For the second time since 2019, Pack for a Purpose was invited by Signature Travel Network CEO Alex Sharpe to be guests this November at the Signature Travel Network (STN) Conference. With over 2,700 Travel Advisors and Preferred Partners in attendance, this was an amazing opportunity to introduce Pack for a Purpose to those who were still unaware of PfaP, and to meet in person several current PfaP Participants who were attending. We were joined by our terrific Board member Nina Patel who is also a STN Travel Advisor.
PfaP’s booth was in a prime location at the main entrance to the exhibit hall. With the technical assistance of my dear friend Nathalie Vidal, we were able to create a display that was easy to transport to the show and had great eye appeal. Alexis Gonzales from the STN team was there to support us, answering any questions we had and making sure we would shine. STN provided a marvelous sign and Rachel Thibodeaux of Production Elements, LLC ( the selected designer for this show) literally gave us luggage to use in the display.
We were right next to the booth for Travel Elevates, the Foundation started by Signature Travel Network. Travel Elevates provides all the clients of their advisors a powerful way to contribute to the communities they visit. Alex Sharpe the CEO of Signature Travel Network continues to be truly supportive of Pack for a Purpose and is a wonderful advocate of our work!
Being able to introduce our mission to so many people at the conference provided us with incredible reach in the travel community. Speakers promoted Pack for a Purpose in workshop sessions and in one of the general sessions. Signature Travel Network’s belief in PfaP was clear and positive.
Karryn Christopher, STN’s Executive Director of Marketing & Preferred Partnerships, gave us a list of presentations and workshops to attend. They helped us understand the roles of STN’s Preferred Partners and Travel advisors, and how useful a resource PfaP can be. We also became aware of how PfaP can be integrated into STN’s technology and promotional resources.
Meeting several of our participants who were at the show was a real highlight of the conference. It was a true pleasure to meet and converse with Nick and Thato from Wilderness Africa. Wilderness has promoted and advocated on PfaP’s behalf from our very beginning. Their belief in our work has been unwavering. Having their recognition gave us great credibility when we launched PfaP in 2009 as an unknown entity. The generous guests of Wilderness who have chosen to Pack for a Purpose have taken over 1,000 kilos of requested supplies for their Children in the Wilderness program.
Both Beyond and Jack’s Camp, two more of our African Participants, also attended.
The Fairmont Mayakoba in Mexico, a participant on our website since 2016, has received 741 kilos for the projects they support.
Seeing one of the newest Participants to our website Rancho Santana in Nicaragua, was delightful. We exchanged booth visits, and were happy to hear how pleased they are to be part of PfaP. We were also able to meet with PfaP participants Aqua Expeditions in Peru and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection in Cambodia, both attendees at the conference, however, due to how busy it was at that time we were unable to take a photo.
We were welcomed in the conference operations room and were able to meet many of Signature Travel Network’s awesome staff. We are especially thankful for all the help provided by Lissa Evans, CMP, SMMC their Director of Events. Their corporate culture is congenial and extremely professional. Seeing the team in action was inspirational. We are extremely grateful to Alex and the Signature Travel Network for their generosity in hosting us and their sincere belief in the mission of Pack for a Purpose.