Trade Secrets is on a winter break. We're sharing some of our favorite episodes until we return.

Travel advisors, how do you handle it when a client has unrealistic expectations? What if they ask to stay at a property you wouldn’t recommend (especially if they serve truly lackluster midnight hotdogs)? What do you do when their budget is unrealistic for the trip they want? Or, what if they have a really bad experience while they’re in-destination? Get advice on all that and more in this week’s episode of Trade Secrets, where co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by Abbey Meyer, CEO of Sky High Travel in St. Louis, Missouri.

This episode was sponsored by Collette.

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets is on a winter break. We're sharing some of our favorite episodes until we return.
Travel advisors, how do you handle it when a client has unrealistic expectations? What if they ask to stay at a property you wouldn&rsquo;t recommend (especially if they serve truly lackluster midnight hotdogs)? What do you do when their budget is unrealistic for the trip they want? Or, what if they have a really bad experience while they&rsquo;re in-destination? Get advice on all that and more in this week&rsquo;s episode of Trade Secrets, where co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by Abbey Meyer, CEO of Sky High Travel in St. Louis, Missouri.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.gocollette.com/en/travel-advisors">Collette</a>.
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com</a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:

Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.

Emma Weissmann brings more than a decade of reporting and editing experience to her role as Features Editor at Travel Weekly, where she covers destinations and retail travel and contributes to social media, podcast and multimedia initiatives. Before joining Travel Weekly, Emma served as Editor-in-Chief of AGENTatHOME and Executive Editor of TravelAge West and hosted the Humans of Travel podcast. She also helped create and produce the Future Leaders in Travel event for early-career travel advisors.


Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners&rsquo; questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more &mdash; as long as it&rsquo;s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at <a href="http://travelweekly.com/podcasts">travelweekly.com/podcasts</a>.
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:
Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors&rsquo; 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.
Emma Weissmann brings more than a decade of reporting and editing experience to her role as Features Editor at Travel Weekly, where she covers destinations and retail travel and contributes to social media, podcast and multimedia initiatives. Before joining Travel Weekly, Emma served as Editor-in-Chief of AGENTatHOME and Executive Editor of TravelAge West and hosted the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts/Humans-of-travel">Humans of Travel</a> podcast. She also helped create and produce the Future Leaders in Travel event for early-career travel advisors.
<hr>
 Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: <a href="https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop">https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop</a> License: <a href="https://filmmusic.io/standard-license">https://filmmusic.io/standard-license</a>
<hr>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Trade Secrets Podcast

Trade Secrets

Encore: How should travel advisors manage client expectations?

As a travel advisor or supplier, what are your most pressing legal questions? That was the question posed to attendees at Future Leaders in Travel, an event for young travel advisors and suppliers powered by Travel Weekly’s sister publication, TravelAge West.

Co-host Emma Weissmann was on-site at the event, held in late August in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and sat down during the general session with Stephanie Hankins, an attorney and travel advisor at Fora, to tackle attendees’ legal questions. Hankins addresses the importance of creating iron-clad terms and conditions, how to properly classify independent contractors, how to protect yourself against fraud, the ethics of using AI and the question she most frequently receives from suppliers.

This episode was recorded live, on-site, at Future Leaders in Travel, during the event’s general session on August 26.

This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. 

Further resources
Ment Law Group
Hankins on Instagram
Future Leaders in Travel
TravelAge West

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a travel advisor or supplier, what are your most pressing legal questions? That was the question posed to attendees at Future Leaders in Travel, an event for young travel advisors and suppliers powered by Travel Weekly&rsquo;s sister publication, TravelAge West.
Co-host Emma Weissmann was on-site at the event, held in late August in Mexico&rsquo;s Riviera Maya, and sat down during the general session with Stephanie Hankins, an attorney and travel advisor at Fora, to tackle attendees&rsquo; legal questions. Hankins addresses the importance of creating iron-clad terms and conditions, how to properly classify independent contractors, how to protect yourself against fraud, the ethics of using AI and the question she most frequently receives from suppliers.
This episode was recorded live, on-site, at Future Leaders in Travel, during the event&rsquo;s general session on August 26.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mentlaw.com/">Ment Law Group</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Hankins on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hankinsonthegeaux/">Instagram</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.futureleadersintravel.com/">Future Leaders in Travel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelagewest.com">TravelAge West</a></li>
</ul>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets on the road: Ask a lawyer at Future Leaders in Travel (feat. Stephanie Hankins of Ment Law Group)

Picking a niche – or two – is a solid strategy for any agency business. This week on Trade Secrets, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada break down the benefits of specialization with Avoya’s Mickey McBride and top producer Dana Dziegiel. They cover everything from finding the right specialties to identifying great supplier partners and up-and-coming markets.

Thanks to our friends at Tern for helping us solicit travel advisor questions this season. https://tern.travel/

This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. https://www.travelinsured.com/

Further resources

Dana Dziegiel on Instagram and LinkedIn

Email Mickey McBride

Avoya Travel on the web

Need advice?ff

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picking a niche &ndash; or two &ndash; is a solid strategy for any agency business. This week on Trade Secrets, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada break down the benefits of specialization with Avoya&rsquo;s Mickey McBride and top producer Dana Dziegiel. They cover everything from finding the right specialties to identifying great supplier partners and up-and-coming markets.
Thanks to our friends at Tern for helping us solicit travel advisor questions this season. <a href="https://tern.travel/">https://tern.travel/</a>
This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">https://www.travelinsured.com/</a>
<hr>
Further resources
<a href="https://www.avoyatravel.com/experts/dana-dziegiel/">Dana Dziegiel</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gypsea_dana/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-dziegiel-20aa7793/">LinkedIn</a>
Email <a href="mailto:mickey.mcbride@avoyatravel.com">Mickey McBride</a>
Avoya Travel <a href="avoyanetwork.com">on the web</a>
<hr>
Need advice?ff
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To niche, or not to niche? Finding your agency’s sweet spot (feat. Mickey McBride and Dana Dziegiel)

This week, Trade Secrets is coming to you from the halls of the Aria Resort & Casino at Virtuoso Travel Week. Co-host Jamie Biesiada is joined by guest host Johanna Jainchill, Travel Weekly’s editor in chief, and Virtuoso’s own David Kolner and Misty Belles. They cover the latest luxury travel trends, from the hot fall season to “maxxing” and beyond.

This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. 

Further resources

Virtuoso on the web, on Instagram and on TikTok

Email Virtuoso’s public relations department

Mentioned in this episode:
Johanna Jainchill on Trade Secrets After Dark
The Bedford by Martha Stewart
Brené Brown
Travel Weekly’s Virtuoso Travel Week 2026 coverage:
Virtuoso forecasts 2026 sales will be up nearly 21%
Virtuoso unveils AI-powered intelligence tool
The Takeaway: Let’s end these travel trends
At Virtuoso Travel Week, word of another banner year

Need advice?

 

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Trade Secrets is coming to you from the halls of the Aria Resort &amp; Casino at Virtuoso Travel Week. Co-host Jamie Biesiada is joined by guest host Johanna Jainchill, Travel Weekly&rsquo;s editor in chief, and Virtuoso&rsquo;s own David Kolner and Misty Belles. They cover the latest luxury travel trends, from the hot fall season to &ldquo;maxxing&rdquo; and beyond.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Virtuoso <a href="https://www.virtuoso.com/">on the web</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/virtuosoltd">on Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@virtuosoltd">on TikTok</a>
Email Virtuoso&rsquo;s <a href="mailto:PR@virtuoso.com">public relations department</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Johanna Jainchill on <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Trade-Secrets/After-Dark-episode-five-editorial-strategy">Trade Secrets After Dark</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-vegas/restaurants/the-bedford-by-martha-stewart">The Bedford</a> by Martha Stewart</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://brenebrown.com/">Bren&eacute; Brown</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Travel Weekly&rsquo;s Virtuoso Travel Week 2026 coverage:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Virtuoso forecasts 2026 <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Virtuoso-predicts-2026-sales-will-be-up-20-8-percent-over-2025">sales will be up nearly 21%</a></li>
<li aria-level="2">Virtuoso unveils <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Virtuoso-unveils-new-AI-powered-intelligence-capability">AI-powered intelligence tool</a></li>
<li aria-level="2">The Takeaway: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Johanna-Jainchill/Lets-end-these-travel-trends">Let&rsquo;s end these travel trends</a></li>
<li aria-level="2">At Virtuoso Travel Week, <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Virtuoso-says-2026-another-banner-year">word of another banner year</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
&nbsp;
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encore: How should travel advisors manage client expectations?

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