Accredited training, continuing education and informative panel discussions from CLIA, the Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance (NCMA), and the Outside Sales Support Network(OSSN) will be among the highlights of an ambitious new program at the Home Based Travel Agent Forum, the Official OSSN Show & Conference, May 24-26, in San Diego.
This three-day event, which is being held at Town and Country Resort, will also feature a wide range of timely seminars and panels, proprietary educational sessions from some of the industry's best-known brands, a provocative roster of keynote speakers, and more than 200 domestic and international suppliers. It's important to note that this event is open to all travel agents and many travel organizations and associations have agreed to support the show, including the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and, of course CLIA, the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) and NCMA.
The theme of the Forum will be "Catching the Wave of the Economic Upturn." OSSN President Gary Fee, who will host the general session, says the downturn in travel over the last two years appears to have bottomed out and is beginning to show vital signs of recovery. "We want to do everything possible at this San Diego event to give our travel agent delegates every tidbit of information that will help them to cash in on the projected growth in travel sales," he says. "This objective will be reflected in what we present to our travel agent delegates, as well as by the new products and services that suppliers will introduce at the trade show."
Reports from various sources confirm Fee's observations about the economy. For example, at USTOA's annual conference held in Banff last month, the consensus among the participants was that 2010 would show at least a modest gain over the lagging sales recorded in 2009. In addition, major cruise lines, even with gains in capacity, have been filling up their ships, spurred on by sizable fare discounts and other value-added promotions. Against this backdrop, for example, Carnival reported an estimated 2009 profit of $2 billion, and both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have seen large increases in stock share prices since last March.
On the training menu, CLIA will present a three-hour session entitled "Principles of Professional Selling," and a 90-minute module called "Better Listening Skills for Better Business." The former will help sharpen your sales skills enabling them to effectively identify, qualify and close new and existing clients thru new sales techniques and streamlining their presentation. The latter will identify what behaviors can help enhance your concentration. It will provide dozens of proven, practical strategies to reinforce your ability to recall, pay attention and really listen to your clients.
Larry Dessler, NCMA's executive vice president, will provide three hours of specialized education focused on the niche cruise products provided by his member cruise lines. Dessler also says his member lines are seeing a much "stronger booking environment."
Meanwhile, OSSN has been busy preparing its roster of targeted seminars and panels. These include "Ignite the Creative Spark for Your Travel Business," presented by nationally-renowned business revivalist Keith Powell; "POWERHOUSE Your Group Business," presented by Anita Pagliasso, OSSN Western regional director; "Social Media Marketing Strategies that Work," presented by Denise Vogel, president of Click of the Mouse; "From Attrition to Commission: Building Successful Relationships with Your Hotel Partners in 2010," a panel moderated by Patti Free; "Legal Strategies to Protect Yourself and Your Clients," presented by Al Anolik, attorney at law; "Incentive Travel Sales-a WIN-WIN Sales Opportunity, presented by Melody Fee, OSSN vice president; and "Supersize Your Marketing With Consortia," present by Gary Fee, who will also moderate the always-popular cruise panel. The all-important tour panel will be moderated by Bob Whitley, USTOA president.
Also on the program will be sponsored meal functions, local site inspections, and other activities to be announced. If you want to sign up at the Early Bird rate, effective until Jan. 31, you pay only $40 for this powerful event. After that the rate goes up to $60. You can sign up by visiting www.homebasedtravelagentforum.com/register.aspx or by calling 925-337-2929. Suppliers who wish to sign up or who have questions can call Jim Cloonan at 617-337-5132 or email jim@travelsmg.com.
If you want to take advantage of the Town and Country's low rate of $89 per night, visit www.homebasedtravelagentforum.com/hotel.html or call 888-231-3058 and mention the Home Based Travel Agent Forum And be sure to keep in mind that the fabulous resort city of San Diego is easily accessible by air, rail or automobile. If you are a travel agent who wants to learn and grow, we look forward to seeing you in San Diego in May.
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