In the room were the driving forces behind many of the industry's most influential brands, including Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Margaritaville Island Reserve® Collection, Sandals® and Beaches® Resorts, and more. Notable attendees included Marilyn Cairo of Classic Vacations; Debbie-Ann White and Liz Kaiser of Unique Vacations; Frank Corzo of Club Med; Amy Zocchi, Chelsea Commodari, and Lindsay Pullen of Hyatt's Inclusive Collection; and Irene Barbosa and Francia Haces of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, underscoring the depth of expertise and industry-shaping influence present. Also in attendance were longtime industry icons who helped shape Alliance Connection's story from the very beginning, including Armando "Mandy" Chomat, widely regarded as a visionary architect of the all-inclusive model; Frank Maduro, who played a pivotal role in launching the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels and UNICO 20°87° brands; and Ash Tembe of AIC Hotel Group, whose bold leadership has redefined how resorts connect with travelers.
"This celebration was more than a product launch. It's a tribute to the people and partnerships that helped get us here, and a powerful step toward where we're going next," said Melissa Mango, President and Founder of Alliance Connection. "To have the brightest, most respected minds in tourism in the same room, people who've shaped brands, inspired innovation, and supported us through every stage, is incredibly meaningful. We are grateful to build the future of travel alongside them."
At the event, SPARK® was unveiled as Alliance Connection's cutting-edge platform designed specifically for travel marketers, agents, resort owners, and hoteliers to transform big ideas into real-world results. SPARK® empowers teams with exclusive trend reports, ready-to-launch campaign toolkits, and strategic advisory sessions that go beyond inspiration by delivering clear, actionable strategies to ignite brand visibility, accelerate time-to-market, and create standout guest experiences. By combining proprietary trendcasting, immersive programming, and skill-based training, SPARK® helps resorts lead industry conversations, sharpen their marketing execution, and convert bold concepts into bookings. It complements Alliance Connection's existing suite of services, including transformative PR, influencer marketing, brand partnerships, and experiential activations to fuel every stage of a brand's journey.
"This moment wasn't just about looking back, it was about building what's next," added Madison Salyer, Executive Director of Alliance Connection. "With SPARK®, we're laying the foundation for future-forward marketing that empowers our partners to move faster, think bigger, and stay ahead of what's next in travel. We will always be innovators, but what makes this work truly powerful is the community we're privileged to create alongside. From trendcasting to immersive experiences and next-gen brand collaborations, SPARK® is just the beginning. We're all in on all-inclusive, and we're just getting started."
Guests previewed the first proprietary SPARK® tools and experienced activations including:
- A playful aerial and bungee fitness experience that encouraged guests to shake off stress, reset their energy, and get into an expansive mindset before coming to the table with big ideas
- The Bold Tank™, Alliance Connection's new innovation lab, where teams use SPARK® Prompt Cards to co-create, collaborate across divisions, and pitch breakthrough marketing ideas to shape the future of travel
- A Vibe & Vision corner that inspired brand creativity through soundscapes guests could pair to their brand ethos and hands-on vision board creation, blending audio and visual storytelling to spark clarity, imagination, and connection
- DJ Diego Ciaramella blended vinyl and digital beats, while celebrity tarot reader Sisther Pravia offered a glimpse into the future of travel through intuitive readings, offering a snapshot of Alliance Connection's Artist in Residence program, which showcases influential experts to create unforgettable travel experiences for guests
- The 15-Year Anniversary Edition of the beloved AC Faves Gifting Suite featured curated favorites from inspiring partners like Honest, Sugarfina, Tory Burch, Able, and Silver Spoon Desserts, many of them women-founded brands with bold stories of purpose and passion
- An "Under the Influence" mixology lab with a cocktail menu inspired by top influencers and content creators in the AC Creator Community™
Every year, Alliance Connection's campaigns reach over 150 million U.S. consumers through a powerful blend of integrated marketing and communications. The agency also boasts an average 47:1 campaign ROI, and a 12.7-year client retention rate, one of the highest in the industry, while continuing to lead at the intersection of culture, creativity, and commerce for travel and tourism across the Caribbean and Mexico. Building on these unrivaled results, Alliance Connection drives measurable impact through strategic brand partnerships, immersive experiences, and media-worthy moments that resonate with today's travelers. As the agency looks ahead to the next 15 years, its mission remains rooted in innovation, collaboration, and gratitude for the hospitality professionals who make the work meaningful.
To explore SPARK®, learn more about Alliance Connection, or inquire about collaborating with the team, visit www.allianceconnection.com.
See photos here.
About Alliance Connection
Alliance Connection is a bold marketing and communications agency built exclusively for the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries with a specialty in all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean and Mexico. For over 15 years, the agency has helped some of the region's most iconic resort brands turn stories into bookings through integrated strategies that fuse PR, influencer marketing, brand partnerships, and experiential activations.
With proprietary programs like SPARK®, a campaign reach of over 150 million U.S. consumers annually, and more than 1,400 successful brand campaigns, Alliance Connection delivers measurable impact. From trendcasting and content ecosystems to co-branded experiences that convert, the agency helps clients move travelers from awareness to action.
As the powerhouse behind paradise, Alliance Connection is the engine behind the region's most unforgettable resort all-inclusive brands like the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels, Meliá Hotels, Hyatt's Inclusive Collection, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Margaritaville Island Reserve® by Karisma, and AIC's Hotel Group - Nobu Hotels, UNICO, and more.
For more information, visit www.allianceconnection.com.
Media Contact:
Malaika Hollis, Alliance Connection
[email protected]
SOURCE Alliance Connection
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