Trade Secrets is on a winter break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.

Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from “agent” to “advisor,” then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch.

This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands. 

Further resources

Nexion Travel Group on the web

Reach out to Jackie Friedman via email

Mentioned in this episode:
Erica Carr’s bookitbox Travel
Christine Potthoff’s travel beCAUSE
Courtnie Nichols’ client gifting strategy

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 but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.
Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from &ldquo;agent&rdquo; to &ldquo;advisor,&rdquo; then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch.
This episode was sponsored by the <a href="https://www.globusandcosmos.com/">Globus family of brands</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Nexion Travel Group <a href="https://www.nexion.com">on the web</a>
Reach out to Jackie Friedman <a href="mailto:jackie.friedman@nexion.com">via email</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Erica Carr&rsquo;s <a href="https://bookitboxtravel.com/">bookitbox Travel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Christine Potthoff&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/travelbeCAUSE/">travel beCAUSE</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Courtnie Nichols&rsquo; <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Jamie-Biesiada/Advisor-gifts-that-keep-giving">client gifting strategy</a></li>
</ul>
<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 and TravelAge West, 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 is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives — the highs and lows that make them human.


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 and TravelAge West, 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 is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives &mdash; the highs and lows that make them human.
<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: Travel advisors, what’s your elevator pitch? (feat. Jackie Friedman)

Trade Secrets is on a holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.

When it’s time to expand your business, what’s the best way to do it? Should you hire independent contractors, employees or assistants? Then, once they’re onboarded, how do you effectively train — and, subsequently, trust — your new people? All that and more is covered in this week’s Trade Secrets, when co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada talk business expansion with Julie Lanham, president of Vacations to Remember in Augusta, Ga.

This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands. 

Further resources

Julie Lanham on Instagram 

Mentioned in this episode:
From TravelAge West: Why you should consider hiring an international virtual assistant
From TravelAge West: Travel agencies are struggling to hire qualified advisors, according to a new survey
Lucia

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 holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.
When it&rsquo;s time to expand your business, what&rsquo;s the best way to do it? Should you hire independent contractors, employees or assistants? Then, once they&rsquo;re onboarded, how do you effectively train &mdash; and, subsequently, trust &mdash; your new people? All that and more is covered in this week&rsquo;s Trade Secrets, when co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada talk business expansion with Julie Lanham, president of Vacations to Remember in Augusta, Ga.
This episode was sponsored by the <a href="https://www.globusandcosmos.com/">Globus family of brands</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Julie Lanham <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julie_the_travel_guru">on Instagram</a>&nbsp;
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">From TravelAge West: Why you should consider <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Opinion/why-hire-a-virtual-assistant">hiring an international virtual assistant</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">From TravelAge West: Travel agencies are struggling to hire qualified advisors, <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/travel-advisor-career">according to a new survey</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.letslucia.com/">Lucia</a></li>
</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 do you grow your travel agency — and trust your new advisors?

Trade Secrets is on a holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.

This week, Trade Secrets takes on the world. Jennifer Doncsecz of VIP Vacations returns to the podcast to discuss her specialty: destination weddings and honeymoons. She talks about everything from getting started selling destination weddings and honeymoons, to turning those travelers into clients for life. Then, she answers a number of listener questions about destinations, ranging from the benefits of visiting a spot before selling it, qualifying for fam trips and where to send clients headed to Europe for the first time.

This episode was sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Further resources

VIP Vacations on Facebook 

Jennifer Doncsecz’s email 

Jennifer’s previous Trade Secrets episodes:
All things branding
Destination weddings and honeymoons

Mentioned in this episode:
Death of a Travel Advisor by Dori Saltzman
The Travel Institute’s course on destination weddings and honeymoons
From Travel Weekly: Getting into groups

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 holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites.
This week, Trade Secrets takes on the world. Jennifer Doncsecz of VIP Vacations returns to the podcast to discuss her specialty: destination weddings and honeymoons. She talks about everything from getting started selling destination weddings and honeymoons, to turning those travelers into clients for life. Then, she answers a number of listener questions about destinations, ranging from the benefits of visiting a spot before selling it, qualifying for fam trips and where to send clients headed to Europe for the first time.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.afkl.biz/s/?language=en_US">KLM Royal Dutch Airlines</a>.
<hr>
Further resources
VIP Vacations on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/travelbyvip">Facebook</a>&nbsp;
Jennifer Doncsecz&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jennifer@vacationsbyvip.com">email</a>&nbsp;
Jennifer&rsquo;s previous Trade Secrets episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-three-all-things-branding/id1555272051?i=1000513923719">All things branding</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-four-destination-weddings-honeymoons/id1555272051?i=1000515794088">Destination weddings and honeymoons</a></li>
</ul>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Death-Travel-Advisor-Best-Mystery/dp/B0D6J9BVH7?ref_=ast_author_dp">Death of a Travel Advisor</a> by Dori Saltzman</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.thetravelinstitute.com/courses/honeymoons-and-destination-weddings-a-lifestyle-specialist-course/">The Travel Institute&rsquo;s course</a> on destination weddings and honeymoons</li>
<li aria-level="1">From Travel Weekly: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Getting-into-groups-part-1-of-2">Getting into groups</a></li>
</ul>
<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.

Encore: Oh, the places you’ll go! Destination weddings, honeymoons & beyond, feat. Jennifer Donscesz

What does the new year have in store for travel advisors? On this week’s episode of Trade Secrets, the last of season six, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada give an overview of 2025 trends and break down their predictions for 2026. Will 2025’s bumpy road continue? Who will most influence travel decisions? What type of travel will continue to explode in popularity? Find out the answers to those questions — and more — on this week’s episode.

Trade Secrets will take a break after this episode, sharing some old favorites until season seven begins in early 2026. Happy holidays!

This episode was sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Further resources

From Travel Weekly: Travel that spans the generations

From Travel Weekly: A gift that keeps on giving (Signature’s family travel magazine)

DMCs:
DMCs help bring the ‘wow’ (story)
DMCs: Your travel advisor’s (not-so-secret) travel-planning partner (podcast)
Demystifying DMCs (Trade Secrets podcast)

Brand USA’s America’s 250 events

Phocuswright social media panel with representatives from Reddit, TikTok and YouTube

Family Travel Association research on “kidfluence”

Get in touch!

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.

What does the new year have in store for travel advisors? On this week&rsquo;s episode of Trade Secrets, the last of season six, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada give an overview of 2025 trends and break down their predictions for 2026. Will 2025&rsquo;s bumpy road continue? Who will most influence travel decisions? What type of travel will continue to explode in popularity? Find out the answers to those questions &mdash; and more &mdash; on this week&rsquo;s episode.
Trade Secrets will take a break after this episode, sharing some old favorites until season seven begins in early 2026. Happy holidays!
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.afkl.biz/s/?language=en_US">KLM Royal Dutch Airlines</a>.
<hr>
Further resources
From Travel Weekly: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Travel-that-spans-the-generations">Travel that spans the generations</a>
From Travel Weekly: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Jamie-Biesiada/A-gift-that-keeps-on-giving">A gift that keeps on giving</a> (Signature&rsquo;s family travel magazine)
DMCs:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/DMCs-help-bring-the-wow">DMCs help bring the &lsquo;wow&rsquo;</a> (story)</li>
<li aria-level="1">DMCs: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/DMCs-travel-advisor-in-destination-planner">Your travel advisor&rsquo;s (not-so-secret) travel-planning partner</a> (podcast)</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Trade-Secrets/Season-five-episode-fifteen-Demystifying-DMCs">Demystifying DMCs</a> (Trade Secrets podcast)</li>
</ul>
Brand USA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.thebrandusa.com/media/newsroom/brand-usa-partners-america250-promote-nations-semiquincentennial-globally">America&rsquo;s 250 events</a>
<a href="https://www.phocuswire.com/phocuswright-conference-2025-social-search-influencing-future-travel">Phocuswright social media panel</a> with representatives from Reddit, TikTok and YouTube
Family Travel Association <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Family-Travel/the-kidfluence-effect-on-travel">research on &ldquo;kidfluence&rdquo;</a>
<hr>
Get in touch!
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: Travel advisors, what’s your elevator pitch? (feat. Jackie Friedman)

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