Part One: Virtuoso Travel Week 2025: Inside a Connected Traveler’s Las Vegas Experience

Relationships, reality checks, and why presence still matters in luxury travel

Virtuoso Travel Week is not a vacation. It’s not glamorous nonstop. And it’s certainly not easy.

It is, however, one of the most important weeks of the year for a luxury travel advisor — a place where relationships are built, partnerships are strengthened, and future journeys for our clients begin taking shape.

This year, Las Vegas was our home base. What follows is a real, behind-the-scenes look at the week: the logistics, the lessons, the challenges, and the moments that reminded us why showing up still matters.

Thursday, August 7 | The Journey Begins

Our Virtuoso Travel Week journey started with a road trip to Atlanta, where we stayed overnight at the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Airport. It was a practical choice — close to the airport and an easy launch point for the week ahead.  We do not recommend this hotel; however, it works well for airport parking.

Dinner that evening was refreshingly simple at Dave’s Sports Bar & Grill, just a quick walk from the hotel. No pretense, no production — just good food, cold drinks, and a moment to breathe before the intensity of the days to come.

Friday, August 8 | Arrival, Expectations & Reality Checks

Friday reminded us quickly that travel — even for travel professionals — doesn’t always go according to plan.

The morning began with no hot water at the DoubleTree, not ideal before a cross-country travel day. Our flight on Frontier Airlines offered another learning moment: we were seated in the very front row, which turned out to be far less comfortable than row two. Sometimes experience is the best teacher.

Upon arrival in Las Vegas, we headed to the Waldorf Astoria. Despite our room being ready, we were still required to wait to check in — a subtle but noticeable disconnect between expectation and execution.  The Waldorf is a Virtuoso hotel and came with Virtuoso exclusive amenities that included breakfast and $100 of food and beverage credit.

We attempted Afternoon Tea at the hotel, hoping for a refined and relaxing experience. Unfortunately, it was anything but. After waiting without acknowledgment, a server, Anisa, actively avoided engaging with us — even walking away to serve another table after being prompted. Rather than force an awkward situation, we made the decision to leave.

Thankfully, the day turned around.

Nicole, the Group Sales Manager, took time to personally show us the hotel’s group spaces, offering thoughtful insight into how the property works for meetings and hosted experiences. Later, Stephanie, our server, delivered outstanding hospitality — welcoming us warmly and offering a selection of appetizers that showcased what attentive service at the famous Waldorf Astoria tea should feel like.

The evening wrapped up on a high note with dinner at Carmine’s in Bellagio alongside Randy Yaroch and Suzanne Todd of The Travel Society. The family-style Italian meal, shared stories, and laughter reminded us that connection is at the heart of this business.

Saturday, August 9 | The Highs, the Lows & Relationship Time

Saturday began with breakfast ordered to the room before heading out for Globetrotting at Virtuoso Week. Unfortunately, this experience didn’t meet expectations — we were assigned a route that wasn’t aligned with our needs, and lunch was poor enough that we opted to leave early.

The afternoon redeemed the day:

• Four Bellagio pool cabana cocktail parties, offering relaxed networking and genuine conversations
  
  
• A return to the Waldorf Astoria, where a surprisingly complicated ice delivery saga unfolded — including ice being delivered to the butler pantry without anyone notifying us; it was actually a comedy of errors–we ended up with more than enough ice!
  
  

That evening was reserved for a special Travel Society Dinner at Mastro’s Ocean Club, hosted exclusively for Travel Society Members and select strategic partners. This intimate gathering wasn’t about flashy networking — it was about trust, alignment, and long-term collaboration.  We were blessed to meet folks from Azamara, Accor, and Golf Traveler. 

Sunday, August 10 | A Reset & A Big Picture View

Sunday started fresh with a hotel move to the Bellagio, which immediately improved both convenience and energy.

The day included:

• Globetrotting – Cruise Section, focused on ocean and expedition cruising

• A Jumeirah Cabana Cocktail Party, offering a quieter, more personal setting; and
• Several more exclusive cocktail parties and events designed to update us with the various brands.
  
  

Later, we attended the Opening Session of Virtuoso Travel Week — a two-hour production featuring live music, keynote speeches, and a clear roadmap of what the week would bring. It set the tone, reminding everyone why Virtuoso remains such a powerful force in luxury travel.

The evening concluded with the Bellagio Opening Reception, representing all MGM properties. 

There, we connected with other travel advisors, agencies, and numerous suppliers. We even got to spend a lot of time with Azamara’s CEO, Dondra Ritzenhaler in the yellow outfit above.

After hours on our feet, Scott, Laura from The Travel Society, and I crossed the street in search of something simple and grounding — a burger. Sometimes real food wins, and that was exactly what we needed.

Monday, August 11 | Where the Work Really Happens

Monday marked the beginning of full appointment days — back-to-back 7-minute meetings with global luxury suppliers. These short conversations are intense, efficient, and surprisingly impactful.

Lunch was spent at Din Tai Fung with Nick Adolph from Ponant and Paul Gauguin Cruises, where we discussed expedition cruising, destination immersion, and how these brands continue to evolve for today’s discerning travelers.

Later that evening, Scott from the Las Vegas CVB guided us through tours of several standout properties, showcasing just how much Las Vegas continues to diversify beyond its traditional image.

The night concluded with:

• An exceptional dinner at Mott 32 inside The Venetian
  
  
• A walk to The Sphere, where we experienced Postcard From Earth — a breathtaking, emotional, and truly next-level attraction.

Tuesday, August 12 | Momentum & Meaningful Conversations

Tuesday brought another full day of appointments, again in the demanding 7-minute format. While exhausting, these meetings are where future itineraries, group ideas, and exclusive opportunities begin to take shape.

Lunch was shared with Joseph Barney from Explora Journeys, diving into thoughtful discussions around ultra-luxury cruising, space, design, and the evolving expectations of high-net-worth travelers.

As the day transitioned into evening, we attended numerous impromptu pop ups, but we made sure to attend the following so we could reconnect with our suppliers and strengthen our relationships:

• Hilton Happy Hour
  
  
• Ritz-Carlton Happy Hour

These informal settings often allow for the most authentic conversations — the kind that can’t happen across a meeting table.

Wednesday, August 13 | The Final Push

Wednesday was our final full day of appointments, maintaining the same fast-paced rhythm that defines Virtuoso Travel Week.

We wrapped up the professional programming with:

• Hyatt Cocktail Party
• IHG Cocktail Party
• LGBTQ+ Cocktail Party

Our last official reception of the week was sponsored by various Caribbean destinations and we were blessed to be able to connect, make some amazing supplier sources for getaways, and more.  This was our last night, because we had a group trip leaving the next day, but our friends had more days of appointments ahead.  We replaced those in person meetings with zooms and google meets.  We could not be outdone.

By the end of the evening, it was time to head back to the hotel, pack up, and prepare for an early departure — tired, inspired, and armed with pages of notes and ideas.

Thursday, August 14 | Heading Home…Not Really

We departed Las Vegas, flew to Chicago O’Hare, and found a quiet moment in the Polish Airlines Lounge, courtesy of Turkish Airlines. It was a chance to decompress, reflect, and begin mapping out how everything learned would translate into better experiences for our clients.

Final Thoughts

Virtuoso Travel Week isn’t perfect — and that’s exactly why it’s valuable.

It’s about:

• Showing up
  
  
• Asking better questions
  
  
• Holding partners accountable
• Holding ourselves accountable
  
  
• And advocating for our clients long before they ever travel
  
  

Every conversation, every experience — good or bad — informs how we plan, recommend, and protect the journeys entrusted to us.

That’s why The Connected Traveler continues to invest in being present.

Because luxury isn’t just about where you go —
it’s about how well your experience is understood before you ever arrive.

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