PHOTO: A classic and classy British sendoff for Nicola Butler (third from right) and Lorraine Engledow of Noteworthy as they head out on their 10-day, five-city, three-time zone tour of the USA ending up at the Signature Travel Network Annual Sales Meeting And Trade Show in Las Vegas. (Courtesy: Nicola Butler)
Big Ben is going up and I'm watching the construction.
I'm sitting next to Nicola Butler, Managing Director of Noteworthy, the British and Irish island bespoke travel specialists at her booth at the Signature Travel Network annual Sales Meeting and Trade Show in Las Vegas.
Big Ben and the iconic red telephone booth - both made out of cardboard - are being carefully put together so that travel agents and advisors can have a special photo opportunity. It's a souvenir they can take home to remind them of Noteworthy. It'll be something to remember.
"What day is it?" asks Butler.
I smile and let her know it's still only Friday. Butler knows what day it is. She doesn't miss a trick. But she's hammering home the point of an executive who spends critical time on the road in order to provide the face-to-face networking experience with her clients.
PHOTO: NIcola Butler (Courtesy: Noteworthy)
And her clients clamor for the appointments. American travel agents can't get enough of the British and Irish island specialists.
"We design itineraries for a once in a lifetime experience," said Butler. "We bring our team specialists with 'black book' contacts and a deep passion for Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland."
Noteworthy is known for more than its access. It's known for Susie Worthy, the owner and founder. She helps provide the bucket list of travel in style at an aristocratic level. Her connections are envious.
"We use our personal relationships and our Noteworthy relationships to create exquisite experiences," said Butler.
Worthy, Butler and colleague Lorraine Engledow are on tour. Ten days, five cities, three different time zones winding up in Las Vegas is enough to make anyone lose their cool. But "stay calm and be exquisite" is the motto of this very British company.
First they attended the Brownell Company Meeting in Atlanta.
"We dressed up as Batman and Robin," said Butler. They were invited to the exclusive awards dinner, and to take part in team building exercises.
Next stop, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas to meet advisors including Frosch, Universal Travel Partners, part of the Signature network, Peter Herff of Herff Travel, Strong Travel, and Rudi Steel Travel - all Virtuoso partners.
"We've been doing business with these people for years and years. We wanted to travel these many miles because we've identified them as a priority. We are invested," said Butler.
Last stop was Las Vegas and the Signature Travel Network annual Sales Meeting and Trade Show with over 2,000 people attending.
Butler might be tired but you'd never know it. Her vibrancy is magnetic. She is every inch the person who caters to clients who just happen to shake the Queen of England's hand at a polo match or be greeted by the actors of "Downton Abbey" backstage on the West End.
Big Ben has almost been constructed. The red phone booth is in the wings.
The magical experiences they create begin right here, with the handshake, the smile and the assurance that they will be there when it counts most.
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