Beyond the algorithm: Keeping travel personal in a tech-driven world (2025 HAR*Wired Week)

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is VacationPort (formerly Passport Online), represented by Sarah Bauman, vice president of product management for the company. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode was sponsored by Windstar Cruises.  Further resources VacationPort on the web From Travel Weekly, VacationPort acquires Voyager Websites VacationPort on Host Agency Reviews Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, the aptly named Trade Secrets Tech Summit is all about technology. But this week, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada delve into how Brownel in Birmingham, Ala., completely modernized its tech stack with Chief Operating Officer Rene Alldredge. Learn about identifying the gaps that technology can fill, the “pit of despair” many agencies face and coming out on the other side of a major tech overhaul. This episode was sponsored by Windstar Cruises.  Further resources Visit Brownell on the web Email Rene Alldredge Trade Secrets Tech Summit episodes with Sabre, TripSuite and TravelWits Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trade Secrets After Dark, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada dig into all things luxury travel with David Kolner, Virtuoso’s executive vice president of strategic communications. From wellness and ultraluxe travel to reality television-inspired trips, they cover a lot of ground — including where to find the best chocolate martinis, tiki drinks and ciders. While the Trade Secrets Tech Summit is still ongoing, enjoy the occasional “After Dark” episode, featuring casual chats — and drinks — with guests from around the travel industry. This episode was sponsored by Windstar Cruises.  Further resources Virtuoso on the web David Kolner on Instagram David’s previous appearance on Trade Secrets Turning bad TikToks into songs  Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is Travelport, represented by Andrew Jordan, chief product and technology officer for Travelport. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode is sponsored by Europe Express.  Further resources Travelport on the web Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With AI, automation and new platforms emerging every day, how can travel advisors ensure their businesses remain personal, authentic and human? Explore that question and more during this episode of the Trade Secrets Tech Summit, which is a recording of a panel moderated by Trade Secrets co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada. During the panel, which features Jenn Lee of Travel Planners International and Vacation Planners, Tern’s David Shull, and Travefy’s David Chait, panelists tackle practical ways to blend high tech with high touch. Note: This panel was originally livestreamed during Host Agency Reviews’ HAR*Wired event on Thursday, Oct. 16. This episode is sponsored by Europe Express.  Further resources HAR*Wired A video of this panel (starts at the 3:16:17 mark) Host Agency Reviews profiles Tern Travefy Travel Planners International and Vacation Planners Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trade Secrets After Dark, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada dig into expedition cruising with Rachel Woodward, Lindblad Expeditions’ vice president of field sales. They’ll also share their favorite travel movies (“Titanic,” anyone?), who’s getting up early to go for a hike and what caffeinated beverage they’re drinking. While the Trade Secrets Tech Summit is still ongoing, enjoy the occasional “After Dark” episode, featuring casual chats — and drinks — with guests from around the travel industry. This episode was sponsored by Europe Express.  Further resources Rachel Woodward on LinkedIn and Facebook Lindblad Expeditions Mentioned on this episode: Rachel Woodward’s previous appearance on Trade Secrets Athletic Brewing Co. HopTea “Triangle of Sadness” “Eat, Pray, Love,” the book and the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun,” the book and the movie Jamie’s column featuring Frances Mayes and Kathy McCabe Kathy McCabe’s “Dream of Italy” ASTA’s virtual events, including its virtual expedition cruise week Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is Viator, represented by Chief Commercial Officer Sarah Dines. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode was sponsored by Europe Express. Further resources Sarah Dines on LinkedIn Viator on the web Viator’s travel agent center Viator partner support: Help center Contact Viator on social media LinkedIn Instagram X Facebook TikTok YouTube Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is TravelJoy, represented by CEO Dayo Esho. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. Further resources TravelJoy on the web Reach out via email Email Dayo Esho directly TravelJoy on Host Agency Reviews Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a 5-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is FamGuru, represented by founder Carrie Wallace. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. Further resources FamGuru on the web and via email Sign up for a free FamGuru account here Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a 5-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is LUXPages, represented by Dora Karanikas. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. Further resources LUXPages on the web Email LUXPages' Dora Karanikas Trade Secrets listeners, get a 30-day free trial of LUXPages and a discounted rate of $125 per year by clicking here LUXPages on Host Agency Reviews Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.