Ensemble Recognizes Top Agents

Ensemble Travel Group reported an increase of more than 300 percent in year-end distribution for its members in 2010 compared to 2009 during the organization’s recent Top 25 Celebration for U.S. and Canadian members aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam.

Ensemble Travel Group Co-President Lindsay Pearlman told a group of 115 members, sponsoring suppliers and guests that Ensemble member agents “hit your targets, aggressively marketed to the right client, and capitalized on the Ensemble products and services that fit your business needs.”

Two member-only executive business meetings were held during the Ensemble Top 25 Celebration. Led by Pearlman and Ensemble Co-President Libbie Rice, the meetings gave attendees an overall review of the organization’s core objectives, priorities and timelines for the coming year. Both executives indicated that a major transformation is underway.

“It’s all about working smarter, and our unique North American structure will help us achieve that,” said Rice. “Finding core efficiencies, leveraging the strengths of both countries, measuring the value of our current products’ successes, and defining the Ensemble value proposition – all are essential elements as we ramp up our efforts to help our members be more profitable. A year from now, we’ll look quite different from today’s organization. It’s a new day at Ensemble.”
 
This year’s Ensemble Top 25 Celebration featured a number of exclusive leisure activities, beach outings and participation in a charity walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Ensemble matched the contributions of its 115 Top 25 members, sponsoring suppliers and guests.

“It was great to see the large turnout among Ensemble members for the walk,” said Stephanie Bishop, managing director, Globus Family of Brands. “For Globus, it’s not just about the sales numbers, but also the people behind them, which is why our partnership with Ensemble is so solid and real.”

Alycia Oliphant, manager of national accounts for Princess Cruises and Cunard Line, said: “Many of Ensemble’s Top 25 are our top producers, as well. The Top 25 Celebration solidifies the relationship when you can share in their success in person.”

Other event sponsors such as Crystal Cruises Jeanne Underwood, director of national accounts, and Starwood Hotels and ResortsJeff Lanzoratta, account director of global retail leisure and luxury sales, gave high marks to the organization and its targeted marketing support for its agencies.

“We both have the members’ success as our primary focus. We’re always pleased with the results when working with Ensemble members,” said Underwood.

Lanzarotta added: “We continue to add luxury properties such as the St. Regis brand to the Ensemble Hotel & Resort Collection because members consistently deliver the bookings.”

Other Ensemble Travel Group partners who helped make the Ensemble Top 25 a success included: Access America, AM Lithographers, Avis Budget Group, Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, GOGO Worldwide Vacations, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, RBC Insurance, Royal Caribbean International, Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations.

Founded in 1968, Ensemble Travel Group is a member-owned international organization of approximately 850 professional travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

Visit www.ensembletravel.com.