Virtuoso Hosts 2025 Chairman’s Event in Los Cabos, Mexico

Virtuoso, the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, hosted its 2025 Chairman’s Event, a celebratory gathering to recognize its highest-performing travel agency members, October 14-17 in the stunning coastal paradise of Los Cabos, Mexico. The Chairman’s Event is a time to honor Virtuoso’s top-performing and most engaged travel agency members, while also showcasing the host destination and its wide appeal for upscale travelers. Held annually in a different location every year, the Chairman’s Event has proven to accelerate interest and growth in the popularity of its host destination.

This year’s Chairman’s Event took place at the all-inclusive luxury retreat, Grand Velas Los Cabos, one of the most celebrated resorts in the region. With the help of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, a longtime and highly engaged Virtuoso partner, alongside Virtuoso’s preferred hotels within the area, the network honored its VIPs – 133 agency owners and managers from nine regions around the world – with four days of relationship-building and destination immersion. The program kicked off with a welcome reception on the evening of October 14, hosted by the stellar team at Grand Velas, where the resort’s unique brand of Mexican hospitality and beachfront elegance were on full display.

Bonding through shared experiences is a hallmark of the event, and attendees were treated to a variety of immersive offerings within the Los Cabos area. The “Design Your Day” experiences featured a diverse range of activities reflecting the region’s best – from outdoor adventures and cultural highlights to rejuvenating and mindful pursuits. Guests chose from experiences like paddleboarding to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, right where the Sea of Cortés meets the Pacific Ocean; participating in a farming workshop at Paradero Todos Santos, which combined a holistic culinary experience with an educational look at regenerative farming; hiking and bird-watching at Sierra de la Laguna, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity; and indulging in a meditation and sound healing session at Monte Cardón, a tranquil property surrounded by towering cacti and breathtaking natural landscapes. A standout moment of the event was a special dine-around excursion, where attendees had the opportunity to explore the culinary offerings at eleven of Virtuoso’s preferred hotels within the area.

Another key element of the Chairman’s Event is the ability to bring peers together for conversation amongst like-minded business leaders. The event’s business session, led by Virtuoso’s Senior Leadership Team, provided opportunity to update attendees on Virtuoso happenings as well as insights shaping luxury travel.

“When I look at the caliber of professionals within this group, I’m reminded of the power of this network,” said Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch. “The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts the travel and tourism industry will contribute an all-time high of $11.7 trillion to the global economy, with international visitor spend reaching a record $2.1 trillion. You are the engine behind that, and I couldn’t be prouder of what you accomplish day in and day out. This event is intended to celebrate you, and to thank you for your dedication to your clients, to Virtuoso and to the wider industry we are all part of.”

Executive Vice President of Strategic Communications David Kolner then presented intel tracked from the network’s sales data. He revealed that, looking one to two years ahead, future leisure sales are projected to increase by 24 percent, with high-value bookings of $50,000 or more expected to rise by an impressive 36 percent. Additionally, the year-to-date sales for January through September 2025 show a 13 percent year-over-year increase, underscoring continued momentum and demand across the network. Kolner also discussed highlights of Virtuoso’s 2026 Luxe Report, a survey of over 2,400 advisors across more than 50 countries, which revealed next year’s top global destinations, travel trends and destinations on the rise. He said the Luxe Report found that 67 percent of surveyed advisors anticipate a slight to significant increase in travel demand for 2026 and 66 percent expect a slight to significant rise in client spending. The full 2026 Luxe Report can be found here.

Virtuoso wishes to thank its sponsors and co-hosts that helped bring this year’s Chairman’s Event to life, with special recognition of Los Cabos Tourism Board for its generous support. Host properties included Grand Velas Los Cabos with events and experiences also provided by Virtuoso preferred partners. For more information on Virtuoso and its events, please visit www.virtuoso.com.