THE TRADE SHOW – Educational Seminars at THE TRADE SHOW

Education

Become the travel experts your clients desire with the 3-day educational conference program designed specifically for you. The comprehensive education and training will enrich your career and increase your sales. By attending THETRADESHOW, you will gain the essential knowledge and expertise to make your travel business more profitable. In just three education packed days, the #1 travel trade show in North America will provide a wide selection of educational sessions to help you enhance your areas of expertise and capture more sales opportunities.

Educational sessions will covering these important topics:

Technology Sales & Marketing Cruise Home-Based Business Building

Presentation Pavilions Product Seminars SHOWSTAGE Supplier Seminars

View Speaker Bio's

Icon indicates the educational session will be recorded and available post-show in webinar format in the virtual e-Learning Center.

Technology

Advanced Facebook Tips and Tricks
Presented by Chelle Honiker-Yarbrough, CTC
Facebook's built-in profiling system gives you a marketing edge that no other system offers. Search engines are slow, Twitter is too vast and open. Every user that signs up for Facebook has to provide demographic information that helps you zero in on your target market and hit them with the right offer at the right time. In this session, Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC introduces you to the world of FBML - Facebook MarkUp Language - which lets you add completely customized pages and features to your Facebook page like YouTube Videos, Appointment Calendars and Booking Engines.
In this class you'll learn:
• What FBML is and how it is used on a Fan Page
• How to add YouTube Videos and other media to your page
• How to customize a welcome page, bypassing "The Wall" and making your page stand out
• How to connect advanced applications such as booking engines to your page
This is a hands-on class so be sure you have already signed up for Facebook and bring your user name and password to the class for the maximum benefit.

Blogging 101 - How to Start a Blog and Use it for Your Business
Presented by Bryan Alaspa
The phenomenon of blogging is still relatively new. However, it has now pervaded nearly every part of the internet and is here to stay this session will provide you with tools on how to create a blog that will work.
You will learn:
• What is a blog?
• Why should a business use a blog?
• What do you need to think about before you write that first sentence
• Picking a topic
• Picking the right blogging format
• Writing that first blog entry
• Building an audience
• Success stories
• Potential pitfalls
• Next steps

Blogging 201 - So, You’ve Started to Blog, Now What?
Presented by Bryan Alaspa
After you've written your fist blog entry and entered the world of blogging, learn what your next steps are.
You will learn:
• How do you find an audience?
• How do you keep your audience?
• What to do when you run out of things to write about
• How to keep the blog going and interesting
• Building an archive
• Adding pages to your blog’s site
• Success Stories
• Next steps

Building Blocks for Facebook Fan Pages
Presented by Chelle Honiker-Yarbrough, CTC
Once thought of only as a way to connect with old college chums, Facebook is an even more powerful medium for attracting new customers than websites. Fan pages are an interactive goldmine, in fact, because it allows you to precisely target your audience - something no search engine can do! Join Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC as she shares the ins and outs of Facebook Fan Pages and shows you how this free service can gain you fans overnight, helping you sell more travel by letting your fans recommend your offers to their friends for you - extending your reach into new marketplaces.
In this class you'll learn:
• How to build a basic fan page
• How to edit your profile photo
• How to connect third party applications like Twitter, your blog and calendars
• What to post for maximum exposure, and when
• How to engage your visitors and fans to spread your message
This is a hands-on class so be sure you have already signed up for Facebook and bring your user name and password to the class for the maximum benefit.

Choosing a CRM program – What to look for?
Presented by Teresa Giacalone
This class will explore the questions you should be asking yourself when you are getting ready to choose a Customer Relationship Management software.

Drive Customer Loyalty with Sabre Travel Network®
With every new wave of technology breakthroughs, customer expectations rise. Better pricing… More options… Pre-departure updates… In-trip updates… How do you exceed those expectations so your customers keep coming back year after year? It’s simple—choose a partner on the cutting edge with solutions designed to meet your needs.

Sabre Travel Network is that partner. Our Sabre® RedTM travel solution offers two suites of capabilities so you can drive customer loyalty. The Sabre Red Value Suite helps you offer the best travel options at the best value and the Sabre Red Service Suite lets you deliver differentiated services that WOW your customers.

In this session, we’ll take a deeper dive into the Value Suite and Service Suite so you’ll learn:
- How you can save your customers an average of 10% on every air ticket
- The depth of content and options available to you through Sabre Cruises, Sabre Vacations and travel protection
- Coming soon: a premium graphical air and hotel shopping and booking engine
- Mobile tools that keep your customer in the know and you looking like a star
- The only CRM system designed for travel agencies and integrated into your workspace, so you can manage customer profiles like never before.

Linked-In 101 - How to Create a Linked-In Profile
Presented by Kate Koziol
When it comes to social media and its applications for business, the one word you hear over and over again is Linked-In. Come learn how to setup a Linked-In profile and why.
You will learn:
• What is Linked-In?
• How is LinkedIn different than other social media sites?
• Why should someone consider joining LinkedIn?
• Creating your Linked-In Profile
• Joining groups
• Participating in discussions
• Success Stories
• Next steps

Linked-In 201 - Advanced Linked-In Techniques
Presented by Kate Koziol
Takes a deeper journey into the heart of Linked-In and how the site can be used to further your business and expand your network.
You will learn:
• Expanding your LinkedIn network
• Choosing what discussions to participate in
• Finding the right group to join
• Starting your own discussion
• Creating a group
• Adding applications to your profile
• Success stories
• Next steps

Selling Travel in 140 Characters - Twitter for Travel Pros
Presented by Chelle Honiker-Yarbrough, CTC
Twitter is here to stay - and savvy travel pros are selling travel (and themselves!) using 140 characters or less! Join Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC for an under-the-hood look at Twitter, and how smart travel industry pros are using it.
You’ll learn
• What Twitter is - but more importantly how it can help you find new customers and sell more travel
• “Rules” to being a good twitizen, - so that you’re not hurting your business more than helping it
• Hashtags, search options, desktop clients, mobile clients
• How to tie your account to other social media networks, like Facebook, Plaxo & LinkedIn.
• Where to find followers and the etiquette for retaining the best ones.
• You’ll receive a good list of followers to get you started and some great website resources to jump start your efforts right away
• By the end of the session you'll know if Twitter is right for your marketing plan, and practical tools to jumpstart your efforts

The Power of Words and Selling Using E-mail
Brought to you by University of Travel and Client Ease
Presented by Charlie Dubinsky and Darla Garber
During this seminar you will learn how various words can present differently and make the client pick up the phone or to make that reservation. You will also learn how to use email to make more sales.

The Power of YouTube and Video Marketing
Presented by Adam Lapsevich
Video is where the internet is heading. In this powerful seminar, you'll learn how the Power of YouTube and video marketing can help you increase your business,
- How to drive traffic to your website with video
- How to engage customers with creative video
- How to add video to your website
- How to create your own YouTube channel
- Secrets of email marketing with video
- How to use video on other social media platforms.
Nothing sells travel better than a visual marketing message and that is what VIDEO is all about.

Power Business Performance with Sabre Travel Network® session recorded
Extreme efficiency and more revenue: Two cornerstones every business hopes to one day achieve. There is no better feeling than finding a way to bring more efficiency or more revenue into your business by doing little more than better leveraging tools right at your finger tips. Are you making the most of all available resources?

Join this session to learn how the Sabre® RedTM travel solution can power your business performance. The Sabre Red Revenue Suite helps you capture more revenue on more sales while the Sabre Red Efficiency Suite enables you to control costs with extreme efficiency.

In this session, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Revenue Suite and the Efficiency Suite so you’ll be able to:
- Sell travel extras and insurance to drive more revenue to your agency
- Use automated service fee management capabilities to increase what you earn per transaction
- Customize the Sabre Red Workspace to meet the unique needs of your business
- Use the graphical workflow to reduce agent training time and keystrokes

Top 10 Social Media Blunders and How to Avoid Them
Presented by Sophie Bujold
Social media can be a great way to interact with and find new customers. But as with anything else social, there is “etiquette” to follow if you want to avoid being shunned from the group you are interacting with. Avoid repeating some of the biggest mistakes that have been made and get a hand up on other “social newbies”. In this session, you will learn about:
•           The things businesses do on social media that drive their audience crazy!
•           Best practices for online interaction
•           How to get your message across without overdoing it
•           Building trust and gaining clients

Turn Your Website into a Virtual Money Machine
Presented by Tom Ogg
Learn how to take your website to the next level by building organic traffic, developing strong and unique content, increasing your standing on Google, and closing sales on your site. Key discussion points include:
- Ways to update your website
- Optimizing your website for search engines like Google
- Content building that is easy and quick
- 10 Strategies to out-market your competition using your site
- Turning “lookers” to “buyers”
- How to analyze your site’s performance and profitability

Sales and Marketing

Cultivating a Presence in Your Community: Using Community Groups and Functions to Reach Consumers
Presented by Jeni Miller
Connecting with your community can be an effective way to increase awareness of your brand and generate new leads – if you know how to mix, mingle and market. Who IS your community? How do you get your foot in the door? And what do you do once you get there? This session will help you develop a plan of action for marketing in your community without seeming overtly self-promotional.
You’ll learn:
• To identify groups with which you should build relationships,
• Tools to use for making the most of your marketing time and dollar,
• Case studies to give you the inside scoop on what’s tried and true in the world of community marketing.
Join community marketing expert, Jeni Miller of K Squared Communications, as she leads the discussion on this important part of your overall marketing strategy.

How To Make Limited Marketing Dollars Work Like $1 Million Bucks
Presented by Mark McMullen,CTC
Objectives:
* Discuss easy-to-execute - and effective - low cost marketing strategies that can drive revenue!
Key Discussion Points:
o   Simple to execute strategies to differentiate your agency
o   How to target high potential sales opportunities
o   Strategies to effectively market to both mass market and affluent customers
o   How to engage your preferred to defray your marketing costs
o   See actual examples of effective, low cost marketing programs

Strategies to Upsell More Effectively - and Keep Clients For Life
Presented by Mark McMullen, CTC
Objectives:
* Identify key revenue generating upselling opportunites
* Discuss strategies to allow agents to upsell more effectively.
Key Discussion Points:
o   Why upselling is important
o   What you should be upselling
o   The psychology of upsellling successfully
o   Strategies for successful upselling
o   Cruise/Tour products offering high upselling revenue potential

Cruise

Cruising - The Ultimate Incentive
Brought to you by CLIA
Presented by Tom Cogan, MCC, CTC, LCS
Earn 15 credits toward CLIA’s ACC, MCC, ECC and ECCS Certification requirements
Incentive travel is one of the fastest growing segments in the industry. What makes it different from other types of group travel? Who are the buyers? What do they expect from their cruise experience? In this program you’ll learn the fundamentals of incentive travel and gain an understanding of the strategies and techniques you need to succeed.

Getting Connected: A Primer on Social Media Networking
Brought to you by CLIA
Presented by Bernie Blomquist, MCC, CTC, LCS
Earn 15 credits toward CLIA’s ACC, MCC, ECC and ECCS Certification requirements
Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace. Not too long ago, these names would have been meaningless to you. Today they represent a whole new way to communicate, network and sell. In this three-hour seminar you'll explore the strengths and weaknesses of each major social networking site and review more traditional strategies that can help support your networking efforts.

How to Increase Your Share of Luxury Cruise Sales - and Directly Increase Your Cruise Sales Profits!
Presented by Mark McMullen, CTC
Objectives:
* Identify key luxury cruise sales opportunities!
* Identifying, understanding and profiling the luxury customer! Not all luxury customers are alike!
* Learn how to effectively find - and sell luxury prospects!
Key Discussion Points:
o   The psychology behind selling luxury products?
o   Knowing which luxury land and cruise products to sell – and who to sell to
o   How to find and effectively market to luxury prospects
o   Successful sales and marketing strategies - online and offline
o   Real world examples of effective luxury product sales and marketing strategies to win more group and FIT business

Professional Selling Skills
Brought to you by CLIA
Presented by Bernie Blomquist, MCC, CTC, LCS
Earn 10 credits toward ACC and MCC Certification requirements
Geared toward the front-line counsellor who has experience but wants to sharpen their sales skills. The seminar will enable participants to: recognize the five essential steps of the sale, qualify a client, overcome the most common barriers to the cruise sale, add value to every sale and employ strategies to get and keep the business.

Selling Successfully Across Cultures
Brought to you by CLIA
Presented by Bernie Blomquist, MCC, CTC, LCS
Earn 10 credits toward ACC and MCC Certification requirements
They may be your clients, your colleagues or your suppliers -- and they grew up in an entirely different culture from yours. In this global village we live in, your ability to deal practically with people from different cultural backgrounds has become a clear-cut asset and highly sought-after skill.
In this 90-minute seminar you'll explore the subtle, fascinating and often surprising values, behaviors and practices that loom large in any cross-cultural situation and, once you become aware of them, will give you an edge in our multicultural workplace.

Understanding Groups
Brought to you by CLIA
Presented by Tom Cogan, MCC, CTC, LCS
Earn 10 credits toward ACC and MCC Certification requirements
This program demonstrates how to develop group business as a profit center covering the following subjects: identifying groups and their characteristics, sources for lead development, marketing to groups, working with group leaders, analyzing group potential.

Home-Based

Groups: Lather, Rinse, Repeat!
Presented by Mary Clegg
Group business should be the foundation of your travel business. With a good group base you will find great financial rewards with less transactions and greater customer loyalty.
Learn how to:
• Develop a group marketing plan to build a group base for each quarter
• Find and keep those groups
• Find potential group leaders and build a trusting relationship
• Work Your Groups From Start To Finish
• Get Current Groups To Deposit Their Next Trip “Repeat” Before They Return Home

Home Alone? Understanding and Choosing the Right Business Model for Your Independent Travel Business
Presented by Joanie Ogg, CTC, MCC
Uncover the variety of business models and choices you have operating your home-based travel business in an unbiased and fact based seminar. Key discussion points include:
- Going solo using your own booking identifiers- what's out there and what does it cost
- The Host Agency Option
- The Franchise Option
- Consortiums and home-based agencies - what do you need?
- Identity & Supplier Recognition

Home-based General Session session recorded
Scott Koepf will provide a keynote that will challenge you to think differently about your business and how to become uniquely successful. The key to retail travel is marketing and Scott will cover how to change the way you go to market that will provide long term benefits! Ronnie Gurion, president of Orbitz Worldwide Distribution, will be a featured speaker, discussing how the recently launched Orbitz for Agent program is creating new opportunities for traditional travel agents. Keynote presentation will be followed by:
Home-based agents who charge fees and how they do it.
Moderated by Mary Clegg
Panelists: Penney Rudicil, Sheila Ward Shaw, Siobhan Coen, CMP
Ever wonder how some agents can charge fees and their clients happily pay them for their services? Join us and learn from a panel of successful home-based agents specifics on how you can implement service fees without losing your client base. You will learn:
Travel Agent Fees:

Note: we will not be discussing the amount of fees that you should charge. That is a decision each agency must make independently. The focus of this program is how to learn from the market.

Marketing – What to do to increase your travel business session recorded
Presented by Scott Koepf, CTC, MCC
You are in the marketing business and here is the opportunity to learn how to successfully brand and promote yourself.
Learn how to
            - Establish your Uniqueness
            - Find your Target Audience
            - Feature the Right Products
            - Create the Right Message
            - Become a sought after expert!

Business Building

Achieving Business Excellence: Benchmark Data for Travel Agency Owners and Managers
Brought to you by ASTA
Presented by John Pittman
How do your financials, revenues, GDS contract and employees stack-up against your competitors? Could you be doing better? One of the most consistent challenges that face travel agency owners and managers is the ability to effectively benchmark against their peers.
You will receive a broad overview of:
• ASTA’s GDS
• Service Fee
• Financial and Labor and Compensation surveys that show the average ranges of financial and business performance of the travel agency industry
You will learn:
• How to assess the relative strength of your company as it exists today
• Develop goals for taking your company to the next level

Ask the NTA Operator
Panelists: Dan Sullivan, Jr., Collette Vacations, Pawtucket; Andrew Grieve, Discover Travel & Tours; J. Chris Babb, The Group Tour Company, Inc.
Selling tour operator product is a great way for agents to earn higher commissions and offer unique programs to build client loyalty. If you’ve ever had questions about how you can more effectively work with a tour operator or, how they work with agents, now is the time. Join NTA and a panel of top tour operators ready to answer your questions. This interactive session is sure to enlighten and open doors to new revenue streams.

Discover Amazing Thailand
Brought to you by Tourism Authority of Thailand
Presented by Megan Patrick
How do you build an exceptional experience for your clients in paradise? This session provides the answer, as well responses to questions every agent receives regarding leisure travel in Thailand.
You will learn to provide agents with the best tools for better business results:
• An over of the country
• Exceptional Thailand products
• Practical information on smooth logistics

Is your Agency Built for Success? Choosing Software and Solutions to Optimize your Operation
Presented by Alexandra Argüelles
Running a successful travel business takes time, talent and know how. This session will provide best-practice advice on evaluating the software and solutions agencies need to be successful. Learn from industry experts on how to assess your options and develop a software and services support platform that will help your agency be a market leader.
1. Key software and service components of successful agencies.
2. Streamlining your operation to minimize the cost of doing business.
3. Technologies that are changing agency operations.
4. Do what you do best: When and what to outsource.
5. Scalability: Are you ready for success?
6. What to ask for in solicitation of services and Request for Proposals (RFPs) that work.
7. Next steps in the process.

There's Money in the Air when Working with Consolidators
Presented by Akshay Shah
Consolidators can help you make money on airline tickets. United States Air Consolidator Association (USACA) members provide their travel agent customers with integrity, trust, and reliability.
Learn more about:
• The history of consolidators (consolidation)
• What consolidators offer and how it can help you
• How to distinguish between a true consolidator and a "Quasi" consolidator
• Why you should use USACA members for your airline tickets

We Are Welcome Here - Gay tourism research & data
Brought to you by IGLTA
Presented by Tom Nibbio
Utilize IGLTA membership as the world's official resource and representative to connect to LGBT tourism businesses and traveling consumers.
Gay Tourism is no longer a niche. It has grown to be a steady, reliable source of visitors for destinations worldwide. Learn more about this valuable market from IGLTA Staff and industry experts.
Some topics include:
•       A quick history of Gay Tourism
•       IGLTA’s resources
•       Niches within this diverse market
•       Justification for courting the LGBT traveler
•       Travel research studies and methodology
•       Supporting the needs of the LGBT traveler
•       Good advertising/promotional practices
•       Useful publications, media and websites
•       Trusted endorsements for “Gay-Friendly” travel destinations or providers
•       Top “Gay-Friendly” destinations

What Every Travel Consultant should know about Today’s Luxury Traveler
Presented by Tara Gupta, CTC, CTIE
Now, more than ever before, “Luxury” is a highly personalized term. No longer a static idea with
images of decadence and opulence for anybody who has the money to pay for it, Luxury Travel
is now an experience that creates everlasting memories customized to the needs of the individual
traveler. It is a term that has been redefined by the recent economic times bringing about a
definition where the gap between perception and reality may have widened both for the
consumer and the Travel Consultant. According to industry gurus Luxury is no longer about
“conspicuous consumption” but about experiences that involve “authenticity” and “Return to
Life”.
• So what does this specifically mean for the Travel Consultants targeting the Luxury client?
• Which suppliers and products offer “authentic” experiences?
• Which destinations and experiences offer a “Return to Life” element?
• How does a Travel Consultant help create memories of transformative experiences that
change a person from the inside?
• What do Travel Consultants need to know, have or do, to ensure that they can serve the
changing needs of today’s luxury traveler?
• How do Travel Consultants align sales and marketing messages to reflect this changing need
of the luxury traveler?

Presentation Pavilions

Authentic Marketing
Brought to you by TRO
Presented By Richard B. Earls
Join TRO’s Richard Earls and learn how to stand out from the crowd by developing an authentic brand for your travel practice. Accept no limits on your earning capacity or your ability to develop a loyal, life-long client list. If a consumer believes that a company or service is authentic, they will gravitate to it, support it and even promote it to others. If they perceive it as inauthentic, they will shun it as one more noisy imposition, a part of the marketing and advertising clutter through which they must daily wade.

Auto Europe - The International Car Rental Service Leader
Brought to you by Auto Europe
Presented by Joe Maniscalco
Learn of the many benefits when booking your clients with Auto Europe and Destination Europe. It starts with access to the industry's largest car rental fleet with over 4,000 locations worldwide, to a reservations and customer service department open 24-7-365, free toll free customer service worldwide with prices guaranteed in US dollars. Receive the latest information on our programs including; transfer & chauffeur drive services, Peugeot buyback leases for long term rentals, GPS, cell phones and much more.
With Destination Europe, one call does it all. Your client can have all of their travel handled from airfare to hotels to car rental and beyond. Partnering with over 30 airlines and more than 30,000 hotels worldwide Destination Europe will deliver all of your clients needs.
Auto Europe your partner in travel for over 50 years. We look forward to seeing you at our seminar!

Choice Hotels International
Brought to you by Choice Hotel International
Presented by Gail Sayadian
Over 6,000 hotels in more than 30 countries representing 11 great brands - Choice Hotels certainly has something to offer your customers! Please join us to hear first hand details of an exciting new network of hotels, travel agent promotions and ongoing benefits available to you, our travel industry partners.

6,000 Hotels in more than 30 countries

11 Great brands, with an array of services and amenities to meet all of your customers needs

Exciting New Network of Hotels

Travel Agent Promotions

Exclusive Hotel Partner of the Daily Dividends Travel Agent Rewards Program

Drop your card at the beginning of our session and be entered to win 50,000 choice privileges points

Stop by our booth #707 for more information

Experience Starwood's Travel Professional Program. Are You A StarwoodPro?
Brought to you by Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Presented by Chris Austin
Are you a Starwoodpro? Join Chris Austin, vice president of global retail, leisure and luxury sales for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and find out how you can become a Starwoodpro. Austin will take you on a virtual tour of the company’s travel professional website, www.starwoodpro.com. New for 2010 Starwood is adding destination modules to its ProLearning platform. Austin will share some of the highlights of all the available modules, explain how you can earn access to Starwood’s lowest travel professional rates, and highlight all the resources Starwood has created for it travel professional partners through starwoodpro.com. And win an exciting Starwood Resorts giveaway so you can experience one of the nine brands and 1,000 properties in 100 countries around the world.

Find extra cash in car, hotel, and ground transportation!
Brought to you by Avis
Presented by Randy Mohr, CTC
Unlimited Budget has been one of the most popular agent loyalty programs for more than a decade,. Now we are adding new partners to make it even more exciting and profitable to your agents!

Get Resourceful!
Brought to you by Hilton Worldwide
Presented by Peter Maltby
Are you aware of the many available resources? Get useful ideas and tips on where to get the inside scoop on Hilton Worldwide and its many brands. Dive into online training, product information, news and tips, special rates and how staying loyal pays off. One lucky attendee will get to experience a 2 night stay in any Hampton Inn in the US simply by participating in this seminar.

How to Be Successful in Today’s Religious Marketplace as a Travel Provider
Brought to you by the World Religious Travel Association
Presented By Kevin J. Wright
In 20 minutes, you will receive the all-important “10 Keys to Success” in the Religious Marketplace from the industry’s top faith-based travel educator and four-time published author: Kevin J. Wright, President of the World Religious Travel Association. More specifically, this seminar will provide you:
•   An opportunity to learn about the “New Era” of today’s faith-based customer
•   Concrete ideas on how to enter or expand your religious travel business
•   Enriched vision, mission, and strategy for accomplishing your agency goals
•   A dynamic, fun, and interactive presentation
Plus Kevin will be giving away several copies of his autographed travel guidebook as prizes!

How You Can Be the Expert Agent
Brought to you by Performance Media Group
Presented By Jonathan Cooper
Find out how online events and training is the best way to become an Expert Agent. Your clients come to you and trust you to guide them in their buying decisions. Be the expert they can rely on…but how?
Join this session to find out how to become and stay the Expert on travel destinations, hotels and resorts and services. You will hear about:
•    Why online training and education is crucial
•    The benefits of online education
•    Virtual Travel Events – what these events are, and what you can expect to take away from them

Protect Your Business and Grow Your Business
Brought to you by IATAN
Presented by Bert Rivero
The key benefits of being part of a global accreditation program for Professional Sellers of Travel and what to watch out for. (Choosing IATAN is a wise and strategic business decision ensuring that your company and sales are accurately identified and recognized by industry suppliers globally. IATAN is committed to upholding the integrity of the travel industry through its program. IATAN requirements are professional business standards globally recognized by the travel industry.)

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Animal Ambassador Presentations
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a unique collection of 10 parks throughout the country where connections are made, wonder is celebrated and fun comes in all shapes and sizes. We care for the largest animal collection in the world. Additionally, since 1965, we have rescued more than 17,000 stranded, sick or injured animals including endangered and threatened species.
Come see SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment’s animal ambassadors to learn more about our conservation work and zoological expertise that extend to every corner of the globe. You will even have the opportunity to win free tickets to one of our parks!

Taking your business where you want to go
Brought to you by Travelport
Presented by Scott Hyden
Travelport is one of the largest and most geographically balanced global distribution system (GDS) providers, operating the Worldspan™, Apollo ™and Galileo™ platforms. No matter where you operate, and regardless of your organization’s size or technology requirements, our solutions are proven for travel companies just like yours. If you are looking for relevant tools to support and strengthen your travel business, increase revenue, reduce costs and operate more efficiently, it’s time to explore Travelport. Join us and be entered to win a Starbucks gift card!

The beat of the industry – TravelPulse
Brought to you by Performance Media Group
Presented By Brett Couvillion
Get a tour of the most visited travel trade website in the world.
Stop by to hear the latest from TravelPulse.com.
Find out how you can take advantage of all the site has to offer, including:
•    Up to 70 news items each day;
•    on-demand informative video, including an original show every day,
•    the latest travel deals;
•    and tools to market yourself to consumers.

Product Seminars

Agency productivity and profitability
Brought to you by Travelport
Presented by Tricia Browne
Travelport is one of the largest and most geographically balanced global distribution system (GDS) providers, operating the Worldspan™, Apollo ™and Galileo™ platforms. With a product portfolio comprising the most relevant technologies and services, we can help to keep your capabilities high and your costs down. From leading shopping and faring solutions to full, rich content, learn how Travelport’s innovative solutions can help you survive and thrive. Join us and be entered to win a Starbucks gift card!

Expand your knowledge to Expand your business!
Brought to you by MailPound
Presented by Debbie Maier, CTIE
Join MailPound President, Debbie Maier for an exciting session giving you the tools to harness the power of your client database while utilizing the multimedia platforms of today. Take the opportunity and educate yourself with new age strategies and tools giving you the ability to manage and create a successful business.
Including:
•    How to leverage social media to increase your business
•    How to utilize the free cutting edge marketing tools provided on MailPound
•    How to create custom eBrochures in less then 3 minutes, send personalized eFlyers to your database of clients, expand your knowledge through online education, and register for your free personal agent website and more.

Grow your Business With ASTA – An Agents Perspective!
Brought to you by ASTA
Chris Russo, Travel Partners & Matthew Bancroft, ASTA
Hear about the tools that ASTA provides from an agents perspective and how you can use them to further your business and increase your bottom line. Association membership benefits everyone and time spent bettering yourself or your company is time well spent!

Host vs. Franchise: Which is Right for You?
Brought to you by Cruise One
Presented by Tim Courtney
Affiliating with a host or franchise is more important than ever. There are many models to choose from in the travel industry, but which option is right for you? Whether you're looking to join a host or launch a travel franchise, we have the facts to help you decide.

Preparing for Cuba
Brought to you by Fund for Reconciliation and Development
Presented by Marti Aragones, Sol Melia Cuba; Andrea Holbrook, Holbrook Travel; Steve Richer, National Tour Association; John McAuliff, Travel Industry Network on Cuba
The 2010 Trade Show takes place as Congress moves toward a vote on allowing normal US commercial tourism to Cuba. The legislation is strongly supported by ASTA, NTA, USTOA, Orbitz, and others in the industry, as well as by the US Chamber of Commerce and leading farm and human rights organizations. Before the House and Senate act, the Obama Administration is expected to liberalize people-to-people travel for educational, cultural and other non-tourist purposes.

This interactive workshop provides an update on developments in Washington, business opportunities for travel agents and tour operators, and experience-based insight into successfully working with Cuba. Half of the session will be devoted to questions and discussion, with personal follow up available at the "Cuba Now" booth (# 319).

The program will begin with a tribute to Bob Whitley, former President of USTOA, who chaired the Cuba program at the 2009 Trade Show.

Saint Lucia, Live the Legend
Brought to you by Recommend Magazine
Presented by Lorine Charles – St Jules
A detailed presentation of the destination based on the new Saint Lucia Specialist Program created by Recommend magazine. An overview of the island and the niche travel markets it serves along with an array of attractions, sites and culinary options, as well as new fresh tools to help sell Saint Lucia.

See Puerto Rico…si!
Brought to you by Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Presented by Yolanda Figueroa, Gabriel Emanuelli & Ciso Moreno
The objective of this seminar is to share with travel agents an overview of the largest home port of the Caribbean. Puerto Rico offers great earnings potential. Take in 16th Century Spanish forts, exotic rainforests and the beauty of the islands of Vieques and Culebra to the East. Puerto Rico is also the culinary capital of the Caribbean options range from classical European to exciting Caribbean- Asian fusions and unique "criollo" cuisine. Add Puerto Rican rum, great beaches and your clients will have the best vacation ever. Learn about hotel updates and offers, cruise lines and passenger statistics, attractions and tours, shopping, Puerto Rico Travel expert program updates and much more. Available sales support material for agents – resources and much more!

The Story Behind Our 52-Stories
Brought to you by the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Colleen Birch
This amazing resort, placed perfectly between City Center and the Bellagio fountains, brings 52-stories of unprecedented elegance to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. Among its signature characteristics are one-of-a-kind casino cabanas with private gaming, 3 distinct pool environments perfectly suited for every mood, and a Spa & Hammam that redefines relaxation. Its restaurant collection, helmed by world renowned Chefs, boasts a variety of original tastes, ranging from sushi and sashimi at Blue Ribbon to the finest, juiciest steaks at STK. After dinner, raise a glass at one of 4 independent lounge and bars scenes prior to enjoying the unrivaled rooftop nightclub. Terrace Studios feature oversized private terraces and touches not found elsewhere on the Strip, while Terrace One Bedrooms include luxury amenities as well as decadent bathrooms featuring a sensuous Japanese soaking tub. The Wraparound Terrace Suite’s glass doors open to an expansive wraparound terrace with panoramic city views. A culmination of thoughtful experiences, impeccable design, attentive staff, and one-of-a-kind views both inside and out make this a Las Vegas not to be missed.

Top Ways to Grow Your Sales with VAX VacationAccess
Brought to you by VAX Vacation Access
Presented by Nancy Emiley
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about the top ways agents use VAX VacationAccess to grow their business. In this session, you will hear tips that will help you maximize the most powerful tools of VAX and showcase your value to your customers while making more profitable sales. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to bring additional value to your customers.

TravelTribe, the fastest growing travel community
Brought to you by Performance Media Group
Presented by Shawn Murphy
Discuss the traveling public’s migration to travel tribes, lead your tribe and grow your business with the fastest growing travel community. Travel consumers have reached information paralysis – how do you move them towards a buying decision?
Join this informative session to learn about how Travel Tribe:
•    Provides travelers with relevant and reliable travel information
•    Connects travelers with industry experts who can assist with booking
•    Creates community between experts, friends, family, and other travelers that share common travel interests and experiences.
And, get information on how you can join the Tribe!

SHOWSTAGE

Airline Ancillary Services - Looking Beyond The Whirlwind
Brought to you by Amadeus
Presented by Robert Buckman
As airlines worldwide continue to fly high on ancillary services, lack of transparency of these ever growing fees has consumers crying foul. Corporate managed travel programs and budgets continue to suffer and critical data for decision support remains elusive. How will airlines react to the eye of Congress? What technical progress has been made and when will agents see the fruits of this effort? Join Robert as we look beyond the whirlwind to understand the dynamics reshaping the airline business model.

Moving Forward - Working Together, Cruise Lines & Agents!
Moderated by Arnie Weissmann
Panelists: Vicki Freed, Steve Tracas, Roger Block & Camille Olivere
What do cruise lines and agents need from one another? Listen in on this lively interaction between major cruise lines and travel consortia leaders as they discuss the keys to a successful agency-cruise line relationship and how they’ll work together in the future. Take a look at what the future holds for the agency distribution channel and hear the consortia leaders’ reactions from an agent’s perspective.

Preview of the 2011International DestinationExpo, San Juan, Puerto Rico!
Narciso Moreno & Gabriel Emanuelli, Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Come learn the many reasons why after this destination training event your business will improve. Learn to sell the Caribbean in todays market and increase your sales! Register to attend IDE Puerto Rico by visiting the ASTA or Puerto Rico booth and you will have a chance to win a free* 3 day & 2 night pre/post resort stay! Winner will be announced during general session.

Sneak Peak at Travel Weekly Agent Trends Survey
Brought to you by Travel Weekly
Presented by Arnie Weissmann
For the past 40 years, Travel Weekly has conducted the Travel Industry Survey to reveal the latest agent trends in booking patterns and agency profiles. We’ve also added a psychographic feature that looks at agents attitudes towards their jobs. We’ll look at the highlights in this presentation.

Supplier Seminars

How to find, talk to and work with the growing Home Based and Independent Travel Agent distribution channel
Presented by Scott Koepf CTC, MCC
If you are looking to get business from the US and Canadian Travel Agency distribution system then this seminar is a must! The fastest growing segment of retail travel distribution is the home based and independent travel agent. They are difficult to find and operate differently than the distribution channel of the last 40 years. Learn how to reach them and work them in this important seminar.

How to work with travel bloggers<