Ensemble Travel Group has launched Ensemble Learning Journeys, a program designed to help members tap into the lucrative education market. The group has also announced upcoming events for 2013 and given awards to top supplier partners during its conference at the Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas.
The new program targets both the 25-and-under student population, as well as those travelers considered "life-long learners," Ensemble says.
The curriculum was designed by Carol Dimopoulos, president of Learning Journeys. According to Ensemble's senior director, marketing and development, land products, Suzanne Hall, the program offers Ensemble members in the U.S. the tools they need to effectively approach high school and university administrators and other small groups with unique, hands-on learning adventures.
Participating members will access the Ensemble Learning Journeys curriculum primarily online. The introduction and other components will be delivered at individual offices or in small regional settings. As a "Learning Journeys Master," degrees, diplomas and certification will be awarded based upon the level of completed study. Additionally, specialists can attend yearly symposiums to learn about emerging educational experiences in targeted destinations around the world.
The customized escorted itineraries are designed to combine cultural immersions with hands-on education to ignite clients’ passions and interests in a certain discipline.
Each Ensemble Learning Journey will be designed by educators in that specific field of study based on the needs of the particular group. Ensemble members will work with Learning Journeys staff, all of whom are veteran educators trained at targeting specific markets. Experienced tour manager/escorts will be on-site to deliver these life-changing encounters for students of all ages, Ensemble says.
Ensemble Travel Group also selected the Broadmoor Hotel & Resort in Colorado Springs as the next site for its international conference on Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, 2013. Ensemble also reported details of other events in 2013.
The 2nd Annual U.S. Executive Retreat will be held on April 17-21, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M. Designed for Ensemble owners and managers, the event focuses on professional and personal growth, Ensemble says. Entrepreneur and author Peter Sheahan will be the keynote speaker.
Over the next six to 12 months, Sheahan’s company, ChangeLabs, is conducting confidential detailed sales and customer-service research on a test group of Ensemble members, suppliers, and clients. Some of the early findings will be delivered at the retreat, Ensemble says.
The 2013 Ensemble Top 25 Celebration will be held May 28 to June 2 at The Westin Golf Resort & Spa in Playa Conchal, Costa Rica. The annual event recognizes the top 25 producers. Selection criteria is based on members’ 2012 sales performance with Ensemble Travel Group’s preferred suppliers. Registration information for the 2013 Ensemble Conference will be available before the end of this year.
Furthermore, members of the Ensemble Travel Group named its top supplier partners. Selections were based on three key performance areas: quality of customer service, level of agency support and client satisfaction.
U.S. members selected the following preferred partners as winners in the annual awards program:
♣ 2012 Cruise Partner of the Year – Regent Seven Seas Cruises
♣ 2012 Outstanding Agency Support Award (cruise) – Royal Caribbean International
♣ 2012 Outstanding Marketing Partner Award (cruise) – Crystal Cruises
♣ 2012 Tour Partner of the Year – Globus family of brands
♣ 2012 Outstanding Agency Support Award (tour) – Classic Vacations
♣ 2012 Outstanding Marketing Partner Award (tour) – Travel Impressions
♣ 2012 Air Partner of the Year – Virgin Atlantic Airways
♣ 2012 Transportation Partner of the Year – Auto Europe
♣ 2012 Business Services/Insurance Partner of the Year – Travel Guard International
In addition, four North American awards, reflecting the input of both U.S. and Canadian members, were announced, including:
♣ 2012 Ensemble On Location Partner of the Year –TFL Tours (Italy destination specialist)
♣ 2012 Hotel Partner of the Year – Hyatt Hotels Corporation
♣ 2012 North American Hotel of the Year – Fairmont Kea Lani
♣ 2012 International Hotel of the Year -- Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel
For more information, visit www.joinensemble.com.