Carson Kressley Cheers on Advisors at ASTA Conference
Travel experts gather in Salt Lake as style guru turned ALG Vacations champ rallies crowd!
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
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Conference Kickoff Energy
Carson Kressley brought his trademark flair to Salt Lake City this week, serving as travel advisor champion for ALG Vacations at the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) annual conference. Thousands of advisors flocked to the Salt Palace Convention Center for workshops, networking and keynote sessions, but it was Kressley’s high-octane presence that stole the show.
In a series of vibrant Instagram images, the TV personality donned a sharp red blazer and confetti cannons lit up behind him as he rallied the crowd. “So fun meeting the amazing travel advisors at American Society of Travel Advisors conference in Salt Lake as travel advisor champion (aka cheerleader) with ALG Vacations!” he wrote, translating handles into full context for attendees.
Advisors on the floor said his pep talks were part motivational boost and part master class in showmanship. By midday, lines formed for selfies and advice, with many noting that his energy set a tone of optimism for the rest of the event.
Style Guru Turned Travel Advocate
Long before making his mark in travel, Kressley rose to fame in the early 2000s as the style expert on Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. His quick wit and approachable advice earned him an Emmy nomination, followed by hosting gigs on How to Look Good Naked and stints on Dancing with the Stars.
That background in lifestyle and design seems to inform his new role. At the ASTA conference, Kressley connected travel trends to personal expression, drawing parallels between packing a suitcase and curating a wardrobe. He urged advisors to view each itinerary as a canvas, complete with layers of culture, cuisine and style.
Fans have followed his journey from television to travel through social posts for years, but this marks one of his most public forays into the tourism industry. ALG Vacations tapped him to boost morale and spread best practices, positioning their brand as both expert and entertaining.
Behind The Scenes With Alg Vacations
ALG Vacations, known for its curated resort packages and advisor support tools, hosted several breakout sessions led by Kressley. He opened each with a quick style tip—encouraging advisors to dress for the destination and brand themselves as “vacation architects.”
In one workshop, he demonstrated how color theory applies to marketing materials: warm hues for beach escapes, jewel tones for urban travels. Another session focused on storytelling, where Kressley coached advisors to infuse personal anecdotes into sales pitches, a tactic he’s used in media appearances.
Company executives praised his ability to blend humor with actionable advice. ALG Vacations CEO Jeff Clarke noted that Kressley’s creativity energized both veteran and new advisors, creating buzz that extended beyond the conference halls.
Tips For Travel Advisors From Carson
Among the top takeaways:
• Embrace Your Brand: Carve out a niche—whether luxury cruises or eco-tours—and own it with consistent visuals and messaging.
• Curate Experiences: Use storytelling to match client preferences with unexpected local gems.
• Style Matters: Encourage clients to pack smart, pack light and pack in style—starting the journey before they even leave home.
Advisors in attendance left with notebooks full of ideas, from custom welcome baskets to mood-board marketing strategies. Kressley’s closing message? “Travel is the ultimate form of expression—help your clients tell their story, one destination at a time.”
Looking Ahead
ASTA’s Salt Lake conference wraps today, but its impact is far from over. Partners like ALG Vacations will incorporate Kressley’s insights into upcoming campaigns, and advisors are already planning follow-up webinars.
As for Kressley, he hinted on social that more travel-themed collaborations are on the horizon. Fans can expect to see him lending his signature enthusiasm to future industry events—and perhaps even leading a guided tour of his own favorite destinations.
With his blend of style savvy and stage presence, Carson Kressley has proven that the worlds of fashion and travel are a perfect match, setting a high bar for conferences to come.
Trivia
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