TLN Edge 2026 didn't feel like a typical industry conference. It felt like a preview – a preview of where the travel advisor industry is headed next.
Over four days in San Diego, conversations around AI, advisor growth, partnerships, personalization, luxury travel, lead generation, and evolving traveler expectations painted a clear picture of what the future of travel advising may look like.
More connected. More relationship-driven. More technology-enabled.
And according to the Avoya team in attendance, that future is already starting to take shape.
Held May 3-6, 2026, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in San Diego, California, TLN Edge brought together travel professionals, supplier partners, and agency leaders from across the industry to discuss what's next, and how advisors can position themselves for long-term success.
Instead of simply recapping the event, here's a look at the bigger themes that emerged from the conversations happening across TLN Edge 2026.
Future Signal #1: Partnership Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage
One thing became impossible to ignore by day two of TLN Edge: the advisors and agencies growing the fastest are not doing it alone.
They're leveraging stronger partnerships, smarter technology, better supplier relationships, and more connected support systems to create better experiences for travelers and more opportunity for their business.
Avoya Travel has partnered with Travel Leaders Network since 2022, and this year's event reinforced just how valuable that relationship continues to be for independent advisors across the Avoya Network.
“We're all excited to lean into our incredible partnership with TLN to offer our advisors best-in-class technology and opportunities to grow their businesses,” said Kameish Stanley, Vice President of Strategic Growth at Avoya Travel following the event. “We continue to be inspired by the collaboration with the TLN team and will have more exciting updates to come.”
That collaboration showed up everywhere throughout the conference.
What This Really Means: The future of advisor growth isn't just about working harder. It's about being connected to the right network, partnerships, and tools that help advisors scale faster and deliver more value.
From supplier meetings and educational sessions to one-on-one conversations around advisor tools and support programs, the event highlighted how much opportunity exists when agencies and networks work together with a shared focus on advisor success.
Future Signal #2: Advisors Who Leverage Their Network Will Move Faster
If there was one message echoed across keynote stages, supplier meetings, and hallway conversations throughout the week, it was this: Advisors who fully leverage the resources available to them will have a significant advantage moving forward.
One of the biggest themes coming out of TLN Edge 2026 was simple: Advisors who fully leverage the programs, partnerships, and resources available to them are creating stronger, more scalable businesses.
For Avoya advisors, that includes access to:
• Lead generation opportunities through Agent Profiler
• Exclusive cruise and hotel programs offering added perks and value for travelers
• Marketing support including direct mail and social media programs
• Educational resources, training, and advisor support
• Enhanced technology designed to help advisors work smarter and grow faster
As the travel industry continues evolving, these tools are becoming less of a “nice to have” and more of a competitive advantage.
“The big takeaway is all about leveraging the TLN programs more moving forward,” shared members of the Avoya team in attendance. That perspective was reinforced throughout the conference, particularly in conversations focused on advisor growth, engagement, and the future of the industry.
What This Really Means: Lead generation, marketing support, technology, exclusive programs, and training are quickly shifting from “nice-to-have” tools into real business differentiators.
Future Signal #3: Collaboration Is Replacing Competition
One of the more refreshing themes throughout TLN Edge wasn't competition. It was openness.
Agency leaders, supplier partners, and network teams were actively sharing ideas, discussing challenges, and learning from one another in ways that felt collaborative instead of transactional.
One standout moment for Avoya's Mickey McBride, Vice President of Sales at Avoya Travel, came during the Independent Advisor Networks Forum. The session brought together agency leaders for candid conversations around business growth, advisor support, industry challenges, and best practices.
“It was incredibly valuable to have agency owner-to-owner collaboration,” said McBride. “There's a lot of value in realizing we share common goals and many of the same challenges.”
Beyond the sessions themselves, the event also created opportunities for deeper conversations with both supplier partners and TLN teams.
“One-on-one appointments allowed us to connect with supplier representatives and members of the TLN team we don't work with every day,” McBride shared. “It gave us the opportunity to dive deeper into programs like Distinctive Voyages, hotel offerings, and additional advisor resources.”
That level of collaboration continues to be one of the biggest strengths of events like TLN Edge - bringing people together to share ideas, solve problems, and build stronger partnerships across the industry.
What This Really Means: The agencies that evolve the fastest may not be the ones trying to do everything alone. They'll likely be the ones most willing to learn, adapt, and collaborate.
Future Signal #4: Technology Is Growing, But Relationships Still Win
Technology was everywhere at TLN Edge.
AI. Automation. Smarter marketing. More personalization.
But underneath all of it, one thing stayed constant: People still want trusted human guidance when they travel.
While technology, programs, and growth strategies were major topics throughout the event, one thing remained clear: Relationships still drive this industry.
That message showed up across supplier meetings, educational sessions, and keynote presentations, including insights shared by travel expert and keynote speaker Robin Esrock.
The conversations throughout the week reinforced an important balance happening across the industry right now: Technology is accelerating, but human connection still matters.
For advisors, that means the future isn't about replacing relationships with tools – it's about using the right tools to build even stronger relationships.
What This Really Means: The future of travel advising isn't becoming less personal. It's becoming more personal – powered by better technology, stronger partnerships, and deeper expertise.
Future Signal #5: Networks Investing in Advisors Are Standing Out
The week also included a major moment for Avoya Travel.
During TLN Edge 2026, Avoya was honored with the 2025 Travel Leaders Network Chairman's Elite Award, recognizing outstanding sales performance, growth, and engagement across the network.
The recognition reflects the collective momentum happening throughout the Avoya Network and the dedication of independent advisors, employees, and partners working together to support travelers and grow their businesses.
What This Really Means: The industry is paying attention to the networks investing in advisor growth, engagement, technology, and long-term support.
Read the full announcement here: Avoya Travel Earns TLN Chairman's Elite Award, Reflecting the Power of a Growing Network.
Future Signal #6: More Women Are Helping Shape the Future of Travel Leadership
The future of travel leadership is also becoming more diverse, collaborative, and relationship-driven.
Another highlight from the week was participating in the Women of Travel Leaders Network morning mingle.
The event created space for connection, conversation, and collaboration among women across the travel industry – something that continues to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of travel leadership.
For Avoya, it was also an opportunity to celebrate the incredible women across the network and leadership team who continue driving innovation, partnership, and advisor success.
Looking Ahead to 2027
If TLN Edge 2026 revealed anything, it's that the next generation of successful travel advisors may look very different from the last.
More tech-enabled. More relationship-focused. More specialized. More connected.
And for advisors willing to evolve alongside the industry, the opportunity ahead may be bigger than ever.
For Avoya, that means continuing to invest in:
• Technology and innovation
• Strategic partnerships
• Advisor education and support
• Marketing and lead generation opportunities
• Programs designed to help advisors grow and scale their business
And according to the Avoya team in attendance, this is only the beginning. “We're inspired by the collaboration with the TLN team and will have more exciting updates to come.”
Related Insights:
Avoya Travel Earns TLN Chairman's Elite Award, Reflecting the Power of a Growing Network
CLIA Cruise360 2026: Key Announcements, Trends, and Insights for Travel Advisors
A New Perspective at Cruise360: What Two Avoya Leaders Are Seeing in the Cruise Industry
Ready to Be Part of What's Next?
The future of travel advising is already taking shape – and advisors who embrace technology, partnerships, education, marketing support, and relationship-driven selling will be best positioned to grow.
At Avoya Travel, independent advisors have access to:
• Industry-leading partnerships and programs
• Lead generation opportunities
• Marketing and social media support
• Educational resources and training
• Technology designed to help advisors scale their business
• Exclusive cruise and hotel programs offering added value for travelers
If you're ready to build a travel business designed for where the industry is headed next, fill out the form below to learn more about joining the Avoya Network.
The future of travel is here – are you ready for it?