Speakers Announced for Ensemble Conference

WHY IT RATES: For the first time in more than 10 years, the annual conference will be held outside of the U.S. and Canada in Nassau. —Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Senior Writer

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More than 900 Ensemble travel agency owners, frontline counselors, and preferred partners are expected to attend the upcoming 2018 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference set for October 24-28, 2018, at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, the Bahamas. The annual gathering marks the first time in 11 years for the organization’s annual gathering to be held outside of its primary U.S. and Canadian borders.

“This year’s program is built around the theme of “FASTForward: On the Shoulders of GIANTS” in recognition of our 50th anniversary in 2018,” explains co-president Libbie Rice. “Throughout the conference, we will honor our roots as the Greater Independent Association of National Travel Services as well reveal how we are strategically positioned to thrive in the years ahead.”

Rice and co-president Lindsay Pearlman officially kick off the conference with their state-of-the-organization address on Wednesday morning, October 24, 2018.

Following the opening general session, Ensemble owners/managers will engage in a private business meeting while frontline advisors adjourn to a special lunch with participating hoteliers and On Location partners in addition to a customized Ensemble orientation program.

This year’s conference keynote speaker is master storyteller Kindra Hall who will speak on Thursday morning, October 25, 2018. As a former sales and marketing executive for a multi-million dollar enterprise, Hall focused all her efforts on identifying standout sales strategies that worked. After years of testing, there was one technique that consistently out-performed the rest: strategic storytelling. She is now a national champion storyteller, 2014 Storytelling World Award recipient, and former board member of the National Storytelling Network.

River cruising takes center stage Friday morning, October 26 as Jeff Drew, CTC, moderates a panel of executives including Ellen Bettridge of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Paula Hayes of Globus family of brands, Gary Murphy of AmaWaterways, and Michele Saegesser of Viking Cruises.

Other highlights of the 2018 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference include:

—A powerhouse lineup of general session speakers includes David Meerman Scott, marketing & sales authority, on “real-time” tools and strategies that work – now; Scott Steinberg, leading futurist consultant and business strategist, on creating a competitive advantage by understanding emerging markets, trends, and innovations (for owner/manager/suppliers); Judi Holler, personal branding and performance coach, on unleashing your courage so you can take action, stay relevant, and start connecting in powerful and profitable ways (for frontline advisors); and Eric Papp, leadership, and motivational trainer, on how taking ownership leads to productivity.

—Conference attendees will also have plenty of opportunity to network with Ensemble’s preferred partners in prime-time events such as the “Travel Your World of Hotel & Destination Experiences” tradeshow-with-a-twist, all-supplier tradeshow, and one-on-one appointments.

—Daily supplier “Happy Hours” feature participating partners (at press time): American Queen Steamboat Company, Azamara Club Cruises, Carey International, Delta Air Lines, Club Med, Hawaii Tourism, Hurtigruten, Tourism New Zealand, TravCorp: Trafalgar, Travel Impressions, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and Viking Cruises.

—Festive evening events include a welcome reception, Circle of Excellence gala and Make-A-Wish auction, and beachside Junkanoo carnival party to close out the conference in grand style, complete with fireworks.

SOURCE: Ensemble Travel Group press release.