Connect. Learn. Thrive. Luxury Travel Forum and Think Tank
Travel Pivots, created and inspired by the pandemic, is held annually. Series Four will return at The Arizona Biltmore!
Our Story
Travel Pivots Series (Series Three held in AZ in 2024) was created post pandemic in 2022, when the luxury travel industry had to pivot in more ways than one: professionally and personally. As our industry navigates (i.e. pivots) towards the end goal, to make our industry better, a group of individuals is better than one to make this happe
Travel Pivots Series (Series Three held in AZ in 2024) was created post pandemic in 2022, when the luxury travel industry had to pivot in more ways than one: professionally and personally. As our industry navigates (i.e. pivots) towards the end goal, to make our industry better, a group of individuals is better than one to make this happen. Founder, Suzanne Shalaby, with over 19 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry, partnered with Tyiesha Thaxton, Director of Leisure Sales, with over 29 years of experience, and the team at The Arizona Biltmore. The reputable Julie Mathews, joined forces as well, during Series One. They worked together to create and cohost a forum where participants can exchange ideas, successes, challenges and failures from their pivots in an open inviting setting. Now Travel Pivots has become a collective group effort. The open minded forum exchange is limited to 50 of the best of the best attendees of both partners on the luxury advisor and partner side. Selected attendees’ years of experience vary from the seasoned to the newest in the industry based across The United States and Canada. Thank you to all those participating!
"Pivoting isn't Plan B; it's part of the process."
Jeff Goins
Travel Pivots Series Four July 23-25, 2025 Attendees
Advisor Partners
Mickey Weill , Global Travel Collection, WA
Robin Sanchez, Montecito Village Travel, AZ
Didi Johnson, Smartflyer, CO
Aanchal Gandhi, Cozy Travel, CA
Ashley Gallo, TL365, IL
Rachel Stabotsky, Jetset World Travel, KS
Leah Kirgis, Cadence, CA
Carrie Wallace, Cerulean World Travel/Fam Guru, IL
Jill Taylor, Jetset World Travel, IL
Doug Orens, Chase Travel Group, CA
Tori Medlin, Smartflyer, AZ
JJ Todd, Cadence, NV
Carlee Todd, Cadence, NV
Jay Johnson, Coastline Travel Group, CA
Loretta Lasseigne Sedghi, Travelstore, CA
David Bragg, Smartflyer, TN
Dani Risch, Protravel, GA
Christina Ricci, Esteemed Escapes, CA
Sharon Walters, Coastline Travel Group, CA
Nathan Cripps, Navigate Experts, WA
Hedy Marks, Cadence, GA
Samantha Collum, River Oaks Travel, TX
Katie Schmit, Travel Society, ID
Jill Robbins, Eden For Your World, CA
Jenny Hong, Fora, TX
Steve Harris, Global Travel Collection, TX
Dave Kass, Coastline Travel Group, AZ
Supplier Partners
Tyiesha Thaxton, Arizona Biltmore
Marcus Hemphill, Arizona Biltmore
John Hector, Belmond
Anil Pathak, Peirce and Leslie
Julie Mathews, Montage Laguna Beach
Lindsey Graff, Preferred Hotels
Tyler La Mont, Index Select
Farid Zekri, British Airways
Jennifer Tanaka, Silversea
Natalie Payne, Calliope Collective
Lisa Tatiana, Andaz Maui and Hana Maui
Stephanie Seghers, The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
Rebecca McArthur, Marriott Luxury Hotels
Jamie Fisher, Montage International
Dan Jorgeson, Aero
Suzanne Shalaby, Park Hyatt, Americas
Jonathan Hamel, Kerzner International
Jill Longfellow, Go Rentals
Catrina Miyazaki, Experience Scottsdale
Jay Cedillo, Hotel Valley Ho
Amy Yearwood Crider, The Stein Collection
Dylan English, Hilton Luxury Hotels
Tara D'Agostino, Wanderluxe Destinations
Rich Ramirez, Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol
Rebecca Dixon, Crafted Ireland
Featured Guests
James Shillinglaw, Editor in Chief and Co-Founder, Insider Travel Report
Eric Rodriguez, The Future of Human Experience
Yvette Edwards, SVP of Field Operations, Luxury & Miraval, Hyatt
Travel Pivots Series Four Planning Committee
Suzanne Shalaby
Tyiesha Thaxton
Alicia Beggs
Marcus Hemphill
Julie Mathews
John Hector
Leah Kirgis
Lindsey Graff
Carrie Wallace
Our Partners for Travel Pivots Series Four July 23-25, 2025
