ADVISOR SHOUTOUTS
NOVEMBER 2021
Barbara Fluker
Barbara Lynn Travel & Events
an affiliate of The Travel Society, LLC
Dallas, TX
What excites you about the travel industry today?
Anything new to see – to do – to share. Take a Lil bit of my experiences, knowledge, and love of the universe to create the most memorable incredible memories!
Destinations you specialize in:
Caribbean, Italy, Hawaii “where ever you want to go” – we have at our fingertips a wealth of knowledge near and far to connect all the dots – and make it happen- no matter how far the destination or close the trip may be, our goal is it make it “extra” special.
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Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
First and foremost, this group is dedicated to providing the best of the best around the globe and stateside, including taking time for charity works –Philanthropic work during the busiest week of travel week. If I had to pick, let's go stateside your contacts and representation of the amazing Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, CA –hands down a must-see and do.
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What is something that your peers may not know about you?
I once lived in Tampere, Finland!!
How have you adjusted your business since the pandemic?
My My – seems like every time we book – we must check and check and make sure everyone is in compliance with COVID travel. Needless, to say I've become an expert in customs/TSA operations, different vaccines, the importance of calculating time - 24 hours before or 48/72 before arrival! Most adjustment – "calming" teas to sip with each booking.
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What are you most looking forward to this year?
Optimistic for a thriving business and seeing more (people, places, and peers)– safely.
Shelley Morales
Beyond Traveled
an affiliate of Cadence Travel
Los Angeles, CA
What excites you about the travel industry today?
That travel is back! It's so exciting and rewarding to help clients plan trips they have been dreaming of the past year and a half. They are thinking outside the box and wanting to visit destinations they have never been before.
Destinations you specialize in:
West Coast, France, Greece, and Italy
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Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
I love Rancho Valencia! The property is stunning and the service is impeccable. They always go above and beyond for my clients, just like B+M. Working with B+M has been such a joy. The whole team is so helpful, informative, and responsive.
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What is something that your peers may not know about you?
I've had a few professional lives, including working as a talent agent and wardrobe stylist. Also, I'm obsessed with Formula One!
How have you adjusted your business since the pandemic?
I started working with Diane Sherer and Beyond Traveled. It has been invaluable working with such a supportive team. Also, I took the time to educate myself by attending lots of webinars and trade shows to gain in-depth knowledge of hotels and destinations.
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What are you most looking forward to this year?
I'm excited to meet industry colleagues that I met on zoom calls and virtual trade shows. I cannot wait for my clients to take the trips I've been planning the past few months. And of course, traveling myself!
Hope Smith
Born To Travel
an affiliate of Montecito Village Travel
Sierra Madre, CA
What excites you about the travel industry today?
Everything has changed in this business! It excites and surprises me, that, although the rules seem to be changing daily, clients still do really want to travel to new destinations. This motivates me to work even harder to get them where they want to go.
Destinations you specialize in:
I specialize in Mexico (Conde Nast list as Mexico Specialist), Africa and ANYTHING with the word Adventure.
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Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
La Lancha, in Guatemala, set on the shore of Lake Peten far away from any other lodges in the area. Here you have Tikal the epicenter of the Mayan culture. From here you have many wonderful opportunities to explore what this region has to offer. There has never been an occasion when I needed help or advice on a destination or property when one of your team members has disappointed me. They have always been there to guide and support me.
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What is something that your peers may not know about you?
I was born in Mexico and arrived in Chicago at the age of ten. I was a Chicago Police officer for 21 years specializing in narcotics and gang crimes. For final 12 years of my service I was on the body guard detail for Mayor Daley the only Hispanic female on the team.
How have you adjusted your business since the pandemic?
Early on I made a bold decision to keep on traveling to wherever I could get in. I used this time to explore locales that were suddenly less busy thus freeing entirely new perspectives of time and space.
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What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking beyond just selling travel. This is the time to work with partners such as yourself. Together we will design itineraries that are not cookie cutters but represent lifetime experiences.