As the travel industry continues to evolve, Dugan's Travels is taking a thoughtful approach to supporting its independent advisors by investing in people, tools, and relationships that foster long-term success. The host agency, founded in 1997 by Jennifer Dugan, is focusing on strengthening its internal team, refining educational programs, evaluating technology, and deepening supplier partnerships to ensure advisors have the resources they need to thrive.
"We've never wanted growth just for the sake of being bigger," said Jennifer Dugan, owner of Dugan's Travels. "We want to be better. That means continually looking at what our advisors need, what our team does well, and where we can make improvements that provide meaningful support."
One of the primary areas of focus is the support structure behind the advisors. The agency is reassessing how its team members—Christina, Shari, Tracy, Joleen, Cecily, Barb, and Jennifer—collaborate and divide responsibilities. By aligning each person's strengths with areas such as advisor education, new-agent support, supplier relationships, events, and peer-to-peer learning, the agency aims to provide clearer communication and more effective assistance. "We have talented people with very different strengths," Dugan explained. "Part of my responsibility as a leader is recognizing those strengths and figuring out where each person can make the biggest difference."
Education remains a cornerstone of the Dugan's Travels experience. The agency is enhancing its webinar program and developing initiatives tailored to advisors at various stages of their careers. The Five Star community continues to offer established advisors opportunities for advanced learning, while new advisors receive foundational training to build confidence. Peer-to-peer learning is also gaining prominence through the Hear From Our Peers series, where advisors share real-world experiences and strategies. Upcoming sessions include an advisor discussing how her passion for Scotland became a specialty, demonstrating how personal interests can evolve into business niches.
Dugan's University (DU) remains a vital component of the agency's community, bringing together advisors, team members, and suppliers for education and networking. The agency is planning future DU events with a focus on enhancing advisor engagement and providing actionable takeaways. Technology is another area under review, with the agency evaluating CRM options to ensure they genuinely improve the advisor experience rather than add complexity. "We want technology to solve problems, not create new ones," Dugan noted.
Supplier relationships are being strengthened through the Inner Circle program, which fosters deeper partnerships with suppliers eager to engage with the advisor community. These collaborations create opportunities for education, marketing, and product knowledge. As the agency plans the next year of partnerships, the emphasis remains on delivering meaningful value to advisors.
The guiding principle behind these changes is that improvement doesn't always mean adding more; sometimes it involves refining existing processes. This could mean clarifying procedures, assigning ownership based on strengths, or eliminating inefficiencies. "We already do a lot," Dugan said. "Our next chapter isn't about seeing how many more things we can add. It's about looking at everything we're doing and asking: Is this useful? Is it working? Is the right person handling it? And does it ultimately help our advisors?"
Since its founding in 1997, Dugan's Travels has been dedicated to helping advisors build sustainable businesses while maintaining flexibility. The agency's philosophy remains rooted in the importance of people, relationships, education, and support. As it moves forward, the agency is committed to evolving while staying true to these principles. "We're going to keep trying things, learning, listening, and adjusting," Dugan said. "What matters is that we're willing to keep looking at ourselves and asking how we can do a better job for our advisors."
For more information about Dugan's Travels and its advisor support initiatives, visit Dugan's Travels.
