Greetings from Cadence Connects 2022
Coming together for a weekend of connection, celebration, education, and inspiration, Cadence travel advisors, staff, and valued partners gathered from around the country in sunny Huntington Beach, California for our 7th annual Cadence Connects event! Take a look below at some of the highlights.
Our theme for this year’s event was “Greetings From…” Inspired by the vintage postcards, travel posters, and iconic imagery from travel’s playful past, the event was also a celebration of travel’s exciting future. A celebration of the experiences we design, create, and bring to life for our clients, our partners, and our friends. This is the art of travel, connecting the past, the present, and the future. This is Cadence Connects.
By the numbers:
200+ attendees
7 years running
6 guest speakers
5 award winners
4 days of connection
3 nights of celebration
2 networking receptions
1 unforgettable experience
Day 1
We kicked off the event with a sunset welcome reception, followed by partner-hosted dine-arounds! Based on the concept that some of our fondest memories are made when gathered around the dinner table, small groups of advisors and travel partners dined at some of the best restaurants in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. This intimate evening spent in small groups set the perfect tone, allowing attendees to dive right into those meaningful connections with our cherished travel community that are the hallmark of our annual event.
Thank you to Kerzner for hosting our welcome reception, and to Auberge Resorts Collection, Explora Journeys, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Kerzner International, Micato Safaris, Minor Hotels, Oceania, and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal for hosting dine-arounds!
Day 2
We started our day with a lovely outdoor breakfast and mimosa bar - we could not have asked for a more beautiful day!
Diving head first into our theme, day two focused on “Greetings from a Better You.” It was about taking a peek into our collective future, both personally and professionally. What does the future of travel look like, and who will we be when we arrive there? We received a Hawaiian blessing from two very special surprise guests from Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection - Uncle Danny (the property’s resident historian) and Aunty Anna - what a magical experience!
Up next, we heard from two renowned specialists, Dr. Marc Milstein, PhD, and Julie Frumin, LMFT, to help us learn how to care more deeply for ourselves, reconnect to what matters, and reset the balance of our health and wellness. We also enjoyed a great presentation and lunch from the exciting new luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys.
From there, the afternoon was filled with incredible 1:1 appointments between advisors and valued partners, representing the world’s finest luxury hotels, cruises, tour operators, travel insurance providers and more. Cadence Connects looks to strengthen industry relationships so our advisors can provide their clients with exceptional experiences and VIP service.
Friday night, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts hosted a vibrant California casual reception. The gorgeous sunset was the icing on the cake of a fabulous evening of cocktails, music, and lively conversation!
Day 3
Day three began with some restorative activities in the Southern California sun - including yoga, a pier walk, and a beach cruiser tour of Huntington Beach!
Today’s theme centered around “Greetings from the Future of Travel” - beginning with an insightful presentation about the importance of Authentic Interaction from keynote speaker John O’Sullivan, the legendary RVP and GM from Four Seasons Punta Mita.
From there, we headed right into a meaningful hour of moving conversation with a panel of industry leaders - going deeper and more personal on the topic of the future of travel. Led by John Knob, Sr. Director of Brand and Communications at Cadence, our panel included John O’Sullivan, RVP and GM of Four Seasons Punta Mita, Sanjiv Hulugalle, RVP and GM of Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Adam Heffron, GM of Conrad Los Angeles, and Ashish Sanghrajka, President of Big Five Tours & Expeditions.
After more 1:1 appointments between advisors and partners, attendees enjoyed some free time to soak up the sunshine, or continue their conversations with fellow attendees. Behind the scenes, the ballroom was transformed for an around-the-world themed Gala dinner that celebrated iconic global cuisine and cultures. Thank you to Seabourn for hosting!
As usual, this evening was filled with great food, drinks, company, an award ceremony, and of course - dancing! So much dancing. We also had an oh-so-fun 360° photo booth sponsored by Royal Caribbean International, and enjoyed an after-party sponsored by Belmond, which included two of their signature cocktails and a french fry bar.
Congratulations to the award-winners of the evening: Bitsy Clayton received Virtuoso’s Most Engaged award, Mako Scott received the Rising Star award, Mimi Mulligan received the Biggest Growth Award, Tami Louis of Regent Seven Seas Cruises received the Favorite Partner award, and Rebecca Stacey of Quark Expeditions received the Most Inspiring Partner award.
Day 4
We kicked off our morning with breakfast and a special presentation from Ashish Sanghrajka at Big Five Tours & Expeditions. A highlight of each Cadence Connects is the opportunity to partner with Ashish and his company on some sort of give-back campaign. This year, we were able to contribute to the Kipi Robotic Education Program. A little about the program:
Due to the onset of the pandemic in 2020, schools in Peru were closed and education was provided through the internet and TV. However, in impoverished regions like Huancavelica, with a lack of internet access, education is still a challenge and virtual education is unavailable. Despite these difficult circumstances, Walter Velasquez, an ingenious Peruvian teacher, got the idea to build Kipi, the world’s first Quechua-speaking robot with recycled materials and solar energy. This robot has been previously programmed with the school curricula so Walter could raise the attention of the kids that were curious to learn and interact with this robot in regions where kids are still not able to visit a school. Kipi can project videos through its eyes, interact with the kids through questions and answers, and soon will be able to use artificial intelligence and teach in over 40 local dialects. Due to the area’s geography, Walter travels by foot to each remote house in the mountains of Huancavelica with Kipi carried on the back of a llama or a donkey.
Huancavelica is one of the poorest regions of the country which has been hardest hit by domestic terrorism and is one of the main cocaine-producing regions today. Young children, devoid of access to education and basic quality of life have left no choice except to join in this illegal trade. Not only does this program change the lives of children in this region, but Walter is also building mini robots to deploy in more villages in the Amazon Jungle. Read more about Kipi Robotic Education Program, as well as other ways The Big Five Foundation is giving back to the world.
After breakfast, a special surprise was in store for attendees. Virtuoso sponsored a performance by Musique Sur La Mer, a globally-recognized youth and community orchestra based in Long Beach, California.
These young virtuoso’s ranged in age, and wowed with their abilities! Virtuoso also made a generous donation to the orchestra.
What a way to end the event! At this time, everyone said their goodbyes, and we will soon ready for next year’s 8th annual Cadence Connects event, scheduled for May of 2023!
A HUGE thank you to our event sponsors:
Premier Level: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Seabourn
Connector Level: Belmond, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, Explora Journeys
Community Level: Auberge Resorts Collection, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Kerzner, Minor Hotels, Micato Safaris, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Virtuoso, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
The event would NOT be possible without:
Thank you also to every Cadence staff member who played a role in making the event happen, with a huge shout out to our rockstar Meetings & Incentives division (with a special recognition to Anna Sullivan). Thank you also to Gary Musick Productions, Paul Barnett Photography, Rich Soublet, Paséa Hotel & Spa, Access DMC, and Kristin DeCarlo!
Press Release: Cadence Connects 2024, Signature Event Unites the Best in Luxury Travel