1st PSL held outside the continental US achieves sold-out status and rave reviews from both travel advisors and suppliers
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – September 12, 2023 – CCRA Travel Commerce Network is taking its PowerSolutions LIVE training and networking events for travel advisors to new heights. The company successfully conducted its first PowerSolutions event outside the continental United States at the end of August 2023. This sold-out event hosted travel advisors for the PowerSolutions conference and tradeshow in Puerto Rico and included a comprehensive destination familiarization trip organized by CCRA in collaboration with Discover Puerto Rico.
“At CCRA, we recognize that the most effective way to gain insights about a destination is by experiencing it firsthand and are thrilled to have introduced this invaluable opportunity at our recent PowerSolutions in Puerto Rico,” said Peter Pincus, Chief Commercial Officer of CCRA. “We were also overjoyed with the enthusiastic and warm welcome we received from Puerto Rico throughout our entire experience that beautifully showcased the island’s genuine spirit. It was an honor to have Governor Pedro Pierluisi accept our invitation to be the keynote speaker.”
“We are dedicated to continually enhancing our development offerings and are delighted to demonstrate our commitment to the travel advisor community by making it easier for them to gain insights about vacation destinations through this highly effective training method,” said Dic Marxen, President and CEO of CCRA. “Travel advisors can certainly look forward to more familiarization opportunities hosted alongside our PowerSolutions events in the future.”
The event was not only sold out, but was also highly regarded by travel advisor participants, garnering fantastic reviews and postings across social platforms.
Paraphrasing Travel Advisor VaLita Waits, Esq. of VaLita Waits Travel, LLC: “I attended my first CCRA PowerSolutions in Puerto Rico where the governor introduced the ‘Discover Puerto Rico’ theme, delivering invaluable insights for selling the island. The bus trip into San Juan provided opportunities for networking with colleagues and visual engagement with the island’s municipalities and scenery. Exploring Old San Juan and participating in the T-Mobile Center Immersion that included enjoying Puerto Rican cuisine, were highlights. Hotel site inspections enriched our experience further, while Nicole Barrett and Kelly Fontenelle’s presentations on ‘Effectively Selling the Caribbean’ were excellent par none. The trade show during PowerSolutions LIVE offered one-on-one interactions with vendors, and networking opportunities continued throughout our entire experience. PowerSolutions was undeniably impactful. I’ll never miss another PowerSolutions event.”
PowerSolutions LIVE participants to Puerto Rico were able to join in a full day of scheduled professional development and networking while additionally getting to experience the virtually limitless range of features that this captivating travel destination offers. From a historical tour of Old San Juan and a T-Mobile Center immersion program that gave advisors a taste of Puerto Rico through lunches at various on-site eateries, to insightful hotel site inspections, and additional excursions including the opportunity to explore El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s only tropical rainforest. Puerto Rico is a versatile destination that is ideal for couples, groups of friends and family, as well as larger groups. Advisors who participated can now share their excitement for the “isle of enchantment” to increase their sales to this fascinating island.
“CCRA is an exceptional partner for Puerto Rico’s tourism industry. The broad reach, deep insights, and innovative approach they’ve applied throughout our Island are helping launch our tourism industry to an all-time record level performance. The CCRA PowerSolutions event attracted a large, motivated network of travel advisors who are eagerly positioning Puerto Rico as the premier Caribbean leisure destination, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results,” said Brad Dean, Chief Executive Officer of Discover Puerto Rico.
With the huge success of PowerSolutions LIVE Puerto Rico, travel agency owners, advisors, and suppliers can look forward to CCRA expanding its future PowerSolutions LIVE events to include more FAM opportunities for further in-depth training in travel destinations. In Q4, PowerSolutions LIVE New York will be held on December 5, 2023, at Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd St. New York, NY 10021. Registration is now open via the CCRA PowerSolutions NYC Registration Pagealong with additional details about the event and agenda.
PowerSolutions LIVE events are open to travel advisors of all experience levels who are members of TRUE, ARC, IATA, CLIA, and ASTA. Travel advisors are encouraged to register early to guarantee their spot at these popular events.
About CCRA:
Established nearly 50 years ago, CCRA International, Inc. continues pioneering novel and creative platforms and programs that connect travel professionals and suppliers with the products and services they need to drive revenue, relationships, and brand recognition in the travel marketplace.
CCRA features an International Air Division focused on providing access to exclusive international air commissions; a 24/7 Travel Industry Call-Center Division staffed with expert travel advisors; a Membership Services Division that encompasses: the TRUE code agency accreditation and identification program, Travel Advisor Global Network (TAGN) – CCRA’s host agency; and a powerful Global Supplier Network that includes PowerSolutions LIVE travel advisor training and supplier networking events. The company is dedicated to sustainability for our planet. For more information, visit www.ccra.com.