What the Ensemble Member of the Year Award Actually Means

Rainbow Getaways Travel Network (RBGTN) won the 2026 Ensemble Member of the Year for Innovation, USA, at Ensemble Horizons in Las Vegas.

Not every award in this industry means something. This one does. Here's what you should know about why.

Ensemble isn't handing these out

Ensemble is a consortium. Membership means you've cleared a bar, and the organizations in the network are working at a professional level. The Member of the Year award isn't based on volume or tenure. It's recognition for the approach, and it came down to innovation.

In this context, innovation didn't mean adopting new technology or redesigning a website. It meant building a model that the industry hadn't seen structured this way before, and doing it

consistently enough that people noticed.

That's a different kind of recognition.

Where it came from

Rainbow Getaways started because there was a gap. Clients who deserved to be seen fully, planned for thoughtfully, and welcomed everywhere they went weren't always getting that from the industry. That was the problem worth solving.

RBGTN came from the same logic. Independent advisors who wanted to serve diverse clients well, in their own voice, didn't always have a host agency that supported that approach. So we built one.

The Innovation Award reflects that arc. An agency built around belonging, and a network that grew from the same premise.

What it tells you if you're evaluating hosts

You're probably looking at commission splits and fees right now. You should be. But at some point the numbers get close enough that the real question becomes: who are these people?

Awards from Ensemble answer part of that. They're not self-reported. They're not paid placements.

They come from an organization that sees a wide slice of the industry and decides what's worth pointing to.

RBGTN also holds the 2025 Magellan Award for Most Inclusive Travel Network, the 2025 LuxLife Award for Most Inclusive Host Agency, and the 2026 LuxLife Inclusive Travel Innovator of the Year. That's not a coincidence. It's a track record. The work is getting recognized because the work is real.

This isn't for everyone, and that's fine

RBGTN is boutique by design. The goal isn't to be the largest network in the industry. It's to be the right one, for advisors who are building real businesses, serving clients with real care, and operating with the kind of integrity that holds up when it matters.

If that sounds like you, the award is relevant context. If it doesn't, that's worth knowing too.

Either way, learn more at rbg-advisor.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ensemble and why does membership matter?

Ensemble is one of the travel industry's most respected consortia. Member agencies gain access to preferred supplier relationships, negotiated rates, exclusive amenities, and professional development resources that independent agencies can't access on their own. Membership isn't automatic. It requires meeting professional standards, which means when an Ensemble member wins a recognition award, it carries real weight.

What does the Member of the Year for Innovation award recognize?

The Ensemble Member of the Year for Innovation recognizes an agency that has demonstrated a meaningful, forward-thinking approach to how travel is planned, sold, or supported. It's not a sales volume award. It's a reflection of how an agency operates and whether the industry considers that approach worth pointing to.

Do I have to identify as LGBTQ+ to join RBGTN?

No. The Rainbow Getaways Travel Network (RBGTN) is built around inclusive travel as a professional standard, not a niche. If you believe every client deserves to be planned for thoughtfully and welcomed everywhere they go, you already understand the premise. You don't need to identify with a specific community to belong here.

What kind of advisors is RBGTN looking for?

RBGTN is designed for advisors who are building real businesses. That means treating this like the professional practice it is, investing in your own growth, and showing up for your clients with care and competency. If you're looking for a host agency that will hand you leads or look the other way on compliance, this isn't it.

How do I find out if RBGTN is the right fit?

Start at rbg-advisor.com. The site is built to give you a clear picture of what the network expects and what it offers. If it resonates, the application process will tell you the rest.