Luxury travel suppliers and tourism boards gathered with advisors in Melbourne last night (Tuesday 3 March) for the Travel Weekly Luxury Roadshow 2026, an evening designed to showcase high-end travel products and strengthen trade connections.
Held at the Arts Centre Melbourne and hosted by Travel Weekly deputy editor Sofia Geraghty, the event featured a series of supplier presentations followed by structured speed networking sessions, giving agents the opportunity to learn about premium travel experiences and connect directly with key industry partners. Attendees were also treated to a sit-down dinner during the evening.
The evening opened with a presentation from Kim Vaughan, regional sales manager VIC, SA and TAS at AmaWaterways, who highlighted the continued growth of river cruising and the brand’s luxury itineraries across Europe and beyond.
Next to take the stage was Bianca Venn, business development manager VIC and TAS at Aurora Expeditions, who shared insights into the expedition cruise operator’s voyages to destinations including Antarctica and the Arctic.
Agents then heard from Shane Voss, trade partnerships manager at Inside Travel, followed by Barry Laaksonen, sales manager VIC, SA and TAS at Silversea, who discussed the cruise line’s ultra-luxury offering and global itineraries.
The presentations continued with Brenda Lytle, Asia Pacific market manager for Vail Resorts, who outlined the appeal of premium ski holidays across North America.
Aniva Nickel from Samoa Tourism then showcased the destination’s appeal for Australian travellers, highlighting its blend of culture, nature and high-end accommodation.
The final presentation of the evening came from Karen Prideaux, senior manager of trade marketing at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, who shared updates on the destination and its luxury travel experiences.
Following the presentations, agents remained seated while suppliers rotated through a series of speed networking sessions, allowing advisors to ask questions and explore opportunities with each brand.
The evening concluded with a number of prize giveaways for attending advisors.
Among the highlights was a two-person river cruise with AmaWaterways valued at $16,000 each, while 10 travel advisors also won trips to Samoa.
Last-minute seats still available for Brisbane and Sydney
The Travel Weekly Luxury Roadshow continues this week with further events scheduled for Brisbane and Sydney, and it’s not too late to register.
For Brisbane, Wednesday 4 March click here.
For Sydney, Thursday 5 March click here.
