The National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) has added Seminars at Sea to its 2008 meetings roster, as part of its effort to promote continuing educational opportunities for cruise-selling travel professionals.
"We applaud our industry partner cruise lines with a special recognition and thanks to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises for their commitment and support of NACTA's educational seminar program for 2008," said NACTA President Joanie Ogg. "Agents appreciate the opportunity to sail and experience these ships and itineraries, and the result will most certainly be support to the lines and increased sales from the travel agent community."
Mary Clegg, NACTA regional manager membership and service, said: "The focus this year is going to be not only education and product knowledge, but we will work with attendees on creating a marketing plan to help reach their individual sales goals. The agents will see an immediate return on their investment. NACTA escorts our fam trips and will commit to sitting down and working out individual marketing plans for each participant during the fam so they are armed with everything they need to successfully promote these products upon their return."
NACTA's Seminars at Sea will begin in March aboard Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. Itineraries are also featured on Azamara Journey and Amadeus Waterways' MS Amadagio. Additional seminar space will be added throughout the year as new opportunities become available. Upcoming Seminars at Sea will involve partners such as Celebrity Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Holland America. Also coming are land trips through Globus Family of Brands and Trafalgar Tours.
Member rates for Seminars at Sea start at $159 for a four-night sailing and $399 for certain seven-night itineraries. Non-member agents pay slightly more and non-agent guest rates are also available. Visit http://www.nacta.org.
In related news, NACTA is kicking off its popular Home-Based Success Series for 2008. Each seminar is designed to equip agents with valuable marketing advice and innovative sales and marketing tools. Participants in these all-day events will hear practical, step-by-step tips and insights on how to build a successful group business. Registration is $15. Dates for the Home Based Success Series are February 29 (Miami); March 13 (Anaheim, CA); April 8 (Houston); May 1 (Baltimore); June 11 (Sacramento, CA); and July 29 (Chicago).
In response to overwhelming requests from participants of previous events for even more information, each session now includes more than four hours of intense group, product, sales and marketing and technology training. Visit http://www.nacta.com/Home_Based_Success_Series.htm. (GD)