When I started in February 2024, if you told me come September of that same year, I would be in Maui Hawaii attending Classic Vacations E3 Conference I would have said you had the wrong girl.
I mean do they know I just started this as a career? Do they know I haven't booked millions of dollars in trips for clients....YET. (You see that YET it's called manifesting, LOOK IT UP). I knew big opportunities were going to be in my future, but this was a shot at greatness.
I was approached with the opportunity to apply. I mean in my book just the fact that I was asked to apply made me a winner. (This is why it's important to have a great host agency, to think of you for these opportunities). So I did. I took that leap of faith and boy did it pay off. I got the notification your girl was going to HAWAII.
(This is kind of how I reacted while my husband and son looked on)
After a few months of complete shock, it was time for me to go. I didn't even care that I left my house at 1 am drove 3 hours to Houston for a flight at 6am spent 8 hours on planes, made a layover in Los Angeles and it was only 11 am in Maui, I was ready.
I don't think anyone tells you that once you lose sight of the coastline in California that is the last land you see for 5 hours. DON'T OVER THINK THAT.... Because when you land, you see the mist covered mountains, and lush greenery just waiting for you. It was almost philosophical losing site of the mainland knowing I was leaving who this Sam was behind, because this conference would change the person I was.
Even though I was half an ocean away from everyone I knew I was lucky enough that my Wander Network Partner Amber would also be with me at this conference. It was the first time meeting face to face, but it didn't take long for us to settle in like friends who were meeting up for dinner. She is the social media queen, so we took about 164321 pictures, and she taught me how to do the whole camera spin thing, ate some dinner and tried to get some sleep.
(She is a good teacher)
When we met up for breakfast the next morning, we enter the elevator, and Amber immediately finds her partner Michelle who she would be paired up with during an event at the conference. Michelle already had met 3 other advisors as well, so breakfast was like our own personal meet and greet. We talked about the site inspection we would be doing at The Westin that morning and all the things to look forward.
We meet up with Nate for the site inspection, I almost forgot I was here for work. Let me just say The Westin is an incredible property, and I cried about 212 times about how lucky I was to be there. You can read more about The Westin and all of the incredible properties I was lucky enough to stay at or tour www.worththemilestravel.com/blog click on the Aloha Maui.
We had some free time after "work" to check out 1 of the 6 pools there, before it was time to check out. Amber had the great idea to visit Maui Diver's Jewelry at Whaler's Village (a short walk from The Westin) to do the Pick a Pearl Experience. You get to pick an oyster, thank it, and then they open it to see what you get. I should have played the lottery that day because I got a double pearl, nearly identical in shape, size, and color. You can set it right there with so many jewelry options to choose from.
This was my beautiful double pearls I made into a necklace.
It was officially time to head to "work".
Now please remember we had gone to the pools, shopping, a pop in at Maui Brewing Company, checking out of the hotel so I basically looked like I was definitely on vacation. We arrive at The Hyatt Regency our home for the next 5 days, with a beautiful fresh flower lei at check in, I was feeling like I could take on the world. I thought I definitely have time to head to the room and make myself look presentable before anyone sees me. (Now let's all laugh together).
Classic Vacations was set up in the lobby ready and waiting to greet everyone. So, I put my best smile on, gave myself a peptalk that yes shorts and a bathing suit was the best first impression to give to them. OH MY GOD I was doing it, and then like a terrible comedy movie, my tote bag I had on my roller bag falls off, trips my suitcase and everything falls over mid walk. The thought of me walking past the table, like I am actually not here for this conference crossed my mind for a second, but then I remembered they had a picture of me (darn Classic for being so good at events).
So, I fix everything up and start walking again, and because I like to make the best impression possible, my whole suitcase ensemble pulls an encore. At this point, I'm ready to actually just leave my luggage sitting there, but momma did not raise a quitter, a Clutz yes, a quitter no. I just knew the Classic Team was thinking who invited John Candy to this conference? (Do you think I kept that joke to myself? No, of course, it was the first thing that came out of my mouth when I finally made it to the table.)
Of course, they had a great sense of humor and laughed with me, yes, I said with not at and I am sticking to it. I get to finally meet Tiffany my Business Development Manager who is probably second guessing her choices right about now in inviting me, but she gets us all set up with name badges, room keys, and essentials we will need for the conference. We head up to the room, of course not once did my suitcase pull another stunt, and it's time to get ready for the Welcome Reception.
Hello, I am here for the welcome reception for Classic Vacations.
Oh, you mean the most beautiful setup at Sunset with a band playing, yummy food, freshly chopped coconuts (we could spike them to take the nerves off) and meeting other fellow amazing advisors, Dr Paige Viren, Classic Vacations personnel and Valuable Hotel Partners. I was lucky enough to connect with Sara from the Grand Wailea and Amber from Outrigger Resort where we bonded over dogs. I mean is there anything better to bond over? I was trying so hard not to pinch myself, was this real life? We took a glass of wine for the walk back to the room and got everything ready for the next morning!
(Me and Amber)
About a month before the Conference, we were offered thru Classic Vacations and a partnership with Dr. Paige with an opportunity to earn our GSTC (Global Sustainability Tourism Counsel) Certification. I take every opportunity in this industry to become a better advisor, but this was about being a better human. We met once on zoom before, but our first official lesson was at 7am the first morning of the conference. I was awake at 5:45am like a teenage girl getting ready for her first day of high school. (This was after I forgot to turn my ringer off on my phone and someone called me at 3 am and woke me and Amber up...sorry again Amber). I will save this entire training for another Blog post because it deserves its own.
I was that person that sat in the front row for this conference. I was not going to miss a single opportunity given to me. The double doors open in the back of the room, and we are gifted with an awe-inspiring Aloha with a conch shell trumpet and blessing it was simply magical.
Our first speaker was none other than the CEO of Classic Vacations Melissa Krueger. Her genuine words and welcome were felt throughout the room. The morning sessions consisted of speakers from Robyn Basso with Hawaiian Visitors and Convention Bureau, panel of advisors who have sat where we were now sitting and what they would have wished to know then, and Jennifer Jacob from TIQUE discussing the importance of brand.
Then it was time to break into groups for Workshops. We got time with Tiffany to discuss The Best of Classic Vacations. It let you have small, grouped discussions on all the ways you can optimize working with Classic Vacations with time to ask questions pertaining to situations and solutions that they can help with.
The second workshop was with Jennifer Jacobs from TIQUE on how we can create not just a vacation for our clients, but an experience. I took this to heart, that is my goal. I understand time with family is invaluable.
The final session was with Caroline from Classic Vacations on optimizing social media for your travel business. It was here I realized based off statistics I am old, not my broken back looking at me saying I told you. She really did a great job in simplifying different platforms and what we could do to become a bigger presence on them. Also, my girl Amber was featured during that class because again I told you she is the queen of socials.
After an exciting day of learning it was time to go to the Sheraton and experience Maui Nui Luau. It was my first Luau, the stories told of Hawaiian culture, the food, the drinks, the whole experience was just a memory to last a lifetime.
It's hard to fall asleep after a day like that. You have so much energy and ideas running thru you. But I eventually went down.
After a night of no 3AM phone calls thankfully, we had our second session with Dr. Paige. Then it was time to hear from the other side of the business, the accommodations side. We got to hear from a panel of valued hotel partners who gave us insight on what we could do to build relationships in this industry along with the inside scoop of upcoming and newly opening locations.
This next part was what made this whole experience personal. Classic of course wants to better your business but with this next speaker they wanted to better you. Marsh Ann Brown comes in with "All I do is win" by DJ Khalid blaring hands held high with an aura of just pure energy. She took no excuses on making sure at the end of her presentation you held your head a little higher. I literally mean no excuses you didn't say it with confidence you said it again.
(There she is!)
It was now time to have one on one meetings with the suppliers. It was speed dating but for businesses. Even though we were all ready to throw that bell out the window, the number of connections, information and relationships this provided was the best. You were given a short presentation from each supplier then given a chance to ask questions, exchange information and take notes. These interactions helped me broaden my options and knowledge on where I could send clients to with a direct contact to make their experiences even better if possible.
That evening we were lucky enough to have a dinner at Maui Brewing Company with tours of the iconic Outrigger Resort. This gave everyone a chance to speak more with everyone they met that afternoon and build deeper connections pertaining to their businesses.
Sadly, the last day of this life changing conference had come. Marilyn Cairo VP of sales for Classic truly embodied the entire event in her closing statements. Her sentiments were shared by everyone. We were given time to ask questions to anyone who we had the pleasure to listen to that week along with giving our personal feedback of this event. Do you think I sat there and didn't share? Come on you know me better than that. I just want to say I tried really hard not to cry when speaking but the amount of gratitude in my body was leaking out my eyes and a thank you to the entire team and what a dream come true this truly was had to be acknowledged.
That afternoon the advisors with Dr. Paige went on a little field trip. Don't worry I'll tell you where when I make that blog post you'll just have to come back and read it to find out. The Hyatt Regency had one final epic adventure for us. They set up a tasting menu of each of their amazing restaurants on property to showcase. We were serenaded by an amazing band and even Teresa with the Hyatt treated us with her voice and a special appearance by Finn the golden retriever. It was hard to say see you later to all of the amazing people I had met, but it was time.
I packed up my newly bought duffel bag because between the swag and gifts for family my traitorous suitcase didn't have enough room. My final tears were shed when leaving the gate, the agent bowed to the plane, and I just know the guy next to me was going oh no woman crying oh no. I slept the whole plane ride.
Elite. Education. Experience.
The 3Es. When I was chosen to apply for this Experience it was an honor. When I was chosen to attend, Classic said we see you as Elite, even though I was just beginning. The amount of Education I received from this has changed who I am not just as your travel agent, but as a person. I know the magic of Hawaii has something to do with it, but Classic Vacation I don't think thank you for this opportunity will ever truly be enough. Give me a few years and I'll be attending again on your panel this time, talking about how you guys gave little ol' me a chance and I took it and ran with it.
It will always be my greatest advise for every single advisor in partnership with Classic Vacations to apply to attend this conference.
As Always Take the Trip
Samantha Cooley
Owner -Worth the Miles Travel