WHY IT RATES: The move signals a strong commitment to The Travel Corporation's travel advisor partners.-Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor
TTC Tour Brands announces changes to the North American sales team with the promotion of Josh Hepp to Vice President of National Accounts from his current role as Director of Strategic Accounts.
Ursula Blackburne, currently working under The Travel Corporation's (TTC) sales team will transition to North America Sales Manager, Brendan Vacations, a Celtic tour company included in TTC Tour Brands. The tour operator sales division is also seeking additional hires for the roles of Director of Strategic Accounts and the new role of Manager of Strategic Accounts.
Josh Hepp, Vice President of National Accounts, is currently based in Denver, CO, and joined The Travel Corporation in December 2013, as a Regional Sales Manager with Contiki. Hepp has spent the last two years as Director of National Accounts, and prior to that managed the sales managers on the West Coast and Midwest. Hepp's success in building relationships and growing the business in his current role as Director of National Accounts plus his past achievements leading a sales team proves he will be successful in his new role as Vice President of National Accounts. He is passionate about making impactful travel moments for both guests and communities around the world.
"I'm thrilled to expand my responsibilities within TTC Tour Brands as the Vice President of National Accounts," says Hepp. "TTC continues to put a strong emphasis on the advisor community and as our support structure for advisors expands, it'll allow us to connect more guests to more memorable, transformative experiences. I'm honored to continue the strong commitment to our travel advisor partners to develop the growth of their tour business segment."
Ursula Blackburne has been a part of the TTC North America sales team since February 2018 and will now transition to focus solely on Brendan Vacations in her new role as North America Sales Manager for the Celtic tour operator. In this role, Blackburne will be responsible for cultivating strong relationships with existing trade partners, driving brand awareness for Brendan Vacations and identifying new customer prospects. Born and raised in Ireland and currently based in Montgomery, Texas, she will be an asset to the Brendan Vacations North America sales team as a Celtic expert who can provide the ultimate support to our advisor partners.
"After starting my career with TTC's online accounts for the land and river cruise brands sold in North America, I'm looking forward to representing Brendan Vacations," says Blackburne. "Speaking with clients and travelers about traveling to my homeland is something I am very excited to do as I continue turning my passion for travel into a career. My first-hand knowledge of the destinations will be an asset to the Brendan Vacations sales team and help our sales managers to create brand awareness for the top trending destinations of Ireland and Scotland."
TTC Tour Brands, North America is also looking to fill the role of Director of Strategic Accounts and is adding a new role, Manager of Strategic Accounts. These two positions will report to Hepp along with the Latin Accounts Manager, and Director of National Accounts, Canada.
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