As this issue goes to print, the editorial staff is getting ready for our annual WAVE Awards (which you will see more of in the next issue). As part of that preparation, I checked in with some of our top cruise line suppliers to hear about the many innovations and additions going on throughout the cruise industry. It’s an exciting list of new developments and, in truth, it’s also a bit overwhelming. With so much going on, how can anyone stay up to date?
Regardless of the specific cruise line, all of the executives I spoke to had the same response: Agents must continually update their knowledge through whatever educational opportunities they can seek out. After all, the main reason your customers come to you instead of booking online is because of your expertise and your service.
With this in mind, I wanted to specifically call out an educational opportunity taking place here in the West that is well worth an agent’s time and energy. The CruiseWorld and Home Based Agent Show is taking place June 18-20 in Seattle, and this event, sponsored by our sister publication Travel Weekly, is easily one of the most important travel industry shows of the year.
The focus of the event is education and some of the highlights include ship inspections, business development panels, sharing best practices and success stories, meeting with top suppliers and more. Plus, agents get to experience Seattle, one of the most popular travel destinations in the West. There will also be the chance to win great travel prizes.
Furthermore, it’s not often that this major event is held in the West, so that should be even more reason for Western agents to seize this opportunity.
I know agents are busy making summer travel plans for clients, but it’s important to look beyond the everyday grind and seek out information that will lead to more business tomorrow, and CruiseWorld and the Home Based Agent Show is a great opportunity to do just that.
