Kristi Jones sits at the helm of Virtuoso as president of this multi-billion-dollar, by-invitation-only luxury travel network of travel advisors and travel providers. Named as one of Travel Agent magazine’s “Most Powerful Women In Travel,” the industry agrees that Kristi’s leadership has helped develop Virtuoso into the sales and marketing powerhouse it is today. With her international team of senior executives behind her, Kristi and her group not only manage Virtuoso’s corporate offices in Fort Worth, Seattle and New York, but direct the company’s consumer marketing, member travel agency sales and services, and preferred supplier divisions, within the U.S. and internationally.

If the hallmark of a great leader is the ability to direct a team with compassion and guidance, then Kristi was born to lead Virtuoso. Her tenure prior to her appointment as president included everything from developing Virtuoso’s consumer publications and direct marketing campaigns, to website and internet marketing and public relations. She has truly walked a mile (and then some) in her staff’s shoes. Not to mention the fact that she directed the creation of Virtuoso’s international division, which now encompasses 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.

After joining Virtuoso in 1988, the former publisher of Club Corp’s Private Clubs magazine created Virtuoso’s original consumer publication, Voyage, which focused on the promotion of travel offers and was the industry’s first magazine personalized with the identities of individual member travel agencies and advisors. Kristi has evolved the editorial roster to include VIRTUOSO LIFE, the organization’s award-winning flagship publication, as well as additional titles that appeal to specific client segments within Virtuoso’s database.

As a keen marketer, Kristi also handled the re-branding of API Travel Consultants to Virtuoso in January 2000, which included the development and launch of a national consumer ad campaign and public relations program intended to make the Virtuoso name synonymous with “the best in travel.” In her role, Kristi was responsible for overseeing the conception of Virtuoso’s web marketing strategy and the enhancement of the company’s consumer website, www.virtuoso.com.

Today, Virtuoso’s preferred travel suppliers see continued double-digit sales growth, thanks to the agency development and consumer marketing programs created under Kristi’s watchful eye. As Virtuoso clients enjoy extraordinary experiences, like taking suborbital space flights in the future or visiting the private home of a Spanish aristocrat, the Virtuoso promise rings true – We Orchestrate Dreams – with Kristi turning this statement from mantra to practice.