Written By: Jennifer Kruse CTA, ACC, LCS, Associate Director, Trade Recruitment & Engagement –
Travel Weekly Events
This year is likely the most difficult year many people in the travel industry have ever navigated. And while all of us have been negatively affected, there have also been many positives shining through, particularly the undeniable value of working with a travel professional. The agent community has gone to great lengths to get their clients home safely, re-book trips for later in the year, and stay up to date on policy changes with multiple suppliers, to name a few.
Travel Weekly understands that key components of an advisor’s value are education, training, supplier relationships and keeping up with industry trends. Like in past years, these key elements will continue to be a part of the CruiseWorld program in 2020.
Travel Weekly will also continue to support the growth of travel advisors through CruiseWorld’s STAR (Select Travel Advisor Recognition) Program. The STAR program reduces some of the financial investment necessary to attend an industry event like CruiseWorld. Accepted STAR participants receive complimentary registration, two nights hotel accommodation and special opportunities onsite.
Specific participation requirements and program criteria as well as the application to participate can be found at www.cruiseworldshow.com/star.
The event will be held November 11-13 in Miami Beach for the first time. The program will include general sessions jam-packed with industry leaders and education, supplier training programs and breakout sessions, peer-led workshops, and the signature Exhibitor Showcase featuring suppliers from every facet of the travel
industry.
An exciting and exclusive feature of the STAR Program is the Travel Advisor Roundtable series. In this session, suppliers give a series of 15-minute presentations to travel advisors on their product. Travel advisors then rotate tables. The small group setting facilitates productive discussion and encourages question and answer between suppliers and travel advisors. Travel advisors will also have the opportunity to make individual face-to-face connections with supplier representatives during the Exhibitor Showcase.
“Connecting with travel advisor peers and supplier partners will be even more necessary than in the past, and the STAR Program will again help fund attendance for up to 250 travel advisor attendees to do just that,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, Executive Vice President of Events for Northstar Travel Group . “Our team is so proud of the way travel advisors have handled themselves and their clients during this unprecedented situation, and we want to continue to show our support through programs that help facilitate continued education and new business.”
CruiseWorld isn’t just about cruise. This event brings together all facets of the leisure travel industry. Exhibitor categories include: airlines, attractions, business tools, car rental, cruise, destinations, hotels and resorts, professional services, rail, tour operators and packaged vacations, and more.
For additional information about CruiseWorld, visit www.cruiseworldshow.com.