CruiseWorld by Northstar is once again investing in the future
of the travel advisor community through its STAR (Select Travel Advisor
Recognition) Program, with applications now open for the 2026 program taking
place November 4–6 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention
Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Designed
for ambitious travel advisors looking to elevate their business, the STAR
Program offers a partially hosted VIP experience that provides enhanced access
to CruiseWorld’s industry-leading education, supplier relationships, and
professional development opportunities. Through exclusive programming, private
supplier engagement, and pre-event networking opportunities, STAR participants
gain valuable insights and connections designed to help them grow their
business and stay ahead in an evolving marketplace.
“The
STAR Program was created to support the continued growth and development of
travel advisors by expanding access to the industry-leading education and
professional opportunities offered at CruiseWorld,” said Alicia Evanko,
Executive Vice President of Global Events for Northstar Travel Group. “Talented
and dedicated advisors deserve the opportunity to take advantage of the
valuable learning experiences, meaningful connections, and career-building
insights this event provides. Travel Weekly and Northstar Travel Group are
proud to champion the advancement of advisors who are shaping the future of our
industry.”
At
a time when clients increasingly expect personalized expertise and insider
knowledge, the STAR Program helps advisors sharpen their competitive edge.
Participants gain exposure to the latest industry trends, product developments,
and sales strategies, equipping them with the tools needed to create
exceptional travel experiences and drive business growth.
Admission
to the STAR Program is competitive. Through a comprehensive application and
review process that includes professional references and an evaluation of
current business practices, CruiseWorld selects a limited group of advisors who
demonstrate a strong commitment to professional excellence and business
development.
Selected
advisors receive complimentary CruiseWorld registration, two nights of hotel
accommodations, and exclusive opportunities to connect directly with cruise
lines, destinations, tour operators, and other travel suppliers before and
during the event.
To
qualify, applicants must:
- Be a full-time
travel professional
- Demonstrate a
strong commitment to growing their business
- Actively pursue
opportunities to increase sales and expand their expertise
- Be available to
participate in CruiseWorld November 4–6, 2026, as well as virtual event
programming October 20–22, 2026
Applications
are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested advisors must complete an online application and provide professional references
for consideration.
“The
STAR Program was invaluable in providing direct access to cruise line
executives and industry leaders,” said Sara Jane Stroupe of Globe Trot Travel
Co. “Through focused sessions, small-group discussions, and hands-on learning
opportunities, I was able to deepen my product knowledge, refine sales
strategies, and gain insight into upcoming industry innovations. The curated
networking opportunities also made it easy to build meaningful relationships
that will directly support the continued growth of my business.”
CruiseWorld
brings together the broader leisure travel industry, offering advisors access
to suppliers across categories including destinations, hotels and resorts, tour
operators, airlines, attractions, rail, packaged vacations, business services,
and more.
For
travel advisors seeking new partnerships, fresh selling strategies, and
opportunities to accelerate their business growth, the STAR Program provides a
unique pathway to maximize the CruiseWorld experience.
Advisors
looking to attend CruiseWorld traditionally can register at cruiseworldshow.com/register for the price of $325 through August
31, 2026.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
