across some of the world’s most beloved travel brands.

---

---

This year SmartFlyer Australia celebrates 10 years since its inception. The company is a joint venture between Goldman Group, Brent Wallace, Stuart Reay and SmartFlyer in the USA. The SmartFlyer One Australia 2024 recipient was Ash Chin. It was the second successive year for Chin taking out the gong he was awarded 12 months ago. The US-based SmartFlyer One recipients were:

Imperial SmartFlyer (Miami, Florida) | Marchay (New York, New York) | Robert Merlin, SmartFlyer (St. Louis, Missouri)^ | Judy Stein, The Stein Collective (New York, New York) | Michelle London, Away We Globe (Los Angeles, California) | Kara Slater, SmartFlyer (Los Angeles, California)^ | Addie Bell, Jetset & Travel (Park City, Utah)^ | Kyle Seltzer, KAX Lifestyle (Miami Beach, Florida)^ | Elisa Brown, MAPPS (Southport, Connecticut) | Jacqui Weidman, SmartFlyer (New York, New York) | Betsy Polatsch, SmartFlyer (Westchester, New York) | Julie Palo Hayes, Ramble + Vine (Boston, Massachusetts)^ | Beth Washington, Getaway Guild (Washington, D.C.)* | Betsey Brown, Betsey Brown Travel (St. Louis, Missouri)^ | Allison Kobasky, Over the Moon Vacations (Boca Raton, Florida)* | Amanda Poses, Poses Travel & Co. (Austin, Texas) | Rebecca Alesia, Wanderology (Lattingtown, New York)

*New to List | ^SmartFlyer ICON

“The advisors we celebrate this year represent the drive and dedication that define the SmartFlyer community,” shares Michael Holtz, Founder & CEO. “Their ability to set benchmarks within the industry while fostering talent within their own teams and across SmartFlyer speaks to our shared purpose.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ash Chin (@ash__chin)

“Together, we’ve created a culture built on trust and a commitment to delivering exceptional client experiences—qualities that continue to elevate what we can accomplish together.”

“We celebrate all our advisors who have achieved their best and continue to strive for excellence,” Anthony Goldman, joint Managing Director of Goldman Group said. “As we celebrate 10 years of SmartFlyer Australia, we are excited about the future and will continue to build SmartFlyer Australia into the best in the business”.

SmartFlyer Club 2A

In addition, SmartFlyer has celebrated its fourth cohort of SmartFlyer Club 2A, a program launched in 2021 as a tribute to its founder, Michael Holtz. The name is inspired by Holtz’s well-known fondness for seat 2A, which he famously deems as the “prime position” for air travel. Much like its namesake, Club 2A shines a spotlight on some of the most primely positioned travel agencies within the SmartFlyer network—businesses that distinguish themselves through outstanding performance, innovation, and potential. To qualify for Club 2A, affiliates must achieve a minimum of US$2 million in actualised revenue. This distinction not only acknowledges the unparalleled accomplishments of its members but also distinguishes them within the luxury travel industry. Australian recipients are:

Salli Alderson | Brent Wallace | Jacqui Keating | Marienne Guberina | Lionel Brown | Riya Thanissorn | Ann-Catherine Jones | Gloria Gammo | Vicky King | Sally McMillan | Carolyne Evans | Stacey Dudley | Lauren Benson

SmartFlyer Rising Star

SmartFlyer’s recognition season also honours its inspiring talent making waves in the early years of their travel careers. This year, SmartFlyer spotlights the record-breaking cohort who’ve earned the distinction of SmartFlyer Rising Star 2024. Originally conceptualised in 2018, the SmartFlyer Rising Star program was created to celebrate agencies powered by new-to-the-industry advisors whose businesses far outpace industry benchmarks. The 2024 Australian Rising Star is Chloe Pagliaro.

SmartFlyer ICON

Further, SmartFlyer announce additional recipients of SmartFlyer ICON. First unveiled in 2023, SmartFlyer ICON honours agencies that have achieved SmartFlyer ONE status five times or more. In its second year, SmartFlyer welcomes three additional members to ICON status. They are:

Addie Bell, Jetset & Travel (Park City, Utah) | Julie Palo Hayes, Ramble + Vine (Boston, Massachusetts) | Betsey Brown, Betsey Brown Travel (St. Louis, Missouri)

Erina Pindar, Managing Partner & COO of SmartFlyer, said: “Our SmartFlyer advisors’ remarkable success powers our platform to be not just comprised of top producing advisors, but thoughtful business owners who continually raise the bar.”

“The SmartFlyer ICON recognition celebrates not just their repeated, exceptional achievements but also the profound impact they’ve made in shaping our community. It’s a privilege to witness their growth with SmartFlyer, as they propel our collective evolution.” Lead image: SmartFlyer Australia’s team at the recent Goldman Group Conference.

Go back to the e-newsletter