Jamie Biesiada
Just like visiting with friends and family via Zoom has become a normal activity in the pandemic, so has attending virtual conferences.
I'll admit I was a skeptic at first. In any given year, I attend a bunch of travel advisor-focused conferences and events. I've seen, firsthand, the value that in-person connections have in forging relationships. In-person meetings can also have a tangible impact on travel advisor sales -- at Virtuoso Travel Week, for example, hundreds of millions in sales happen each year.
How could you take that experience and move it virtually, I wondered? Adding to my reluctance: I would have to be my own bartender during happy hour.
My first virtual conference happened at the end of April. Originally, Uniglobe Travel Center was planning a conference at Walt Disney World, but shifted to Zoom amid the pandemic.
I walked away surprised at how well-run the conference was and how useful the content would be to travel advisors. I even walked away with some new travel advisors to call for stories, one of my main focuses at in-person events.
Uniglobe wasn't alone in putting on a great virtual event. Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network and more have followed suit, with even more planned for the coming months.
I even got over being my own bartender during the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, when I learned all about the Aperol spritz.
Now more than ever, the travel industry, filled largely with extroverts who thrive on human connection, is craving get-togethers. To my surprise, virtual events have in fact helped fill that void. Part of it, I think, is seeing new and familiar faces live. The lively chats during general sessions also help bolster that feeling of connection.
I'm not alone in thinking that.
Nexion Travel Group recently held its CoNexion conference virtually. In a press conference before the event kicked off, senior vice president Robbi Jumaa Hamida said registrants stood at more than 1,200, growing daily.
"The popularity is insane," he said.
Nexion is owned by parent company Internova Travel Group. Another Internova business unit, Travel Leaders Network (TLN), is also experiencing demand with its latest virtual event. While the network canceled its annual Edge conference this year, it will hold a virtual event, Bridge to the Future. Set for Oct. 13-15, the event is free to TLN members. Earlier this month, the number of registrants had already passed 1,500, with 100 suppliers registered for the exhibitor showcase.
At the same time, advisors are still itching to get back on the road. CoNexion 2021 will be held aboard the Norwegian Joy for a New York-to-Bermuda sailing in September. Hamida said it sold out in a record 68 hours.
"Clearly, this is showing whether we do these events virtually or in person, these people are eager to get together, they're eager to connect and learn, and they all want to know what we believe will be next for the industry after we get through this pandemic," he said.
Some groups have ventured to hold in-person meetings, although they are more scaled back than usual and, of course, have a number of health and safety requirements.
But at least for now, virtual events are filling the void.
"They all just miss each other," Hamida said, but advisors and suppliers alike are finding that human connection online.