Featuring more than 150 hours of training classes and seminars, the Vacation.com 9th International Conference & Trade Showin New Orleans June 27 – July 1, 2007, will offer more education and training opportunities as the company stated.

“We’re extremely proud of the educational lineup at the Conference,” said Lauraday Kelley, CTC, MCC, vice president of Education and Training for Vacation.com. “In just a few information-packed days, agents can acquire many new and fruitful ideas from the likes of Nolan Burris, Mike Marchev, Bob Abrames and Dave Stockert, to name a few,” she added.

The Director of Sales Training for Holland America Line and author of “The Idea Machine I and II,” Stockert’s seminar, entitled How to Use Practical Ideas to Build Your Cruise Business, is just one of many new sessions recently added to the robust Conference schedule.

Another new session will be given by Joanie Ogg, one of Travel Agent Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women In Travel for the past four years. Ogg will tap into her 35 years of industry experience during two, one-hour sessions entitled Hosting Independent Travel Professionals in the 21st Century & Beyond - Issues; Answers and Opportunities, which will help agents conquer real-life challenges using real-life solutions.

Other one-hour panel sessions include:

Do’s & Don’ts for Independent Contractors – hosted by Vacation.com Training Specialist Geoff Stewart and a panel of three host agency owners.

Successful Home Based Agents – hosted by Vacation.com Business Development Manager Linda Geer and three home based agency entrepreneurs.

“At the core of every Conference is sharing ideas that work in today’s industry, which is why we’re excited to offer these new sessions along with other opportunities, like a 90-minute think-tank for owners and managers that will surely create a buzz with attendees,” noted Kelley.

In addition, new entertainment has been added to the Conference schedule. Keith Prowse Ticketing will host Disney on Broadway musicals—featuring special cast appearances from the Lion King, Tarzan and Mary Poppins—and Royal Caribbean International will bring Rain to the stage, a spectacular tribute to the legendary Beatles.