If there’s one thing this past year and a half has taught us it’s that change is inevitable. The travel industry may be one place this has happened more than any other. When policies and procedures change, travel companies look to their advisory boards to help decide what those changes should be.

Did you know that travel advisors are directly responsible for lay flat seats from Los Angeles to New York? Our participation on airline and hotel advisory boards helps to facilitate changes like these that create a whole new travel experience for you. And the more “seats” we have on those boards, the more impact we have on the changes that ultimately impact both the advisors and you, our valued clients.

At Plaza Travel, we are in the unique position of having a number of our advisors sitting on multiple advisory boards. We have highlighted a few of these amazing people below.

“When an airline not only listens to and values your opinion, but invests in it to develop a product, we will wholeheartedly support them by driving the business,” said Jennifer.

The next time you want to travel like a movie star – closing doors on long haul premium cabin seats, private entrances and access points to deter paparazzi, connecting suites, private floors, VIP entrances and hallways, and many other amenities and services – just ask. Although Jennifer's clientele is primarily in TV and film, there is no reason any traveler can’t experience these things – budget permitting, of course. We can get you to your aircraft from a private location in a luxury vehicle to your commercial flight. Climb up the stairs like a Celebrity and sneak in to your seat with big sunglasses and a hat. No one will ever know, but everyone will want to know.

As recently as September of this year, ASTA lobbied to have new legislation passed so that Alaskan cruises carrying more than 1,000 passengers will be permanently exempt from having to make a stop in Canada... and they got it passed in 24 hours!

ASTA is also known for its professionalism and integrity. They consistently review their members to ensure that the traveling public can find a reliable travel advisor through their association.

Patty has also been Vice President of SoCal ASTA for five years. Her role ranges from backing up the President and organizing events to working with charities and volunteering.

Advisory board meetings are usually held in up-and-coming locations or properties, which provides Leslie direct insight into the location or property that she then shares with the staff at Plaza Travel.

Many travel agency owners and travel advisors read Travel Age West to learn about what's current in the industry, so having a voice on the board can have a big impact. Steve Orens, President of Plaza Travel, is also an advisory board member of Travel Age West.

Each year Travel Elevates provides grants that anyone in the travel industry can apply for. Applicants must be impacting the travel industry through education or through empowerment of the local community. In 2020, the board voted and selected their first two grant recipients – MarAlliance and Human Connections. Click here to learn more about the sponsored projects.

Nina is also a board member of Pack for a Purpose, an organization that assists travelers who want to expand their generosity beyond their own communities. They encourage hoteliers, tour operators, and destination specialists to participate by providing curated lists of needed supplies for schools, clinics, etc. from organizations and communities that they support locally. Travelers can go on their website, find the destination they're traveling to, and see what they can take with them or buy locally to donate when they get to their destination.

Nina hopes to help create communities that are sustainable so that future generations of travelers will get to enjoy the destinations we all love so much.