Onsite: TRADESHOW Opens in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS-The American Society of Travel Agents'-funded show, held September 9-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, started on Sunday and transitioned into high gear on Monday. News that's getting ready to break is Sabre's announcement that its Technology and Marketing University will offer continuing education for all their travel-agent customers. Planned for April 22-24, 2008 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, the Technology and Marketing University will provide agents with hands-on and classroom training on a variety of technology, marketing and business topics. Technology and Marketing University is a joint effort between Sabre's leisure brands, including Sabre Travel Network, Nexion and TRAMS.

"By bringing all of our brands and resources together, we'll be able to offer the most extensive learning options available to travel agents, and we'll offer it all at one time in one place," said Greg Webb, chief marketing officer of Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions.

Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, for corporate travel reservation technology; Nexion, a host agency; SynXis, for hotel reservation management, distribution and technology services; TRAMS, mid- and back-office solutions and marketing services for travel agencies; and TRAMS Marketing Alliance, marketing promotions services for leisure travel agencies. Agents will receive more detailed information on the educational event in the coming months.

Nexion is set to make an announcement of its own. As part of recent automation and reporting enhancements, Nexion will announce the successful launch of twice monthly commission payments for its independent travel agent members, replacing the standard practice of a single monthly payment. All expenses and commission processed between the first and 15th of the month will be paid on the 30th of the same month, with the exception of February, which will be the last day of the month. Those processed between the 16th and the end of the month will be paid on the 15th of the following month. Visit [www.sabre-holdings.com].