Signature Expands Member Engagement Initiatives

shannon garrett
Shannon Garrett, manager, member engagement

Additional member-based committees, a new Membership Engagement Department, and the expansion of its management team, have been announced by Signature Travel Network.

For over a decade, Signature said it has been working closely with its marketing and technology committees, which comprise members who represent a diverse array of business models and geographical locations. 

Five additional member-based committees have been created to cover Signature’s seven core service and program areas, including marketing, technology, training, hotels & resorts, cruise lines, destination specialists, and a comprehensive collection of tour operators, wholesale partners, and insurance providers. The committee members represent approximately 40 percent of the membership.
 
A new Membership Engagement Department will work to ensure that members are fully leveraging their Signature benefits and ultimately growing their businesses, the group said.

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Its current primary objectives include communicating sales and marketing opportunities to maximize earning opportunities as well as educating members on how to utilize Client Reach, Signature’s latest technology tool that offers consultants an automated and turnkey communication strategy to stay connected with their clients from time of inquiry to the time they return from their trip.

"This central focus on increasing member engagement is not new to Signature. In fact, we believe the commitment we dedicate to each individual member is exactly what has driven the network’s growth to where it is today. These recent member engagement initiatives are building upon this core value with an added emphasis on digital communication to fuel Signature’s future growth," Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature, said.
 
Kimberly Waters, vice president, sales & member engagement, leads this membership engagement initiative, Signature said. Waters, with over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, joined Signature in 2013. Her background in technology, sales and operations gives her a holistic understanding of the agency business.
 
New staff member, Shannon Garrett, joined Signature in February 2014. With over 12 years of industry experience, specializing in agency operations and sales, Garrett provides her support as manager of member engagement.
 

brian holmberg
Brian Holmberg, director, sales and marketing – cruise

Signature is also expanding its sales and marketing team.
 
Karryn Christopher, who recently celebrated 13 years with Signature, is now serving as senior vice president of sales and marketing and works closely with all of Signature’s departments, members, and supplier partners.

 
Christine Conklin, who has played a pivotal role in Signature’s marketing and technology teams for 10 years, is now the director of e-marketing services. Her leadership continues to be instrumental in the development and expansion of Signature’s robust and successful e-marketing program.

Kimberly Dela Cruz is now manager of e-marketing services. With five years of Signature experience, Dela Cruz specializes in campaign design and manages the team to ensure members and supplier partners receive excellent and highly customized service. 

Nicole Ruesch is now serving as director of marketing services. With more than seven years of Signature marketing experience, Ruesch leads a growing team responsible for a wide array of marketing tools, including an annual collection of 11 publications, over 60 direct mail campaigns, and hundreds of e-marketing campaigns.

dave goodman
David Goodman, director, digital marketing and data analysis

Julie Howard, a member of the strategic partnerships and cruise departments for over six years, is now manager of Signature’s cruise program and oversees the daily operations of its expansive cruise group space and amenity programs. 
 
New staff member, Brian Holmberg, joined Signature in February 2014 as director, sales and marketing – cruise. Working for Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises, Holmberg brings over 20 years of experience in the cruise industry where he served as director of strategic partnerships and director of business development. Holmberg has previously worked with various Signature members to build successful strategic sales and marketing plans.
 
Another new staff member,  Signature reports, David Goodman, joined the sales and marketing team in March 2014 to fulfill the recently created role of director, digital marketing and data analysis. Coming from All-Travel.com, a member of Signature Travel Network, Goodman brings over five years of travel retail experience. He will lead the team in leveraging Signature’s centralized database, ClientConnection, expanding the current database management and campaign analysis services, and further developing the network’s online marketing tools.

Visit www.signaturetravelnetwork.com