The 2025 Travel Agency Owners Forum (TAOF), hosted by Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), concluded following four days of high-level collaboration, education, and destination immersion on the island of Antigua. From October 25 - 29, a select group of U.S.-based agency owners and leading global travel suppliers convened at Pineapple Beach Club and The Verandah resorts for this invitation-only event designed to strengthen leadership, drive growth, and foster meaningful partnerships.

Representing over $800M in global bookings and nearly 900 frontline sellers, attending Agency Owners participated in a curated program of peer-to-peer learning, expert-led education, and targeted supplier engagement. Attendance at TAOF is strictly by invitation, with Agency Owners carefully vetted for their performance and growth potential, maintaining the forum’s high-caliber, leadership-focused environment. 

Supplier partners included all-inclusive resorts, tour operators, business service providers, and destination management companies — all gaining direct access to decision-makers with the power to influence entire networks of travel professionals.

Highlights from the 2025 Forum included:

• Targeted Business Connections: One-to-one appointments generated over 2,000 unique supplier–agency owner connections, each designed to create long-term value and market expansion opportunities.

• Leadership-Focused Education: Sessions led by Visit Anchorage, Downtown Travel, The Ment Law Group, and Tern provided actionable insights on operational leadership, emerging travel trends, legal best practices, and digital marketing strategies. Peer-to-peer discussions gave Agency Owners the opportunity to exchange proven approaches and learn directly from one another’s successes and challenges.

• Destination Immersion: The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, along with Elite Island Resorts showcased the island’s vibrant offerings through immersive excursions, FAM experiences, and an evening at Shirley Heights. Many attendees also completed the Antigua & Barbuda Specialist course prior to the event, arriving fully equipped to represent the destination to clients with confidence.

“We are proud to partner with TravelSMG to welcome these top agency owners to Antigua,” said Dean Fenton, USA Director of Tourism at the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority. “By immersing these leaders in the destination — including participation in our specialist course — they gain a deep understanding of our islands’ offerings, which they can translate into unforgettable experiences for their clients.”

“Travel Agency Owners Forum is unlike any other event in our portfolio. It’s designed to empower leaders who are shaping the future of leisure travel,” said Jim Cloonan, President of TravelSMG. “The 2025 forum fostered both meaningful collaboration and high-value supplier connections, equipping participants with the strategies and partnerships needed to strengthen their businesses and their teams.”

TravelSMG has also confirmed details for the 2026 Travel Agency Owners Forum, which will be held October 12–15, 2026, at Marival Emotions in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.