NTA has created a
roundtable networking session that allows travel agents to meet with
participating tour operators and then visit with destination representatives
who secure a tabletop display highlighting their destination and information
from supplier partners. In addition to the Feb. 19 session, travel agents can
mingle with NTA members at luncheons, education seminars and social functions.
“We opened the
dialogue with members about including travel agents 10 months ago at Travel
Exchange ’13 in Orlando, and board chair
Mark Hoffmann has since discussed the idea during interactive webinars,” said Lisa Simon, CTP, NTA president. “Members made
positive comments about this opportunity for new business, so we moved forward
and created an NTA program for agent participation.”
To spread the
word about the travel agent program at Travel Exchange, NTA is working with the
Association of Retail Travel Agents and other agent groups. While all agents
are welcome, Simon expects most who attend will come from Southern California.
NTA has relied on
the expertise of members to launch the program. Suzanne Slavitter, CTP, CTIE
and owner of Lakewood, Calif.-based Sports Empire, chairs the NTA Travel Agent
Task Force and sees the program as a positive development both for NTA members
and guests.
“Travel agents
and tour operators are already great tourism partners,” Slavitter said, “and
now we’ve got a place where we can strengthen those relationships while
building new business together—Travel Exchange.”
Travel agents
interested in attending can call or email NTA Headquarters (859.264.6540 or headquarters@NTAstaff.com) or follow
this link. Travel Exchange is co-hosted by NTA
and the United Motorcoach Association. The combined appointment and trade show
takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center Feb. 16–20.
No comments:
Post a Comment