PRESS RELEASE FROM TRAVEL SHOW MARKETING GROUP
(Boston, MA – December 2, 2024) The 2024 Travel Agency Owners Forum (TAOF), held from November 17–22 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, concluded successfully, leaving participants inspired and equipped for growth.
Hosted by Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), this exclusive event brought together a carefully vetted group of high-performing U.S.-based travel agency owners and leading global travel suppliers for high-level networking, education, and collaboration.
This year’s forum gathered top agency owners from across the United States, collectively representing over $200 million in annual sales alongside global suppliers, including all-inclusive resorts, tour operators, business services, and destination management organizations. The event’s robust program included one-on-one meetings, educational presentations, and destination immersion experiences, creating unique opportunities to strengthen partnerships and discover innovative solutions for the evolving travel market.
Agency Owners learned through curated educational sessions by Barbados Tourism Marketing, Travefy, Tern, Ment Law Group, Downtown Travel & Avantgarde Vacations and a top 10 of Anchorage, Alaska by Visit Anchorage, Rust’s Flying Service and Alaska Railroad.
Event Highlights:
- Targeted Networking: One-to-one appointments facilitated meaningful connections between suppliers and agency owners accounting for over 2200 unique connections
- Educational Excellence: Expert-led workshops and peer-to-peer discussions tackled pressing topics, such as emerging travel trends, legal best practices, and digital marketing strategies to drive agency growth.
- Destination Showcase: Attendees explored the beauty of Barbados through tailored
excursions and FAM trips, reinforcing its appeal as a premier travel destination.
“Each year, the Travel Agency Owners Forum provides an unparalleled platform for industry leaders to collaborate and innovate,” said Jim Cloonan, President of TravelSMG. “The 2024 forum exceeded expectations, with impactful conversations and initiatives that will undoubtedly shape the future of leisure travel.”
The event began with a showcase of in-destination partners, representing accommodations and services from Barbados’ top travel brands. This provided travel agents with valuable insights and resources to enhance their offerings and deliver exceptional experiences for clients visiting the island.
TravelSMG is gearing up to reveal details in the coming months for the 2025 Travel Agency Owners Forum, promising another exceptional platform for industry collaboration and advancement.
ABOUT TRAVEL SHOW MARKETING GROUP
Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG) is an independent organization offering solutions that drive success in the B2B leisure vacation market. Since 2009 TravelSMG has partnered with thousands of tourism clients to engage and empower the North American Travel Agent community through education, networking, and global experiences. Their diverse range of engagement solutions includes large-scale trade shows, specialized niche-focused events, and a comprehensive suite of digital opportunities. All of their solutions work together to help their Supplier Partners enhance their visibility among Travel Sellers. For more information on TravelSMG and their full suite of events, visit www.TravelSMG.com .
