Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) will select up to 125 top producing travel agents to attend the new elite business-focused event, hosted by Travel Weekly from July 24-26 at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The format of pre-scheduled appointments, small group boardrooms and networking functions will allow agents to walk out with a new directory of supplier partners. The supplier list includes 100 companies representing a diverse range of destinations and offerings.
“Agents will have the opportunity to significantly grow their supplier portfolio and build important business relationships,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, vice president of events, Travel Weekly/PhoCusWright. “It will be an intense but incredibly worthwhile two and a half days spent focusing on the growth and development of your business. GTM is all about business.”
GTM aims to deliver a high return on investment through the intimacy of the event. With a ratio of approximately one supplier to one travel agent, everyone will have the chance to meet in a variety of collaborative settings that are conducive to good business.
During the boardroom portion of the event, 10 to 12 agents will be in each room, and suppliers will go from room to room for 30 minutes at a time. During the boardroom, suppliers may hold focus groups or elaborate on topics brought up during the six-minute appointments. Participants will be able to engage in an intimate conversation tailored to the needs of the individual agents, going beyond a broad, pre-scripted presentation.
Agents will also receive a minimum of 50 pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings with global travel suppliers as well as many opportunities to meet other elite global travel agents.
Selected agents will be completely hosted. This includes roundtrip airfare; single-occupancy hotel accommodations at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa for three nights; all meals; transportation between the airport and the hotel; the opportunity to experience other Westin properties around the world; a chance to win a Heavenly Bed; and other surprises throughout the event.
Global travel suppliers participating include hotel companies, tour operators, tourism boards, cruise lines and more. The Globus Family of Brands, AVIS, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Un-Cruise Adventures, Sceptre Tours, VisitBritain and PromPeru are among the attending suppliers.
Travel agents who meet the following requirements are encouraged to apply: annual individual sales of at least $1 million; a global book of business; a desire to meet with and discover new suppliers and destinations; and the ability to submit three travel industry references. The application form and an updated list of suppliers are available at the official GTM website. The deadline to apply is May 31.
The Details
Global Travel Marketplacewww.travelweekly.com
