With twice the number of vendors and 50% more staff in attendance, Railbookers Group (RBG), wrapped up the second iteration of its Global Summit last week at the Hilton Blue Lagoon in Miami.
Bringing together more than 200 staff, plus travel advisors and rail, hotel, sightseeing and technology vendors, the company celebrated a record 2024 that featured +30% revenue growth. That rapid path is set to continue, with the company already tracking +31% ahead of the previous year.
Railbookers enjoyed 30+% growth in 2024, and 2025 bookings are following a similar trajectory. (Photo Credit: Railbookers)
The theme of the RBG Summit was “Human x AI – Automate-Anticipate-Accelerate,” and each day of the event focused on an area integral to the company’s success
Attendees heard from a pair of world-class rail panels – the first featuring destination rail companies like Trenitalia, Eurostar, Amtrak, VIA Rail, Swiss Travel System and Alaska Railroad, as well as a second highlighting luxury operators Belmond, Rocky Mountaineer and Golden Eagle.
Joining the Summit for the first time was a panel of six travel agents representing the AAA Travel, Virtuoso, Signature, Travel Leaders Network, and Expedia Cruises consortiums to share how they work with Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations to make their jobs easier while better serving their clients.
“We put together an unbelievable week in Miami, bringing some of the world’s leading rail companies and hospitality partners alongside our global staff to interact, learn and celebrate the immense growth of Railbookers Group,” said Frank Marini, President & CEO.
“Whether it was sharing how rail is the new river cruising, opening in new markets and investing in new technology for 2025, or announcing the newest product trends and innovations we’ll be launching next year – the excitement and buzz was unmistakable.”
RBG staff also had the opportunity for multiple days of professional development, spending a day and a half working in “fishbowl sessions” shoulder-to-shoulder with their colleagues and participating in staff-led training sessions and educational seminars.
They also had the chance to learn and network with the vendors in attendance during Thursday afternoon’s tradeshow, while hearing from a pair of panels on top sales performance and perspectives on the company’s growth on Friday.
A highlight of the week was Thursday night’s dinner entertainment, where the company organized a waterside rock concert featuring guest appearances by Frank Marini and Senior Vice President Jim Marini on bass and drums, respectively, reuniting with their former band The Closers alongside the Jukebox Heroes.
Rail industry leaders shared their insights on a panel. (Photo Credit: Railbookers)
It all drew to a close Friday with a formal gala evening, where RBG’s top sellers and longest-tenured staff were celebrated along with the awarding of the company’s top honour, the Bob DePaolo Award, to Amtrak Vacations Sales Manager Jesse Avalo.
RBG also celebrated its ongoing corporate partnership with Make-A-Wish, presenting the organization with a check for $100,000 as part of its ongoing charitable efforts.
“As a fully remote company with staff in six countries and 33 US states, any chance we get to bring our team together in person is priceless,” Marini added. “We also like to have a little fun while we’re at it – be it wacky costumes, practical jokes and more – RBG is definitely a different type of company.”
Railbookers Group also announced the location of its third annual Global Summit, which will take place November 18-22, 2025 at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort.