Photo courtesy of SoCal ASTA
SoCal ASTA held its annual Diamond Awards and 80th Anniversary Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Jan. 17, celebrating those who have made significant contributions to the travel industry and represent the vision and values of SoCal ASTA.
At the event, SoCal ASTA-the Southern California chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents-hosted over 175 travel agents, owners and suppliers at the iconic Beverly Hills property. Numerous honors were handed out, including two Diamond Awards, the "2014 SoCal ASTA Travel Agent of the Year," the "2014 SoCal ASTA Allied Member of the Year," the "2014 SoCal ASTA Compass Award (recognizing the top supplier)" and the "2014 SoCal ASTA Advocate of the Year."
The night began with a champagne reception and a silent auction, followed by the recognition of past SoCal ASTA presidents and previous Diamond honorees.
SoCal ASTA Chapter President Pamela Irwin and previous Diamond honorees in attendance-Wido Schaefer, Vicki Freed, Susan Tanzman, Marc Mancini, Joe Watters and Ed and Lynn Hogan-then led a special Irish toast of previous Diamond honoree Jimmy Murphy, a landmark figure in the industry who passed away in December.
The Diamond Award honorees this year were Jeremiah Francis Michael "Jerry" Healy and Miriam Rand.
Healy, who passed away in August, was Pleasant Holidays' vice president of sales and spent 50 years in the travel industry. He was honored for "his untiring support of the travel agent community, his passion for life, his unwavering support of the travel industry in Southern California and SoCal ASTA."
Rand, who was described as "98 years young" at the reception, received the Diamond Award to a standing ovation. The "First Lady of Luxury Travel" represented many celebrities during her 55-year career in the industry and was an iconic figure in Southern California and beyond for decades.
"After all these years I feel very honored," Rand told TravelPulse. "It was a beautiful affair."
Julie Johnson, owner of Azurro Travel and former vice president of SoCal ASTA, was named the 2014 ASTA Travel Agent of the Year.
"It is quite an honor," Johnson said. "I was very thankful of Pam (Irwin) and the board for giving me that honor."
Johnson said that the Diamond Awards is a great networking event, beyond its significance in honoring those who have contributed positively to the industry.
"Some of the top names in travel are normally there," she said. "It's not too often in Southern California that we get as many big wigs in one place… It gives us an opportunity to get together in a local environment and network, learn and support each other."
Johnson, who actually did her career project on being a travel agent when she was a freshman in high school, said she's "always liked travel" and she's "always been a wanderer."
Whether you work in leisure travel ("You're helping people live their dreams and create their dreams," Johnson said) or at the corporate level ("It's about relationships," Johnson said), being a travel agent certainly can come with its perks and be rewarding.
"There's bonding that goes on when you work together all the time," Johnson said. "We all succeed together."
Nancy Iovino of Paul Gauguin Cruises, who has more than 25 years of experience in the travel and cruise industry, was presented with the 2014 SoCal ASTA Allied Member of the Year. Iovino, who had no idea she would be receiving an award before the ceremony, said she was "shocked" and that it was nice to be recognized.
When asked how important an event the Diamond Awards is, Iovino said, "It's very important. It's fabulous. (SoCal ASTA) literally lobbies for our interests."
The SoCal ASTA Compass Award, given to the supplier of the year, went to Princess Cruises, which was honored in large part due to its OneSource Academy travel agent training program. The program was lauded for being thorough, timely and challenging. OneSource Academy covers every Princess Cruises ship and destination, while detailing how each ship and destination will enhance a traveler's experience.
Following a successful year for ASTA and SoCal ASTA, the 2014 SoCal ASTA Advocate of the Year award was shared by both Alex Sharpe and the Board of Signature Travel Network and Roger Block and the Board of Travel Leaders. Signature Travel Network and Travel Leaders announced in 2014 that they would require members to be members of ASTA in 2015.
Block, who is also chair of the ASTA, encouraged agents to continue to educate the agent community about the value of being a part of ASTA and what the organization does for the travel industry.
"You cannot stop," Block told agents upon receiving the award. "Communicate with every type of agent. Carry that torch."
Beyond raising money for its own operation, SoCal ASTA also raises money for the California Coalition of Travel Organizations (CCTO), consumer awareness, ASTAPAC and several local charities such as the American Cancer Society, Los Angeles Children's Hospital, St. Vincent's Meals on Wheels and the Fred Jordan Mission.
For more information, visit www.asta.org or www.socalasta.us.
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