FORT WORTH, TEXAS (July 15, 2011) – The Fort Worth, Texas office of Virtuoso^®, the prestigious network of luxury-focused travel advisors, has launched the organization’s first-ever national charitable campaign entitled ‘Virtuoso Gives Back,’ whereby Virtuoso offices across the country will be contributing goods, employee time and even monetary donations to local charities. Virtuoso’s offices in Seattle, Washington and New York, New York will follow Fort Worth’s lead with their own charitable undertakings.

Employees at the Fort Worth office kicked-off the campaign with a very special food drive for the Tarrant Area Food Bank, resulting in more than ONE TON of food collected for families in need. Virtuoso issued a matching funds challenge as well and is donating $1,250 to show additional support. As part of the ongoing effort, Fort Worth employees are volunteering the third Tuesday of each month at the Food Bank itself, helping to maintain quality control by inspecting, sorting and storing food.

“The ‘Virtuoso Gives Back’ initiative is as a way to engage our staff and show our gratitude for the communities around us,” said Matthew D. Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso. “Although ours is a luxury travel company, we are sensitive to the needs of our neighbors and it makes me proud to see our staff so thoroughly embrace this project. We may travel globally, but we are very happy to show our support locally.”

Lisa Burger, Senior Human Resources Manager for Virtuoso, said, “We are amazed by the overwhelming response and support we’ve seen from our employees, as well as those from neighboring offices. Some healthy competition between two of our office floors helped boost support for the cause and we have raised a staggering one ton, that’s 2009 pounds, of food for the Tarrant Area Food Bank. It’s been a wonderful start to our charitable undertakings and we look forward to our projects ahead.”

Virtuoso’s Fort Worth office has enjoyed giving so much that the group has already signed on to support two other local charities. Next week, they will begin collecting school supplies for the All Church Home and in August, they will host yet another drive to collect toiletries for the Battered Women’s Foundation.

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About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. The network’s member agencies generate over $5.1 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is the exclusive network of travel services and benefits provided by MasterCard® for participating World Elite MasterCard® programs.  To see Virtuoso’s latest video content, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.  

Media Contacts:
Misty Ewing, Virtuoso
Director, Public Relations
Office: (212) 588-8242, Mobile: (206) 484-8022
E-mail: mewing@virtuoso.com