Luxury Travel Advisor’s ULTRA Summit, the preeminent event for the luxury travel market, opened today at the famed Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC.
The ULTRA Summit is an exclusive, invite-only event that brings the owners and managers of luxury travel agencies together with the most opulent, luxury suppliers in the world to cultivate collaboration, share insights and help move the luxury market forward.
Ruthanne Terrero, vice president of content and editorial director for Luxury Travel Advisor opened the event with “A Look Inside Your Business,” a profile of the attending advisors’ assessment of the current market, resulting from a comprehensive survey they completed in advance of the summit.
Keynote speaker Craig Compagnone, senior vice president of business strategy for MMGY Global, presented “The State of Our Industry Today and How It Is Reshaping the Needs of Affluent Travelers,” conveying key findings from the 2016-17 Portrait of American Travelers report, focused on the luxury sector.
The morning was capped off by “Content & Social Media Marketing for Travel Advisors” presented by McLean Robbins, digital consultant and luxury travel advisor, Elite Travel International and “How Can Suppliers and Advisors Work Together,” where Terrero joined industry veteran Anne Morgan Scully, president of McCabe World Travel in an effort to help suppliers and advisors alike optimize their partnership. Advisors were also treated to breakout sessions with The Dominican Republic Tourism Board, Turismo de Tenerife, and Viking Cruises.
Tuesday’s agenda will feature a special new session from the National Geographic Society, “Tourism with Purpose: Travelers Vote with Their Wallets on the Future of Destinations,” which will be presented by John Francis, former vice president for research, conservation, and exploration, National Geographic Society and executive board member, Sustainable Travel International.
In addition, longtime ULTRA favorite, the “Luxury General Managers Interactive Panel,” which will include Steven André, general manager, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Claudio Catani, general manager, Hotel Brunelleschi Firenze & Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte Viareggio, and Jeff David, managing director, The Watergate Hotel.
The pinnacle of the event will be this evening’s Awards of Excellence, recognizing the top luxury suppliers in the travel industry and will take place at the exquisite Residence of the Belgian Ambassador and will be hosted by Visit Flanders.
Sponsors of the summit include venue host The Watergate Hotel, Roe & Co., Visit Flanders, Island Destinations, and Velas Resorts.
Luxury Travel Advisor’s ULTRA Summit is the most unique, intimate gathering of luxury travel’s most prominent advisors and international luxury suppliers. The event includes informative education, one-to-one meetings, networking events, and elegant receptions. For more information visit www.ltaultrasummit.com.