Signature Travel Network President Karryn Christopher at one of the meeting’s general sessions. (Source: Claudette Covey)
The Signature Travel Network Owners meeting painted a decidedly bright picture of the cooperative’s future while also providing agency owners with substantive networking opportunities along with a slate of new cutting-edge tools and initiatives enabling advisors to thrive going forward into the future.
The conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Villas in San Antonio, Texas, from Sept. 27-30, drew 450 agency owners, managers, preferred suppliers, and industry executives.
That bright future is building on a stellar 2026, with the cooperative reporting 9 percent growth and predicting 18 percent growth in 2027.
A Bright Future and Strong Mission
All things considered, the conference echoed the sentiment of Signature’s mission statement: “To serve members by creating industry-leading technology, marketing and training programs, while building strong preferred supplier partnerships that deliver a distinct travel experience. Through our non-profit, Travel Elevates, we further this mission by serving global communities with positive impact travel.”
During a reception and dinner, fundraising efforts raised $732,000 in charitable contributions for Travel Elevates. (Source: Claudette Covey)
Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovation
There's no disputing that Signature offers its agencies and advisors some of the best (if not the best) technology solutions in the industry.
During the conference, Signature unveiled SigCompass, the cornerstone of the cooperative’s growing Signature Agency Intelligence ecosystem, which equips advisors with enhanced decision-making tools by bringing together AI-powered search, supplier insights, network booking trends and performance data into one central system.
Members received a preview of Signature Storybook, an advisor-facing platform in development that will combine artificial intelligence with traveler preferences, advisor expertise, and preferred partner content to deliver bespoke client recommendations.
Emerging Trends and Destination Forecasts
In additional developments, Signature released its inaugural Travel Trend Watch report, created from proprietary sales data and partner insights. In all, the report identified five important trends that are expected to impact travel going forward:
· Continued growth in experiential luxury travel
· Surging demand for expedition cruising and exploration-focused trips
· Strong momentum in river cruising
· Increased appreciation for personalized planning with a travel advisor
· The integration of AI in tandem with human expertise
Another emerging trend-related conference highlight was Signature Senior Advisor Ignacio Maza’s presentation on “Where to Travel in 2027,” a forecast that details 10 hidden gems and emerging destinations – based on his own travel experiences.
Destinations making this forecast included:
- Savannah, Georgia
- Atlantic Canada; Colombia
- The Marquesas, French Polynesia
- South Australia
- Mongolia
- Bhutan
- Morocco’s Mediterranean region
- Sardinia, Italy
- Madeira Islands, Portugal
“The world is getting bigger, not smaller, and travelers are increasingly looking for experiences that are authentic, memorable, and beyond the ordinary,” said Maza. “The goal of this list is to encourage advisors and travelers to widen their perspectives and consider destinations they may not have previously explored.”
“Whether it’s a place that remains underrated, a new flight that makes a destination more accessible, or an opportunity to experience a remarkable culture before it becomes widely discovered, these selections give advisors new ways to inspire their clients and create truly distinctive journeys,” Maza added.
Purpose-Driven Impact and Leadership Recognition
Part and parcel of Signature’s identity is Travel Elevates, which supports communities around the world. At the 2026 owners meeting, the company highlighted with its non-profit organization, Travel Elevates, which supports communities worldwide.
During the conference’s reception and dinner, fundraising efforts raised a whopping $732,000 in charitable contributions.
In other news, Signature CEO Alex Sharpe received the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) President’s Award in recognition of his service to the travel advisor community and the travel industry. ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby, who attended the conference, presented the award to Sharpe.
Continued Growth and Optimism for the Future
“The conversations throughout the week reflect tremendous optimism about the future,” said Signature Travel Network President Karryn Christopher. “Whether through innovation, agency intelligence, partnership, or purpose, Signature is committed to empowering our members and partners for continued success and helping them serve the travelers of tomorrow.”
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
