Luxury travel leaders gathered in Las Vegas on October 1 for powerful insights, expert panels, and high-level networking

Las Vegas, NV – October 1, 2025 – TravMedia today launched the inaugural IMM Luxury Summit in Las Vegas, uniting luxury travel leaders, top-tier media, and PR professionals for a day of thought leadership, strategic networking, and industry collaboration.

Opening the Luxury Summit, TravMedia Founder & CEO Nick Wayland welcomed delegates to the first-ever IMM dedicated exclusively to luxury.

“Luxury isn't just about five-star suites or private jets,” Wayland said. “It's about quiet luxury, personalized journeys, immersive cultural connections, and the creativity shaping what's next. Today is about learning from the industry's most influential leaders, while tomorrow at the IMM meetings is about connecting and building the relationships that fuel great storytelling.”

Kate Wik, Chief Marketing Officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, added: “Las Vegas proudly welcomes the very first IMM Lux on the West Coast, a milestone that highlights the city's evolution into a premier destination for luxury travel and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

The day opened with a compelling keynote from Chris Gabaldon, President & CEO of Moët Hennessy North America, titled “Championing Luxury's Future.” Gabaldon explored evolving consumer values, innovation in brand storytelling, and how luxury is being redefined for the next generation of travelers.

The program featured four dynamic, interactive panels:

• Emerging Luxury Trends – Moderated by Melanie Brandman (The Brandman Agency & Travel Curator), with Chris Davidson (MMGY Travel Intelligence), Kate Wik (LVCVA), Kristin Carlson (Miles Partnership), and Tom Flanagan (Modern Luxury's M/LUX). Panelists discussed the rise of “quiet luxury,” technology's influence, and the foresight needed to remain competitive.

• Creating Personalized Luxury Experiences – Led by James Shillinglaw (Insider Travel Report), with Ann Marie Scichili (Value Retail), Cari Gray (Gray & Co), and Frank Castro (Adventure International). The session highlighted personalization and one-of-a-kind experiences as the new hallmarks of luxury travel, noting that safari and adventure tourism already account for more than 33% of luxury travel revenue.

• Immersive Luxury Destinations & Cultural Connections – Moderated by Michaela Guzy (OTPYM Productions), with Amy Hanna (CORE: Club), Greg Habeeb (WorldHotels), Michael Crawford (Baillie Lodges & Tierra Hotels), and Stephanie Dowling (Preferred Travel Group). The panel emphasized that luxury today is “about depth, not just dollars,” fostering authentic cultural connections that leave a lasting impact.

• Luxury Editors' Panel – Moderated by Nick Wayland, with Anne Banas (Shermans Travel Media & Smart Luxury), Ashlea Halpern (Condé Nast Traveler, Oprah Daily), Laura Redman (Robb Report), and Maya Kachroo-Levine (Travel + Leisure). Editors offered candid advice on pitching, what resonates with luxury media, and how storytelling continues to evolve.

Networking was central to the Luxury Summit, with dedicated opportunities throughout the day for attendees to forge meaningful connections. The event concluded with an elegant cocktail reception at Allē Lounge on 66, hosted by Resorts World Las Vegas and featuring Moët Hennessy champagne—a fitting finale celebrating collaboration, community, and excellence in luxury experiences.

The inaugural IMM Luxury Summit was made possible through the generous support of Host City Sponsor Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; IMM LUX Headline Sponsor Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board; Resorts World Las Vegas for the IMM Luxury Summit Cocktail Function; The Venetian Resort Las Vegas as host of the IMM LUX media delegation and the Closing Cocktail Reception; MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment as pre-fam host hotel partners; and Cirque du Soleil as host of shows for the media delegation.

Reflecting on the event's success, Nick Wayland noted: “For more than 25 years, TravMedia has connected the world's travel media with destinations, hotels, and tourism boards. Today, we launched a new series of events that put luxury in the spotlight—because luxury deserves its own stage. Las Vegas was the perfect host city, and today's Luxury Summit showed how powerful it is when leaders gather to shape the future of luxury travel together.”

For more information, visit travmedia.com/immlux or follow @TravMedia on social media.

Media Contact

Kim Grant
Global Media Director, TravMedia
(617) 901-9628

About TravMedia

TravMedia is the world's largest network connecting travel media professionals, tourism organizations, and PR agencies. Through global events, an online platform, and communication tools, TravMedia fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking to help shape the future of the travel and tourism industries.

About IMM

TravMedia's IMM is the leading travel industry event for travel brands and destinations to connect with the media. In its 13th year, IMM hosts more than 2,500 media and international travel brands annually in six countries worldwide. Upcoming IMM events include IMM Asia in Singapore on 13–14 October 2025; IMM North America in New York City on 21–22 January 2026; IMM Australia in Sydney on 26–27 February 2026; IMM Germany in Berlin on 2 March 2026; IMM UK in London on 9–10 March 2026; IMM France in Paris on 11 March 2026; and IMM Brazil in São Paulo 13 April 2026. For more information and registration for IMM events, visit www.travmedia.com/imm or email imm@travmedia.com.