Linda Bendt
Owner, Luxury Travel Agent at Pique Travel Design- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
Topline Score
Bio
Karen Walkowski
My husband and I have been clients of Pique Travel for several years where she and her team have organized more than one "once in a lifetime" adventure for us and our family. Pique Travel is an invaluable resource in our community where those of us who love to travel are able to build relationships with those who help us organize our dreams instead of having an anonymous person on a toll-free line assisting us. But more importantly, Linda has become a great friend and colleague as we share our mutual love of travel, our commitment to our community (Excelsior) and our passion for giving back to our global community. Linda is smart, strategic and clear headed about her personal vision, her vision for the company that she and her husband own and her vision for her role in serving others-locally and globally. I have been honored to call Linda a colleague and friend- a rare combination in this world. I consider myself enriched in knowing Linda and her amazing team.
Angela Jerabek
I really appreciate the insights and knowledge Linda and her team have for destinations all over the world! Her team helps guide the right choices for us and keeps the process fun!
Karen Walkowski
My husband and I have been clients of Pique Travel for several years where she and her team have organized more than one "once in a lifetime" adventure for us and our family. Pique Travel is an invaluable resource in our community where those of us who love to travel are able to build relationships with those who help us organize our dreams instead of having an anonymous person on a toll-free line assisting us. But more importantly, Linda has become a great friend and colleague as we share our mutual love of travel, our commitment to our community (Excelsior) and our passion for giving back to our global community. Linda is smart, strategic and clear headed about her personal vision, her vision for the company that she and her husband own and her vision for her role in serving others-locally and globally. I have been honored to call Linda a colleague and friend- a rare combination in this world. I consider myself enriched in knowing Linda and her amazing team.
Angela Jerabek
I really appreciate the insights and knowledge Linda and her team have for destinations all over the world! Her team helps guide the right choices for us and keeps the process fun!
Karen Walkowski
My husband and I have been clients of Pique Travel for several years where she and her team have organized more than one "once in a lifetime" adventure for us and our family. Pique Travel is an invaluable resource in our community where those of us who love to travel are able to build relationships with those who help us organize our dreams instead of having an anonymous person on a toll-free line assisting us. But more importantly, Linda has become a great friend and colleague as we share our mutual love of travel, our commitment to our community (Excelsior) and our passion for giving back to our global community. Linda is smart, strategic and clear headed about her personal vision, her vision for the company that she and her husband own and her vision for her role in serving others-locally and globally. I have been honored to call Linda a colleague and friend- a rare combination in this world. I consider myself enriched in knowing Linda and her amazing team.
Angela Jerabek
I really appreciate the insights and knowledge Linda and her team have for destinations all over the world! Her team helps guide the right choices for us and keeps the process fun!
Karen Walkowski
My husband and I have been clients of Pique Travel for several years where she and her team have organized more than one "once in a lifetime" adventure for us and our family. Pique Travel is an invaluable resource in our community where those of us who love to travel are able to build relationships with those who help us organize our dreams instead of having an anonymous person on a toll-free line assisting us. But more importantly, Linda has become a great friend and colleague as we share our mutual love of travel, our commitment to our community (Excelsior) and our passion for giving back to our global community. Linda is smart, strategic and clear headed about her personal vision, her vision for the company that she and her husband own and her vision for her role in serving others-locally and globally. I have been honored to call Linda a colleague and friend- a rare combination in this world. I consider myself enriched in knowing Linda and her amazing team.
Angela Jerabek
I really appreciate the insights and knowledge Linda and her team have for destinations all over the world! Her team helps guide the right choices for us and keeps the process fun!
Credentials
-
Virtuoso Innovation Winner - Best Travel Event
VirtuosoAug, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Virtuoso Wanderlist Specialist
Virtuoso WanderlistMay, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
2017 Top 10 Most Innovative Virtuoso Office
VirtuosoAug, 2017- Nov, 2024 -
California Sellers of Travel License
California Government Operations AgencyApr, 2017- Nov, 2024 -
CLIA
CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)Apr, 2015- Nov, 2024 -
ASTA
ASTA - American Society of Travel AdvisorsApr, 2013- Nov, 2024 -
Virtuoso Member Agency
VirtuosoApr, 2013- Nov, 2024 -
Forbes Business Council
Forbes Business CouncilJan, 2020- Nov, 2024
Experience
-
Pique Travel Design
-
United States
-
Travel Arrangements
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Owner, Luxury Travel Agent
-
Mar 2013 - Present
Pique Travel Design specializes in three areas: Travel Design | Wanderlist® Travel Plans | Career Switchers. Travel Design - we are proud to have attracted a seasoned group of professional travel designers who provide unbiased advice and counsel. We understand planning a trip can be a daunting task. Our designers have in-depth first-hand experiences in destinations all over the world. They’ve spent years researching, analyzing and screening their local in-country partners to ensure you can make the most of your precious vacation time. https://www.piquetravel.com/travel-agent Wanderlist® Travel Plans - Of all of your life priorities, leisure time is one asset you can't earn back. Once it's gone. It's gone. To safeguard against this issue, we created the travel industry's first Wanderlist® travel portfolio. Building on the model of a wealth advisor and blending the popularity of the bucket list, a travel portfolio helps organize your messy wish list into a thoughtful travel plan. https://www.piquetravel.com/virtuosowanderlist Career Switchers - A recent Gallup study revealed the happiest job in America belongs to travel agents. Or as we prefer to call ourselves, travel designers. If you have been searching for a career that offers more fulfillment, it doesn't get much better than helping clients realize their travel dreams. https://www.piquetravel.com/travelagentjobs Show less
-
-
-
Forbes Business Council
-
United States
-
Professional Training and Coaching
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Official Member
-
Jan 2020 - Present
Proud to collaborate with other business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking to grow in business strategy, innovation, global economies and more. Proud to collaborate with other business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking to grow in business strategy, innovation, global economies and more.
-
-
-
-
Owner/PR Director
-
Oct 2000 - Nov 2018
After toggling between advertising and PR for many years, I realized PR was my "calling." I now run my own consulting business where my day's tasks range from writing strategic marketing communications plans to scouting event locations (and everything in between!). I love every aspect of it (okay, almost every). After toggling between advertising and PR for many years, I realized PR was my "calling." I now run my own consulting business where my day's tasks range from writing strategic marketing communications plans to scouting event locations (and everything in between!). I love every aspect of it (okay, almost every).
-
-
-
-
Account Supervisor
-
Mar 1999 - Oct 2000
Supervised overall brand strategy and execution of communication tactics for various brands including WAM!NET, flowersandgifts.com, redtag.com and others. Supervised overall brand strategy and execution of communication tactics for various brands including WAM!NET, flowersandgifts.com, redtag.com and others.
-
-
-
-
Account Supervisor, PR Manager
-
1996 - 1999
I worked on several regional accounts such as GE Capital, GTE, Aloha Airlines and Servco Office Products. In addition to overseeing integrated marketing on my accounts, I started a PR division at the agency and grew it to nearly $400k in revenue within two years. I worked on several regional accounts such as GE Capital, GTE, Aloha Airlines and Servco Office Products. In addition to overseeing integrated marketing on my accounts, I started a PR division at the agency and grew it to nearly $400k in revenue within two years.
-
-
-
-
Account Executive (PR and Ad)
-
1992 - 1996
Began my career at Carmichael Lynch Spong working on clients such as Norwest Banks (now Wells Fargo), Mack Trucks, Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball and Minnesota Department of Transportation. After 3 years in PR, I became intrigued by the research and branding work that happened on the advertising side so I made a lateral move to Carmichael Lynch. There I worked on National Car Rental (overall brand work and partnerships with Disney, PGA and NCAA), Schwinn Bikes & Fitness and Avia Footwear. Show less
-
-
Education
-
University of St. Thomas
Partial Masters Degree -
1988 - 1992
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Bachelor of Science, Major in Journalism (emphasis in PR) and a minor in Marketing
Community
