Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
Best Targeted Marketing Idea
Best Group Booking Effort
Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
Saving the Day
Best Use of Social Media

This episode features Katy Caldwell-Cole, founder of Touring Folk, who was nominated in the Saving the Day category.

Episode sponsor: Brendan Vacations

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

TravelAge West Wave Awards

TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards

Also From TravelAge West: In 3 Years, This Travel Advisor Built a $9 Million Business With Just 6 Clients. Here’s How.

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Best Targeted Marketing Idea</li>
<li aria-level="1">Best Group Booking Effort</li>
<li aria-level="1">Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40</li>
<li aria-level="1">Saving the Day</li>
<li aria-level="1">Best Use of Social Media</li>
</ul>
This episode features Katy Caldwell-Cole, founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.touringfolk.agency">Touring Folk</a>, who was nominated in the Saving the Day category.
Episode sponsor: <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/en-us">Brendan Vacations</a><a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave"></a>
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave">TravelAge West Wave Awards</a>
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave-awards/trendsetters">TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards</a>
Also From TravelAge West:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/entertainment-travel-advisor">In 3 Years, This Travel Advisor Built a $9 Million Business With Just 6 Clients. Here&rsquo;s How.</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

Humans of Travel

TravelAge West&rsquo;s podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences &mdash; the highs and the lows &mdash; that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Katy Caldwell-Cole (Saving the Day)

In this live episode of Humans of Travel, host Chelsee Lowe talks smart business growth with Joe Leon, vice president of sales, the Americas for Silversea; Marc-Antoine Kamel, national director, Canada, for Norwegian Cruise Line; and Mickey McBride, vice president of sales for Avoya Travel. The trio attended Future Leaders in Travel in Mexico’s Riviera Maya last month to share their career paths and impart business wisdom to both travel advisors and fellow suppliers in the audience. 

The panel discussion covers tackling professional and personal curveballs, taking risks, finding mentors, building confidence, dedicating time each day to business development, leveraging personal networks and much more. Listen in for practical and applicable ideas from three great business minds. 

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Future Leaders in Travel

Silversea

Norwegian Cruise Line

Avoya Travel

Lomas Hospitality

El Dorado Royale

Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

In this live episode of Humans of Travel, host Chelsee Lowe talks smart business growth with Joe Leon, vice president of sales, the Americas for Silversea; Marc-Antoine Kamel, national director, Canada, for Norwegian Cruise Line; and Mickey McBride, vice president of sales for Avoya Travel. The trio attended Future Leaders in Travel in Mexico&rsquo;s Riviera Maya last month to share their career paths and impart business wisdom to both travel advisors and fellow suppliers in the audience.&nbsp;
The panel discussion covers tackling professional and personal curveballs, taking risks, finding mentors, building confidence, dedicating time each day to business development, leveraging personal networks and much more. Listen in for practical and applicable ideas from three great business minds.&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a>.
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.futureleadersintravel.com/">Future Leaders in Travel</a>
<a href="https://www.silversea.com/">Silversea</a>
<a href="https://www.ncl.com/">Norwegian Cruise Line</a>
<a href="https://www.avoyatravel.com/">Avoya Travel</a>
<a href="https://www.lomashospitality.com/en/">Lomas Hospitality</a>
<a href="https://www.lomashospitality.com/en/hotel-dorado-royale-in-riviera-maya/">El Dorado Royale</a>
<a href="https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/">Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Live From Future Leaders in Travel: Business Wisdom From Sales Experts Joe Leon, Marc-Antoine Kamel and Mickey McBride

Marcus Williams is the owner of Houston-based travel agency Impressive Travels. After spending years in the medical world, Williams was inspired to pivot to the travel industry after his own destination wedding in Jamaica — seeing the joy his family and friends experienced abroad made him want to build similar vacations for others, and to educate people on the feasibility of travel.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Williams talks about group trips — including a recent Crop Over experience he hosted in Barbados — as well as how consistency, professional boundaries and ongoing education have helped him scale his business. Williams explains how firsthand destination knowledge and daily social media posts drive his success, with about 60% of business coming from social media. He also talks about balancing growing professional demands with family life, his love of fashion, how he prides himself on knowing where to send clients for a good time (clubs, hookah bars) in destination and a new HipHop Party Boat product he’s building in partnership with Renny Travel in the Dominican Republic.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Impressive Travels

Impressive Travels on Instagram

Impressive Travels on Facebook

Impressive Travels on TikTok

Global Travel Marketplace Events

Renny Travel and HipHop Party Boat

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Marcus Williams is the owner of Houston-based travel agency <a href="https://www.impressivetravels.com/">Impressive Travels</a>. After spending years in the medical world, Williams was inspired to pivot to the travel industry after his own destination wedding in Jamaica &mdash; seeing the joy his family and friends experienced abroad made him want to build similar vacations for others, and to educate people on the feasibility of travel.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Williams talks about group trips &mdash; including a recent <a href="https://www.visitbarbados.org/mission-crop-over">Crop Over</a> experience he hosted in Barbados &mdash; as well as how consistency, professional boundaries and ongoing education have helped him scale his business. Williams explains how firsthand destination knowledge and daily social media posts drive his success, with about 60% of business coming from social media. He also talks about balancing growing professional demands with family life, his love of fashion, how he prides himself on knowing where to send clients for a good time (clubs, hookah bars) in destination and a new <a href="https://rennytravel.com/tours/hiphop-party-boat">HipHop Party Boat</a> product he&rsquo;s building in partnership with <a href="https://rennytravel.com/">Renny Travel</a> in the Dominican Republic.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a>.
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.impressivetravels.com/">Impressive Travels</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/impressivetravels/?hl=en">Impressive Travels on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Impressive-Travels-Travel-Agency/61574041161620/">Impressive Travels on Facebook</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@impressivetravels">Impressive Travels on TikTok</a>
<a href="https://www.gtmbynorthstar.com/">Global Travel Marketplace Events</a>
<a href="https://rennytravel.com/">Renny Travel</a> and <a href="https://rennytravel.com/tours/hiphop-party-boat">HipHop Party Boat</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Marcus Williams of Impressive Travels On Group Travel, Being Consistent and Overpacking in the Name of Fashion

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.

The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
Best Targeted Marketing Idea
Best Group Booking Effort
Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
Saving the Day
Best Use of Social Media

This episode features Hope Reynolds of Timeless Travel Collective, who was nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Idea category.

Episode sponsor: Travel Insured International

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Timeless Travel Collective

Timeless Travel Collective on Instagram

TravelAge West Wave Awards

TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Best Targeted Marketing Idea</li>
<li aria-level="1">Best Group Booking Effort</li>
<li aria-level="1">Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40</li>
<li aria-level="1">Saving the Day</li>
<li aria-level="1">Best Use of Social Media</li>
</ul>
This episode features Hope Reynolds of <a href="https://timelesstravelcollective.com/">Timeless Travel Collective</a>, who was nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Idea category.
Episode sponsor: <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a><a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave"></a>
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://timelesstravelcollective.com/">Timeless Travel Collective</a>
<a href="instagram.com/timelesstravelcollective">Timeless Travel Collective on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave">TravelAge West Wave Awards</a>
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave-awards/trendsetters">TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Chelsee-Lowe">Chelsee Lowe</a> is Senior Editor of&nbsp;TravelAge&nbsp;West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She&rsquo;s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge&nbsp;West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Katy Caldwell-Cole (Saving the Day)

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