Complimentary Micro Learning Bursts help
Advisors Stay Educated
FRAMINGHAM, MA, June 16, 2025 – The Travel Institute announces its Q3 2025 event calendar with a continued robust list of PEP Talks—complimentary, expert learning events held live and online, as led by members of its Professional Educators Program, or PEP. The Travel Institute’s PEP roster, including nearly 70 top trainers, thought leaders and subject matter experts from both inside and outside the travel industry, offer both new and experienced travel professionals the opportunity to gain valuable, actionable insight on timely topics year-round at no cost.
“The Travel Institute’s unwavering commitment to fostering success among travel professionals is truly inspiring,” remarked Tami Santini, an award-winning destination wedding and business coach and owner of Paradise Getaways LLC. “The Travel Institute has set the standard for quality education in our industry and I am honored to contribute to its mission,” Santini continued.
Each year, thousands of travel professionals attend PEP Talks and other webinars hosted by The Travel Institute. The carefully curated content for Q3 2025 includes converting inquiries to sales, entrepreneurial best practices for advisors, team engagement and productivity for leaders, worldwide rail travel, and much more. Open to all travel professionals, the 2025 Q3 schedule includes:
- Turning Credentials into Cashflow July 14, 1 pm EDT What sets you apart from your competition? And, what does that even mean? You’ve invested in gaining knowledge but how do consumers find you? Join Anne Smith, CTIE, owner, Travel and Events Extraordinaire, and gain practical advice and techniques that maximize your education ROI, building a profitable business based on closing, keeping, and generating new sales.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset 3-Part Series Starting July 18, 2 pm EDT Are you prepared for the future of tourism? How will you grow your business during both stable and uncertain times? Join Dr. Carol Dimopoulos, MBA, Ed.D, CEO and founder, Learning Journeys, and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at East Stroudsburg University; to develop the necessary entrepreneurial mindset to build your brand while also gaining insight on using AI to understand, target and acquire new business. Attendees will benefit from just one or all three sessions. Part 2 is August 7; Part 3 is September 25.
- Pathways to Success: Real Stories from CTA, CTC, and CTIE Graduates July 23, 2 pm EDT Curious about what it takes to level up your career in travel—and what doors open once you do? Join us for an inspiring panel discussion and learn how certification translates into success in an ever-changing industry. Whether you’re just starting or considering your next step, join those who’ve been there and done exactly that. Hosted by Jamie Rumph, CTA; Connie Wallace, CTC; and Stacey Cabell, CTIE.
- One Couple. Endless Opportunities: Transforming One Trip into a Lifetime of Revenue August 18, 2 pm EDT What if every couple’s getaway sparked years of repeat business? Join Tami Santini, award-winning destination wedding and business coach and owner of Paradise Getaways LLC., for this impactful session on turning traveling couples into loyal, lifelong clients. Discover five proven strategies to deepen relationships, generate consistent referrals, and become the trusted advisor for every chapter of their travel journey, turning one trip into a powerful pipeline of ongoing revenue.
- Elevate Your Team’s Engagement and Improve Productivity August 26, 2 pm EDT Gain valuable insights from Drew Daly, CTIE, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations/World Travel Holdings and board member for The Travel Institute. Recently honored with an industry Lifetime Achievement Award and a certified professional coach, Drew will share leadership tips on connecting more effectively with team members and colleagues and provide strategies to increase daily efficiency. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills!
- Creating Proposals That Close September 4, 1 pm EDT Join Jennifer Jacob, COO, Tique HQ, and learn how to streamline the proposal process and convert more inquiries into booked clients. Simplify your approach, reduce back-and-forth and present proposals that inspire quick, confident decisions—without overwhelming your clients or your calendar.
- Rail Travel 201 Worldwide Destinations September 30, 1 pm EDT Join Jim Marini, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Railbookers, for a journey that will put you “on track” for a whole new revenue stream while providing a unique independent travel option for clients. Railbookers offers Rail Vacation Packages in Europe, Canada, Alaska, and worldwide. Also learn how to book European rail 24 months in advance and earn excellent commissions.
“With diverse, timely and relevant learning, our PEP Talks offer amazing takeaways for everyone regardless of specialty or experience level,” asserted Carla Smith, CTA, director of alumni relations & continuing education for The Travel Institute. Further emphasizing the value of these micro learning bursts, Smith explained, “Our content evolves to help advisors be successful in an ever-changing industry. It’s about getting educated AND then staying educated,” Smith continued.
Live PEP Talk attendance is complimentary for all agents and there are no prerequisites for attendees. PEP Talks are also archived and available on-demand 24/7 for subscribers of The Travel Institute’s online continued learning library. Along with unlimited access to all content, library subscribers also benefit from additional “perks” from PEP members, including discounts and exclusive content. “Everything is so relevant to the climate of today’s travel industry; PEP Talks are a valuable tool to have in one’s toolbox!” shared Judy Deal, industry veteran operating Deal Travel Consultants and an online library subscriber.
Along with timely, actionable learning, certified graduates of The Travel Institute gain two continuing education units, or CEUs, for attendance toward the 10 required annually to keep certification current. As an independent, non-profit educational organization and with advisors “aging out” across all levels throughout the industry, The Travel Institute is focused on accessibility and affordability, including low- and no-tuition/free education resources, for all travel professionals, including front-line, entry level agents, mid-level managers and senior industry leaders.
See the FULL event calendar for regular updates and to sign up. The calendar also includes a variety of additional complimentary webinars year-round to provide guidance for both new and experienced agents looking to advance through certification, specialization and other learning opportunities beyond PEP Talks.
The Travel Institute relies on individuals and organizations to support its work to create relevant, meaningful, rigorous and affordable coursework for agents at all career stages. Donate funding, share your expertise with students, or learn more about sponsorships in support of agent, traveler, and industry success.
About PEP
The Travel Institute’s Professional Educators Program roster includes trainers, educators and speakers from both inside and outside the travel industry. Established in 2011, PEP is a collection of thought leaders who share their expertise with travel professionals ongoing via PEP Talks—live online lectures that are also recorded, white papers, newsletters, blogs, and more. The Travel Institute’s certified graduates earn two continuing education units, or CEUs, toward annual ongoing education requirements for attending PEP Talks or other career-related programming. Space is limited and early sign-up is encouraged. Presented live, PEP Talks—along with nearly 200 already recorded lectures and other valuable content—are also available on-demand via The Travel Institute’s online content library member/subscription program.
About The Travel Institute
A collaborative industry effort created in 1964, The Travel Institute has continuously evolved to maintain its role as the global leader and industry’s recognized gold standard in travel industry education and certification. Dedicated solely to advancing the professionalism of both agents and industry leaders in support of individual and industry success, The Travel Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, independent organization operating exclusively for educational purposes to meet the ever-changing needs of travel agents. Working with leaders throughout the industry to create and deliver relevant and rigorous coursework and proctored, closed-book testing to ensure graduates demonstrate the highest standards of expertise and service, The Travel Institute has more than 31,000 Certified Travel Associate, CTA®; Certified Travel Counselor, CTC®; and Certified Travel Industry Executive, CTIE® graduates. It also administers the Travel Agent Proficiency, or TAP®, exam to confirm students new to the industry demonstrate a mastery of travel industry basics. Countless individuals, agency owners and managers, and educational institutions utilize The Travel Institute’s award-winning TRIPKITSM introductory program and CTA® as their learning tools of choice. A trusted partner to industry suppliers and educational institutions, The Travel Institute is also the approved provider of travel industry civilian occupation training for U.S. military and has trained hundreds of thousands through various courses, webinars, and Premium Access online library content. Throughout North America, many successful agents and high-profile leaders credit their success to coursework from The Travel Institute. Learn more.