Ensemble Travel Names Chapin to New Air Post

Brian Chapin has been named senior director of airline relations for Ensemble Travel Group. In this newly-created position, Chapin will be responsible for developing new airline relationships as well as strengthening Ensemble Travel Group’s partnerships. This includes current preferred airline and private jet suppliers such as Air Tahiti Nui, Air New Zealand, and Air Royale Internationaland Echelon.

Chapin will also head up Ensemble’s selection, execution, and management of GDS partnerships. In addition, Chapin will lead the efforts of Ensemble Travel Group’s new airline advisory council, which was instrumental in the creation of this key executive position. He earned both a CTC and CTIE designation from The Travel Institute.

“We realize that air is the glue that holds the entire travel experience together," said Jack E. Mannix, president and CEO of Ensemble Travel Group. "Therefore, it’s important that we help our members get their clients from point A to point B as comfortably, efficiently, and as cost-effectively as possible, while at the same time earning a fair profit for the agency.  Brian is uniquely qualified for this position, having spent nearly 20 years in the airline and GDS business. He understands our organization’s structure, expectations, and what our members are looking for. Within days of Brian joining our team, he had conducted an initial survey of members to assess their current status and future supplier needs. His no-nonsense, proactive approach will go a long way in creating a win-win for our members and our preferred air and GDS partners.”

Chapin’s travel industry experience includes 18 years with American Airlines, American Eagle, and Sabre Travel Information Network in several sales, training, and customer service capacities. He started his travel career as a travel consultant at Promenade Travel in Homewood, IL. Prior to joining Ensemble Travel Group, Chapin was director of air and Sabre business development for Virtuoso, Ltd.

Part of Chapin’s role will be to educate members on the specific preferred airline agreements, including when and how to sell in order to earn the greatest profit margin, even for those agencies without a GDS or ARC appointment.

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