Travel Week will hit Las Vegas this December 4 to 6 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. At the center of this highly anticipated week are the ninth annual Luxury Travel Expo and its sister event, the second annual Home-Based Travel Agent Expo and Conference. Collectively, these trade shows will draw the largest gathering of North American travel professionals ever under one roof and will welcome a roster of renowned professionals from the luxury and home-based sectors.

New this year is The Travel Institute's conference, which will commence on Tuesday, December 4. The event includes guest presentations and a keynote address from Horste H. Schultze, formerly of The Ritz-Carlton Company. Travel agent delegates affiliated with The Travel Institute's accreditation program will not only have the chance to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), but will also have the unique opportunity to enhance their earning potential with a plethora of hands-on training sessions that will stimulate creativity, introduce best practices for day-to-day business transactions, and provide a platform to maximize time outside of the office.

Alicia Evanko, CMP

Expo Update

Outside of this new addition, Luxury Travel Expo and Home-Based Travel Agent Expo will provide dynamic programming designed to meet the unique needs of these very different audiences. Whether you are a travel seller dedicated to selling the upscale travel experience or an independent home-based professional, you'll have the chance to learn about a wide range of subjects and hear from top-notch presenters at each of the programs. More programming is currently in the works; new expo information will be announced as it becomes available.

This cluster of events will draw some 9,000 travel professionals eager to tap into the unparalleled contributions that comprise Travel Week. With more than 650 worldwide supplier companies all dedicated to the travel agent community, there's never been a better time to be in Las Vegas.

Travel agent delegates will be able to experience firsthand a "brand new" Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, which will boast tremendous upgrades, such as completely renovated world-class rooms, with luxurious amenities including lofty pillow-top beds, 42-inch plasma screen TVs, iPod docks and Wi-Fi access.

Registration for Luxury Travel Expo, Home-Based Travel Agent Expo & Conference and The Travel Institute's Conference are now open. Visit www.vegastravelweek.com for more Travel Week details.

Alicia Evanko, CMP Show Manager [email protected]