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• About Event Travel Management
• Events Portfolio
• Conferences & Meetings
• Incentive Travel
• Awards & Special Events
• Virtual Events and Hybrid Events
• Team building & Training
• Venue Sourcing
• Event Technology
• Attendee Management
• Group Travel
• Strategic Meetings Management
• Entertainment Travel
• Case Studies
• Event Travel Management Blog
• Event Travel Management News
• Contact ETM

Local solutions, delivered globally

ETM provides local service solutions to customers around the world. Please select your local region, and start experiencing the ETM difference!

ETM Leadership Team

• Regional Leadership
• Global Leadership

Anita Salvatore

Executive Vice President, Customer Success

Anita’s passion is a driving force and is instrumental in shaping, strengthening, and contributing to ETM’s overall global presence and successful financial performance. Anita brings clients a hyper-focus on solution-driven travel program satisfaction.

During her career with Travizon, now a part of the CTM family, Anita lent her leadership skills to the industry as a founding member of Women in Travel (WINiT), a member of the Travel & Leisure Business Travel Advisory Board, and an active and innovative member of major industry organizations.

As SVP of Customer Success, Anita ensures that customers get the best out of their relationship with ETM, via consistent communications, service, and solutions. Anita leverages more than 30 years of industry experience to drive the global and national strategy that ETM develops in collaboration with its clients. Applying open communication and active listening, Anita acts as a mentor, coach, and collaborator to local, national, and global account managers to ensure consistent internal and external satisfaction.

Anita is credited with developing ETM’s global consulting team. Under her leadership, the team has won and retained a roster of multinational renowned clients, by creating uniquely collaborative partnerships with mutually beneficial results.

Tami Reier, CMP, CMM

Senior Vice President & General Manager

Tami Reier was appointed to Senior Vice President & General Manager, ETM North America, in July 2021. She brings 30+ years of industry experience to ETM clients and employees and is dedicated to exceptional service, leadership, strategic vision, and growth-oriented results.

Tami joined the organization in 1999 as an accomplished meetings and events professional. Tami holds a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from Meeting Professionals International, a Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM) from Events Industry Council, and a Virtual Event and Meeting Management (VEMM) certificate from Events Leadership Institute.

Tami is a member of Cvent’s Partner Advisory Board and Meeting Professionals International’s Global Committee on Anti-Human Trafficking.

As part of CTM’s general manager team, Tami is responsible for bringing together all aspects of the meetings, events, and group air teams to deliver outstanding, customer-centric programs with an exceptional return on investment.

Executive Director, Event Operations

Teri Awwad is Executive Director, Planning and Meeting Technology. In this role, she leads the event planning, sourcing, and meeting technology team and is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of client satisfaction and client retention within the ETM division of Corporate Travel Management in the US.

Teri joined ETM in February of 2018 and brought an extensive background in various aspects of meeting and event planning. She spent five years of her career as a private owner of a meeting and event services business working with clients from the technology, industrial, financial, and insurance industries. Prior to owning her own business, she was regional manager for Kuoni DM (now known as MC&A DMC) covering Washington DC and the entire Florida market. Teri also spent four years as regional manager of the South Atlantic Division of GES, managing the account management team that produced tradeshows in Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Teri held the position of vice president of park and event sales at Universal Orlando Resort, where she led the sales and operations team that serviced the meetings industry with after-hours events in all of Universal’s theme park and nighttime entertainment complex. Earlier in her career, she spent 10 years in the destination management business in account management, sales, and product development capacities for nationwide destination management companies. Teri has a BSBA in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida.

Carol Anne O’Malley

Director, Event Air Solutions

Carol O’Malley has been working in the Group Air environment for most of her 34 years in the travel industry; focused largely on “Professional Service” companies.

Beginning her travel career in the cruise sector with Cunard Line, Carol Anne later worked for various TMCs until she joined ETM in 2022. She has worked hand-in-hand with technology teams to streamline efficiencies both internally and for clients. Her passions are focused on training, mentoring, standardization of processes, and organization.

In her free time, Carol considers herself to be a crafty person, restoring her 120-year-old house and making gifts for friends and family. She spends much of her time volunteering for both her church and community. Her favorite travel destinations are Boston domestically and Italy internationally.

Ashley Hart

Director, Business Development

Ashley Hart began her career at Event Travel Management at the start of 2024. In her role as Director of Business Development, she is focused on growing partnerships with our existing Corporate Travel Management (CTM) clients.

Strengthening client relationships, identifying gaps, and understanding the reasoning behind things are what drives her. Ashley firmly believes in the importance of in-person meetings and bringing people together. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2010 and began her career as an elementary school teacher.  

Since then, she has worked in the sales and account management space in both meetings & events and tech.  Ashley resides in Rhode Island with her dog, Clark. She loves exploring new cities, The Florida Gators, and coffee.

Rob Scales, GTP

With over 16 years of experience in travel, meetings, and events program development, Rob specializes in harmonizing with partners and stakeholders around technology, strategic priorities, and EXaaS/SMMP maturity.

Rob graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in economics in 2006 and immediately began his career in corporate business travel.  He has previously led national operational and sales teams at FCM Meetings & Events, Enterprise Holdings, and Avis Budget Group prior to joining the ETM family.

Rob currently lives in Colts Neck, NJ with his wife Tara and three children, Jake, Victoria, and puppy Chino.

Kim Fehlhaber

Product Manager

Kim Fehlhaber is the Director of Group Air for ETM North America. She began her career with the company in July 2000 as a group air advisor. Kim’s travel industry experience includes leisure, corporate, loyalty, groups, and account management.

Kim and her team are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and partnering with customers to meet and exceed attendee expectations. Through process efficiencies, technology, and automation, Kim continually strives to enhance the experience of working with the group air team while staying on top of the ever-changing industry trends.

In addition to customer engagement, Kim’s focus is coaching her team members for individual growth and supporting them to excel in their current roles and achieve their career goals.

Jamie Pherous

Executive Director, Managing Director

Director since May 2008

Jamie Pherous founded Corporate Travel Management Limited (CTM) in Brisbane in 1994. He has built the Group from its headquarters in Brisbane to become one of the world’s largest travel management companies.

Prior to establishing CTM, Jamie was employed by Arthur Andersen, now EY, as a qualified Chartered Accountant, specialising in business services and financial consulting, notably in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates.

James Spence

Global Chief Financial Officer

James Spence joined CTM in May 2024 as Global Chief Financial Officer.

James has 14 years’ experience as CFO of large, international businesses, and has operated across Australasia, North America and Europe throughout his 30+ year career. James brings broad-based financial experience across all the main disciplines within Finance include strategy, risk, treasury, accounting, M&A, capital markets, investor relations and commercial decision-making with extensive board level, team leadership and public markets experience.

James holds a Bachelor of Science – Economics & Politics and is a Chartered Accountant.

Shelley Sorrenson

Global Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary

Shelley Sorrenson joined CTM in November 2021 as Global Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary. Shelley is a pragmatic and commercially driven corporate legal and governance practitioner with over 14 years of experience. She has served as General Counsel and Company Secretary of ASX-listed and unlisted financial services companies and held roles at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and in private practice.

Shelley holds a Bachelor of Justice, Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws. Shelley is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Associate of the Governance Institute of Australia.

In her personal time, Shelley is also a Non-Executive Board Director of several not-for profit organisations with a focus on supporting women and disadvantaged youth.

Eleanor Noonan

Global Chief Operating Officer

Eleanor Noonan joined CTM in August 2022 as Global Chief of Staff, and in 2023 moved into the role of Global Chief Operating Officer. She has held various roles within travel, government and financial services, and most recently was Chief Operating Officer of a superannuation fund.

Eleanor is commercially driven, values focused and passionate about leading high-performance teams and inspiring stakeholders to support a clear people and business growth agenda. Eleanor is skilled in developing and executing customer-centric business strategies, leading large-scale change initiatives, and achieving operational excellence.

Eleanor holds a Master of Business and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

David MacNiven

Global Chief Information Officer

David MacNiven joined CTM in March 2024 as Global Chief Information Officer (CIO). He has held various roles within financial services, tertiary education and government (both in Australia and UK).

David is an highly experienced CIO with a demonstrated history of effectively leading and delivering customer-centric solutions within large and complex organisations. As a change agent, he specialises in implementing financially sustainable and focused programmes and projects that generate tangible value for all organisations. He also excels at building high-performing teams and services, cultivating a collaborative and inclusive environment where individuals thrive and contribute their best.  He is a results-oriented leader, consistently delivering measurable outcomes and leveraging data-driven insights to inform strategic business decision-making.

Annabel Ausmus

Global Chief Marketing Officer

Annabel Ausmus is an experienced marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years’ experience managing digital and traditional marketing strategy and implementation in both B2B and B2C disciplines. She is responsible for the CTM Group’s global marketing, communication and brand strategy across its portfoilio of travel brands.

Joining CTM in 2010, Annabel brings a wealth of travel industry marketing experience to CTM, having worked across corporate, leisure (luxury to budget brands), events, wholesale and loyalty travel for privately owned, listed entities and not for profit organisations.

Annabel holds a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, is a Certified Practicing Marketer (CPM) and an Associate Member of the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI).

Lauren Hook

Head of Sustainability

Lauren Hook joined CTM as the Head of Sustainability in November 2023. She has a strong compliance, governance, and finance background both in Australia and internationally. In her previous roles, Lauren has led the risk, audit, and sustainability functions at an ASX-listed technology company and she has extensive airline and audit experience.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Commerce, qualified as a Chartered Accountant, is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, and is a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Tracey Edwards

Event Travel Management - Global Strategic Lead and GM AU/NZ

Tracey has been with ETM since its inception in early 2011 and brings more than 30 years’ experience in the travel and event industry managing operations around the world, including three years living, establishing and growing an event business in China. Over the past 8 years the ETM team, under Tracey’s leadership, has evolved from a localised specialist Sydney office to a global offering with more than 100 staff across the world, providing a range of expert event, meeting and group travel services. Tracey ensures the team are delivering event solutions that meet our clients’ diverse needs and are at the forefront of technological efficiency. These achievements have been recognised by the industry, including winning the AFTA award for ‘Best Business Events Travel Agency’ multiple times.

Ewen Crouch AM

Independent Non-Executive Director

Director since March 2019

Ewen Crouch was a Partner at Allens from 1988 – 2013. He served as a member of the firm’s board for 11 years, including four years as Chairman of Partners.  His other roles at Allens included Co-Head Mergers & Acquisitions and Equity Capital Markets from 2004 – 2010, Executive Partner – Asian Offices from 1999 – 2004 and Deputy Managing Partner from 1993 – 1996. He was a director of Mission Australia from 1995, including as Chairman from 2009, until retiring in November 2016.

Mr Crouch is a Non-Executive Director of BlueScope Steel Limited (since March 2013) and Chair and Non-Executive Director of AnteoTech Limited (since April 2022). He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Chair and Non-Executive Director of RSL LifeCare Ltd (since October 2022) and a Director of Jawun (since September 2015). He served as a member of the Takeovers Panel from 2010-2015, as a member of the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal from 2015 – 2019, as a Director of Sydney Symphony Orchestra from 2009 – 2020 and as a Non-Executive Director of Westpac Banking Corporation from 2013 to 2019.

Director since January 2020

Jon Brett  was formerly an executive director of Investec Wentworth Private Equity Limited, and an executive of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited. He was also the CEO of Techway Limited which pioneered internet banking in Australia.  Jon brings extensive strategic, board and management experience to CTM, particularly in the areas of finance and corporate advisory.

Jon is  currently Executive Chairman of Stridecorp Equity Partners, an AFSL licensed fund manager specialising in private equity. Jon is a Non-Executive Director of Mobilicom Limited (since September 2018). His former directorships include Godfreys Group Limited, The Pas Group Limited, Deputy President of the NRMA and Vocus Group Limited since its listing on the ASX.

Sophie Mitchell

Director since September 2019

Sophie Mitchell has over 30 years of corporate advisory, capital markets and equity research experience. She retired from Morgans in June 2019 after over a decade as an Executive Director in Morgans’ Corporate and, prior to this, she was Morgans’ Head of Research.

Sophie is a Non-Executive Director of Morgans Holdings (Australia) Limited, Firstmac Limited, Myer Family Investments Limited, and Tourism Holdings Limited, and Chairman of HealthcareLogic Global Limited (retired July 2023). She was a member of the Australian Government Takeovers Panel between 2009 and 2018.

Marissa Peterson

Director since October 2022

Marissa Peterson is President and CEO of Mission Peak Executive Consulting, a Silicon Valley leadership coaching business. She is based in the United States and brings extensive experience in governance, technology and digital transformation, and executive development.

Marissas’s extensive board experience includes past roles as Chairman of optical communications solutions company, Oclaro, between 2013 and 2018, and as a Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed Ansell, from 2006 to 2021. She has also been a Director of a range of US-based companies including Humana, Supervalu, Children’s Hospital of Stanford, Quantros and Covisint, and a Board Trustee of Kettering University.

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Group Travel Planning Services

Why choose us.

Years of experience and expertise

Celebration Travel is a division of Celebration Travel Group. With over a decade of knowledge and expertise, our Group Travel Specialists have planned nearly 25,000 events for over 500,000 travelers and continuously undergo training to ensure your destination and resort is the perfect fit for your needs.

Stress-free planning

As the established leader in destination celebrations for over a decade, we take the stress out of planning your event by helping you with everything from choosing the right location to working directly with your guests to book their travel and get them to your destination.

A world of choice

We have access to more than 1,200 properties in 42 countries to help you find the perfect venue for your preferences and budget.

Exclusive savings and special offers

We work with premier resort partners to bring you exclusive savings of up to $2,000 off at more than 200 resort venues, as well as special offers like room upgrades, special resort credits and much more.

100% Free celebration planning services and tools

A personal Group Travel Specialist will work with you to plan your celebration and coordinate travel for you and your friends. Plus, you’ll gain access to our online planning tools all at no cost to you.

Easy payment plan

Our easy payment plan allows everyone to schedule payments at their own pace.

Peace of mind

We offer emergency 24/7 travel support to assist with any issues that may arise while you are away.

Your Destination for Production Travel

Your destination for entertainment travel, your destination for vip & celebrity travel, your destination for event travel, your destination for dj & music tour travel.

ENTERTRAVEL, in association with ALTOUR Entertainment and American Express Travel, is one of the world's leading luxury travel management companies with unrivalled expertise in the entertainment, VIP, production, and lifestyle travel space.

Production Travel

Entertainment & lifestyle travel, vip & celebrity travel, event & group travel, dj & music tour travel, new york city, featured destinations, plan your journey today.

Let’s navigate these challenging times together.

In a new global landscape that’s changing daily, let our trusted travel experts be the ones to help you navigate the shifting procedures and protocols implemented worldwide. With a dedicated team of experts backed by an abundance of cutting-edge resources, our company has one of the best Risk Analysis Departments in the industry, standing by 24/7.

Delivering experiences that create memories

Looking to plan your next event? Look no further. FCM Meetings & Events is here to take care of your next gathering. Big or small. Live or virtual. We’ve got you covered.

We’ve been in the event game since 1986, connecting people across the globe and bringing their visions to life. 

Our specialties include:

Event & Production Management

• Group & Event Travel Management

Venue Sourcing

Event technology.

• Strategic Meetings Management (SMM)

Group & Event Travel

Strategic Meetings Management

Your agile event partner .

They say the show must go on. We’re here to make sure it does.

In-person, virtual, hybrid, global, local, or online, you need a meetings & events partner that is prepared for anything – and in our thirty-plus years in the business, we’ve seen it all. So whether you’re trying to plan a company retreat that rivals Coachella, or an online webinar meant to stay off mute, we’ve got you covered.

Connect with us

What makes us, us?

Unlike our competitors, we are nimble. We customize our offering to each and every client. No matter your budget or how big or small the request is, we got you. 

We have the best in the biz! Detailed-oriented, enthusiastic, and dedicated to making your event dreams a reality. 

We don’t do rogue. We have spent years developing the best processes and practices to ensure consistency, and seamless events. 

We don’t just think outside the box – we dance around it. Embracing creativity 24/7. 

Extensive network of contacts to pass on the perks? Check.

Cost Savings

Through our network and global spend we negotiate on your behalf, saving you costs wherever possible. 

Say goodbye to the headaches of typical reporting. We have the technology to deliver the stats, data and metrics you want to see. From traveler tracking to ROI – we’ll give you the numbers you want to see. 

Lets connect and plan your next unforgettable event.

• Meetings & Incentives
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• Contact An Expert: 1-800-245-8326
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The Travel Team. All rights reserved.

Time to reconnect, reward & recharge .

Groups, meetings & incentive trips.

The Travel Team offers comprehensive meeting and event services for work and pleasure, organizing everything from corporate incentive trips and sales conferences to family reunions and weddings. From where to stay, what to see, and how to get around while you’re there, our experienced travel professionals will impeccably manage every detail of your event or journey so you can make the most of your time together.

Meetings & Incentives

Powered by leading technology and experienced professionals, our meeting and event services range from standard procedures to full service planning, including venue sourcing and booking, transportation coordination, on-site concierge and management, and entertainment booking.

The Travel Team’s travel experts also have the knowledge and experience to prepare customized, experiential incentive trips and corporate retreats that enable organizations to attract and retain top talent and reward loyal customers.

Leisure Groups

Love, history, and adventure often bring families together for travel. Family reunions, heritage trips, and destination weddings are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience the world with the ones you love. Managing a family vacation requires immense planning and flawless execution.

Leverage The Travel Team’s network of experienced travel professionals for every detail of your group’s journey. Our specialists are dedicated to meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations. The Travel Team will seamlessly manage your trip, so you can relax and take in all your adventure has to offer.

Plan Your Escape

Inquire today.

Begin your adventure by clicking the link below or calling 1-800-334-3157 to contact one of our dedicated travel experts.

Travel News

Stay up to date on the latest group travel trends.

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Services /  Group & Event Travel

Group Travel Made Easy

Whether you are planning a large team building experience or a family gathering, our full service groups & meetings division helps you stress less and create an unforgettable experience.

Full Service Management

Site Management

Our team can provide hotel sourcing, venue contract negotiations, room block & attrition management and VIP services and amenities

Program Management

Meeting / event space design & coordination, vendor sourcing & negotiations, timeline & logistics planning, and post event evaluations

Financial Services

Budget development and financial management, risk mitigation, online registration and management & post event surveys

Transportation

Air and ground transportation and coordination, negotiation of group rates and meet & greet services

Additional Services

Food & beverage management, trade show and sponsorship management, entertainment / special activities for attendees, production management

Let our experts handle the details

Create memorable experiences that deliver. Our team will work hand-in-hand with you to make your group travel experience come to life.

Contact us to get started

Contact details

Events team

• [email protected]
• +44 (0)20 8962 6704
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Let's play TAG

TAG is an award-winning global events and group travel management company, backed by thirty years’ experience. Our industry-leading professionals work with you from concept to completion – to bring your brand to life through transformational experiences. Wherever you are in the world, wherever you want to go, we partner with you to achieve your goals.

Your global events partner

We are focused on designing, producing and managing bespoke solutions that connect with your audience. Whether it’s an incentive, product launch or celebration, from the moment we take on your brief, our designated experts become an extension of your team. You will receive the personal service you deserve, every step of the way.

Why choose TAG?

We understand that events are an important business tactic. And sound strategy and creativity are key to delivering success. TAG’s Events division takes a unique approach to event and group travel management, ensuring a seamless experience from conception to completion. Here’s how we do it...

Research and analyse to develop insights, strategy and creative solutions.

Plan, design, scope and budget events that deliver return on investment and return on experience.

Engagement, passion, action, performance, loyalty and transformation – and it’s all measurable.

Here for you 24/7

Our expert events team is here for you with 24/7 support – wherever you are in the world. Our global offices are located across four continents – in Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, New York, London, Manchester, Leeds, Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney.

Find TAG near you

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Local solutions, delivered globally

CTM provides local service solutions to customers around the world. Please select your local region, and start experiencing the CTM difference!

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Event Travel Management by CTM

At event travel management (etm), we believe in the power of experiences that engage, excite and inspire people to perform. we call it “connected experiences.”.

Our unique blend of creativity, customer service, and innovative event travel technology drives transformative corporate event experiences which deliver on your business’s strategic objectives.

From unique destinations and event experiences to engaging event technology, intuitive reporting, and robust supplier negotiations, our expert teams can tailor an event solution to fit every event budget and business need.

Chat to our team about your event needs

Event management experts, maximizing your events and travel budget, as part of the corporate travel management (ctm) group, etm can consolidate and manage every aspect of your travel and events program, from supplier expenditure and preferences to technology platforms and communications – driving greater cost savings, improving efficiencies, and maximizing your return on investment..

By consolidating your corporate travel and events expenditure, your business will enjoy enhanced supplier negotiation power on your preferred travel services, delivering extra value and savings to your budget.

By partnering with ETM, you’ll enjoy the same great service and travel technology that you’ve come to expect from CTM. We deliver value to every aspect of your event and travel program, from engaging event experiences to strategic advice, global buying power, 24/7 local support, and access to transformational data and analytics.

Full event management

Our team of event specialists delivers a diverse and bespoke range of events, strategic meetings, conferences, incentive travel programs, and corporate hospitality events.

We can provide complete end-to-end event management from venue sourcing, agenda planning, event theming, delegate travel, accommodation and meals, innovative event technology, entertainment, and post-event reporting and evaluation. Let our team take care of every aspect of your event, so you can focus on your business.

Key Features

• Domestic and international venue finding
• End to end event logistics
• Event production
• Onsite event management
• Brand experience activations
• Pharmaceutical compliant event management
• Inbound destination management offering
• Budget and financial control
• Accommodation booking and management
• Catering management
• Pre and post event evaluation
• Follow-up meetings

Group Travel

We specialize in servicing large groups’ travel needs, providing complex logistical event support, discounted airfares with flexible conditions and group check-in facilities for groups of 20 or more travelers.

Our Group Travel Team manages inbound and outbound group travel programs, and our global network is underpinned by compatible systems and processes in every market driving efficiency, consistency, and peace of mind.

• Discount group airfares with flexible conditions* – including changes, payment schedules, return of unused seats without penalty
• Group registration services tailored to your needs
• Capped costs – control your budget with pre-approved fares
• Volume discounts – competitively priced fares for your travelers when booking large numbers
• Seamless and convenient transfer coordination, allowing you to reduce costs
• Detailed flight studies according to policies and route deals
• Onsite travel desk
• 24-hour support to After Hours support for all programs

* subject to conditions.

Delegate management

Our integrated travel and event technology keeps your delegates connected and engaged at every stage of the event experience, from registration to post-event reviews and everything in between.

Our innovative tools support maximum efficiency, safety and engagement from the very first communication to returning your travelers safely home, ensuring your teams are highly productive and motivated throughout their event experience.

• Bespoke branded website and registration technology
• Seamless integration with CTM travel technology
• End to end delegate experience
• On-line delegate registration
• Secure online payment collection
• Speaker support and abstract management
• Travel management before, during, and after the event
• Sponsorship and exhibition management
• Meeting matching
• Delegate onsite app
• Live session polling, session scoring, and survey management

Incentive travel

ETM creates and delivers event management and incentive travel experiences that inspire and motivate both staff and business partners.

Our tailored and cost-effective incentive programs are strategically designed to drive performance and deliver results while enriching connections between participants. From weekend reward experiences to international team-building events that support your CSR strategy, we can design an incentive program that suits your budget and business objectives.

Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP)

ETM has extensive experience in strategic meetings management, both in the events space and in the area of travel and meetings consolidation.

A Strategic Meetings Management Program enables you to significantly enhance supplier negotiations while mitigating risk by driving compliance, optimizing savings, consolidating and leveraging spend.

• Development of an overall event strategy

Venue sourcing

• Spend reporting and consolidation
• Tracked return on investment
• Creation of an overall theme in line with brand positioning and strategy
• Design and production of all event materials
• Speaker support
• Advice on message delivery
• Audience response systems
• Interactive debates

Event technology

From event registration and travel bookings to delegate tracking, agenda management, social engagement, and budget management, ETM’s extensive suite of event technologies is designed to make your event run smoothly and efficiently at all times.

We build customized event apps and registration sites that support your event theme and message and promote maximum attendee engagement. No more paper agendas and invitations!

Take the stress out of your next corporate event

Event support services, on-site support.

ETM event specialists are available onsite 24/7 to assist with delegate requests or event management needs as they arise.

Event logistics

ETM’s end-to-end event logistics ensure the successful planning, coordination, and delivery of a memorable and engaging event experience.

ETM can save you significant time and money when sourcing your next meeting or conference venue. Our team can locate the most suitable and cost-effective venues for events of all sizes, by conducting extensive destination research and leveraging sophisticated inventory management tools to identify the best rates and availability.

Activities & social programs

ETM can incorporate a wide range of activities and social initiatives into your event programs, tailored to suit your theme, budget, and objectives and delivering maximum engagement.

Production management

Our creative production team will deliver strategic event theming, communications, and promotions that connect people with your brand and event objectives.

Creative services

ETM’s creative team offers a range of services, from concept creation and event theming, website and app design and development, print production, stage production, promotional products, and more. Drawing on our digital and creative expertise, we optimize your brand experience through meticulous planning and delivering a complete event concept.

Contact our ETM events team today to discuss your corporate event needs.

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Your Groups and Events Travel Management team

Our services:.

Sports & Entertainment Touring

Retreats, meetings & incentives.

Event Dragon will assist with all your travel sourcing for your event. Bands, Performing Artists, Special Events, Sports Teams. Our experienced specialists can assist with travel logistics. Such as flights, ground transportation, and hotel room blocks Travel logistics from A-Z to ensure you a seamless event.

Company retreat? Wellness retreat?Business meetings? Incentive trips?  From different cities? No problem! Team building?  You name it!  Event Dragon can take the travel planning off your hands and assure you a memorable experience! We will handle the negotiating, while you enjoy the adventure!

Room Blocks Management

Attn tour managers and event planners.

Are you looking to set up a hotel room block for a group? or multiple hotel blocks for an event? Event Dragon has partnerships allowing us to offer significant discounts and private rates.  Whether personal or business travel, our travel service experts assure competitive pricing along with white-glove service. 

YOUR events, YOUR rewards! 

Are you arranging travel?  Our group travel experts will free up your time by sourcing and negotiating the best pricing, along with offering you all the perks and planner rewards available to you. We'll handle the travel and together we can really make you shine. We look forward to working with you!

Event Dragon LLC

Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States

312-857-4781 [email protected]

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The Evolution of Group Travel: A New Era of Luxury and Personalization 

by Groups360 | Jun 5, 2024 | For Organizers

In the vibrant world of event planning, the allure of high-end events continues to rise, captivating clients with the promise of unforgettable experiences in stunning locales.

Whether it’s a lavish wedding, a grand birthday celebration, or an opulent bachelorette party, the task for the perfect blend of luxury, destination, features, and amenities is never-ending. For professional event planners tasked with orchestrating these high-end events, understanding the latest group travel trends is paramount.

Meeting the Demand for Personalized Experiences

The landscape of group event travel is undergoing a transformation, driven by the desires of travelers seeking more than just accommodation; they crave personalized experiences that resonate on a deeper level. This shift has led to an increased demand for hotels and properties that offer more than just a place to stay – they must provide a gateway to the culture, cuisine, and unique charm of the destination.

Technology at the Forefront

One of the most significant trends shaping group travel today is the integration of advanced technology in hotels and venues. Some of the exciting and impressive tech features offering a “Wow” impact with cutting-edge tech solutions are 3D property previews, digital check-ins, app-enabled room keys, and personalized room control systems. These features not only enhance the guest experience but some also streamline the planning process, allowing for seamless communication and organization.

Maximizing the Destination

When it comes to high-end events, the setting plays a starring role. Properties that offer exclusive access to local attractions, immersive cultural experiences, and breathtaking natural beauty are in high demand.  High on many stakeholders lists are venues that serve as a bridge to the destination, offering guests unique opportunities to explore their surroundings and have immersive cultural experiences.

Culinary Excellence

The culinary offerings of a hotel or venue can significantly impact the overall event experience. Properties that prioritize high-quality, locally-sourced cuisine, and offer customizable menu options will stand out. Group travelers want to experience top-tier chefs who can create bespoke dining events that reflect the local culture and satisfy sophisticated palates.

Exceptional Services and Amenities

The level of service and the range of amenities provided by a hotel or venue can elevate an event from great to extraordinary. Properties that offer comprehensive services, such as spa and wellness facilities, butler or cabana concierges, and exclusive entertainment options turn an event into each guest’s personal holiday. Attention to detail and a commitment to excellence in service will ensure the event exceeds your stakeholders’ expectations.

Leveraging Trends to Create Unforgettable Events

For event planners aiming to craft memorable high-end events, staying abreast of top trends for group travel, meetings, and events can help you create the reputation for being THE go-to event planner.

Here’s a quick recap of how to leverage these top trends to reflect your expertise:

1. Use Technology to Your Advantage: Select venues that offer innovative tech solutions to facilitate group interactions and enhance the guest experience. Utilize hotel-provided virtual tours and group-focused hotel booking sites like GroupSync™ to make informed decisions without the need for constant site visits.

  2. Highlight the Destination: Incorporate elements of the destination into the event, whether through decor, entertainment, or activities. Encourage guests to extend their stay and explore what the locale has to offer, enhancing their overall experience.

3. Focus on Culinary Creativity: Collaborate with the venue’s culinary team to design menus that highlight local flavors and traditions, ensuring a unique dining experience that guests will remember long after the event.

4. Customize the Experience: Work closely with your chosen venue to tailor every aspect of the event to your client’s preferences. From personalized welcome gifts to bespoke excursions, these touches will make the event uniquely theirs.

5. Demand Exceptional Service: Choose venues known for their impeccable service and willingness to go above and beyond for their guests. A strong partnership with the venue’s team can make all the difference in executing a flawless event.

By tapping into the latest group travel trends and understanding how to harness them, event planners can elevate their events to new heights. In a world where clients’ desires are constantly evolving, staying informed and adaptable is the key to success. With the right resources, your reputation for creating luxurious, memorable events that captivate and delight guests will continue to grow!

Ready to book an unforgettable group travel experience? Start planning your hotel booking today by creating your FREE GroupSync account !

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See how Cvent can solve your biggest event challenges. Watch a 30-minute demo.

Event Travel Management (ETM)

Proving the value of a strategic meetings management program.

in verified savings through SMMP

reduction in planning statuses with MRF

sunk costs only due to savings through SMMP

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) is an award-winning international provider of innovative and cost-effective travel solutions spanning corporate, events, leisure, loyalty, and wholesale travel. CTM’s event management division, Event Travel Management (ETM), is a global, multi-award-winning provider of professional event management services delivering innovative solutions and exceptional value with each custom tailored event.

ETM first began using Cvent to optimize business efficiencies and services in 2009. Since that point, the organization has grown their solution suite as the business expanded. They have created executive reports and dashboards, streamlined the transient hotel RFP process, reduced manual labor, optimized the attendee experience, and eliminated the need for single point solutions within the business. ETM uses a host of integrated Cvent solutions including Event Management, Cvent Mobile Event Apps, Strategic Meetings Management, Cvent’s Diagramming & Seating solution, the Cvent Supplier Network, Surveys, and much more. “When we first started exploring options, we were looking for a registration technology and a sourcing solution, but more importantly, we were looking for a partner and somebody who would grow with us,” explains Tami Reier, Senior Vice President. “And we certainly have not been disappointed. That has been our experience in the time that we've been with Cvent.” The ETM team notes that the integrated Cvent platform has directly contributed to three key business goals: integrating decision support systems for one source of truth, optimizing purchasing power, and fostering a unified culture.

Ensuring Effective Crisis Management through Strategic Meetings Management

At the outset of the global health crisis, ETM found their Cvent solution suite to be a vital tool in navigating the initial challenges of the pandemic. Many of their scheduled meetings and events were canceled or rebooked, which significantly impacted expected revenue and existing staffing models. Simultaneously, CTM had acquired Travel and Transport Events (now ETM); the acquisition resulted in several new projects centered around staffing, service design, and technology solutions.

The crisis also impacted ETM’s clients. “When the pandemic hit, it was slightly chaotic,” says Julie Huber, Sourcing Manager. She explains that a lack of transparency into data and fluctuations in the daily news around COVID-19 caused confusion amongst various departments within their client’s organizations. She adds, “So we really had to kind of pause and wait to see where this information should come from.”

A large financial industry client had partnered with ETM to streamline their Strategic Meetings Management program. “The client is in insurance, so mitigating risk and spending money wisely is very important to them,” notes Marla Everett, Director, Consulting Solutions. Their SMM program, internally branded “MeetingHub,” was being revamped in tandem with an enterprise-wide transformational growth plan. One of the key goals of this plan was to drive cost savings, which ETM was able to assist with. In March 2020, the organization had 153 signed contracts in excess of $50M when they stopped all travel and meetings.

“When we first started exploring options, we were looking for a registration technology and a sourcing solution, but more importantly, we were looking for a partner and somebody who would grow with us. And we certainly have not been disappointed. That has been our experience in the time that we've been with Cvent.” Tami Reier, Senior Vice President

Understanding the current state of their meetings program in the face of the pandemic was a key to the organization’s ability to navigate the crisis successfully. First, they needed to mitigate loss from canceling or rebooking. In the weeks that followed, the company relied on the MeetingHub SMMP to help mitigate loss from canceling/rebooking and centralize processes to help manage risk management. With evolving guidelines, multiple teams, and inconsistent information, there were significant challenges in understanding what data was needed to make key decisions. Therefore, having centralized data already located within Cvent was invaluable. Marla explains, “What we discovered was that we were tracking a lot of data for events that were going to happen, and we weren't tracking a lot of data to prepare for whether or not we needed to make decisions for the event not to go forward.”

With the discovery of these data gaps, ETM and the organization worked together to assess exactly what data was missing and how they could configure the available data in Cvent to plug any leaks. “We actually went back into Cvent and entered data for each of the contracts that we had regarding cancellation, timelines, milestone dates, when decisions needed to be made, and what the financial impact was,” Marla adds. “We were able to pull what we called the milestone report and made decisions in a timely way, based on the data that we put into Cvent, and we're able to pull out and analyze along the way. “

Optimizing Program Efficiency through a Single Source of Truth

A crisis team was put in place to help manage expectations while quickly finding key solutions for the business. The crisis team involved several key stakeholders across the business, all of whom leveraged the provided reports on a daily basis to make decisions about moving forward. The ETM team was then responsible for reducing touchpoints and implementing the decision across the business. “I think that the critical piece that we did upfront was to decide what data do we need that we don’t have and then go back and put that into the system,” says Marla. Initially, she explains, the business was using a shared online file to track data. “It was being treated as the source of truth and I said, no, Cvent is the single source of truth,” she says. ETM was able to maintain clean and comprehensive data within Cvent instead, creating pathways to better decision making for the business.

“I think that the critical piece that we did upfront was to decide what data do we need that we don’t have and then go back and put that into the system…Cvent is the single source of truth.” Marla Everett, Director, Consulting Solutions

To support the continued transformational growth of the business during the crisis, MeetingHub 2.0 involved several key updates. The organization and ETM together implemented a new Group Booking Agreement (GBA) and “light” version for small meetings. They also incorporated a cost management team’s internal order (IO) number to tie together information from multiple systems. They streamlined key information in the contract processing workflow for GBA’s and updated the unified meeting and event policy to include virtual and hybrid events. Updated data mapping within MeetingHub for senior leadership reports showed overall spend, savings, and meeting pipeline information.

The business was also divided into 16 regions with different teams using Cvent. This resulted in 27 planning statuses and 58 different notifications across the business. They had begun their Solution Evolution process with Cvent prior to the pandemic, but the onset of the crisis complicated future policy and workflows, as well as the migration as a whole. The continuation of their Solution Evolution with Cvent during the workflow redesign reduced planning statuses from 27 to just nine. The workflow redesign drove savings through efficiencies with the program and improved the overall user experience. Tami adds, “This really could not have happened if we didn’t have a solution like Cvent. Being able to generate those reports on-demand and make decisions based on that data was critical to this project.”

They also took advantage of the opportunity to reimagine the organization’s Meeting Request Form (MRF). The now fully-dynamic form gave ETM the opportunity to address gaps in logic. “When we changed the MRF and built in more logic, it closed those holes, even just having one form for everything. It was a huge help for us and set us up for success moving forward,” insists Julie.

“This really could not have happened if we didn’t have a solution like Cvent. Being able to generate those reports on-demand and make decisions based on that data was critical to this project.” Tami Reier, Senior Vice President

The organization now utilizes a cohesive internal microsite for “all things meetings,” says the ETM team. This includes new virtual and hybrid support tools, SSO for the central Access Portal in Cvent, and improved data hygiene for when travel and meetings fully resume. As the organization began incorporating virtual and hybrid service offerings, they realized the need for an integrated platform. They once again turned to Cvent. For one particular division, they adopted the Cvent Attendee Hub to execute events like a two-day conference. The Event Management solution supported multiple registration tracks with custom questions per registration type. They were even able to leverage the registration data to send custom VIP swag boxes directly to attendees.

The importance of MeetingHub in driving efficiencies within the business - even during an unprecedented crisis – cannot be understated. “One of the most important hallmarks of the MeetingHub SMM program is the consolidated reporting which gives a comprehensive view into the overall meeting spend,” explains Tami. “That intelligence is then used to drive meeting strategy.” Having a centralized source to house such complex data means ETM can prove the value of the SMMP during times of crisis. “The cross-events reports drove the strategy used to manage cancellations and rebooking of the MeetingHub contracts, and resulted in $46.75M in verified savings,” she adds. This also meant less than 5% of sunk costs in total for the business. “The data will save you,” insists Julie. “You’re just kind of surviving this, day in and day out, and then seeing the final outcome was incredible.”

The ETM team notes they received feedback across stakeholders of various levels and departments within the organization, all of whom could see these metrics in real time as the pandemic progressed. Marla says, “They were able to see how much savings we were contributing to their organization, which really helped their goals. They had a high cost savings number and all of these efforts helped catapult them towards that finish line.”

“The cross-events reports drove the strategy used to manage cancellations and rebooking of the MeetingHub contracts, and resulted in $46.75M in verified savings.” Tami Reier, Senior Vice President

In fact, the savings identified by the MeetingHub team earned the top position within the company when compared to other sourcing categories and made a significant contribution to their overall enterprise savings goal for 2020. Tami says this model of success is essential for other organizations that may be considering implementing their own programs. “It really highlighted the importance of having a strategic meetings management program,” she says. “We’ve had a lot of conversations with customers as a result of this who are now interested in exploring strategic meetings management and/or technology such as Cvent to get access to that data quickly, should something similar happen. It also just to shows how the day-to-day value of a strategic meetings management program pays for itself.”

Moving forward, ETM will continue supporting their client’s Strategic Meetings Management programs as well as in-person, virtual, and hybrid meetings. As they look forward to the return of travel, they understand the value of having a strong meetings and events team as a critical piece of ETM’s success. “I could not be more proud of this team and everything we’ve been able to accomplish,” concludes Tami. “This is not just in 2020, but as meetings come back and we continue to rebuild.”

Become the Next Cvent Strategic Meetings Management Success Story

Demo our solutions  today to transform your meetings and events.

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) is an award-winning international provider of innovative and cost-effective travel solutions spanning corporate, events, leisure, loyalty, and wholesale travel. CTM’s event management division, Event Travel Management (ETM), is a global multi-award-winning provider of professional event management services delivering innovative solutions and exceptional value with each custom tailored event. ETM’s service offerings include events/conferences, venue sourcing, group air travel, meetings & incentives, attendee management, and strategic meetings management.

Creating a Strategic Meetings Management Program with Cvent to help lower costs, reduce risks, and improve speed-to-market.

A Procurement Perspective on Managing the Unmanaged with Cvent’s Strategic Meetings Management

Proving the financial value of events to exceed executive expectations.

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We are a multi-award winning global meetings and events provider, delivering innovative and powerful experiences for the world's biggest brands

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Incentive Travel, Motivation & Loyalty Programs, Corporate Gifting and Merchandise

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Strategic Meetings Management, Sustainability Event Management Practices & Measurement, Communications and Campaign Strategy, Return on Investment Measurement

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Nurturing Events for a Greener Tomorrow

Given the global nature of our business, we are acutely aware of our impact on the environment. As part of our accountability, we work in partnership with our clients and suppliers to offer insights and advice on strategies they can apply to ensure we all operate in the most responsible and sustainable way.

YES is the meetings and events division of ALTOUR, an Internova Travel Group company.

Our parent company, Internova Travel Group, is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Our size and reach enable us to offer the best-in-class products and services. While our international footprint and travel brands stand out in the industry, the excellence of our people is the true heart of our success.

Our creative team at YES can offer you 360° support and elevate your meetings and events to a whole new level.

Immersive Team Building Experience with a Sustainable Heartbeat

• Type of Event: Team Building
• Industry: Cosmetics
• Number of Attendees: 30 people
• Location: London

Forging Connections, Inspiring Growth and Embracing a Better World for Pets

• Type of Event: Leadership conference
• Industry: Veterinary
• Number of Attendees: 1,000 people
• Location: Denver

Unveiling a Legendary Alpine Incentive

• Type of Event: Luxury incentive
• Industry: Business supplies
• Number of Attendees: 35 people
• Location: Chamonix, France

Crafting Unforgettable Memories in Paradise

• Industry: Pharmaceutical
• Number of Attendees: 130 people
• Location: Anguilla

Creating a Global Kick Off Extravaganza

• Type of Event: Conference & exhibition
• Industry: Telecoms
• Number of Attendees: 800 people
• Location: Amsterdam

Celebrating 90 Years of Beauty

• Type of Event: Awards ceremony & celebration
• Number of Attendees: 900 people

What People Say

Time and time again, you continue to smash our events. I have no negative feedback to share, there is nothing you guys could have done differently. Just incredible.

YES have become an amazing extension to our travel team. We greatly value their expertise and guidance with our incentive events.

Incredibly helpful, during both the planning process and whilst onsite. Giving the best advice for transportation and it always turns out perfectly!

They always go above and beyond on helping plan our meetings, understanding our culture, our company and our needs.

I don’t think I have ever been more impressed with a partner on an all-day business through to social event, ever.

Even when we experienced challenges (as all events do), these were resolved seamlessly.

I am so appreciative of how well we work together with YES and their guidance along the way for creating successful large-scale corporate events.

A Massive Thank You to everyone involved, nothing short of magical and I really mean that. Great event with fantastic people that will live on in memory forever.

Really appreciated the quick response to my requests and how smoothly everything went!

Everything from operational management of the event to proactively leading the structure of the event and engagement was just phenomenal.

Our account manager has worked with us for several years and knows our customers’ needs and interests well. She has become an important part of our team!

As we continue to work on future events, I know that our coordinator at YES will continue to be a valuable member of the team.

Working with YES was an incredible experience! Their meeting planner is one of the best I've worked with, and she brought so much value throughout the entire process.

We had some last-minute changes and my coordinator handled them with extreme professionalism, she’ll be my go-to for all my upcoming meetings.

In the 9+ years that we have worked with YES, they done an outstanding job, from the planning to the execution. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them.

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2024

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2024 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 8-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,014 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $799 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $749.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 10 million dollars to over 160 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-35 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience foodie trip of a lifetime Intrepid Travel’s South Korea Real Food Adventure , which includes time in three cities and an overnight temple stay.

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination. For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina).

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $6,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to closer destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife & Nature: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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The best tools for group trips, from itineraries to getting paid back

The logistics of a friend trip can be a headache. These apps can help.

The saying “the more, the merrier” is almost as romantic as the idea of planning a group vacation.

At first, you might share Instagram Reels from picturesque destinations or gush about the cooking classes, hikes or wine tours you could partake in. It’s the most idealistic phase of planning a group trip, during which you can operate off half-baked daydreams. But then come the trenches of coordinating group travel, where you have to decide on dates, flights, accommodations and budgets. The more people you add to your trip, the more complicated it can become.

The case for a solo day on your next group trip

Kathleen Rokosz, who oversees group travel for AAA, said larger group trips should be planned at least a year in advance, if not longer.

“Give people as much time as possible to pay for their trip. That’s my best advice right there,” she said.

Luckily, there are several tools to help make the process as smooth as possible and minimize those hard conversations. Here are some favorites from travel experts.

For planning: Hopper, Kayak, MiTravel

One of the first steps travelers should take when planning a group trip is deciding on a date, Rokosz said. This can be the starting point to finding great hotel or flight deals, and it can help square away questions on the travel timeline.

The app Hopper , for example, allows you to monitor flight prices using the “Watch” feature; users can plug in the destinations and dates they’re looking at and be notified of any price changes, similar to Kayak’s Best Time to Travel tool . And if you find a great deal but still need time to coordinate with your group, Hopper’s Price Freeze tool allows you to lock in your preferred price and book once those details are confirmed.

“When planning a group trip, it can be daunting to decide where to go and to get everyone to agree on the same destination,” said Hopper lead economist Hayley Berg. “However, in order to score the best deal, we recommend following the deal, not the destination.”

There are also travel planning apps such as MiTravel , which allows travelers to build itineraries and vote on the dates that work for them through polls.

Kayla Inserra Deloache, the consumer travel trends expert for Kayak, recommends the site’s Trip feature, where travelers can share trip details so others know their departure and landing times. The site’s Trip Huddle tool also lets people vote on destinations, travel dates and accommodations .

“You can also easily see if their flight is delayed so you know whether to stick around and wait for them at the airport or meet them at the hotel,” she said.

10 games to pack for getting competitive on your next group trip

For staying in touch: WhatsApp

The command center of the group vacation comes down to the mode of communication.

Tim Lee Hopfinger, founder of Tim’s Coffee , said he creates a WhatsApp group as soon as his group has determined where they’re going and runs every decision and question through that group. He has coordinated more than 10 group trips, with some including as many as 10 people.

“No matter how big or small decisions or changes I make, I run it by every single person in that group,” Hopfinger said. “Don’t leave any room for surprise, as it will only create problems later.”

During a recent trip to Thailand with 10 people, he used poll features in the group chat to decide on a hotel.

This also comes in handy for surprise trips. Liza Moiseeva, head of marketing for Commons , did this on a recent vacation to celebrate her husband’s 40th birthday in Morocco and communicated with an 11-person group using WhatsApp for eight months. They called the chat “Pink Estate,” the name of a prospective olive oil business she hoped to start so her husband didn’t suspect anything. Keeping the conversations out of texts and in one place kept the risk of spoiling the surprise low.

For saving recs: Google and Apple maps, Yelp

Apps such as Google Maps and Apple Maps can help travelers get around their destinations, but they can also be places to store recommendations and build guides.

On a trip to Europe this summer across 23 cities in 10 countries, social media and brand consultant Austin Graff compiled guides for each city using Google Maps and Yelp , and assembled lists based on ratings and reviews for restaurants, sites or neighborhoods he hoped to visit. Graff, who wrote By The Way’s D.C. guide, spent hours on the guides and put them together months before his trip. Because they’re collaborative, his wife also began adding points to the maps.

Use this TikToker’s viral travel tip to find the best places to stay

Lists can be shared and edited among fellow travelers, where users can add favorite spots, restaurants and destinations, as well as notes on why they saved a specific spot. Graff also used Google’s Street View to take virtual tours of neighborhoods to find street art, shops and parks.

For managing money: Tricount, Splitwise

One of the most challenging parts of planning a group trip is the budget.

The stress can compound once you factor in large groups of people. During Moiseeva’s surprise Morocco trip, she tracked all expenses with Tricount , which tracks individual and group expenses. They stayed at Airbnbs in several cities, including Marrakesh, Ouzoud and Essaouira, and they regularly posted how much the group owed for their stays. The same went for routine dinners and excursions over their week-long trip.

Using apps can also help trip planners in collecting deposits from others, which can be used for accommodations, transportation and group activities, creating expense sheets or even setting up an emergency fund, according to Stephanie Webb, a travel expert from See Sight Tours .

How to budget for your dream trip this year

This also came in handy for Jade Oliver from Australia, who embarked on a six-week road trip alongside Australia’s eastern coast with her boyfriend and two of her friends. Many restaurants and cafes wouldn’t split bills for groups, so they stayed organized by having one person foot the bill and log their expenses onto Splitwise , which tracks and splits group expenses.

“I can’t stress enough how easy this made traveling with a group,” she said. “None of us ended up paying more than we needed to.”

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

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