Virtuoso®,
the leading global network specialising in luxury and experiential travel, recently brought together over 40 preferred partners and UK-based travel agency members for a
Virtuoso Connects event at NoMad London. The event marked the network’s final European
Connects in 2023, following the success of
Connects in Rome, Edinburgh, and Barcelona.
Designed as as evening of networking and forging valuable new relationships, travel agency members were given ‘Connects Passports,’ and each meeting with a partner earned them a passport stamp. The aim: to collect stamps through meetings with the 20 preferred partners in attendance, who were stationed throughout the striking Magistrates Ballroom at NoMad. Unlike other Virtuoso events, meetings were not set to a limited time, meaning members were free to meet with as many partners as they preferred and spend as long as they needed together.
Networking was followed by a cocktail reception that saw agency owners and managers, frontline advisors and independent contractors make valuable connections with partners including hotels, destination management companies, cruise lines tourism boards, and brands such as Meliá Hotels International, Shangri-La Group, Accor and IHG Hotels and Resorts.
Karen Joyce, Virtuoso’s general manager for U.K. and Ireland, said “The Virtuoso Connects events are a key part of our growth strategy in the region, and hosting in London offers a platform for our global partners to connect with our UK-based members. The free-flowing format was successful in creating a more interactive environment, allowing participants to create genuine connections that will ultimately lead to long-lasting relationships.”
The
Connects events are complimentary to Virtuoso members and designed to provide them with an opportunity to meet with a range of partners in an intimate setting, whilst experiencing new and exciting destinations.
Abhishek Shankar, senior manager, partner relations & marketing UK & EMEA at Global Travel Collection UK, said, “When you come to a Virtuoso event, you know it’s going to be incredibly useful. Building on our relationships with key suppliers is vital because this is where our business thrives - it’s all about networking and relationships
. It’s so important to have these events in London, it’s a massive hub for us - it’s a community. It allows me to meet suppliers, while also meeting my fellow members.”
Yiannis Polydorou, business development manager at Simplexity Travel Management, said, “One of the key benefits of being a Virtuoso member is the prestige, because of the place in the market Virtuoso has. That comes hand in hand with the added value we can offer to our customers at Virtuoso properties and other partners. It’s so beneficial to have these events in London and addressing the UK customer. Increasing awareness of Virtuoso will certainly be beneficial in Europe.”
Lauren Ainsley, Regional Product Manager at Black Tomato said, “The Connects events are brilliant for learning about new products to give us a greater understanding of the market. It’s so valuable to connect with people face-to-face – you really feel like you’re part of a community.”
Event sponsors included NoMad London; Los Cabos Tourism Board; Hotel Hermitage in Cervina, Italy; Palacio de los Duques, A Gran Meliá Hotel in Madrid, Spain; and The Red Sea Destination.
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