VIRTUOSO ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SALES AND MARKETING

SEATTLE, WA (May 15, 2007): Leading luxury travel network Virtuoso announced today that new Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tony Gonchar, is soon to take the helm for the company’s efforts in these respective areas. By assuming the role of EVP Sales and Marketing, Gonchar combines two of the organization’s core strategic initiatives and aligns them under the direct leadership of a single executive.

Gonchar brings 25 years of experience in the following areas: sales distribution; marketing and branding; and, customer recognition and retention. Most recently, he held the position of Vice President, Distribution for Expedia, Inc., where he was responsible for Expedia’s private label business and branded affiliate relationships. During his seven-year tenure at Expedia, his positions called for collaboration with Expedia’s European, Asian Pacific and Latin American divisions to ensure global distribution and consistency across all channels. Gonchar’s former positions within Expedia were rooted in customer recognition and retention programs, allowing the company to focus on its highest valued customers.

His extensive career makes Gonchar uniquely qualified to lead Virtuoso’s already strong teams. According to Virtuoso CEO Matthew D. Upchurch, “Tony Gonchar comes to us with expertise in areas that parallel our own strategic initiatives, such as the exclusive agreement we hold with World Elite MasterCard, global expansion, business development and the evolution of our consumer marketing. These programs continue to bring new opportunities to all network participants and we are confidant that Tony’s experience in these aspects of the travel industry will help guide the teams already in place.”

Gonchar inherits a well established sales and marketing team. As EVP of Sales and Marketing, he will oversee member sales and support; preferred supplier sales; consumer marketing, branding and public relations; global expansion; and, the development of new network opportunities. “We are proud of the experienced team already leading these initiatives on a day-to-day basis. With Tony’s guidance, these areas within our organization will continue to flourish, to the benefit of all involved,” says Kristi Jones, President of Virtuoso.

Recognizing that he is walking into a highly respected network, where luxury and service are synonymous, Gonchar noted, “My experience indicates there will always be a high value placed on personal interactions, professional experience and customer service. I look forward to helping reinforce the value that this network brings, both to its participants and the discerning clientele that it attracts.”

Gonchar will report directly to President Kristi Jones and office from Virtuoso’s Seattle location.
For more Virtuoso News and press articles, please visit the Press Room.

###