Virtuoso Rolls Out Benefits

Virtuoso will invest in its elite membership with credits for preferred supplier production and full cash participation in network overrides.

Upchurch (left) and Jones are helping agents through tough times. // © 2009 Virtuoso

“Virtuoso has always invested in our members’ success, responded in times of need and led with innovation and vision to set our members apart from other travel agencies,” said Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch.

Details of the benefit model are as follows: In July, Virtuoso issued its members dollar credits for a percentage of the member’s 2008 sales production with participating preferred suppliers. The credits can be applied to any current invoice or planned Virtuoso investment for the remainder of 2009. In January, Virtuoso members will receive dollar credits for a percentage of their 2009 production for all participating preferred cruise, tour and on-site suppliers. Every dollar credit a member invests in network marketing, meeting registration, training or membership fees, up to the earned credit amount, will be matched. Virtuoso will also allocate an additional percentage of production credit for all incremental year-over-year production growth for participating preferred suppliers and, in 2010, Virtuoso will pay 100 percent of supplier bonuses directly to members that show production for that supplier.

“Virtuoso recognizes that the industry is faced with broad challenges to cash flow, brand delivery and market share,” said Virtuoso’s president, Kristi Jones. “This is a bold move by Virtuoso to address those challenges, while maintaining the market distinctions of our membership and preferred supplier relationships.”
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