AIC Hotel Group Channels High Energy at Travel Advisor Events

The slogan “work hard, play hard” rings true at most events with travel advisors in the room – but especially when AIC Hotel Group is hosting. 

For 15 years, the hospitality company has held high-energy celebrations of advisors selling its properties, which include the Hard Rock Hotels All-Inclusive Collection, UNICO Hotel Collection, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, AVA Resort Cancun, and Eden Roc Miami Beach. 

The exciting party atmosphere is intentional, Ash Tembe, AIC Hotel Group’s vice president of sales for North America, told Travel Market Report. It not only gives advisors fun times to look forward to but also helps them experience the product for their clients.  

“Travel advisors are true partners in our business. They help drive our growth, shape how we support the market, and keep us close to what guests actually want,” she said. “Because of that, we are committed to celebrating the advisors and creating an experience that feels as energetic and memorable as the brands they sell.” 

Here’s the lowdown on AIC Hotel Group’s popular events – the Golden Mic Tour and Showstopper Awards – and how advisors can get in on the action. 

Showstopper Awards 

“My favorite event of the year.” 

That’s how Cindy Bryant, owner of Bryant Getaway Vacations, described AIC Hotel Group’s Showstopper Awards, which took place at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana from Sept. 14 to 17.  

“AIC Hotel Group knows how to put on an event. Showstoppers and the Golden Mic Tour are so much more than your typical travel industry events,” Bryant told Travel Market Report. “They bring together the perfect mix of education, entertainment, networking, and most of all fun.” 

At this year’s Showstopper Awards, more than 140 travel professionals, including advisors, agency owners, and wholesale partners, gathered for multiple days of programming. It all began with a Tan Lines & Tostones welcome event and lip-sync battle. Advisors then enjoyed a boat day along the Dominican Republic coast, as well as exclusive product updates and first look at what’s coming for the AIC portfolio. 

Finally, it was the awards dinner and ceremony, followed by an after-party featuring DJ Sky Blu, formerly of LMFAO. Throughout the entire event, advisors had a chance to connect with AIC executives and catch up with their business development managers (BDMs). 

The hotel company awards individual advisors who surpass their own prior-year AIC sales status. For example, AIC gives awards to advisors advancing to Gold Plus or Platinum levels. This year, two advisors and eight agencies received the Black Diamond Award after booking more than 500 room nights across AIC’s all-inclusive properties in Mexico and the Caribbean. AIC also recognized Delta Vacations, Classic Vacations, and Apple Leisure Group. 

“The Showstopper Awards have always been about celebrating our travel partners the AIC way: bigger, bolder and a little unexpected,” Tembe said. “These are the advisors who show up for our brands all year long, drive meaningful business across our portfolio and continue to raise the bar, so when it’s our turn to celebrate them, we want to make them feel like the true VIPs they are.”  

Gold Mic Tour 

While the Showstopper Awards is the big bash of the year, AIC also hosts the Gold Mic Tour in cities across the United States. In 2026, the roadshow-like extravaganza hit 10 different cities from July to November, from St. Louis to Atlanta to Nashville to Philadelphia, wrapping up in Chicago on Nov. 10.  

Gold Mic Tour brings more engaging education for advisors. They get to learn the latest about AIC while having fun and connecting with their BDMs and each other. AIC incorporates games and sing-a-longs as their signature activities. 

Travel advisors who are interested in selling with AIC, or to learn about future events, can visit AllInAgents.com. 

Becki Becker, Owner, Beachology Vacations, told TMR that what sets these events apart is “simply fun.”   

“There is always an incredible concert or event whenever they come into town. It gets you motivated and delivers an energetic night that is often so badly needed—leaving you smiling for days,” Becker said. 

“That is the genius behind their strategy: by creating these unforgettable experiences, they stay top-of-mind when it’s time to offer vacation packages to clients,” she added. “The ultimate reward is Showstoppers, where they truly make you feel like royalty and keep you coming back for more.”