Signature Travel Network’s Annual Owners’ Meeting is taking place this week in South Maui; in addition to fundraising efforts and a focus on responsible tourism to the island, the advisor network shared several updates during the event with its shareholders.
Travel agency cooperative Signature Travel Network began its annual Owners’ Meeting in Maui as scheduled Sept. 6-9. The event is taking place at the Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. Signature officials decided they would meet as scheduled as a way to support Maui tourism after the devastating wildfires, which took place in the western region of the island in and around the town of Lahaina.
Signature Travel Network has decided to move forward with its scheduled Owners’ Meeting in Maui, which will take place Sept. 6-9 at Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort on the southern part of the island, about an hour away from the areas in West Maui that have been devastated by the recent wildfires.
Alex Sharpe, President and CEO of Signature Travel Network, was able to grow his business by 75% during the COVID-19 pandemic. How? By serving others first. That philosophy not only helped the company thrive in a time when no one was traveling, but also cultivated a workplace that was one of the best in the state.
Signature Travel Network recently completed its 2023 program of Regional Meetings with agency owners and managers, hosting more than 200 attendees in five cities. Following these meetings, Signature held Travel Exchanges and training for travel advisors and agency managers in Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Los Angeles, hosting over 600 delegates from the network and 350 travel partners.
Approaching International Women’s Day (March 8) this year, Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of the Signature Travel Network, realized that most of his leadership team was composed of women; incredibly successful and innovative women who have been a major part of the network’s success.
The luxury traveler has changed quite a bit over the last decade-plus, but none more so than since the COVID-19 pandemic. Things that were once considered “wants” are now “needs”— and a lot is falling onto the plates of luxury travel advisors and suppliers. Signature Executive Vice President Ignacio Maza led a discussion at the travel network’s annual meeting in Las Vegas in November 2022, centered around luxury clients, their asks, and how advisors and suppliers can better work together.
Signature Travel Network has announced its 2023 Hotels & Resorts Collection. This year’s portfolio includes 1,175 hotels, resorts, lodges and spas in over 600 destinations worldwide. A total of 115 new properties joined Signature’s Hotels & Resorts Collection for this year.
Signature Travel Network’s EVP of luxury business development, Ignacio Maza, has visited all seven continents and well over a hundred countries. He is always in search of what’s next in travel. “Travelers are ready for new frontiers, seeking destinations that are unique, authentic, and well worth visiting,” said Maza. As the world continues to reopen, here is his list of places to visit in 2023.
