Written By: Mary Pat Sullivan, Content Director – Travel Weekly Events
Professional development is critical to growth and success for any business. If you are seeking new skills, expert supplier training, industry certifications, or some lessons from some of your successful peers, all of these goals can be accomplished with the more than 30 workshops available at Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld this November in Fort Lauderdale.
Training opportunities will begin a day early this year on November 6, with an immersion course in selling all the brands of The Travel Corporation. This new four-hour session will feature TTC brands including African Travel, Contiki, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. The workshop will also include roundtable discussion opportunities with the brand leaders.
On the first official day of CruiseWorld, November 7, attendees will have an opportunity to learn from the industry’s leading certification organizations with two classes and 25 credits offered by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a Travel Institute class on writing in the internet age and an opportunity to earn ten continuing education credits, in-depth VAX training, Hawaii Tourism USA certification, Special Needs Group certification training, and an introduction to the brand new Family Travel Association certification program.
On Thursday, November 8, workshop options will include eight one-hour supplier training classes from supplier partners including: Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, and Riviera River Cruises, and destination training from Visit Anchorage and Israel Ministry of Tourism.
On the final day of the event, Friday, November 9, successful travel agency owners and your leaders Andy and Joanie Ogg from the Travel Professional Community will share their secrets to success in a dozen peer-to-peer workshops focusing on growth strategies, business operations, sales and marketing, and client development. Learning options will be available to satisfy the needs of beginners, developing agencies and long-time sellers in need of some new ideas and energy.
- Growth Strategy topics will include:
-Developing business and marketing plans
-Making the million dollar leap from $1M to $2M in sales
-Thinking bigger and filling the ship - Sales and Marketing topics will include:
-How to make the phone ring
-Picking the best social media platforms
-What should your website do? - Business Operations topics will include:
-The Host Agency Conundrum – How do you make the right choice?
-Travel Advisors and Fees-This Isn’t Volunteer Work
-Are ICs right for your business? - Client Development sessions will include:
-Qualifying Your Clients
-Profitable Custom Land Tours for Groups
-Autism Travel/Special Needs Travel 101
Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld event will be held November 7-9 in Fort Lauderdale, with ship inspection opportunities available at both Fort Lauderdale and Miami ports on November 10 and 11. The full event features c-suite keynote speakers, supplier workshops, peer-to-peer training, a one-day Exhibitor Showcase, sponsored meal functions, ship inspections and significant networking opportunities.
CruiseWorld will include three days of general sessions during which attendees will hear from the top leadership in the cruise and tour community, with updates, insights and trends from industry leaders.
The signature one-day Exhibitor Showcase will be held on Thursday, November 8 with companies representing diverse segments of the travel industry including, airlines, attractions, business tools, car rental, cruise, destinations, hotels and resorts, professional services, tour operators and packaged vacations and more. Suppliers interested in joining the Exhibitor Showcase should contact Emmy Morales at emorales@travelweekly.com.
CruiseWorld is once again offering its Select Travel Advisor Recognition (STAR) program. The core component of the STAR Program is a series of business connections scheduled between exhibiting suppliers and prequalified travel advisors committed to business growth. Selected advisors will receive complimentary registration and hotel accommodation for two nights. Those spots are filling quickly, with more than half already committed.
Visit www.cruiseworldshow.com for more information and to register.
Whether attending as a STAR Program participant or a traditional attendee, CruiseWorld’s robust programming provides value for all types of travel advisors, from the home-based professional to the cruise-centered advisors, the seasoned veterans and those new to the industry. Register today and receive $25 off the current registration price using code HBTA at checkout.
For more information on Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld, the ship inspection roster and the STAR Program, visit www.cruiseworldshow.com.