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Kenneth Shapiro // (c) 2013 Kenneth Shapiro
Kenneth ShapiroSVP/Content Director of the Retail Group

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Calling the West's Best Agents

Mar 17, 2014

In order to succeed in the travel industry nowadays, agents need a truly entrepreneurial attitude. The ability to monitor long-term trends and adapt quickly is certainly an important part of that. This issue’s cover story, “Transformational Trends,” shares business insights from top experts in order to provide an analysis of major trends that are reshaping the workplace. The story offers big-picture information that all agents should be aware of in order to stay ahead of what’s coming next.

Expert advice and high-level information is something that today’s best agents already value, and it’s a central element of a new conference that TravelAge West is proud to be hosting. Called Global Travel Marketplace West (GTM West), the event brings together very successful agents and top suppliers in an intimate setting for appointment-based, face-to-face meetings. The event is kept small to ensure that agents and suppliers have the opportunity to interact and share ideas. In addition to meetings with suppliers, agents participate in small-group, advisory board-type sessions with suppliers that can generate some truly great ideas.

The event will take place May 2-4 at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz. Agents who are approved to attend GTM West (there are a limited number of spots available) will have all travel and meal expenses covered.

For agents who want to grow their business and want to tap into the firsthand knowledge of top suppliers, I firmly believe GTM West is a must. With so much in travel changing every day — including new markets opening up and new threats on the horizon — entrepreneurial, forward-thinking agents need an event like GTM West in order to gain a better understanding of the big picture. Discussing new developments with industry experts and picking the brains of top suppliers can be an invaluable way to recharge and reenergize for the busy year ahead. GTM West provides all that and more.

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I’ll be at GTM West — as will several of our editors — to educate myself on trends and topics to cover in the future. I hope to see you there as well. (For more information, visit GlobalTravelMarketplace.com.)

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