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NACTA’s 2012 annual Convention comes to an end

NACTA’s 2012 annual Convention delivered business-boosting education, unveiled new corporate logo and awarded top suppliers

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Association of Career Travel Agents’ (NACTA) 2012 Annual Convention took place at the newly renovated, all-inclusive Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St Lucie, Fla., Nov. 10-13. Participants had the opportunity to hear from a stellar line-up of featured speakers and participate in business-boosting education sessions geared to help them increase their bottom lines with proven sales and marketing techniques.
 
“The NACTA 2012 Annual Convention exceeded our expectations with a record number of suppliers participating in our roundtable and tradeshow sessions. Suppliers understand the importance of working with NACTA’s travel professionals and know the independent agent channel is the best source to mine new business,” said Ann van Leeuwen, NACTA’s vice president. “Participating agents particularly enjoyed the high-level networking sessions with one another and with the participating suppliers. We provided an educational convention with the express purpose of enhancing our travel professional members the potential to grow their business.”
 
ASTA President and Chair Nina Meyer said, “With so many shows in the marketplace, selecting the one that will provide real-life business solutions that teach independent travel consultants how to grow their business and increase their revenue is essential. NACTA’s conference delivered this and more.”
 
Travel agents attended workshops and sessions aimed at sales motivation, marketing their expertise and CLIA training that will enrich all aspects of their travel business. Among the highlights:

  • Industry thought leaders: Participants included featured speakers Nina Meyer, acting ASTA CEO, Scott Koepf, Vice President of Sales, Avoya Travel™/American Express, and Dave Stockert, former Director of National Accounts, Holland America Line.  
  • Product workshops from leading suppliers. Agents had the opportunity to expand their product knowledge and sales skills thanks to workshops from leading industry suppliers and organizations as, CLIA, Celebrity Cruises, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Brendan Vacations.
  • Personal supplier and host agency meetings: Attendees had the chance to sit down with NACTA preferred suppliers to build long-lasting business relationships that will give them the inside track on a supplier’s offerings and help them close the sale. Host agencies showcased their programs, including technology support, consumer marketing tools and supplier incentives available to Independent Consultants when they align with a host agency.

“In addition to the jam packed learning sessions, we unveiled our new corporate logo which more clearly calls out the NACTA name and represents the association’s professionalism,” van Leeuwen said.
 
New this year, NACTA members voted and determined the winner of the top supplier support in each of the following categories: 

Overall Supplier of the Year: Starwood Hotels and Resorts 

Cruise Line of the Year: Celebrity Cruises
 
Land Based Supplier of the Year: Starwood Hotels and Resorts
 
Supplier Liaison of the Year Award: Lisa Hamilton, Business Development Manager, Club Med
 
Destination of the Year Award: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
 
Niche Market Supplier of the Year: Meander Travel
 
In recognition of the victims of Hurricane Sandy, NACTA and several of its local chapters took up a collection, and they were able to donate more than $1000 in cash and needed items to help with the relief effort.
 
NACTA is the travel industry’s leading national trade association representing independent contractors, outside sales agents, cruise and tour oriented agents, group oriented travel professionals and traditional ARC-appointed travel agencies that provide services and support to such professionals. Established in 1986, NACTA’s mission is to represent the interest of independent travel entrepreneurs and to promote professionalism and recognition for the professional independent agent. NACTA is an affiliate of ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents, the world’s largest travel trade association.

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