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.

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

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.

Is fall the new summer? Unpacking luxury travel trends with Virtuoso (feat. David Kolner & Misty Belles)

This week on Trade Secrets, Kimberly Wilson Wetty discusses her transition from being the longtime co-owner and co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) to her newest venture, Keep Wondering Why. Wetty reflects honestly on the decision to sell VWT – which was first acquired by another family-owned business before transitioning to ownership by Chase Travel Group – and making the choice to branch out on her own. This episode also delves into Wetty’s passion for ensuring that all travelers feel welcomed and respected.

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

Further resources

Kimberly Wilson Wetty on LinkedIn

Keep Wondering Why on the web, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook

Mentioned in this episode:
Valerie Wilson on Humans of Travel
Wilson Wetty’s LinkedIn posts
 Breaking the glass
Don’t crush the butterfly

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 on Trade Secrets, Kimberly Wilson Wetty discusses her transition from being the longtime co-owner and co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) to her newest venture, Keep Wondering Why. Wetty reflects honestly on the decision to sell VWT &ndash; which was first acquired by another family-owned business before transitioning to ownership by Chase Travel Group &ndash; and making the choice to branch out on her own. This episode also delves into Wetty&rsquo;s passion for ensuring that all travelers feel welcomed and respected.
This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">https://www.travelinsured.com/</a>
<hr>
Further resources
Kimberly Wilson Wetty on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlywilsonwetty/">LinkedIn</a>
Keep Wondering Why on the <a href="https://kwwinc.com/">web</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/kwwinspireyourwhy/">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kwwinspireyourwhy">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kwwinspireyourwhy">Facebook</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Valerie Wilson on <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts/Humans-of-Travel/Humans-of-Travel-Valerie-Wilson">Humans of Travel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Wilson Wetty&rsquo;s LinkedIn posts</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kimberlywilsonwetty_generationalreadiness-kww-luxuryconsultant-activity-7458174394717155328-eZZz?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAABLWrEwBipYMyaXk4AKT1tuR_Omwhg5mtS8">Breaking the glass</a></li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kimberlywilsonwetty_keepwonderingwhy-familybusiness-generationalreadiness-activity-7483581639252430848-UFYh?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAABLWrEwBipYMyaXk4AKT1tuR_Omwhg5mtS8">Don&rsquo;t crush the butterfly</a></li>
</ul>
</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.

“Breaking the glass:” From family-owned Valerie Wilson Travel to a new homegrown initiative (feat: Kimberly Wilson Wetty)

Inspired by a listener question from travel advisor Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx & Evergreen Travel, Trade Secrets explores what’s going on with travel agency bookings. Join co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada in conversation with Cruise Planners’ Michelle Fee and Oasis Travel Network’s Ryan Ranahan, who offer a birds-eye view of what their advisors are experiencing right now, for the rest of the year and even into 2027 and 2028.

This episode was sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

Further resources

Cruise Planners

Oasis Travel Network

Ryan Ranahan on LinkedIn

Need advice?

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.

Inspired by a listener question from travel advisor Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx &amp; Evergreen Travel, Trade Secrets explores what&rsquo;s going on with travel agency bookings. Join co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada in conversation with Cruise Planners&rsquo; Michelle Fee and Oasis Travel Network&rsquo;s Ryan Ranahan, who offer a birds-eye view of what their advisors are experiencing right now, for the rest of the year and even into 2027 and 2028.
This episode was sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.expeditions.com/">National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions</a>.
<hr>
Further resources
<a href="https://www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com/">Cruise Planners</a>
<a href="https://www.oasistravelnetwork.com">Oasis Travel Network</a>
Ryan Ranahan on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-ranahan-3b57988/">LinkedIn</a>
<hr>
Need advice?
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)

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