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| Roundtables covered industry hot topics including marketing, fees and recruiting. |
November 26, 2012, saw 100 young travel professionals converging in Las Vegas to discuss topics directly affecting their burgeoning travel businesses at the 2012 Young Leaders Conference (YLC). Held in conjunction with Luxury Travel Exchange International (LTX), the third annual event was held at The Palazzo Las Vegas.
Delegates came from across North America and Canada, with over eighty percent staying on for the debut LTX, participating in a lively day of education and networking. Content was delivered via peer panel presentations, question and answer sessions with conversations spilling into formal and informal break. Topics including: compensation outlook, travel as a career path, grooming clients and the conference's popular 'Advisor Success Stories' panel.
"Each of the three years of the Young Leaders Conference have been a success but this year's attendees just seemed more eager and collaborative," commented Joe Pike, senior editor, Travel Agent magazine and co-conference chair for YLC. "It is a positive sign that as our event continues to get stronger, so do the agents who attend it."
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| The business card exchange “Mingle for Success” is a popular element of the Young Leaders Conference. |
"Since its inception, the goal of the Young Leaders Conference has been to create a forum for 'under 40' travel professionals to learn from each other’s experiences, share industry knowledge and discuss career matters with their peers," shared Bernadette Mari, senior marketing manager and co-conference chair for YLC.
Shaped by the 2012 Steering Committee, the program was created to build on the previous topic. Rounding out the event were elements encouraging collaboration including a business card exchange, a question and answer series, roundtables and a cocktail reception, sponsored by Lavo Italian Restaurant & Nightclub. Members Travel Agent's '35 under 30' were in attendance and received certificates acknowledging their achievement. The complete program and committee roster can be found on YoungTravelLeaders.com.
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| Delegates celebrated the close of the 3rd annual Young Leaders Conference with cocktails at Lavo. |
Speakers included: Lia Batkin, Co-Founder, In The Know Experiences; Sara Butruff, Owner, Travel Leaders- Apple Valley; Heather Christopher, Travel Advisor, Classic Travel at Tackett's Mill; Isaac Cymrot, VP, Sales & Industry Relations, Travel Insured & Executive Member of ASTA's Young Professionals Society; Michael Jacobsen, Manager, PAC and Grassroots, U.S. Travel Association; Daniela Harrison, Travel Advisor, Avenues of the World Travel; Michelle Mangio, Owner, Magical Escapes Vacations; Caitlin Murphy, Travel Advisor, FROSCH Classic Cruise & Travel; Kyle Oram, CEO & General Manager, KVI Travel; Joe Pike, Senior Editor, Travel Agent; Vanessa Sawtell-Jones, Travel Advisor, Worldview Travel Beverly Hills; Stacy Small, President, Elite Travel and Jill Taylor, Travel Advisor, JETSET World Travel, Inc.
This year saw record support from sponsors: Globus Family of Brands (Bronze), Canyon Ranch, CIE Tours International, CJ Tours, Europe Express, GOGO Worldwide, Titanium Tours and Travel Insured.