AAA Travel hosted its annual conference in Charlotte, North Carolina from October 22 to 24. Focused on the theme “Accelerating Growth,” the event included speakers from across the travel industry, including The Travel Corp. CEO Brett Tollman, PhoCusWright Senior VP Douglas Quinby and Project: Time Off Chief of Research and Strategy Katie Denis.
The conference was also a time for delegates from AAA/CAA clubs, travel suppliers, and international Global Mobility Alliance affiliates to network and share best practices and opportunities to grow AAA Travel’s position in the industry.
AAA presented travel industry suppliers with the annual Partner of the Year awards in 14 categories. The awards recognize the partners’ commitment to providing AAA travel agents and members with quality travel services in their product categories, and for marketing, member service, and travel support.
Here are the winners of the 2017 Partner of the Year awards:
- Ocean Cruise Partner of the Year: Holland America Line
- River Cruise Partner of the Year: AmaWaterways
- Escorted Tour Partner of the Year: Trafalgar
- Independent Tour Partner of the Year: Pleasant Holidays
- Lodging Partner of the Year: Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- Best in Marketing:
- Cruise: Royal Caribbean International
- Tour: Rocky Mountaineer
- Lodging: Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- Best in Member Service:
- Cruise: AmaWaterways
- Tour: Insight Vacations
- Lodging: Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- Best in Travel Agency Support:
- Cruise: Royal Caribbean International
- Tour: Trafalgar
- Lodging: Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Also presented were two Travel Agent Superlative Awards, honoring distinguished travel agents for their sales performance and commitment to AAA members.
The 2017 Travel Agent Superlative Awards:
- Kelly Brock, AAA Carolinas – Highest Sales, Highest Revenue, and Highest Preferred Sales: The 30-year travel industry veteran won her fourth Superlative Award. She has served the last 17 years at AAA Carolinas in Bluffton, South Carolina.
- Henry Dennis, AAA Carolinas – Highest Preferred Tour Sales: Also a four-time Superlative Award winner, Henry Dennis has more than 30 years’ experience in the travel industry, and 20 at AAA Carolinas in Charlotte, North Carolina.
For more on AAA, visit AAA.com.
Related Stories
CruiseOne, Cruises Inc, Dream Vacations Honor Top Travel Agents
Ensemble Honors Top Members, Suppliers at Circle of Excellence Gala
Avoya Travel Announces 2018 Conference
The Mark Travel Corporation Wraps Biggest-Ever Travel Agent Summit