Last week, the Gifted Travel Network (GTN) community gathered at the Conrad Orlando for the 2025 GTN Conference, a four day event that perfectly captured what we believe makes luxury travel professionals thrive: genuine connection, shared expertise, and collaborative growth.
Sunday: Arrival and Connection
Our journey began with warm welcomes and thoughtful touches that set the tone for the week ahead. The Conrad Orlando greeted us with a beautiful custom sandcastle, which their team carefully rebuilt after that first evening's storm so we could continue enjoying it throughout our stay.
Before our welcome reception, our advisors who took advantage of this year’s new VIP upgrade were welcomed into their private lounge for the week, hosted by Travelive, where they enjoyed complimentary headshots and an exclusive champagne toast with our executive team. We also held our second annual Young+Gifted gathering, bringing together the next generation of travel professionals. Thank you to Hunter Swindle and Silversea for hosting and giving our attendees under 40 this opportunity to connect!
Despite Orlando's unpredictable weather moving our opening event indoors, the Conrad team created a memorable evening that showcased their exceptional culinary standards; standards they would exceed at every meal throughout our stay. Thank you to Hilton for sponsoring our welcome reception and providing the perfect opportunity to reconnect and unwind before diving into professional development.
Monday: Setting the Foundation
Our first official day opened with characteristic GTN creativity, in the form of a hilarious video from our marketing team showing their "brainstorming process" for the conference opening, before Director of Engagement Shannon Cunningham took the stage to focus our energy for the week ahead.
Jen Cochrane (Chief Executive Officer) delivered her state of the union, addressing how to embrace change while reflecting on GTN's growth since our first major event in 2016. She shared current luxury travel trends, courtesy of David Kolner (EVP of Strategic Communications at Virtuoso), which allowed attendees to ground their discussions in real market insights that would inform strategic thinking throughout the week.
The day featured two compelling panels that drew from our community's collective wisdom. Kristin Matthews (VP of Professional Development) moderated a discussion with advisors Keely Culpepper (Blue Venture Travel), Krista Nannery (Antidote Travel), Laura Young (Laura Young Tavel), Laney Sachs (Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures), and Brittani Robertson (B Luxe Escapes), on the topic of building a travel business that enhances rather than overwhelms your lifestyle.
Our executive team, made up of Jen Cochrane, Meredith Calloway (Chief Membership Development Officer), Sandy Saburn (Chief Communications Officer), Kristin Matthews, and Hannah Reitz (VP of Operations), also took the stage together for a panel moderated by Shannon Cunningham. They shared insights about their roles and current focus areas at GTN and encouraged attendees to engage in bold conversations that drive real growth throughout the conference.
The day concluded with our partner tradeshow, featuring 85 preferred partners who demonstrated the collaborative relationships that define our network.
Tuesday: Deep Dive and Inspiration
Our second day brought our first keynote speaker, Becca Powers, to the main stage. Becca, a USA Today bestselling author, spoke about "The Power of AND" during an energizing, practical session designed to help attendees manage multiple responsibilities while avoiding burnout.
The afternoon split into targeted breakout sessions:
- Lybbi Hebel (PR & Social Media Specialist) led "Mastering Canva for Travel Advisors"
- GTN Top Producer and Business Operations Mentor Carol McKee (McKee Travel) guided attendees through "Your Annual Profit Checkup"
- Amy Pearson-Jensen moderated a cruise industry panel featuring GTN advisors Celeste Auger-Munshi (Indulgent Voyages), Emer Coughlin (Celtic Hearts Travel), Kim Esté Campbell (Besté Travel Design), Shawn Lamphear (LM Authentic Travel), and Patti Mills-Roy (Mills-Roy Luxury Travel), where they shared real strategies for making cruising a core part of your travel business.
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That evening, Disney Destinations treated us to an exclusive EPCOT experience. After some free time to explore the park, we enjoyed private dining in the American Adventure pavilion followed by the nighttime fireworks show from our private viewing area in Italy. Thank you to Visit Orlando for arranging the seamless transportation to and from the park, and to our amazing Business Development Manager for Disney, Eva Garfield, who made this truly unforgettable evening possible for our attendees!
Wednesday: Innovation and Implementation
Our final day featured keynote speaker Kha Ly, AI expert and marketing technologist, who delivered concrete strategies for leveraging technology tailored specifically for travel advisors. His session demonstrated how the right tools can streamline operations and boost online visibility, allowing advisors to focus on creating incredible client experiences.
The afternoon's breakout sessions tackled essential business fundamentals:
- Amy Pearson-Jensen led "Tracking Sales Metrics That Matter"
- Kristin Matthews explored "The Implementation Gap"
- Kha Ly held an open Q&A session for deeper exploration of AI applications.
In the afternoon, we were excited to offer our attendees a special preview of GTN Hubs, a new initiative launching in 2026. Similar to how Virtuoso has specialized Communities, these Hubs will allow advisors to collaborate around specific travel focuses. It was amazing to see how excitedly our advisors connected over their shared expertise and passion while discussing our four pilot Hubs – Adventure, Culinary, Cruise, and Family & Celebration.
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That evening, Tauck and United hosted an unforgettable event to officially end our 2025 GTN Conference. Our closing dinner honored Tauck's remarkable 100-year legacy with a roaring twenties celebration, complete with a speakeasy arranged by the hotel!
From meaningful connections forged throughout the weekend to the electric energy on the dance floor, this closing dinner embodied everything we love about our GTN family. There's nothing quite like watching our community come together, especially when we have the chance to celebrate and inspire each other.
Looking Ahead
Our team is already looking forward to our 2026 GTN Conference, which will be held at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya from September 14- 18. We are thrilled to share that in the week since we officially opened registration for next year, we have already surpassed the number of attendees who have signed up!
This growth reflects something deeper than successful event planning, it demonstrates what happens when professionals gather not just to network, but to genuinely support each other's success. When we cultivate authentic relationships within our industry, we elevate the experience for every client we serve.
The luxury travel industry thrives on expertise, personal connection, and attention to detail, and when these elements combine within a supportive professional community, they create something truly powerful.
