I just had my 5 years anniversary with Brownell Travel. Before that, I was with a tour operator for 9 years and another agency for 1 year. I worked with so many travel agencies during my tour operator years and can unequivocally say Brownell stands out way above the rest. Brownell was very clear from the beginning in explaining how they work. With so many changes constantly happening in our business, this was critical for me. Brownell offers incredible support for day to day needs through the Hosting Team. They also off a full service Air Desk, Insurance Desk and Marketing Department. We have a network App where all Independent Contractors within Brownell share advice, updates and support for one another. My colleagues are always gracious and with our exclusive Brownell Educational trips, I love to travel with my colleagues, who are also friends. Brownell has tremendous respect in the travel industry which allows us to serve our clients better. I'm lucky to be a part of this wonderful team.
My background is in business and my passion is travel. Owning my own company in the travel industry was a perfect fit. I get to be entrepreneurial, focus on marketing and serving clients all in an area I love.
I believe everyone has a different set of circumstances and finding a host that fits well with who you are is an important decision.
Brownell is the perfect fit for me. I am a relentless researcher and value education a great deal. As I evaluated host agencies, I came up with a list of criteria that were important to me. They included – boutique size, progressive implementation of technology, priority on internal IC communication, a collaborative working relationship with colleagues, Virtuoso affiliation and at the top of the list was a strong mentor program. I have an MBA from a strong business school and know the value of getting a robust educational foundation when starting out in a new endeavor.
Given all my criteria, Brownell was the natural choice.
I have been impressed with the curriculum in the mentor program and the tight-knit relationships within Brownell and with our partners. The gracious and collegial atmosphere that pervades Brownell and their relationships in the industry are unparalleled. We have access to and learn from the absolute best in their field. The mentor program is top notch – thoughtful, comprehensive, dynamic. I am so happy I joined their team and encourage any of you who have similar criteria to learn more to see if they are the right fit for you.
Mimi, thank you! We agree that it is important each person finds the right Host Agency to meet their needs. I am so glad you chose to join Brownell!
I joined Brownell Travel in August of last year, as a mentee in their highly respected and acclaimed Hosting Program and feel extremely lucky to be part of the Brownell family, as one of their Independent Associates.
Their year-long mentee program begins with five days of intensive training at Brownell headquarters in Birmingham, AL, where we meet with the entire team, and dive into an all-encompassing curriculum. This comprehensive program is followed by a full year of structured homework calls, webinars, podcasts, Virtuoso and Sabre trainings, and a variety of additional educational resources in all areas of our industry. In addition, we are provided with valuable guidance and expertise on our branding, marketing, sales, communications, connections and supplier relationships.
Brownell has extensive and deep relationships with thousands of suppliers around the world and are a very well-connected and well-respected organization in our industry. Every supplier I have communicated with, shares how much they value their relationship with Brownell and how much they truly enjoy working with and developing connections with Brownell Advisors.
There is such a positive energy and vibe in everything Brownell does. Our hosting mentors are experts in their field, they guide us every step of the way, and are incredibly supportive from the moment we join the hosting program. The mentee program is structured in a way where we all succeed, as we are learning from the best in our industry. There is no competitiveness within the company, everyone is extremely helpful and lends a hand, everyone shares their ideas, their stories, their connections, and the relationships within the organization are genuine and kind.
Brownell is cutting edge, they do not miss a beat, they are constantly updating and introducing the latest and greatest systems to make all of our work more efficient, productive and fun. Brownell Travel, is the epitome of true professionalism, combined with Southern graciousness, kindness and warmth.
I worked in the Incentive Travel Business for 14 years in New York City, became a stay at home mom and “volunteer extraordinaire” for 15 years. I missed the travel industry and decided to go back to work in the field I am deeply passionate about. Whenever I say to anyone that I work under the umbrella of Brownell, I feel a sense of pride and success to have encountered and joined this wonderful company.
Although our industry, and many others, are going through a very rough road right now, I feel extremely lucky to be under Brownell’s wings, as I know they will do everything in a thoughtful, productive, efficient way, and will do it while caring and thinking about all of their employees and Associates. It is a privilege to work with Brownell, they are a phenomenal agency.
Michele, thank you for sharing your detailed review. We are proud to have you "under the umbrella"!
Before joining Brownell Travel, I had four years of experience within the travel industry. During that time I became familiar with the stellar reputation and respect Brownell has amongst not only their peers, but within the top luxury travel suppliers around the world. With four years of experience in both boutique and larger, corporate-focused agencies, I knew what I was looking for when I began researching host agencies. Brownell, immediately, checked every box. They are a true host agency, which is evident by the immense support they provide their Independent Advisors. From a dedicated Hosting Team to an in-house Marketing Team to Operations, Technical Support, Accounting and more, they are truly dedicated to seeing their Independent Advisors succeed.
When you join Brownell, you are joining a family who looks out for each other, cheers for each other, brainstorms together and weathers every storm together. Working remotely can often feel quite lonely, but with Brownell, and the implementation of their technical systems, you have access to over 100 ICs to collaborate with, bounce ideas off of and simply share support. Brownell has carefully selected professional, gracious and driven individuals; therefore, creating a non-competitive, supportive environment for you and your business to flourish.
Katy - what a thorough review! Thank you for joining our family and trusting us with your growing travel business. We are thrilled to have you with us, and so appreciative of you sharing your thoughts on the hosting program.
With no experience in the travel industry, the mentoring and hosting programs at Brownell Travel were extremely important in my development and that of my travel business. Initially, the one-year training program provided me the support – and feedback – necessary to learn the industry and build my business. The hosting team has continually provided ongoing support, adjusting their responses to my growth as a travel advisor. There is no doubt that without the Brownell Hosting Team, I would not be as successful.
Through the technological systems of Brownell Travel, I am also able to interact with 100+ fellow travel advisors – providing ongoing support. Communication with the IC community is a huge asset in planning worldwide travel. In addition, there are ongoing seminars, daily company updates, and partner news.
The relationships which Brownell Travel has cultivated with our travel partners create incredible experiences for our clients. I am proud to be part of the Brownell team!
Thank you for sharing this review, Ron! We have loved having you as part of the community, and so appreciate your kind words.
I am incredibly privileged to work with Brownell Travel's hosting team Brownell leads the industry in recognition, professionalism, credibility and most importantly it's Hosting Team's support. They set the standard for innovation, education, marketing best practices, and unlimited support. This company's leadership sets the example from the top: : Troy Haas, Meg North, Martha Gaughen, Rebecca Willson, Haisley Smith, Kerry Dyer, and Sheri Selkirk
Catherine, thank you so much for taking the time to share this review. As a long-established advisor in our community, your contribution to building up our new advisors and strengthening our partnerships around the world has been invaluable. Thank you for continuing to make us better!
Having no prior experience in the travel industry, my goal was to be as selective as possible when considering training programs offered by luxury travel companies. Brownell Travel's criteria for accepting applicants was stringent which was a positive to me. After completing a rigorous and comprehensive one year training program, I felt extremely qualified to market my brand as a competent and knowledgeable Luxury Travel Advisor. Since that time, I have received ongoing support to guarantee my success in the industry. Brownell Travel continues to provide cutting edge technology, knowledge and tools to its ICs to ensure that we are well informed and efficient.
More importantly, it is the relationships that Brownell Travel has with our travel partners throughout the world (hotel groups, tour and safari operators, guides, cruise lines, and more) that set us apart. Because of these strong partnerships, our clients receive the highest level of care. For these reasons, I am confident that my decision to begin my career with Brownell's Hosting Program was not only a great benefit to me but to my clients as well. My clients understand and appreciate the difference!
Lou, you have been a star since you joined Brownell and we are happy to have you in the community! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on our Mentoring & Hosting programs. We aim to ensure you feel invested in and well-supported from the moment you walk in and I am so glad to hear this has been true for you! Looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for you!
My clients expect the best so when I researching and interviewing with host agencies to join, it was important to me to affiliate with the best. It quickly became clear to me that Brownell was on an entirely different level. The team is thorough in everything they do - from choosing their team members, to personalizing their training, and providing daily independent contractor support and resources from our partners all over the globe. They treat their team members and their travel partners with kindness and respect no matter what and as a result, their clients reap the benefits of those positive and collaborative relationships.
I have been an IC with Brownell Travel for 5 years and I have never regretted entering the travel industry through this amazing hosting company. First, since it was my 2nd career, I needed training and was fortunate to have been accepted into Brownell's highly regarded mentoring program, which provided me with the tools and support necessary to start my own luxury travel advisory business. Brownell's hosting team is fabulous - support, training, incredible supplier partnerships, and over 100 advisors who collaborate daily so that we have access to a deep well of knowledge, tips and experience. Especially during times like the industry is in now, Brownell has provided numerous resources for travel advisors to access in order to support our businesses during these unprecedented times of stress. I would never hesitate to recommend Brownell as a hosting agency to advisors who value the level of services they provide. Brownell is a family and we all stick together in the good times and through the bad. I'm forever grateful to be affiliated with such an amazing organization.
Thank you for taking the time to share your review, Joanne! We know the last two years have been unimaginably challenging, and I am so glad you felt supported by Brownell throughout. We are so happy to have you in the Brownell family, and look forward to many more years of "sticking together"!
After much research, I felt sure that Brownell was the right host agency for me. And after the start of our in-person mentor week, I knew that I had made the best choice. Brownell is a true community that fosters an incredible network of agents that act as a team instead of competitors. They share information and advice, and they actively get to know the ICs. The mentor program is second to none! Not only do they focus on the fundamentals of selling travel, but also on marketing, business planning, relationship building and above all else the art of graciousness. They are among the most respected agencies in the business. When I reach out to a supplier and mention that I am an affiliate of Brownell Travel, I am treated like a VIP. I was set up for success from the beginning and during my first year, my sales far exceeded my expectations!
I was part of Brownell's first mentoring class and can't imagine calling any other host agency my home. As an organization, they are collaborative, incredibly supportive of their independent contractors and always leading the way with ground breaking initiatives in the industry. Additionally, the Hosting team is extremely supportive of the IC community, and their lightening fast response times never waiver. Communication across the IC community is also a top priority for the Hosting team. As a result, we have robust processes in place to facilitate proactive communications on a daily basis. We receive daily company updates, news updates, and most importantly to me, we have an active platform in place where any IC can go to ask for advice pertaining to new destinations, processes, etc. We all support each other, which makes for a wonderful working environment!
