Travel Leaders Network kicked off its inaugural International Conference at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando over the weekend. Here are the latest updates from the event.
New Private Car and Driver, AmaWaterways Block Space Program
At the event Travel Leaders Network announced the details of a new Distinctive Voyages offering that allows clients to select a private “Car and Driver” amenity. Distinctive Voyages is a Travel Leaders Network exclusive hosted cruise collection of sailings with complimentary added amenities, such as a private cocktail reception, an exclusive shore event and a distinctive voyage host on board each sailing. Travel Leaders Network also announced 50 AmaWaterways sailings that will feature enhanced commissions for members and shipboard credit for their clients.
The private Car and Driver amenity will be offered on a select number of Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises itineraries at launch, with other cruise lines to be added for 2018. Clients will have the option of selecting a private car and driver with a guided tour in select ports or they may take advantage of a private car and driver for a specified length of time, starting this fall.
The new AmaWaterways Exclusive Block Space Program will be made available on more than 50 of the cruise line’s sailings, including a Danube River cruise from Vilshofen, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary; the Taste of Bordeaux sailing along the Garonne River; or the Tulip Time Cruise in Amsterdam.
“Customer Success 2.0” for Business Travel Account Managers
For business travel account managers, the organization launched a Customer Success 2.0 training program. Created to mirror Travel Leaders’ Professional Selling Certification program, this six-month curriculum will offer qualifying members a series of monthly two-hour interactive virtual training sessions, as well as the chance to participate in “pit crew” discussions with peers each month, and regularly prepare “action plans” in order to complete the six modules of training. The program also includes multi-day, in-person educational workshops and an ongoing case study of a current participant’s corporate client. At the conclusion of the program, each member is required to present a case study.
While Customer Success 2.0 officially kicked off in Orlando, the first participant group completed the inaugural training in November, Travel Leaders said.
Travel Agent Awards
At the event Travel Leaders and Travel Leaders Network also honored a number of its top travel agencies and travel agents.
First up were the Employee of Excellence Awards from Travel Leaders, which went to Bettie Kensmoe of Fargo, North Dakota; Debbie Chase of Madison, Wisconsin; and Nadia Brushnefski of Bel Air, Maryland.
Travel Leaders Associates honored its top travel agencies with the Agency of Excellence awards, which wen to 25 of the highest qualifying agencies. To earn the ward, each agency was scored in multiple categories that reflect business growth; utilization of marketing programs to effectively reach local consumers; participation in training programs to enhance service to their clients; participation in local and national business networking meetings; and overall promotion of the Travel Leaders brand.
Travel Leaders Associates Bruce and Carol Horner were honored with the “Associate of the Year Award,” which is given to the Travel Leaders Associate who most epitomizes excellence in service to clients and effectively representing the Travel Leaders brand over the course of the past year, Travel Leaders said.
The “Golden Legacy” and “Associate of the Year” awards were both given to Albertville, Minnesota-based Travel Leaders Associates Bonnie and Walter Lee. The “Golden Legacy” award honors lifetime achievements in best exemplifying the international franchise system’s entrepreneurial spirit and quality standards, Travel Leaders said.