Classic Vacations did well by its top producers earlier this month when it hosted its 13th annual "Marketing Partners Weekend." The event, held at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, provided 125 agents with four straight days of celebratory socializing and networking at a variety of venues in Ka'anapali Beach.
During the one educational event hosted during the weekend, Ron Letterman, chairman and acting president of Classic and a long-time champion of the travel agent community, reminded his top producers of his credo, that agents "can either be the best, or be the cheapest."
Meanwhile, Greg Bernd, vice president of sales, noted that Classic in 2007 is putting a greater emphasis on its ultra-luxury products, such as villas, yachts and private jets, which it has long offered, "but we have not done a good job of calling it out," he said. The FIT tour company, which works with 19 air carriers and 800 hotels worldwide, also offers private accommodations from "condos to castles," Bernd noted.
Classic told agents that its most rapidly growing product is
In
The long weekend culminated in an awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency, which went all out to transform its ballroom into a very believable rainforest. The top "President's Club" award went to Valerie Wilson Travel for the most sales through Classic, while the Travel Store, Tzell Travel and Altour took home honors for being in the "$5 Million Club."
Peter Carideo, president of CRC Travel in
"Classic makes me look like a star in my clients' eyes," said Carideo. "Clients truly appreciate knowing what they are spending pre-departure," he told Travel Agent.
Theresa Bartsch of Travelong in
Connie Risse of Ships and Trips Travel in
"It was a wonderful incentive," she said. "I am always surprised at the effort Classic goes through for every event to thank each and every person—it's the same effort they spend on our client's vacations. We sell Classic mainly to honeymooners, so we need everything to be perfect," she added.
To those who did not meet the necessary sales to attend the
weekend event, it's time to get busy. Next year's Marketing Partners Weekend
will be held at The Kahala Hotel & Resort on