WHY IT RATES: By tripling its sales organization, Classic Vacations is clearly demonstrating its commitment to the travel advisor community. The expansion reflects a wider strategic investment in the company’s Commercial division, aiming to give agents tailored guidance and dedicated resources to drive business growth. — Claudette Covey, Executive Retail Editor
Classic Vacations, the #1 rated luxury travel advisor resource, has nearly tripled the size of its Sales organization since the beginning of 2026, marking one of the company’s most significant investments in its travel advisor community.
The expansion is part of a broader investment in Classic’s Commercial organization designed to bring the company closer to its customers across the United States. With 18 hires completed in 2026 and recruitment underway for five additional positions, Classic is building greater regional coverage, deeper specialization, and more dedicated resources to help advisors grow their businesses.
At the center of the strategy is what Classic calls “hypercare” — combining highly personalized support with a deeper understanding of each customer’s business, growth opportunities, and market needs.
“Travel advisors have always been at the heart of Classic, and we believe the best way to demonstrate that commitment is to invest in the people who support them every day,” said Vijayeta James, Chief Commercial Officer of Classic Vacations. “We have nearly tripled our Sales organization because we want to be much more than a supplier to our customers. Our ambition is to be a strategic growth partner — closer to their businesses, more proactive in identifying opportunities, and better equipped to help them succeed.”
Classic’s expanded Sales organization now comprises 34 team members across seven teams, creating a combination of strong regional market coverage and dedicated specialist expertise.
Three regional Sales teams provide on-the-ground coverage across the United States, led by Sue Ferguson in the Western Region, Julia Jakkaraju in the Central Region, and Dimitri Andre in the Eastern Region. Their Strategic Account Managers work closely with advisors to understand individual business priorities, identify opportunities for growth, develop account strategies, and connect advisors with Classic’s portfolio, tools, and resources.
Jeanne Flood oversees Groups Sales and Operations, bringing together commercial and operational expertise to support advisors from initial opportunity through execution. A 36-year Classic veteran, Flood and her team support contracted and non-contracted groups, including destination weddings, meetings and incentives, multigenerational travel, social groups, and other complex bookings.
Carmen Gashnikov leads Host Agency Accounts, strengthening Classic’s partnerships with host agency leadership and their affiliated independent contractors through strategic account planning, advisor engagement, and sales execution. Gashnikov brings more than 15 years of experience across sales, partnerships, and account development.
Classic recently promoted Flood and appointed Gashnikov to these Sales leadership roles.
Tiffani Gilardi leads New Business Development, focused on onboarding, education, training, and accelerating new advisors toward active selling and long-term growth with Classic.
Kathy Ellis manages a Sales Support team, overseeing everything from Classic events, agency and advisor registration, and advisor rewards and recognition.
The expanded organization represents a shift beyond traditional sales coverage toward a more consultative model — one in which Classic’s Sales teams work alongside advisors and agency partners to understand their businesses, identify whitespace opportunities, develop growth plans, and help convert those opportunities into sales.
“For 50 years, Classic has built its business around travel advisors,” James said. “As the advisor landscape becomes more sophisticated, we have to evolve with it. Hypercare means knowing our customers, understanding where they want to grow, and bringing the right people, products, insights, and opportunities to help them get there. Their growth is our growth.”
Classic’s continued investment in its Commercial organization reinforces its commitment to remaining advisor-first while building the scale, specialization, and market presence required to support travel advisors across the U.S. for their next phase of growth.
SOURCE: Classic Vacations press release.
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