New Web Tool
Magellan360 has launched a new web-based service for independent affiliates. The Magellan360 Business Web features agent commission and monthly sales trackers; online training; e-forms; a calendar for industry events; access to Magellan360's supplier's lists; expense, task and contact managers forums; and live chats. The Trip Builder will allow affiliates to book travel directly from Business Web versus a GDS. Visit www.magellan360.com. 
Training Opportunities
The National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) has added new Seminars at Sea for 2008 starting in March. They will be held on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. Additional seminars will be added throughout the year and will involve other cruise lines and partners. Member rates for Seminars at Sea start at $159.00 for a four-night sailing and $399 for certain seven-night itineraries, excluding port charges and taxes. Nonmember agents pay slightly more and non-agent guest rates are also available. Space is limited, so agents are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible. Visit www.nacta.com or call 703-739-6826.
NACTA has also kicked off its popular Home Based Success Series for 2008. "Power Up" offers innovative sales and marketing tools for agents. Participants in the all-day events will hear practical, step-by-step tips and insights on how to build a successful group business. Registration is $15, which includes lunch. The goal of the seminars is to provide agents with current industry information, sales and marketing techniques, technology and product updates and marketing advice. Each session includes more than four hours of intense group interaction. NACTA has partnered with Globus, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises to produce the events. Upcoming dates for the Home Based Success Series are February 29 in Miami; March 13 in Anaheim, CA; April 8 in Houston; May 1 in Baltimore, MD; June 11 in Sacramento, CA; and July 29 in Chicago. The seminars are open to all home-based agency owners, staff travel agents and outside agents.
For information, visit www.nacta.com. 
To enhance training and education, Vacation.com has redesigned its Agent Advancement Center (AAC). Agents can now benefit from the EZguider Online Classroom, including downloadable user guides; Training Tuesdays, a weekly learning forum where members can submit questions to a Vacation.com Training Specialist; an online training calendar; and the Leisure University, where suppliers and partners offer additional certification and training programs. Vacation.com members can access ACC at www.agentnet.com./aac. 
Sell Cruises, Win Cash
Cruise and Travel University has issued a challenge to its agent-members. The travel agent who books the most cruise reservations within each calendar quarter will be awarded $400 and the agent who sells the most cruises during the year will receive a free berth on a 2009 Cruise and Travel University sailing. To qualify for the contest, agents must have attended at least one Cruise and Travel University course and earned a Level One or higher Travel Sales Certificate. For more information, contact Charlie Dubinsky at 954-491-2269 or visit www.cruiseandtraveluniversity.com.