2008 Press Releases

Alexandria, Va., June 30, 2008 – To help travel professionals keep up with the ever-changing world of technology and to teach them how to better use all forms of technology to their advantage, THETRADESHOW has announced new technology seminars for delegates attending this year’s show. The 2008 THETRADESHOW will take place in Orlando, Sept. 7-9, at the Orange County Convention Center.

“Travel professionals who embrace technology will find continued success,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America. “Utilizing the latest technology and understanding Internet trends will not only boost an agent or supplier’s sales, but it can drastically simplify the way they do business, allowing them to focus more on customer service and making sure their clients become repeat clients.”

Delegates will have the option of attending any or all of the following seminars:

  • The Ultimate CRM and Marketing ToolsClientBase and ClientBase Marketing Services are better together.
    Brought to you by Sabre Travel Network
    Presented by Ken Jonker

Travel professionals will learn how to create a new profile, manage a reservation, segment their database based on travel history and preferences, send unique promotions with ClientBase Marketing Services (formally TMA), and track their results.  

  • TripTailor Vacations® – Putting You in Control of Your Destiny
    Brought to you by Sabre Travel Network
    Presented by Barbara Helzlsouer

TripTailor Vacations® is the ultimate packaging tool that gives (agents) the online pricing they need, the revenue control they deserve and the variety of travel choices their clients require. 

  • Blogging for Dollars - Advanced Tips and Tricks for Sales and Traffic
    Presented by Chelle Yarbrough

This session will teach blogging travel professionals how to tweak their methods to gain every possible advantage.  

  • Excel – Beginner
    Presented by Chelle Yarbrough

Agents will learn how using Excel can save them time and money and improve their office’s overall organization and productivity. 

  • Excel - Advanced
    Presented by Chelle Yarbrough

This advanced Excel class will cover only two topics: Importing External Data & Manipulating Data with Formulas. These advanced tricks are exceedingly helpful when importing/exporting client data, and prepping data for reports. Attendees should have a basic computing knowledge and a working knowledge of Excel.  

  • Google – Beyond Search – Advanced
    Presented by Carol Fullmer

This search will teach travel agents how to use Google’s many features and functions including Google Documents, Google Presentations and Google Spreadsheets.  

  • Google Magic – Beginner
    Presented by Carol Fullmer

This presentation will help agents and suppliers update their basic search skills and teach them how using the most popular search engines will help them find the information they need when they need it.

  • I Blog to Differ - Blogging for Beginners
    Presented by Chelle Yarbrough

In this session for beginners and the blog-curious, Yarbrough will discuss the basic concepts of blogging and how to getting started.

  • MySpace Your Way to More Sales: Using Blogs and Social Networking Sites as Part of a Successful Marketing Program
    Presented by Kate Koziol

Agents will learn tips and tricks for using social networking sites and blogs to their advantage and will learn how this booming technology can fit into a successful marketing and public relations program.

To learn more about THETRADESHOW or for a detailed listing of each seminar, please visit THETRADESHOW.org.

THETRADESHOW is created and supported by the travel industry’s leading organizations, including: ACTA, Adventures In Travel Expo, America’s Vacation Center, AirTran, ASTA, ATA, Canadian Travel Press, CLIA, Destination UK Ltd, ETOA, eTurbo News, IGLTA, International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, JAXFAX, ONLY Vegas, MailPound, NACTA, NBTA, NTA, ORLANDO, Recommend, SATH, TourismCares, Travel Age West, Travel Channel, The Travel Institute, TIA, TPOC, Travel Trade, TRAVEL WEEKLY, Turisver Trade Tourism Magazine, USA Today, USTOA, Vacation.com and World Religious Travel Association. Official media partners are: Agent@Home, vacationagent and ModernAgent.

THETRADESHOW (Travel Retailing and Destination Expo) is a 3-day, in-depth networking and educational event. Global and inclusive, THETRADESHOW unites under one roof travel suppliers and buyers from all over the world, representing every segment of the travel and tourism industry. It is the trade show event for travel decision makers. For more information on THETRADESHOW, please call 1.866.870.9333, visit THETRADESHOW.org or e-mail pr@thetradeshow.org

Contact: Kristina Rundquist/Sarah Wilhite 703.739.8710