More than 900 Ensemble travel agency owners, frontline counselors, and preferred partners are expected to attend the upcoming 2018 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference set for October 24-28 at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, the Bahamas. The annual gathering marks the first time in 11 years for the organization’s annual gathering to be held outside of its primary U.S. and Canadian borders, Ensemble said.
“This year’s program is built around the theme of “FASTForward: On the Shoulders of GIANTS” in recognition of our 50th anniversary in 2018,” said Co-President Libbie Rice in a written statement.
Rice and Co-President Lindsay Pearlman officially kick off the conference with their state-of-the-organization address on Wednesday morning, October 24. Following the opening general session, Ensemble owners/managers will engage in a private business meeting while frontline advisors adjourn to a special lunch with participating hoteliers and On Location partners in addition to a customized Ensemble orientation program.
This year’s conference keynote speaker is Kindra Hall, who will speak on Thursday morning, October 25. As a former sales and marketing executive for a multi-million dollar enterprise, Hall is now a national champion storyteller, 2014 Storytelling World Award recipient, and former board member of the National Storytelling Network.
River cruising takes center stage Friday morning, October 26 as Jeff Drew moderates a panel of executives including Ellen Bettridge of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Paula Hayes of Globus family of brands, Gary Murphy of AmaWaterways, and Michele Saegesser of Viking Cruises.
Other highlights of the 2018 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference include:
- A lineup of general session speakers includes David Meerman Scott, marketing & sales authority, on “real-time” tools and strategies; Scott Steinberg, futurist consultant and business strategist, on creating a competitive advantage by understanding emerging markets, trends, and innovations (for owner/manager/suppliers); Judi Holler, personal branding and performance coach, on unleashing your courage (for frontline advisors); and Eric Papp, leadership and motivational trainer, on how taking ownership leads to productivity.
- Conference attendees will also have opportunities to network with Ensemble’s preferred partners in events such as the “Travel Your World of Hotel & Destination Experiences” tradeshow-with-a-twist, all-supplier tradeshow, and one-on-one appointments.
- Daily supplier “Happy Hours” with participating partners (at press time): American Queen Steamboat Company, Azamara Club Cruises, Carey International, Delta Air Lines, Club Med, Hawaii Tourism, Hurtigruten, Tourism New Zealand, TravCorp: Trafalgar, Travel Impressions, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and Viking Cruises.
- Festive evening events include a welcome reception, Circle of Excellence gala and Make-A-Wish auction, and beachside Junkanoo carnival party to close out the conference, complete with fireworks.
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