Carnival Cruise Line has named eight travel advisors as semifinalists in the “Your Winning Plan” business success series. One semifinalist was chosen from each of the six in-person events and two were chosen from the virtual event.
The semifinalists selected are:
- Gwendolyn Johnson of GMN Vacations, LLC in Charlotte, NC
- Margaret Gomes of Gomes Travel Planners/Dream Vacations in Los Banos, CA
- Paula McDonald of Family 1st Travelers, LLC in Livonia, MI
- Kimberly Stanley of Adventure by Kim in Tupelo, MS
- Leigh Lee of Our Next Adventure Travels in Johnstown, CO
- Charvon Parker of Gateway Travel in Garner, NC
- Juan Velazquez of Cruise Planners in Fort Mill, SC
- Maureen Adams of Inteletravel in Charleston, SC
One of the semifinalists will be named the grand prize winner when entrepreneur Daymond John, star of ABC’s "Shark Tank," helps to conclude the series at a grand finale event in Houston on September 27. Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president, will join John during the event to discuss tips for entrepreneurial success.
The series brought together travel advisors from across the country and provided opportunities for learning, development and business growth. Carnival encouraged the advisors to develop business plans with a tool created in cooperation with America’s Small Business Development Centers, a partner of the U.S. Small Business Association. The advisors were then invited to submit their plans and compete for cash to use toward implementing them. More than one thousand plans were submitted during the program.
Creativity, passion and the quality of each plan’s attention to driving business results, according to Carnival, played a role in the criteria for selecting the semifinalists. A panel from Carnival, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) judged the business plans submitted. Each semifinalist earned a $2,500 prize and the chance at taking home the additional grand prize of $5,000 to use toward executing the winning plan.
Additionally, Carnival has made the virtual event, which took place on August 5, available for replay online, so that advisors who could not attend an event may still access the helpful information shared during the series. To watch the virtual event, visit GoCCL.com.
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