More than 50 top travel executives and tourism officials from around the globe will address participants at the World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, in Orlando.

 

“We are honored to present such a wide-ranging group of authorities at this fall’s Expo, which we believe will be a pivotal event in this ‘new era’ of faith tourism,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association. “The Expo delegates will acquire key marketing intelligence and cutting edge sales strategies, as well as innovative product development ideas in the areas of pilgrimage, cruising, missions, leisure travel, adventure trips, faith-based safaris, volunteer vacations, and much more.”

Keynote speakers include:

• Maurice Zarmati, President, Costa Cruise Lines
• Steve Born, Vice President, Globus Family of Brands
• His Excellency Senator Akel E. Biltaji, Ambassador-at-Large and Chairman of the Tourism Committee, Upper House of Parliament, Jordan
• The Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

The Educational Seminars and panelists at this first major international gathering of the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry include:

• Boardroom Insider: Current and future trends for faith tourism
• Adam Leavitt, Vice President, Trafalgar Tours
• Cherie Weinstein, Carnival Cruise Lines, Vice President - Groups Sales and Administration
• Linville Johnson, Director of Religious Market, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
• Malia Asfour, Director, Jordan Tourism Board of North America
• Jim Buddendorf, President, MTS Travel
• Mike Cappodanno, Director, Switzerland Tourism
• Tasoula Manaridis, Director North America, Cyprus Tourism
• Honnie Korngold, President, Christian Travel Finder

Pilgrimages: What does today's faith traveler want?

• Nick Mancino, Vice President, Group IST (Journeys Unlimited and Regina Tours)
• Bob Faucett, Vice President, Unitours
• Milanka M. Lachman, President, 206 Tours
• Fuad Kattan, President, ACA Travel & Tourism (Bethlehem)
• George Keenan, President, Rainbow Tour Turkey

Faith Cruising: Discover the number one vacation trend in today's religious market

• Cherie Weinstein, Vice President - Groups Sales and Administration, Carnival Cruise Lines
• Andy Christo, Vice President, Monarch Classic Cruises
• Stacy Shaw, Director - Charter Sales, Royal Caribbean
• Paul Holevas, President, Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises

How to build your faith travel program through mission trips & volunteer vacations

• Jim Buddendorf, President, MTS Travel
• Timothy Childs, Vice President, Raptim Travel
• Bo McComas, President, World Mission Tours
• Fran Lessans, President & CEO, Passport Health

How to promote the holy Land as a travel provider & group planner

• Malia Asfour, Director, Jordan Tourism Board of North America
• Arie Sommer, Commissioner North & South America, Israel Ministry of Tourism
• Tasoula Manaridis, Director, Cyprus Tourism
• ElSayed M. Khalifa, Consul-Director USA and Latin America, Egyptian Tourist Authority
• George Tambakis, Director USA and Canada, Greek National Tourism Organization

Why we're expanding our religious market focus...and why you should too

• Jim Kelly, Vice President, CIE Tours
• John Klados, Vice President, Homeric Tours
• Steven Ferry, National Group Sales Manager, Trafalgar Tours
• Bryan Earley, National Group Sales Manager, Globus

Promoting new travel experiences for churches & religious groups

• Jacob Kimbro, Manager New Business Development, Disney on Broadway
• Judy Mizrachi, President, Women Walkers Travel
• Dorothy Nasozi, Manager Director, Nissi Holidays (Uganda)
• David Kizito, Managing Director, Cordial Tours and Travel (Tanzania)

Industry perspectives: How we are meeting the demands, growth & impact of faith tourism

• Bob Hoelscher, President, National Tour Association (NTA)
• Patti Free, Vice President, CCRA International

Marketing effectively and profitably to the faith tourism marketplace

• James E. Wright, Vice President Marketing, World Religious Travel Association
• Torre Ossmo, Vice President, Faithful Holidays (Mayflower Tours)
• Metin Kazan, President, 7TUR
• Ron Hermanson, Franchise Owner, SeaMaster Cruises
• Colleen Roberts, National Account Manager, American Church Lists

PR & Advertising: Effectively engage the media to reach faith-based audiences

• Christine Moore, President, Epiphany Media
• Jeff Gayduk, President, Premier Tourism Marketing
• Brian Jewell, Editor, Going on Faith
• Raj Dayal, Editor, Church Executive

Product Development: How to develop a winning faith-based travel portfolio

• Kevin J. Wright: World Religious Travel Association, President
• Cindy Brodhecker: Faith Travel Development & Consulting, President

The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event provides a one-stop opportunity for networking with more than 500 travel wholesalers, suppliers, destinations, agents and church travel planners to develop partnerships, develop new products and services, generate qualified leads and build long-term relationships.

 

The Expo will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando. The complete schedule is available at http://www.religioustravelexpo.com/Schedule.html.