Article written by Stacey Cabell, owner of Starstuff Travel, a full-service travel agency with over 13 years of experience. 

The Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum is one of my favorite conferences for newer agents, offering unparalleled opportunities to learn, network, and grow. When I first attended years ago, it felt like the perfect place to start my journey as a travel professional. Attending this forum required me to confront the fear of the unknown and take proactive steps to improve my mindset. I quickly realized that stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t just a phrase—it was a practice that could transform my confidence and perspective. Networking with suppliers, attending workshops, and learning from industry leaders gave me a newfound resilience, an eagerness to explore untapped opportunities, and set my business on a trajectory for incredible growth. 

Building a Business Tradition

One of the most impactful connections I made during that first forum was with the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of National Harbor, Maryland. At the time, I was just beginning to grasp how building relationships could lead to long-term success. This connection led to years of a cherished tradition: organizing holiday group trips to National Harbor. The CVB would host an adorable Santa Claus party for our guests each year, which became a cornerstone of the trip and drove up high demand for the holiday packages year after year. What started as a simple connection at the forum grew into an annual highlight for my business, boosting sales and creating lasting memories for my clients.

Expanding Horizons

Fast forward to today, and the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum remains a staple in my professional life. While I still value catching up with the suppliers I currently work with, I’ve learned the importance of branching out and fostering relationships with suppliers I might not immediately consider. Many years ago, I met representatives from Visit Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad during one of these forums. At the time, I was skeptical about how Alaska might fit into our business model, which heavily focused on all-inclusives and cruises. However, that initial meeting led to an agency fam trip to Alaska, and from there, everything in our business changed. Today, Alaska is one of our top-selling destinations, a testament to the power of exploring new possibilities.

Why You Should Attend

Whether you’re a newcomer hesitant to step into a large conference for the first time or a seasoned attendee questioning the value of another trip to Las Vegas, I can assure you that the forum is worth your time. It’s an opportunity to grow your business in the way that best aligns with your vision for the future. If 2025 is your year to push yourself, build new connections, and discover untapped opportunities, it’s time to make attending the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum a priority. You never know which connection or conversation might transform your business and create a tradition, a bestseller, or a whole new avenue of growth. 

Stacey Cabell is the owner of Starstuff Travel, a full-service travel agency with over 13 years of experience. She is passionate about helping travel professionals step out of their comfort zones to grow their businesses and provide exceptional client experiences. Stacey focuses on hands-on training, building strong supplier relationships, and curating memorable travel experiences while sharing insights from her own journey of resilience and transformation to encourage growth and innovation in the ever-evolving travel industry. You can read more from Stacey on her blog—where she focuses on personal and business growth: https://www.staceycabell.com/blog