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| Photo by Susan J. Young |
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced dates and cities for TrainingFest 2012, the popular touring combination of seminars and trade show that offers travel agents the opportunity to earn as many as 70 credits toward CLIA Cruise Counselor Certification.
Inviting agents to “Fast-Track Your Cruise Training and Profits,” TrainingFest this year will visit 11 cities in the United States and Canada between July and September, CLIA reports.
In each location, the two-day program will enable participants to earn credits for up to four seminars and attend a Continental Breakfast Trade Show featuring CLIA member cruise lines. While CLIA-member agents receive a significant price break, non-CLIA travel agents are also invited to participate.
“CLIA’s goal is to make valuable training and Certification accessible to as many travel agents in North America as possible,” said Bob Sharak, CLIA’s executive vice president for marketing and distribution.
“TrainingFest will accomplish that goal this year by visiting cities on the East Coast, the South, the West Coast and Vancouver and Toronto in Canada. We urge all agents to ‘fast track’ profits by launching their personal professional development or continuing their training and Certification at a TrainingFest location near home,” Sharak said.
The cities and dates for TrainingFest 2012 are as follows:
• Houston: July 12-13
• New York/Flushing: July 19-20
• Las Vegas: July 26-27
• Washington DC/Arlington: August 2-3
• Atlanta: August 9-10
• Chicago/Rosemont: August 16-17
• Orlando: August 23-24
• New Orleans/Kenner: September 6-7
• Los Angeles/San Pedro: September 13-14
• Vancouver/Surry, BC: September 20-21
• Toronto, ON: September 27-28
Agents with less than two years of experience selling cruises are encouraged to sign up for the following seminars: Cruise Vacations: An Introduction, Principles of Professional Selling, Delivering Great Customer Service, and Power Selling Techniques.
Other topics designed for more experienced sellers include: Travel for All: How to Find, Sell and Market Accessible Travel, a new program for 2012; Effective Presentation Skills; Group Sales Made Easy; and another new seminar for this year, 40 Best Practices for Travel Agent Success.
The cost of TrainingFest ranges from $45 for one seminar ($55 for non-members) to $110 for four seminars ($150 for non-members). All those attending at least one educational session are entitled to complimentary admission to the Continental Breakfast Trade Show. Agents wishing to attend only the trade show pay $10 ($15 for non-members).
To register for TrainingFest 2012 or to obtain more information, agents may visit CLIA’s web site at www.cruising.org