PHOTO: Darrellynn Hanes (center) of Worldwide Traveler holds the President’s Award presented to her at MAST Awards Night. On her right is Beth Henry holding the Outstanding Agent Sales Award and to her left is Andrea Gurda holding the All Star Award. (Courtesy of MAST)

More than 280 members and suppliers attended MAST Awards Night held in late March at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, Ill. All told, 119 awards were presented in six categories to 47 agencies and 12 preferred suppliers.

MAST’s highest sales award, the All Star Award, was presented to 25 agencies for their 2013 preferred supplier sales.

MAST’S Top agency was Cary Travel Express in Cary, Ill. In addition to the award, the 25 top agencies will also attend the All Star cruise this fall hosted by Royal Caribbean International aboard Oasis of the Seas.

 Thirteen agents were honored with the Million Dollar Agent Sales Award for their achievements in individual sales of MAST’s preferred suppliers. An additional nine received the Outstanding Agent Sales Award for their leisure travel sales on MAST’s preferred suppliers.

In the Business Development Award category, GetAway Travel Service in Hartland, Wis., won for Best Group Promotion for their wine club cruise on the Rhone River in France. Travel Discoveries of Watseka, Ill., won the Best Travel Show Award for their consumer travel show that drew people from more than 100 miles away. Honorable Mention Awards were presented to Picture Perfect Travel in Rock Island, Ill., and Blue Horizon Travel in Orion, Ill., for creative marketing activities.

 MAST also recognized the exceptional service provided by its preferred suppliers as voted by its members. Suppliers were divided into two sales categories with members choosing two suppliers for each award. Recipients honored include Best Sales Managers, Apple Vacations and Collette Vacations; Best Inside Sales Support, Apple Vacations and Collette Vacations; Best Reservations Department, Disney Destinations and Avanti Destinations; Best Group Department, Royal Caribbean International and CIE Tours; Best International Customer Service, Travel Impressions and Down Under; Best Marketing Support, Apple Vacations and Uniworld Boutique River; Best Training Program, Globus Family of Brands and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection;Best Client Documents, Travel Impressions and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection;Best MAST Sales Sensation Exhibit, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line; and Best Support of Travel Agents in Consumer Marketing, Royal Caribbean International

MAST’s President and COO, John Werner, CTC, presented the President’s Award to Darrellynn Hanes of Worldwide Traveler in McHenry, Ill. “Darrellynn is always willing to share her knowledge with other members. She has led seminars teaching others the skills she has acquired,” said Werner. “Serving as a member of MASTs board of directors, Darrellynn has been comfortable stepping into several leadership roles with fairness and a common-sense approach. She truly embodies what this award represents.”

Werner, in his closing remarks for the evening, talked about the need for travel agents to step up their own public relations and consumer awareness efforts.

Werner made reference to ASTA’s recent consumer survey highlighting the value of travel agents. Travelers who use travel agents said their agent was the most influential source for selecting the components of their trip. Travelers also said that vacations booked with a travel agent were more satisfying than trips they had booked without an agent.

“Agents should hand out their business card everywhere they go,” Werner said. “Let people know that travel agents really do exist and why they should do business with you. Consumer awareness begins in your own backyard and in your community.”