Virtuoso has hosted the first of its two 2026 Chairman’s Events aboard m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia, bringing together 77 agency owners and managers from 11 countries.
The event combined destination experiences with business sessions focused on luxury travel trends, network priorities and AI-powered ideation.
Senior Virtuoso leaders joined representatives from PONANT EXPLORATIONS, Tahiti tourism, Air Tahiti Nui and the French Polynesian Government.
During the sailing, Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch and PONANT EXPLORATIONS CEO Benoît-Étienne Domenget signed a new global commercial agreement.
The partnership is expected to enhance client benefits and member commissions while expanding opportunities across PONANT’s portfolio for Virtuoso advisors.
Delegates also took part in experiences across Bora Bora and Moorea, including snorkelling, whale watching, off-road touring, Polynesian cooking and a visit to Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort.
For the first time, Virtuoso is staging two Chairman’s Events in the same year, with a second gathering scheduled for Osaka and Kyoto this month.
