Virtuoso Travel Tech Summit to spotlight innovation, emerging trends

Virtuoso will host its fourth annual Travel Tech Summit on Saturday, August 9, at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, as part of its 37th annual Virtuoso Travel Week.

With attendance nearly doubled this year, the Summit expects around 500 participants, reflecting growing interest in how technology is enhancing—not replacing—human connections in luxury travel.

The summit is led by tech entrepreneur, investor and Virtuoso board member Gilad Berenstein, who will open the discussion by showcasing key themes in travel technology he has been following over the past year, as well as the development of Virtuoso’s tech ecosystem.

“One of the things that makes the Travel Tech Summit such a success and something people want to attend year after year is that we continuously evolved the format and topics,” said Berenstein. “In previous years, we’ve focused on showcasing ideas and innovations from outside of Virtuoso for mutual learning, which has fueled an ecosystem of startups tailoring their systems and products for travel advisors.”

“This year, we are highlighting technology developments from within Virtuoso. Thanks to the evolution of Virtuoso’s Tech Innovation Program, the level of tech sophistication in the network has grown exponentially. This year’s Tech Summit aims to empower advisors and partners to dive further into the developments available to them through Virtuoso, celebrate in-house innovation and, most importantly, walk away with actionable steps and inspiration they can incorporate into their own businesses.”

Attendees can expect a variety of formats, including presentations, panels, roundtables, and Q&As. Highlights include:

• Betsy Grebinoski (Pique Travel) and Fernanda Barrence (The Trip Boutique) on integrating AI into travel planning using an “agency brain.”
• Dianna Rom (Windstar Cruises) and Jared Shalhoub (AmaWaterways) on creating immersive experiences through virtual reality.
• Kate Sullivan (Anthology Travel) and David Shull (Tern) on streamlining luxury travel operations through unified systems.
• Vincent Shacks (Wilderness Destinations) on protecting wildlife in Botswana with GPS-enabled Lion Alert Systems.
• Paul Kearney, Virtuoso SVP of Technology, on building an interoperable tech ecosystem tailored to the diverse needs of agencies and partners.

“In technology, Virtuoso is focused on building systems that support the unique needs of each agency, advisor and partner," said Kearney in a release. "Our approach is rooted in the belief that no single solution fits every business - which is why we’re investing in a flexible, interoperable ecosystem that brings together the tools and platforms our network relies on. At this year’s Tech Summit, we’re excited to highlight in-house innovation and share how we’re making it easier for advisors to spend less time navigating technology - while also creating space for innovation and new ways of doing business.”

Virtuoso Senior Product Manager Barbara Joseph will moderate a panel of advisors sharing insights from navigating major tech transitions, providing practical takeaways for successful adaptation.

External voices will also take the stage. In a fireside chat, Berenstein will join Rafat Ali, CEO of Skift, to explore how shifting geopolitics, demographics, and consumer expectations are reshaping travel. Lisa Cain (Florida International University) will examine AI’s role in maintaining high-touch service, while investors Cara Whitehall (Thayer Investment Partners) and Michael Zeisser (FMZVentures) will discuss the future of innovation in travel, hospitality, and real estate.

The popular Startup Showcase returns, offering a glimpse into travel tech’s future. Startups include:

Abra Hospitality – Enables hyper-personalized hotel service at scale.

BeCause – Connects sustainability systems across the travel supply chain.

Bonafide – Ensures accurate brand representation in AI applications.

Bellboy Robotics – Introduces robotics to streamline behind-the-scenes hotel operations.

Levee – Uses vision and voice AI to optimize hotel labor and operational efficiency.

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