Fora was built on community, which will always be our foundation. As Fora’s diverse community continues to grow (we have advisors in 118 countries, from Anguilla to Zimbabwe), that close-knit spirit of collaboration lives on. Fora Chapters help make that happen.
“It helps bring continuity and approachability to the goals of Fora,” Juli Hall, Atlanta’s Chapter Lead, said of the Chapter framework. “Chapters help people see they are part of the larger picture and that they are part of something real.”
Chapters are localized communities of Fora Advisors. We launched Fora Chapters — in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles — in February 2024. Within a year, that number doubled. We now have Chapters in Phoenix, South Florida, New York City and London, too, and we'll only continue to grow.
“They help build community, they establish a sense of belonging with others, they help advisors find peers who are at the same point in their career and also find mentors,” Anne Travous, Phoenix’s Chapter Lead, said.
Because Fora was built on community, we were also built on collaboration. Our advisors uplift and support each other. Chapters facilitate this level of support — and make it more fun. Even in a world of Zooms and hyperconnectivity, nothing can beat in-person interactions.
“Chapters help connect our community of independent advisors. We all have different clients and travel specialties, but Fora brings all of us together to learn and grow,” Tara Anbudaiyan, London’s Chapter Lead, said. “The Chapters allow us to expand on our knowledge in real life.”
You’re never alone
Every Fora Advisor is an entrepreneur. Starting and launching your own business is a courageous and, at times, lonely endeavor. Chapters help mitigate that sense of isolation. They make you feel less alone.
“This job can feel a bit lonely since we all work from home, and I wanted to help create community on a local front,” Juli said. “I believe connecting locally helps build and maintain the energy and excitement that Fora has created from the beginning.”
Dallas Chapter Lead Kaitlan Leonard hails from the corporate world. She’d always had a coworker around. When she transitioned to running her own business as a Fora Advisor, it was challenging to organically foster connections without a traditional office setting. Starting the Dallas Chapter helped bridge that gap.
“I was inspired to take the Chapter Lead role to build a sense of community and get to know fellow advisors who shared similar goals,” she said. “What I ended up with was more than just professional connections — I found a close-knit group of individuals I now consider my friends.”
Every Chapter Lead is a Fora Advisor — one who has a robust book of business and has fulfilled certain criteria and booking thresholds. Chapter Leads organize events and get-togethers to create space for advisors to share their expertise, while also having fun and building confidence. Any certified advisor within a certain city radius can join a Chapter.
“Connecting with other members of the Fora Atlanta Chapter has helped me immensely, especially as I am just beginning my journey,” Fora Advisor Julia Booher said. “I have learned so much from other Chapter members, and I have met advisors who are truly experts in planning trips to the most incredible places. I now have contacts I can reach out to for cruises, Alaska, Antarctica and the Caribbean, just to name a few!”
As other communities grow, Fora will continue to add more chapters. In-person learning among one another is invaluable, regardless of where you are in your travel-advisor career path.
“Chapters have had a significant positive impact on my Fora business,” Fora Advisor Steve Michailidis, who’s part of our London Chapter, said. “The connections I’ve made through my chapter have boosted my confidence and helped me refine my strategies, ultimately leading to better client experiences and increased bookings.”
What do Chapters do?
Fora launches its South Florida Chapter at the 1 Hotel South Beach
Chapter events are specific to their respective locales. Tessa Carro, our New York City Chapter Lead, organized an event at the Tenement Museum, for instance, an intimate space in the Lower East Side. Tara organized a co-working session at the 1 Hotel Mayfair, in London. Anne put together a friendsgiving at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale (which Fora’s co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Jake Peters, attended). Kaitlan and 12 of her Dallas Chapter members had dinner with Hicham Alaoui, the co-founder of Experience Morocco, one of our exceptional on-the-ground partners.
There have been epic holiday parties, hikes, co-working by an incredible hotel pool, goal-setting sessions, cocktail hours, hotel visits… Everything is in service of learning and growing with each other — and having an amazing time while doing so.
“Chapters encourage a sense of belonging and purpose,” Juli said.
Knowing that we had advisors all over the country was, ultimately, the deciding factor that compelled Yvonne McVay, part of Phoenix’s local Chapter, to join Fora.
“Our chapter really does follow the Fora lead of sharing knowledge amongst everyone and helping build each other up,” she said.
Chirag Panchal, part of Fora’s Dallas Chapter, agreed: “It has created a sense of community rather than competition,” he said of his local Chapter. “I am able to bounce ideas off of people and get answers in a smaller setting.”
Chapters are intimate spaces primed for career coaching and camaraderie. They foster deeper industry connections, expand networks and help advance advisors’ careers.
“We are a vibrant community of smart, passionate and talented people,” Teresa Fox, South Florida’s Chapter Lead, added. “To be selected to represent that to our partners and within Fora is an honor."
