When I entered the travel industry 10 years ago, I chose Departure Lounge because I wanted the support and resources of a strong host agency without sacrificing the freedom to build my business my way. A decade later, those are still the reasons I’m here. Departure Lounge has created a genuinely supportive, collaborative culture while empowering advisors to maintain their own identity and make the decisions that are right for their businesses. Most importantly, the company operates with integrity. Its strong ethics, transparency, and commitment to doing what is right for both advisors and clients have made Departure Lounge a partner I’ve trusted throughout my career.

Joining Departure Lounge gave me the confidence and credibility to build my travel business at a high standard from the very beginning. Their outstanding industry reputation, relationships, and resources provided a foundation I could never have created on my own.

What stands out most is the genuine support from Keith and the entire Departure Lounge team. Keith’s commitment to each advisor’s success is unwavering, and that spirit of encouragement and support is felt throughout the company. Departure Lounge has created something truly special and continues to set a standard in the travel industry. I’m incredibly proud and grateful to be part of it.

What I value most about Departure Lounge is the culture — professionalism, kindness, and accountability at every level. That reputation has raised the industry bar and strengthened our partner relationships, driving better commissions. It's a win-win: partners get more business; we get better earning potential.

I’m incredibly grateful to have landed with Departure Lounge. They’re great on so many “logistical” ways I could go on and on about, but really what keeps us all obsessed is the culture, the people, this team!! I feel we really have a say in the industry with Departure Lounge not only inside our own organization but in the greater Luxury Travel Industry, too. Top down we’re valued, heard, and making an impact on the future of this space. The opportunities we’re given to experience what we sell and the collaboration of this team makes our jobs as advisors so much easier. I can confidently sell THE WORLD because of this team and their steadfast commitment to help one another! Kudos to DL!!

I had been with several host agencies before joining Departure Lounge, and the difference has been significant. Despite having a strong book of business, I wasn’t being compensated at the same level as many of my peers. Departure Lounge changed the trajectory of my business. I now earn a great income, with access to exceptional technology, partnerships and FAM opportunities. Commissions are accurate and on time, and the executive and back-office teams are always there to support us. Most importantly, Keith Waldon has created an inclusive, collaborative culture where advisors are empowered to succeed. I’m incredibly proud to call Departure Lounge my professional home.

When I first entered the industry, my first conversation with a host agency was with Keith Waldon—and I knew immediately I didn’t need to keep looking. I loved his relaxed, genuine style and his commitment to building up independent advisors. Years later, everything he told me in that first conversation still holds true. Keith is the backbone of Departure Lounge and the reason I’ve never considered leaving. He has built a culture of genuinely nice people, mutual respect with our supplier partners, fairness, and advisors supporting one another. He even jokes that we are all his bosses—and he truly treats us that way. I’m incredibly proud to be part of Departure Lounge.

I started my career with Departure Lounge in Aug 2024 as a small side hustle alongside my finance job, & it could not have been a more perfect fit. The team does an amazing job making sure I have all the resources I need to succeed, providing an incredible sense of community, & allowing me to grow my business at a pace that makes sense for me.

I’m incredibly grateful for the support, guidance, & training I’ve received, as well as the flexibility to build my business in a way that works for me. Departure Lounge has given me the confidence & resources to turn my love of travel into a meaningful business, & I truly couldn’t imagine a better way to approach a career as a travel advisor.

Departure Lounge has given me the support and confidence to grow my business in ways I couldn’t have done alone. The respect it has earned within the industry opens doors and gives its advisors real credibility. I’ve always valued knowing there are people behind the scenes who step in when things go sideways, listen when something needs to change and are willing to do things differently. Just as important are the friendships. I’m surrounded by smart, interesting people I genuinely like, learn from and want to have a cocktail with. There’s a real belief that we all rise together-turns out cool people are also good for business.

Coming back into travel after being out of the industry, what I was really looking for was a home, somewhere that wouldn't leave me isolated working from home on my own. Departure Lounge gave me that.

Their finance and back office team are genuinely out of this world; quick, thorough, and they actually explain things instead of just fixing them and moving on. But it's the culture that's kept me here. Nobody treats another advisor as competition. Post in the group that you need help and within minutes you've got two or three people offering to jump on a Zoom and talk you through it, no strings attached.

In a work-from-home world, that sense of camaraderie makes all the difference.

Joining Departure Lounge gave me something I had been looking for: the freedom to build Time & Tide in my own voice, with the strength of an experienced, respected agency behind me.

I have felt genuinely supported, developed and mentored here — not just as a travel advisor, but as a business owner. I value the leadership, advisor community, supplier relationships and the encouragement to think bigger, keep learning and use new tools.

Departure Lounge has given me the independence to build my own business without ever feeling like I’m doing it alone.

I conducted thorough due diligence before joining DL as my host agency. Travel industry was new for me, and I was drawn to the familiar values rooted in my corporate background that included a strong culture, collaboration, and a commitment to exceeding expectations. What I found most valuable was the access to resources and experienced professionals who empowered me to step confidently into this role. While I’m still early in my journey, the community and support from fellow advisors has been amazing. Colleagues consistently take time to share insights, explain processes, answer questions, and offer encouragement. The learning curve is steep, but I feel supported by a high-caliber team.

After nearly 20 years specializing in ski travel, expanding into the broader world of luxury travel was both exciting and a little intimidating. The team at Departure Lounge has been one of the most welcoming, knowledgeable, and supportive groups of peers I've ever worked with, and they've played a huge role in helping me shape the identity of my business. Their relationships with suppliers around the world have given me the confidence to grow at the pace that's right for me while strengthening the level of service I can provide my clients. It's rare to find a group that's as collaborative as it is accomplished, and that's what makes Departure Lounge such a special place to build a business.

Learning that Keith interviews every advisor himself told me everything about Departure Lounge. He wasn't just building a roster; he was hand-selecting a team of genuinely kind, exceptional people. And that culture is real.

As the only advisor based in East Asia, I never once felt isolated. The admin team handles every detail—from onboarding paperwork to daily operational questions—with quiet grace and remarkable speed. When I turn to our community, colleagues respond with warmth and generosity. Knowing this level of intelligence and care stands behind me gives me complete confidence with my clients. Keith and the team have built something truly rare, and I am deeply proud to be here.

I want to take a moment to thank you. Thank you for believing in me and bringing me into Departure Lounge last year. To say my life has gotten infinitely better being in your agency is an understatement. The tools are amazing, the staff and support are incredible, and the opportunities are endless.

In January, you sat down with me to help map out a growth plan for my business. I'm proud to say I've exceeded the goals we discussed and continue to see incredible momentum this year. All while being pregnant with my second child! I truly believe that being a part of DL has inspired and accelerated my growth.

So this email is simply to say thank you. I am eternally grateful.