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ASTA’s Travel Retailing & Destination Expo (ASTA-LA) (Los Angeles, Sept. 7-9) will provide attendees with the tools they need to more effectively promote and run their businesses.
“We’ve taken feedback from our show last year and lessons from other travel events to build a better meeting. We’re very aware of the need for a strong and tangible ROI opportunity for attending agents and exhibiting suppliers. We believe we’ve put together the right combination of networking and targeted education, providing agents with advanced tools they can use to plan for, run and promote their business,” said ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar.
Among the show’s highlights are:
- Exclusive Microsoft education. Microsoft-certified experts will teach attendees how to secure and maintain their computer, data and online management systems; better manage their business through the use of Outlook calendars; and use Microsoft products to create effective marketing tools. Similar workshops could cost hundreds to attend somewhere else.
- LA destination training. On-site destination training will show agents how to turn existing demand into profits. Attendees will learn to sell LA-the second most-visited city in the United States-like a pro, thanks to personal meetings with local suppliers, an in-depth destination training seminar and complimentary sightseeing that will show attendees LA from an insider’s perspective
- Thought Leader speakers. Learn from the experience of industry heavy-hitters such as Arnie Weissmann, James Shillinglaw, Lisa Simon, John Lovell, Lisa Buckner, Jonathan Howe, Roger Block and Tim Smith, just to name a few. The insight shared in these sessions equips agents with the know-how to capture emerging markets, build a better business and navigate legal issues that could make or break an agency. Highly acclaimed tech expert Jim Spellos will give his take on the latest technology and how agents can use it to their advantage.
- CLIA session tracks. Travel agents will learn to create a sustainable profit line while earning up to 10 hours of CLIA credits during sessions that not only teach innovative ways to close a sale, but how to turn clients into repeat, loyal customers.
- Hollywood insiders. This session delivers proven marketing techniques. Attendees will hear creative, powerful and novel marketing insights directly from industry authority Marc Mancini and Hollywood film experts. Want to learn how to make an agency stand out and attract a broader customer base? This is the place to be.
- Travel Institute testing. ASTA-LA provides agents the chance to reach their next level of success by testing for any of the Travel Institute’s industry-respected designations-CTA, CTIE and CTC-at no additional charge.
- Advocacy dinner. This exclusive, annual black-tie event brings together elite travel agents, suppliers and industry players in recognition of ASTA’s lobbying efforts and legislative successes at the state and federal level. Attendees have the rare chance to network with the industry’s most influential leaders and decision-makers and will be among the first to hear new developments that shape the future of travel and travel-related legislation.
- Business Travel Coalition Meeting. Corporate travel managers, travel agents and travel management company reps are invited to attend the Business Travel Coalition Meeting with BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell, recognized by Business Travel News as one of the most 25 influential industry executives, and voice their perspective on the future of travel and how to best protect their interests as a travel professional.
Opening event at ICON LA. An opportunity to make important industry connections and network with one’s peers while taking in LA’s spectacular nighttime panorama.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
