Editor in chief , The Compass Magazine and director , marketing and operations for VAX VacationAccess in Milwaukee
How many years have you been in the industry ? I have been in the industry for 17 years .
Tell me how you got started , and why you wanted to work in travel . I come from a family that was always planning their next adventure , so when I got my start in travel marketing , it was an instant fit . It was like finding that career-home right away . The travel industry as a whole is just so addicting and fun , and it ’ s so easy to market something like amazing destinations and making memories .
More and more women are now filling leadership positions in the travel industry . What do you make of this change ? Women coming into more leadership roles , especially in the B2B space , is really important . If you look at the demographic of travel agents , it still skews female and there ’ s a real connectivity that women leaders have with that audience . As women in travel increasingly collaborate , it really helps to build bridges and greater opportunities for everyone .
What wisdom can you offer to other women in travel ? Travel agents are so resilient , creative and adaptive , and I think that is really the key strength they bring to this . Working in the travel industry means constant adjustments — whether it ’ s because of new technology or global circumstances — and we will be able to tap those skills any time we face a challenge .
Do you have any predictions for the future of travel ? I think that we are going to continue to see resurgence in consumers appreciating the value of travel agents , and agents more clearly asserting the unique advantages of the services they offer . I think this answer is even more true : Travelers want someone they can trust and rely on and someone to help them if they encounter the unexpected , and travel agents will be their best friend .
Where are you traveling next ? Right now I have four trips that are all in the planning phase , which include Temecula , California , and Orlando , Florida . My kids have as much pent-up travel desire and we ’ re planning trips for multigeneration , multifamily , adults-only and something just for our family . We ’ ve just started working with one of our favorite travel agents to get into the details .
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