Valerie Ann Wilson

Known for: Wilson runs one of the country’s most prestigious agencies (which this fall celebrates 30 years in the business), sits on half a dozen corporate travel advisory boards, and just reissued a comprehensive guide to the world’s best hotels (to be published in November and sold on Amazon), but her calling card is still hardworking agent. She’s more than willing to pick up the phone herself to ensure that her clients’ needs are met, whether that means getting a hotel upgrade or snagging a hard-to-book restaurant reservation. Consulting fee: From $200.