Travel passions and personality on display at this year's GTM

Posted on : 06/06/2023
Travel passions and personality on display at this year's GTM
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FORT LAUDERDALE — The annual Global Travel Marketplace conference here is centered around its timed appointments between buyers and sellers. The travel advisors, all rigorously vetted and selected for the event, are provided with a table in the Diplomat Beach Resort’s massive ballroom. The suppliers, from cruise lines to attractions to DMCs to resorts, call on them in a series of six-minute visits throughout two days.

Needless to say, the advisors spend quite a bit of time at their tables, which is why one of the first things Northstar executive vice president of marketing Mary Pat Sullivan did at GTM was to urge the advisors to make their tables their own. “It’s your desk,” she said. “You own the appointments.” (GTM, like Travel Weekly, is owned by Northstar Travel Group).

Serious business is done at GTM, where buyers and sellers meet for sales pitches and networking in one-on-one meetings, small-group presentations and larger networking receptions. It
was the biggest year yet for the conference, hosting 140 advisors, each
of whom had to show annual travel-sales thresholds, supplier references and other
qualifications before being selected for the event.

But when the sales calls began on Day 2, it turned out that many advisors had taken Sullivan’s words to heart.

Globes, suitcases, signs and furry rugs covered many of the tables. Candy bowls were also prominent (an occasional sugar hit doesn’t hurt on a day like this). Some advisors kept their tables clear. Others artfully spread business cards, mottoes, snacks, string lights and agency-name banners.

Kelley Lord, the owner of Vacation Ever After in Orlando, had brought a pink neon flamingo as part of her decor. “My 16-year-old son picked out the decorations to represent that our agency is based in and also sells Florida,” she said. She also displayed photos, one of which showed 20 of 30 advisors with light sabers — they participated in “Star Wars” Jedi training as part of a teambuilding activity.

Tonya Matthews of Starstuff Travel, meanwhile, has brought a blue guitar to two GTMs, as she feels it represents her hometown of Hazlehurst, Miss. “The guitar always strikes up conversations from the airport to the conference and allows me to share travel stories,” she said.

The advisors didn’t have to worry about luring suppliers to their desks — all the appointments were set, a result of carefully matching requests by buyers and sellers. So the table decorations were mere fun. And perhaps a holdover from previous years, where there was a formal table-decorating contest.

But still, much of the decor served as an icebreaker, and they were eye candy — and real candy — for a Travel Weekly editor roaming the floor, camera in hand. Here are just a few that caught our attention. 

Personalities are on display at this year’s Global Travel Marketplace

Many advisors at the Global Travel Marketplace like to decorate their appointment desks -- where they spend two days meeting with suppliers -- with snacks and colorful displays. Nita Cooper of Stars N Skyes Travel in Fayetteville, Ga., went with pink florals and candy.
Many advisors at the Global Travel Marketplace like to decorate their appointment desks -- where they spend two days meeting with suppliers -- with snacks and colorful displays. Nita Cooper of Stars N Skyes Travel in Fayetteville, Ga., went with pink florals and candy.
Kelley Lord of Vacation Ever After in Orlando had heard about the table-design tradition from the GTM attendee Facebook page. "My 16-year-old son picked out the decorations to represent that our agency is based in and also sells Florida," she said. "I offered bowls of treats and chose Godiva chocolates and gummy bears because I like to think our agency is a mix of luxury and fun."
Toni Mauger of Paradise Found Travel in Marlton, N.J., at her table. Her signpost represents some of her favorite destinations, but she has a special place in her heart for Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.
CarolBeth Scott of 3D Travel in McKinney, Texas, at her table at the 2023 Global Travel Marketplace appointment sessions. Her throw was soft and soothing.
Tonya Matthews of Starstuff Travel in Hazlehurst, Miss. The blue guitar has made both trips with her to GTM, "because it represents where I’m from ... the birthplace of legendary blues musician Robert Johnson. The guitar always strikes up conversations, from the airport to the conference."
DeAna Haywood of Queens of the Isles in Wheatley Heights, N.Y., went full-on bling, from a sparkly stiletto to a sparkly tablecloth cover.
Tina Bradley of Wish You Were Here Vacations in Winter Haven, Fla., was a winner of GTM table design, she said (there was no official competition this year). Her sign says "happiness comes in waves" -- and yes, she sells cruises.
Globes and travel books are the epitome of travel-forward design, and April Smith, left, said her travel agency is full of books. She shared the table with Debra Brown, who was one of this year's GTM advisory board members (hence the official, GTM light blue cardigan).

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