Travel Professional Opportunity is Abundant at the Upcoming 2022 CruiseWorld Event
Written By: Jennifer Kruse, CTA, ACC, LCS, Associate Director, Trade Recruitment & Engagement – Travel Weekly Events
If the pandemic solidified one thing, it’s that travel advisors are the backbone of the travel industry. As travel resumes to its pre-pandemic state, with testing and entry requirements lifted in most parts of the world, travel advisors remain in high demand. Travel Weekly knows that key components of an advisor’s value have always been education, training, supplier relationships and keeping up with industry trends. Like in the past, CruiseWorld will be a place where advisors can find all of these elements to best serve their clients, some of whom have travelled throughout COVID-19 restrictions, and some who are just now resuming travel.
Taking place at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL November 2-4, 2022, Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld will bring the industry together. A large and long-standing component of CruiseWorld is the STAR (Select Travel Advisor Recognition) Program.
The STAR Program at CruiseWorld works to provide partially subsidized educational and professional opportunities for qualified travel advisors. Accepted STAR participants receive complimentary event registration, two (2) nights hotel accommodation, pre-event virtual programming and exclusive opportunities onsite.
“The STAR Program aims to advance the industry by partially subsidizing conference expenses for up to 250 advisors to attend CruiseWorld,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, Executive Vice President, Global Events, Northstar Travel Group. “So often, advisors miss out on the incredible educational and networking opportunities at CruiseWorld because of cost and Travel Weekly is committed to investing in the professionals who will help our industry soar.”
The program is incredibly popular and sells out regularly. It’s widely accepted as the premier hosted opportunity for front line travel sellers, including advisors of all levels of professional development.
Specific participation requirements and program criteria as well as the application to participate can be found at www.cruiseworldshow.com/star.
An exciting and exclusive feature of the STAR Program is the Travel Advisor Roundtable series, taking place virtually prior to the conference on October 25th and live during the conference. Suppliers give a series of presentations to travel advisors on their product, destination, or service. The small group numbers facilitate productive discussion and allow for question and answer between suppliers and travel advisors.
Advisors selected for the STAR Program will also participate in one-on-one virtual meetings with suppliers pre-event on October 26th & 27th. Advisors can then have follow-up conversations face-to-face with supplier representatives during the Exhibitor Showcase on November 3rd.
“CruiseWorld’s STAR Program provides an opportunity to conduct one-on-one meetings and get facetime with vendors,” said Julie Laible, Beach and Beyond Travel, a past STAR Program participant. “This is key to deciding what vendors to add to your portfolio.”
Traditional CruiseWorld registration options are also available for those who are unable to fully engage in the STAR Program commitment, or who prefer a more flexible event experience.
The CruiseWorld program will include general sessions jam-packed with industry leaders and education, supplier training programs and breakout sessions, peer-led workshops, and the signature Exhibitor Showcase featuring suppliers from every facet of the travel industry.
CruiseWorld isn’t just about cruise. The event brings together all facets of the leisure travel industry. Exhibitor categories include: airlines, attractions, business tools, car rental, cruise, destinations, hotels and resorts, professional services, rail, tour operators and packaged vacations, and more.
To apply for the STAR Program, learn more about CruiseWorld, or register traditionally, visit www.cruiseworldshow.com.
Those wishing to register traditionally can use code HBTA to receive $25 off the current registration rate.