Written By: Mary Pat Sullivan, Content Director – Travel Weekly Events
Travel Weekly and CruiseWorld will be host to the culmination of Carnival Cruise Line’s Why Use A Travel Advisor (WUATA) contest as senior leadership takes to the general session stage to officially crown the Most Trusted Travel Advisor. Carnival’s executive team including President Christine Duffy, Senior Vice President Adolfo Perez and Carnival Brand Ambassador and Senior Cruise Director John Heald will bring their finalists to CruiseWorld and announce their grand prize winner LIVE on the CruiseWorld stage on Wednesday, November 13.
Not only will the winning advisor be named Carnival’s “Most Trusted Advisor,” the agent and their client nominator will be awarded a cruise on Mardi Gras — debuting in August 2020 — and roundtrip airfare, and the agent also will receive a $1,000 bonus and the commission from their client’s Mardi Gras cruise.
Carnival launched the campaign in May and travel advisors still have time to be part of the contest. To nominate a travel advisor, your clients can visit www.wuatacontest.com and submit a short story on why you deserve the title by recalling a time when you saved the day, made them feel extra special, or went above and beyond the call of duty. The contest is open through October 29, 2019.
The three finalists will be selected by a committee of judges including Ann Chamberlin, Senior Vice President, Membership & Strategic Partnerships for American Society of Travel Advisors; Charles Sylvia, Vice President, Membership and Trade Relations, for Cruise Lines International Association; and members of Carnival’s Sales Leadership Team. All three travel advisors will receive an all-expenses paid two-day/one-night trip to CruiseWorld, to be recognized and celebrated in front of an audience of more than 1,000 of their peers and industry professionals.
A long-time partner to CruiseWorld, Carnival will be hosting ship inspections and extensive training opportunities as part of the event’s three days of workshops and general session programming.
In addition to the excitement around the conclusion of the Carnival WUATA campaign, this year’s general sessions will offer attendees the opportunity to hear from more than 40 industry leaders, including cruise line CEOs, presidents, sales and marketing executives, and more. Travel agency leaders will take the stage to deliver eight-minute TW Talks jam-packed with valuable thought leadership. Representatives in technology will also be there to discuss the changing landscape of the travel industry.
Sponsored meals will include presentations with breaking news, innovative technology, entertainment, and other updates from leading brands, including Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Hurtigruten.
There will also be two days of ship inspections on Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17 in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Travel advisors will have their choice of the following inspections: Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunrise, Celebrity Equinox, Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line Nieuw Statendam, Island Princess, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Sky, Regal Princess, Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, and Seabourn Sojourn, which will be available exclusively to participants of the STAR Program.
The signature one-day Exhibitor Showcase will be held on Thursday, November 14 with companies representing diverse segments of the travel industry including, airlines, attractions, business tools, car rental, cruise, destinations, host agencies, consortia, and franchises, hotels and resorts, professional services, tour operators and packaged vacations and more. Suppliers interested in joining the Exhibitor Showcase should contact Emmy Morales at [email protected].
Applications are now being accepted for CruiseWorld’s STAR (Select Travel Advisor Recognition) Program. As part of Travel Weekly’s ongoing commitment to supporting the professional development and growth of the travel advisor community, this program will help fund attendance for approximately 250 of the more than 800 travel advisor attendees at CruiseWorld. The program is structured to provide enhanced event programming while offsetting some of the financial expenses incurred by travel advisors to attend professional development events.
The core component of the STAR Program is a series of collaborative meetings between exhibiting suppliers and pre-qualified, travel advisors committed to business growth. Advisors who qualify for the STAR Program, and who are selected to participate, receive complimentary registration and complimentary hotel accommodation for two nights. Specific participation requirements are detailed on the CruiseWorld website at www.cruiseworldshow.com/star. Traditional registration opportunities are available for those who do not wish to apply for the STAR Program.
Whether attending as a STAR Program participant or a traditional attendee, CruiseWorld’s robust programming provides value for all types of travel advisors, from the home-based professional to the cruise-centered advisors, the seasoned veterans and those new to the industry. Register Today and receive $25 off the current registration price using code HBTA at checkout.
For more information on Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld, the ship inspection roster, and the STAR Program, visit www.cruiseworldshow.com.