Specialty Travel Forums


	Specialty Travel Forums Launches ELEVATE Select Business Summit for Travel Agency Owners (Boston, MA - December 15, 2016) Specialty Travel Forums, a division of Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), an independent event organizer and producers of the highly-acclaimed Romance Travel Forum and Family Travel Advisor Forum has announced the launch of ELEVATE Select, an exclusive invitation-only business summit that will bring together leaders within the travel agency distribution channel and key executives from the most sought after vacation experience providers. ELEVATE will offer top-level connections strategically positioned to foster relationships and elevate business through innovative exchanges, business planning and shared best practices. Starting well before the live event, ELEVATE will offer a myriad of supplier/agent exchanges, including pre-event virtual planning meetings, onsite formal sessions and appointments as well as a plethora of interactive experiential networking events. The intimate setting of 100 agency owners and managers along with 40 executive level suppliers provides a conducive atmosphere among key decision makers to elevate and close business. The event will be held at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya from September 14 – 18, 2017. “Specialty Travel Forums continues to provide travel sellers with unique live events that offer unparalleled ROI. Our niche focused programs, Romance Travel Forum and Family Travel Advisor Forum are two of the most respected events in the industry, with dynamic education, networking and experiential opportunities within these important niche markets. While not niche focused, the addition of ELEVATE to our growing portfolio affords us the chance to unite the most respected and recognized travel sellers with executives from key resorts, destinations and other vacation products for a business immersive event offering powerful connections, impactful discussions and important business planning critical to those relationships”, said Jennifer Fernandez, Vice President Events & Content, Specialty Travel Forums. The host property for ELEVATE, UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya, is situated south of Playa del Carmen in Mexico, the adults-only, all-inclusive hotel features 448 lavishly appointed guestrooms with predominantly ocean-views, boasting semi-private plunge pools on all first floor rooms and double hydro spa tub options, an in-room mini bar stocked for guest preference with all the essentials to make-your-own cocktail, three expansive pools, a state-of-the-art wellness center, a spa outfitted with 18 luxe cabins, five globally-infused gourmet restaurants and six bars and lounges, including a cigar lounge and two swim up bars. Signature guest experiences will include art to purchase from local artisans both in-room and throughout the property and the Esencia Beauty Bar located in the Esencia Wellness Center, where guests select their own personalized in-room amenities made with local ingredients. Food and beverage offerings will focus on creativity and emerging talent, including an annual rotating chef restaurant. In addition, UNICO 20°87° will play host to experiential meetings and weddings, featuring an 11,600 sq. ft. ballroom, two breakout rooms and outdoor event space. Adopting a “no-itinerary-necessary” attitude, impromptu pop-up programming will include mezcal tastings and cocktail hour in a nearby Mayan village, to boozy pibil’s “pit roast” and full moon parties on the beach. Departing from the traditional all-inclusive, the UNICO 20°87° experience will encompass all food and beverages, select spa treatments and off-property excursions, unlimited golf and more. Embracing the contemporary culture of the region, this aspirational all-inclusive resort allows vacationers a real, unfiltered experience in the backdrop of relaxed luxury with a unique “Host” concept, replacing the traditional butler service. “UNICO 20°87° is about immersing yourself completely in the culture of Mexico, which is why we are thrilled to host the debut of ELEVATE. With an unprecedented approach, ELEVATE is poised to be a game changing event in the B2B arena, and is definitely in sync with our cutting edge hotel brands.” — Ash Tembe, Vice President of Global Field Sales at AIC Hotel Group, the sales and marketing arm of UNICO 20°87°. ELEVATE is designed for owners and managers of top-performing travel agencies with a minimum sales volume of $5Million in annual bookings. The selection process will heavily rely on supplier input, with agents being recognized for participation based purely on their ability to deliver. An additional stringent application process will capturing important booking habits and other critical details to determine eligibility. “Most traditional agent focused events spend the majority of their time on “Introductions”. I’m past that stage in my career. I’ve been waiting for an event like ELEVATE to allow me to have meaningful collaboration, debate, and discussions with resort and tour operator partners (for mutual benefit), and the best agencies in the business. This opportunity will allow me to fine tune my own business and then also “elevate” the rest of the TripGuy team as a result.” said Mitch Toren, Chief Vacation Engineer, TripGuy, a current selected delegate for the debut summit. ABOUT SPECIALTY TRAVEL FORUMS ELEVATE is produced by Specialty Travel Forums, a division of Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), an independent event organizer who caters exclusively to the North American travel agent community. The Specialty Travel Forums division offers innovative programming and content to support the professional growth of travel agents eager to cultivate their business and expertise through specialization. Comprised of a series of exclusive independent programs in key destinations, each is focused on individual niche markets providing in-depth training, brand certification, intimate networking, supplier relations, product knowledge and more. These exclusive programs offer limited space, allowing delegates to gain focused niche training while experiencing a full familiarization of the host destination to increase the breadth of their specialty offerings. The TravelSMG team has a proven track record in producing some of the most acclaimed leisure travel trade shows and events, working collaboratively with the industry’s leading organizations and experts, to provide top-notch education, networking and supplier engagement. For more information on TravelSMG visit www.TravelSMG.com Suppliers and travel agents interested in learning more about ELEVATE should contact Jennifer Fernandez, VP Events & Content via telephone at (718) 979-1952 or email Jennifer@SpecialtyTravelForums.com. ABOUT UNICO 20°87° HOTEL RIVIERA MAYA Equal parts international outpost and local getaway, UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya embraces the contemporary culture of the region. This curated adults-only, all-inclusive hotel offers vacationers a real, unfiltered experience in the backdrop of relaxed luxury complete with locally sourced art and thoughtfully considered artisanal design elements. Guests are encouraged to fully immerse themselves through exclusively developed off-property private excursions, from exploring the region’s lesser-known alcoves with local hosts to dining at local tastemakers' preferred restaurants and bars. On-property culturally inspired experiences include cooking classes taught by renowned local chefs, and an Executive Mixologist infusing local flavors and ingredients to craft specialty cocktails throughout the hotel. For more information, please visit www.unicohotelrivieramaya.com, and follow UNICO 20°87° on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. # # #

Specialty Travel Forums Launches ELEVATE Select Business Summit for Travel Agency Owners

(Boston, MA - December 15, 2016) Specialty Travel Forums, a division of Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), an independent event organizer and producers of the highly-acclaimed Romance Travel Forum and Family Travel Advisor Forum has announced the launch of ELEVATE Select, an exclusive invitation-only business summit that will bring together leaders within the travel agency distribution channel and key executives from the most sought after vacation experience providers. ELEVATE will offer top-level connections strategically positioned to foster relationships and elevate business through innovative exchanges, business planning and shared best practices. Starting well before the live event, ELEVATE will offer a myriad of supplier/agent exchanges, including pre-event virtual planning meetings, onsite formal sessions and appointments as well as a plethora of interactive experiential networking events. The intimate setting of 100 agency owners and managers along with 40 executive level suppliers provides a conducive atmosphere among key decision makers to elevate and close business. The event will be held at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya from September 14 – 18, 2017.

“Specialty Travel Forums continues to provide travel sellers with unique live events that offer unparalleled ROI. Our niche focused programs, Romance Travel Forum and Family Travel Advisor Forum are two of the most respected events in the industry, with dynamic education, networking and experiential opportunities within these important niche markets. While not niche focused, the addition of ELEVATE to our growing portfolio affords us the chance to unite the most respected and recognized travel sellers with executives from key resorts, destinations and other vacation products for a business immersive event offering powerful connections, impactful discussions and important business planning critical to those relationships”, said Jennifer Fernandez, Vice President Events & Content, Specialty Travel Forums.

The host property for ELEVATE, UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya, is situated south of Playa del Carmen in Mexico, the adults-only, all-inclusive hotel features 448 lavishly appointed guestrooms with predominantly ocean-views, boasting semi-private plunge pools on all first floor rooms and double hydro spa tub options, an in-room mini bar stocked for guest preference with all the essentials to make-your-own cocktail, three expansive pools, a state-of-the-art wellness center, a spa outfitted with 18 luxe cabins, five globally-infused gourmet restaurants and six bars and lounges, including a cigar lounge and two swim up bars. Signature guest experiences will include art to purchase from local artisans both in-room and throughout the property and the Esencia Beauty Bar located in the Esencia Wellness Center, where guests select their own personalized in-room amenities made with local ingredients. Food and beverage offerings will focus on creativity and emerging talent, including an annual rotating chef restaurant. In addition, UNICO 20°87° will play host to experiential meetings and weddings, featuring an 11,600 sq. ft. ballroom, two breakout rooms and outdoor event space. Adopting a “no-itinerary-necessary” attitude, impromptu pop-up programming will include mezcal tastings and cocktail hour in a nearby Mayan village, to boozy pibil’s “pit roast” and full moon parties on the beach. Departing from the traditional all-inclusive, the UNICO 20°87° experience will encompass all food and beverages, select spa treatments and off-property excursions, unlimited golf and more. Embracing the contemporary culture of the region, this aspirational all-inclusive resort allows vacationers a real, unfiltered experience in the backdrop of relaxed luxury with a unique “Host” concept, replacing the traditional butler service.

“UNICO 20°87° is about immersing yourself completely in the culture of Mexico, which is why we are thrilled to host the debut of ELEVATE. With an unprecedented approach, ELEVATE is poised to be a game changing event in the B2B arena, and is definitely in sync with our cutting edge hotel brands.” — Ash Tembe, Vice President of Global Field Sales at AIC Hotel Group, the sales and marketing arm of UNICO 20°87°.

ELEVATE is designed for owners and managers of top-performing travel agencies with a minimum sales volume of $5Million in annual bookings. The selection process will heavily rely on supplier input, with agents being recognized for participation based purely on their ability to deliver. An additional stringent application process will capturing important booking habits and other critical details to determine eligibility.

“Most traditional agent focused events spend the majority of their time on “Introductions”. I’m past that stage in my career. I’ve been waiting for an event like ELEVATE to allow me to have meaningful collaboration, debate, and discussions with resort and tour operator partners (for mutual benefit), and the best agencies in the business. This opportunity will allow me to fine tune my own business and then also “elevate” the rest of the TripGuy team as a result.” said Mitch Toren, Chief Vacation Engineer, TripGuy, a current selected delegate for the debut summit.

ABOUT SPECIALTY TRAVEL FORUMS
ELEVATE is produced by Specialty Travel Forums, a division of Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), an independent event organizer who caters exclusively to the North American travel agent community. The Specialty Travel Forums division offers innovative programming and content to support the professional growth of travel agents eager to cultivate their business and expertise through specialization. Comprised of a series of exclusive independent programs in key destinations, each is focused on individual niche markets providing in-depth training, brand certification, intimate networking, supplier relations, product knowledge and more. These exclusive programs offer limited space, allowing delegates to gain focused niche training while experiencing a full familiarization of the host destination to increase the breadth of their specialty offerings. The TravelSMG team has a proven track record in producing some of the most acclaimed leisure travel trade shows and events, working collaboratively with the industry’s leading organizations and experts, to provide top-notch education, networking and supplier engagement. For more information on TravelSMG visit www.TravelSMG.com

Suppliers and travel agents interested in learning more about ELEVATE should contact Jennifer Fernandez, VP Events & Content via telephone at (718) 979-1952 or email Jennifer@SpecialtyTravelForums.com.

ABOUT UNICO 20°87° HOTEL RIVIERA MAYA
Equal parts international outpost and local getaway, UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya embraces the contemporary culture of the region. This curated adults-only, all-inclusive hotel offers vacationers a real, unfiltered experience in the backdrop of relaxed luxury complete with locally sourced art and thoughtfully considered artisanal design elements. Guests are encouraged to fully immerse themselves through exclusively developed off-property private excursions, from exploring the region’s lesser-known alcoves with local hosts to dining at local tastemakers' preferred restaurants and bars. On-property culturally inspired experiences include cooking classes taught by renowned local chefs, and an Executive Mixologist infusing local flavors and ingredients to craft specialty cocktails throughout the hotel. For more information, please visit www.unicohotelrivieramaya.com, and follow UNICO 20°87° on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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