Virtuoso Travel Tech Summit Returns With a Focus on Practical AI
The fifth annual summit will explore how AI, automation, and emerging technologies can help advisors work more efficiently while strengthening client relationships.
Photo: Priscilla du Preez / Unsplash
Virtuoso will bring its Travel Tech Summit back to Las Vegas next week, with artificial intelligence, advisor-built technology, and new approaches to automation among the major themes at this year’s event.
Now in its fifth year, the summit takes place on Sunday, August 9, at Bellagio Resort & Casino during the 38th annual Virtuoso Travel Week. The program brings together travel technology companies, investors, agency leaders, and travel professionals to examine tools that could improve efficiency and personalization without diminishing the human relationships at the heart of luxury travel.
“Five years in, the Travel Tech Summit has become a proving ground for the ideas, solutions, and partnerships that are reshaping luxury travel,” said Gilad Berenstein, a technology entrepreneur, investor, and Virtuoso board member who leads the summit. “Our goal is for advisors and partners to leave not only inspired but equipped with practical ways to turn emerging technology into stronger businesses and more meaningful client relationships.”
Janette Roush, chief AI and innovation officer at Brand USA, will deliver the keynote, focusing on how travel companies are using AI for marketing, storytelling and content strategy. Her presentation will address applications including organizing destination content, personalizing audience engagement and improving the connection between travel inspiration and trip planning.
Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch will also address technological changes across the industry, while Helen McCabe-Young, senior vice president of global products, and Paul Kearney, senior vice president of global technology, will discuss Virtuoso’s own product and technology strategy.
Research will also play a role in the program. Florida International University professor Lisa Cain will present findings on AI adoption among affluent travelers. Her research, which includes focus group discussions with Virtuoso advisors, examines how AI can support more personalized service while preserving the judgment, expertise, and trust clients expect from a luxury travel professional.
This year, Virtuoso is adding several new formats intended to make the technology conversation more practical. The Travel Tech Summit Game Show will use audience voting and an expert panel to explore emerging trends, while a new Case Studies, Startups and Big Ideas segment will combine the summit’s existing Startup Showcase with examples of technology already being used by agencies.
Those case studies range from back-office operations to client-facing tools. Your-Advance and Luxury Cruise Connection will discuss technology designed to automate independent contractor payouts and reduce commission delays. Yaroslav Gorovoy of Almont Travel will demonstrate an AI-native operating system he developed for independent advisors without previous coding experience. TideSquare will discuss its use of AI in the Korean travel market, while Toggle and Largay Travel will examine workflow management, quality control and business analytics.
Other sessions will tackle autonomous and connected trips, payments, commissions, agentic commerce and dynamic experiences. Berenstein will also moderate an Innovation Models Panel examining how agencies are developing or adopting technology, including in-house systems, outsourced development and third-party platforms.
A Tech Marketplace will operate throughout the event, giving attendees access to technology providers including Airwallex, Axus Travel App, Sabre, Sion, TBO, Tern Travel, The Trip Boutique, Travefy, and others, as well as Virtuoso’s own product and technology teams.
“Technology at Virtuoso is about empowering, not replacing, the human expertise that defines our network,” Kearney said. “We’re focused on making AI and emerging tools more practical, so advisors can integrate innovation into their workflows, strengthen client relationships and unlock new growth.”
Programming around the summit will continue with executive roundtables, one-on-one meetings, private gatherings, tours, and networking events during Virtuoso Travel Week.
