Written By: Berit Griffin, Senior Public Relations Specialist – Nexion Travel Group
Join Nexion Travel Group on the Harmony of the Seas
CoNexion 2018, held on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas from September 22-29, gave hundreds of the host agency’s members the chance to gather, network, learn, grow and hear about the company’s latest offerings. Among the CoNexion news were a rebranding, new marketing and technology offerings, member awards and more. Here is a roundup of the highlights of CoNexion 2018.
Rebranding: Nexion officially announced a name change to Nexion Travel Group. The new name reflects the Irving, Texas-based company’s continued expansion as well as more clearly positions it as a leading travel industry organization. As part of the rebranding, Nexion Travel Group introduced a new logo and brand standards illustrative of the company’s growth, reputation and vibrancy.
New “Martech”: In the coming year, Nexion Travel Group is giving its members new technology and marketing offerings to grow their businesses, including:
- The financial solutions rollout of myNexion, a Nexion-provided business operating system that expands members’ current CRM system into a full booking management and accounting solution. The dashboard provides visibility into sales opportunities and sales performance plus auto-synchronization of GDS bookings, supporting members who use each of the four primary GDS applications.
- Nexion Travel Group members will receive a new business to consumer website solution via Travel Leaders Network’s Leaders Edge, which will be tightly integrated with members’ operating systems. The Leaders Edge website solution includes full integration with the powerful Agent Profiler lead generation tool, which enables consumers to search for a travel advisor based on a variety of criteria including advisor specialties and certifications.
- The highly attractive and artfully designed Escape quarterly publication that was introduced in 2018 will continue in the coming year with additional components including a new Escape Insider customized monthly publication. Each issue of Escape is focused on varying themes such as experiential travel, luxury travel and holiday travel and is part of a strategic integrated print and digital consumer marketing campaign. Elements include a high gloss print publication along with a robust suite of digital components, including digital display on advisors’ consumer websites, emails sent to clients before the magazine arrives in homes and shortly afterwards, as well as layered social media posts that link back to a digital version of the print publication.
- Beginning in 2019, clients will also begin receiving the monthly Escape Insider, which is a customized print and digital campaign with a more tactical and offer-driven focus. An associated direct mail campaign, along with a bi-monthly e-newsletter with the same offers in the printed piece, as well as additional last-minute exclusive travel deals from Nexion’s preferred supplier partners, will round out the campaigns.
Charitable Activities: Nexion Travel Group raised nearly $67,000 for the Family Bonds Foundation at CoNexion through a series of fundraising initiatives largely made possible through a variety of generous prize donations from preferred travel supplier partners. In addition, Nexion Travel Group and its members donated more than three pallets of school supply items to children in Haiti during the Harmony of the Seas stop in Labadee, Haiti. The items donated were enough to help nine Haitian schools.
Member Awards: Nexion Travel Group recognized its members with various awards. This year’s honorees are:
- Kimberlee Wilson (An Extraordinary Traveler), Nexion Travel Group Ambassador
- Brandi Vincent (Principal Travel), Rising Star
- Linda Caplan (Link Uo With Linda), ACT Mentor Recognitio
- Patty Rossetti (ASAP Travel Inc.), Nexion Alchemist
- Peter Enns (Travel Concierge, LLC), Community Action Award
- Sylvia Longmire (Spin the Globe/Travel), Social Pro
- Diane Frisch (Diane Frisch Destimnations), Nexion Townie of the Year
- Holly Serokos (Burnt Store Travel), Newxion Networks Leader of the Year.
Nexion Travel Group also recognized the members who have earned the Circle of Excellence and MillionAir designations, as well as supplier partners of the year.
Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman announced the location and dates of the 2019 CoNexion: September 12-15, 2019 at Universal Orlando Resort.
All travel professionals interested in learning how to succeed as a professional business owner, backed by Nexion Travel Group’s many great benefits, are encouraged to call 800-747-6813 or email sales@nexion.com.
Interviews with Nexion Travel Group Agents
Interview With: Chad Shields | Engage Vacations
Can you share how long you’ve been working with our friends at Nexion Travel Group?
I have been with Nexion Travel Group for seven years.
Have you attended a previous Nexion Travel Group conference or event? If so, what do you feel is the most valuable take-a-way from them?
This is my third CoNexion and I have also attended a Nexion On the Road event in Austin, Texas. My biggest takeaways typically come from opportunities to share best practices with other Nexion Travel Group members. Whether it is a strategy for attracting pied pipers for groups or discussing social media marketing, I have been able to apply some great practices to my business from other travel advisors.
Did you start your Travel business as a member of Nexion Travel Group? If not, what things helped you in choosing Nexion Travel Group as your Host Travel Agency?
I started my business as subagent for another Nexion agent and then I chose to join it myself when it was time for me to start my own agency. The commitment the Nexion Travel Group leadership and staff have to the success of the members, and the access to incredible supplier relationships were the driving factors when I decided to open a primary account with Nexion Travel Group.
What tool(s) offered by Nexion Travel Group do you find most helpful in your business?
The Nexion Travel Group and Travel Leaders Network group cruise space, and special supplier offers for Nexion Travel Group members have been very helpful.
If someone was considering partnering with Nexion Travel Group as a Host Travel Agency, what advice or insight would you offer them?
I would encourage them to utilize more than just Nexion Travel Group’s IATA number. Take advantage of the relationships with the suppliers, the tools, the technology and the marketing programs to truly maximize the benefit of being a Nexion Travel Group member.
Interview With: Daniel Genung | Harr Travel Inc.
Can you share how long you’ve been working with our friends at Nexion Travel Group?
I have been with Nexion Travel Group nearly 13 years. Nexion Travel Group is my family!
Have you attended a previous Nexion Travel Group conference or event? If so, what do you feel is the most valuable take-a-way from them?
I have been to dozens of Nexion Travel Group events. The most valuable takeaways always come from sharing ideas and best practices with Nexion Travel Group staff and my peers. I learn so many new ideas and different approaches to our industry every time we get together.
Did you start your Travel business as a member of Nexion Travel Group? If not, what things helped you in choosing Nexion Travel Group as your Host Travel Agency?
I did find Nexion when I was just starting out. Initially I was drawn to being part of a team, and had great input from other agents who recommended Nexion Travel Group. Since then I have realized how much bigger Nexion Travel Group is to me than just a host agency. Nexion Travel Group staff and my fellow members are my support system for work and much more. We have empathy for each other since we understand what it is like to run a small business, especially a travel business.
What tool(s) offered by Nexion Travel Group do you find most helpful in your business?
Supplier relationships are probably the biggest. The connections that I made at CoNexion will allow me to reach out on behalf of my clients when that is necessary. I now have a personal relationship with my BDMs and even the cruise line executives because of these encounters at the conference.
If someone was considering partnering with Nexion Travel Group as a Host Travel Agency, what advice or insight would you offer them?
Make sure that you fit together. I can’t imagine working without Nexion Travel Group, but I know friends and colleagues who have a unique specialty that may be a better fit elsewhere. Also, Nexion Travel Group is a collaborative environment where we treat each other the way we want to be treated and hold each other to a highest standard. If that sounds good, then Nexion Travel Group is most likely a perfect fit.
Interview With: Brandi Vincent | Principal Travel
Can you share how long you’ve been working with our friends at Nexion Travel Group?
I began my journey as a Nexion Travel Group member in April 2017.
Have you attended a previous Nexion Travel Group conference or event? If so, what do you feel is the most valuable take-a-way from them?
I attended my first Nexion Travel Group event in April 2017, right after I became a member. Agent Essentials is a five-day program designed to give the travel professional who is new to the industry the skills and knowledge necessary to research and book all aspects of travel for their clients. I can’t express enough how important Agent Essentials was to my success. I was able to meet Nexion Travel Group staff members and interact one on one with other travel advisors like myself who were to new the industry. Agent Essentials provided me with the necessary tools that I needed to start booking magical vacations for my clients. My first booking as a travel agent was the very next month.
I attended my first CoNexion conference in September 2017 in New Orleans. This is where I fell in love with the travel industry. The atmosphere at CoNexion was electric. I left the conference with several new tools in my toolbox to grow my business. At CoNexion 2017 I made a goal to qualify into the Circle of Excellence my first year as an agent. I came up a little short of making that goal but I did qualify for the Gateway to Excellence and the best part was I was honored at this year’s CoNexion with the Rising Star Award.
In February 2018 I decided to attend Boot Camp. Boot Camp is available to all newer members of Nexion Travel Group, whether they are new to the industry or new to Nexion Travel Group. I was getting more comfortable booking trips for my clients but I wanted to meet more suppliers and get to know some of my peers in the industry. I gather so much knowledge and wisdom from other members at all of the Nexion Travel Group events.
This year I will be attending the Leap into Luxury Summit, a newer event. I know I will leave the summit integrating more luxury travel into my sales mix by learning more about my suppliers and the products they offer.
Did you start your Travel business as a member of Nexion Travel Group? If not, what things helped you in choosing Nexion Travel Group as your Host Travel Agency?
Nexion Travel Group was my first choice as a host agency because the headquarters are in Dallas. I love the fact I can drive over from San Angelo and attend events that are hosted at the headquarters. Nexion Travel Group also has a solid ethical reputation in the travel industry.
What tool(s) offered by Nexion Travel Group do you find most helpful in your business?
Nexion Travel Group’s booking tools, marketing tools, business development programs (I can’t say thank you enough to my coach Martin Mussey) and of course the ongoing education programs that are offered have definitely help me succeed my first year in the travel business. I am also grateful for Nexion Travel Group’s ongoing relationships with their suppliers. In the travel industry, relationships are everything! This is especially true when it comes to suppliers.
If someone was considering partnering with Nexion Travel Group as a Host Travel Agency, what advice or insight would you offer them?
Go with your gut. What is going to make the difference is how comfortable you feel with your host. You have to choose the host you feel the most connected to because you will have a close personal relationship with them. You may be talking to them a lot, so it better be someone you like! Ultimately, it has to “feel” like the right fit.
Interview With: Kimberlee Evans | An Extraordinary Traveler
Can you share how long you’ve been working with our friends at Nexion Travel Group?
I have been with Nexion Travel Group since May 2014.
Have you attended a previous Nexion Travel Group conference or event? If so, what do you feel is the most valuable take-a-way from them?
I’ve said it no less then 50 times, the peer to peer connections are what keep me coming back. I love the interactions, the networking and the knowledge gained from my fellow members. I’m also a relationship builder (it’s a strength that carries over into every aspect of my life) and some of my favorite relationships have come from my time spent at Nexion events.
Did you start your Travel business as a member of Nexion Travel Group? If not, what things helped you in choosing Nexion Travel Group as your Host Travel Agency?
I have been with Nexion Travel Group from the beginning. I started as a sub-agent with Seamless Travel and Anthea Gilchrist – she was already established with Nexion Travel Group. When I made the decision to go on my own, there was never a doubt that I would stay with Nexion Travel Group. It never occurred to me to look elsewhere.
What tool(s) offered by Nexion do you find most helpful in your business?
The networking opportunities as well as the learning and training are all incredibly helpful. I make an effort to attend as many training opportunities as I can, not only to help build and grow my business, but also to give me more confidence. I love staying on top of my game and Nexion Travel Group’s events make that a reality.
If someone was considering partnering with Nexion as a Host Travel Agency, what advice or insight would you offer them?
Do it! You will not regret the decision. The support, the family environment, the opportunities being a part of Nexion Travel Group provides are priceless. Nexion Travel group has opened up a world to me that I’m not sure I knew existed. Without the staff and fellow memberswho have come into my life, I wouldn’t be running the successful travel agency that I am today.