ALG Vacations wrapped up a successful 2022 Ascend conference in Cancun, Mexico, which took place from October 20-23. Among the almost 1000 attendees were 557 travel advisors and 223 individual supplier participants representing 113 suppliers and destinations. In comparison, 417 travel advisors attended in 2021, meaning the conference not only continues to draw attention each year but the industry is once again putting an importance on in-person events.
The event kicked off Wednesday evening with an extravagant welcome event at Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa. On Thursday, excitement filled the conference center as advisors took advantage of the many business building opportunities. Agents were able to stop by their favorite partners and discover new ones at the Supplier Showcase. A variety of workshops took place throughout Thursday and Friday, with topics spanning from using social media to increase business and incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to learning about AMR Collections’ expansion in Europe and RIU’s new Elite Club, just to name a few.
In addition to all the learning opportunities, advisors at the Ascend conference also heard from several of the company’s voices, including ALG Vacations Group President Ray Snisky, ALG Vacations Executive Vice President Jacki Marks and Gonzalo del Peón, Group President, AMResorts Americas & Global Commercial, among others.
Snisky discussed the benefits of being part of the Hyatt family and how it plays a role in future growth, and one key component is having access to additional resources. “It’s the investment in resources. … So we’re going to make an enormous investment relative to what we’ve done previously in new colleagues and then also in technology. Our technology budget is more than doubled going into next year,” Snisky said. “Our strategy is to make sure no complacency sets in, that we continue to take the outstanding leaps we made in 2022 and continue to extend those in 2023.”
While all parts of ALG Vacations’ business are doing well, Snisky pointed out that group business is especially thriving and continues to outshine other areas. In fact, group business revenue has doubled in 2022 compared to 2021. Marks added that she’s excited to see where it goes next year. “We have a lot of things on the docket for 2023, from technology, process improvements, and we’re just really excited to see where the group industry continues to go,” she said.
Advisors also had the chance to hear from motivational speakers and entertainers outside of the travel industry, including keynote speaker and author of Chasing Failure, Ryan Leeks; Wayne Brady and Jonathan Mangum from Let’s Make a Deal; and actor Carson Kressley, who was overjoyed to be part of the fun for a second year in a row.
Travel advisors in attendance had anywhere from less than two years to more than 40 years of experience. With 79 workshops available to choose from, the agents could really get out of the conference whatever they were looking for. “I came out of the Ascend conference with so much new energy,” said Sarah Timmers, Vacation Travel Consultant at Timmers Travel. “It was great to see so many agents and representatives in the industry. It was a great learning experience for all the new products, and I especially learned a lot more about VAX and the tools that it has to offer, especially the Travel Inspo Tool Kit!!” Another tool advisors were able to learn more about was ALGVPro, ALG Vacations’ new travel advisor specialist program.
It wouldn’t be an ALG Vacations’ event without a bit of fun sprinkled in. In addition to the welcome party, various host hotels held events for agents in the evenings, and the farewell event took place at Hard Rock Cancun with special guest Tone Loc. Throughout the conference, advisors were reminded time and time again that they are important, valued and a crucial part of ALG Vacations. “We’ve always referred to our travel advisors as the heart of our company. I mean it really is the foundation of who we are,” Marks said.
The dates for the next year’s Ascend conference have already been announced: October 18-21, 2023. The company anticipates just as much interest in the event as this year, if not more, so those hoping to attend will want to sign up early to ensure a spot.
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