The host agency Dugan’s Travels has announced staff updates, previewed upcoming educational events, and selected its Five Star Agents for 2018. The distinguished Five Star travel agents are selected based on their sales performance in the previous calendar year.
Staff Changes
Dugan’s Travels has announced several additions to its team, as well as established new roles for existing team members. Jennifer Dugan, the owner of Dugan’s Travels, will be the Chief Family Officer. She will be responsible for maintaining the culture of the company and building agent recognition and awareness. Dugan is also responsible for licensing, travel regulation compliance, and other banking and legal matters.
Virginia Ann Busceme was named Chief Operations Officer. Busceme will be responsible for the business activities of the agency including commissions, agent contracts, invoicing, ClientEase, Smart Agency implementation and development, and other business-related activities.
Shari Speer was named Chief Supplier Relations Officer, taking the responsibility for developing and expanding Dugan's Travels' relationships with travel suppliers, as well as increasing agent awareness on the business, offerings, and promotions from travel suppliers. Speer is also responsible for all Dugan's University seminars.
Karen Pattison is joining the team of Dugan's Travels as the New Agent Coordinator. In this position, Pattison will work with new agents when they join Dugan's and advise and assist them through the New Agent Orientation program. Additionally, Melissa Land was named Marketing Coordinator. Land will be responsible for promoting Dugan's Travels and Dugan's preferred suppliers through inward and outward facing marketing. Land will also continue to do prospective agent telephone sessions.
Finally, Carolyn Orf was named Chief Development Officer. Orf will be responsible for agent development for new and experienced agents. Orf will continue to guide agents through Dugan's STEP Program and will oversee and develop Dugan's New Agent Orientation and other agent education programs.
Five Star Agents
In other news, Dugan’s Travels selected its Five Star Agents for 2018. Five Star Agents are selected based on their service to clients, sales, and if they received $15,000 or more in paid commissions during a 12-month period ending December 31. This year, 33 agents were selected, with higher honors going to agents that earned the most.
2018 Five Star Agents:
- Steven Beck
- Virginia Ann Busceme
- Carla Caldwell
- Suzanne Denis
- Natalie Gaston
- Jane Goodman
- Kris Jekel
- Earl Kaplan
- Cathleen Lewis
- Sherry McCracken
- Roxann Schneckloth
- Richard Skinner
- Trista Terry
2018 Five Star Premier Agents:
- Paula Alford
- Mandy Archer
- Joan Barnes
- Deborah Chapman
- Joann Christensen
- Tina Lanoux
- Ellen Love
- Karen Pattison
- Roselyne Perrault
- Shelly Phillips
- Lynn Reed
- Carrie Van Bruwaene
- Christina Woycitzky
2018 Five Star Premier Agents Managers Circle:
- Tina Becker
- Wendi Carrillo
- Brenda Kettlewell
- Holly Reynolds Lee
- Carolyn Orf
- Cheryl Sawin
- Dennis Telmanik
Agent Events
Looking ahead, Dugan’s Travels has also announced the location of this year's Travel Agent Development events for its agent education program, Dugan’s University. Dugan's University is comprised of two to three annual agent events, with each one giving insight into the basics of the business and working with Dugan's Travels. In 2018, agents will be meeting in Anaheim, New Orleans, and at a seminar at sea.
The main Dugan's University event in Anaheim is celebrating its 12th year in February 2018. It is just short of a week and includes more than 20 supplier presentations and typically two ship inspections. This seminar focuses on product updates, relationship building, and an overall opportunity for experienced and new agents to come together to grow their business. The “Dugan's U Travels to” event will be New Orleans in September 2018. The location for this event changes each year, and it is a shorter educational opportunity similar to Anaheim.
For more on Dugan's Travels, visit www.travelathome.com.
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