Meet Our Team
Abby Lagman
FOUNDER/PRESIDENT
I started my travel career with Walt Disney Travel Company as a young adult, in the summer of 1999. Though I loved the company and culture, the friendly skies called upon me and I became a flight attendant with a major airline at the age of 19. The travel industry changed drastically after 9/11, so I decided to move to Las Vegas and pursued travel and hospitality in different venues. With different roles in hotels, night clubs, entertainment and wholesale travel companies, I was able to build strong business relationships all over the world and in 2014, became a Virtuoso luxury travel advisor. In 2019, I opened the doors to Blissful Travel Company.
I have a certificate in hospitality and tourism management from Florida Atlantic University, attend travel shows all over the world and enjoy traveling and sharing my experiences on my social media platforms, contributing to different travel industry publications, TV outlets and blogs. I usually have a phone or camera in hand, ready for that perfect shot!
Recently, I've visited some amazing remote locations in Colombia, winter wonderland trip to Switzerland, Christmas in the Philippines, amazing private islands in Fiji and enjoys Mexico trips at least 3 times a year. Though my travels take me all over the world, I am proud to call Las Vegas home.
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Looking for travel tips or maybe some inspiration on where to go next? Check out my blog where I share my personal travels and experiences!
I started my career in the travel industry in 1989 in Culver City, California.
My friend’s mother owned an agency at the time and asked us if we wanted to work a couple hour here and there. Her mom needed the help and we wanted the extra money, so we did it! A few months into working at the agency, I became very interested and started watching and learning from her. I found it exciting to see her make people so happy to make their life long dreams a reality. Soon after, I worked with her as a travel advisor for over a year and loved it! I started as a leisure agent and then started to work with corporate clients.
Throughout the years, I have been able to travel to places in Latin America, Caribbean, and many places in the US. I have also been on several cruises and enjoy traveling as much as planning.
I have worked for a few great travel agencies, United Airlines and in 2015 achieved my goal by opening up my own agency. I still have the passion in helping people make their dreams come true and helping them plan vacations of a lifetime.
Mary Money
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR
I was born with a curiosity and love for different places, people, and cultures which is why being a travel advisor is a such a perfect fit for my career. I have had the opportunity to travel through working on-board cruise ships in my early twenties and in recent years as a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. I specialize in honeymoons and destination weddings, African safari's, beach vacations, and customized FIT's in Europe. I am not afraid to tackle destinations I have not been to and utilize my Virtuoso partnerships, worldwide. My greatest asset is that I genuinely care about each of my clients and provide them with personalized attention.
Wanda Pedersen
LUXURY TRAVEL DESIGNER
I grew up in Olympia, Washington and have always had a love for travel. I went on my first cruise in high school, and was hooked. After graduating from high school, I worked for a travel agency that taught me the travel business from the ground up, including Apollo (the United Airlines reservations system). I went to college at Washington State University, but still continued to work as a travel agent during my college breaks. After receiving my degree in business, I decided to travel the world by working on cruise ships for two years as a hostess. When I returned on land, I moved to Las Vegas where I started working for Macy’s as a regional manager of tourism marketing. I gained so much experience in marketing, fashion and tourism. Five years ago, I became a travel advisor and love what I do. I love exotic beach vacations and everything Disney, so became a certified Disney expert as well as a cruise specialist. I love adventure and sharing my experiences such as taking a helicopter to a glacier in Alaska, swimming in the Blue Hole in Punta Cana, and one of my favorites, swimming with the pigs in the Bahamas. Travel is my true passion and love assisting my clients, developing relationships and making their vacation dreams come true.
Shannon DeBoer
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR
Travel is the most freeing feeling I've ever felt. I've driven all around North America, cruised the Caribbean, taken trains all over Europe and more. Whether I'm checking out other parts of the country, or getting out and seeing the rest of the world, my favorite parts about travelling are the experiences I have that I know I can't have at home, and the connections I make with people. Travel has become such a huge part of my life, and I have always been somebody who craved the opportunity to share these travel experiences with as many of my friends as possible. Now, here I am to help as many people as I can to do the same.
Nick Dionne
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR
My love of all things travel started when I was just a little girl going on family vacations and reunions. I did not start in the hospitality business until I worked for Wyndham, but knew that it was my calling.
I am an avid traveler and love visiting countries overseas just as much as I love touring various places across the United States.
Some of my favorite places include: Iceland, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Nevada, and Louisiana.
Chere Thompson Birdwell
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR
I am born and raised in Michigan, and always looking to visit somewhere new!
Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, and I largely thank my parents for instilling that into me as a child. I love to experience other cultures, natural beauty, landscapes and cuisines. Although I have been fortunate to cruise and travel all over the US and Mexico, my favorite place in the world to visit is Maui. When I am not traveling (or in Maui), you can find me perusing the travel channel and YouTube for the next amazing vacation spot. I am extremely thorough and detail oriented, and my goal is to bring your trip as much magic as possible, wherever the destination may be.
Lauren Gagnon
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR
I’ve always had a love of travel which began with taking road trips with my dad when I was a kid driving to Central and Northern California, travelling by Amtrak cross country, or RVing to the Grand Canyon. After college, I began my career in marketing and graphic design and have worked with a cruise travel company in marketing and advertising and years later with a boutique event planning firm as an event manager/consultant, cultivating positive relationships with clients by creating successful events and travel experiences.
Through the years I’ve traveled to the Caribbean, Hawaii, New York, New Orleans, Vancouver, and London and there is so much more that I would like to see and explore. I enjoy collaborating with clients to create fun, relaxing, stress-free travel experiences.
Nicole Williams
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR