This past December, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority’s (LVCVA) held its first-ever client familiarization tour
centered around the New Las Vegas Marathon and put a fresh spin on
the way travel industry professionals tour the city.
“Fam tours typically include entertainment, dining and visits to
properties around town, but we thought the marathon was a great
event to attract clients to visit, or revisit, the destination,”
said Michael Goldsmith, director of convention sales, LVCVA.
More than 40 participants, from travel agents to meeting
planners to trade show organizers, ran in either the half- or
full-length version of the marathon on Dec. 10, 2006, which started
and ended on the Las Vegas Strip. The group represented the LVCVA
as Team “Only Vegas” and donned official custom uniforms. Attendees
began their stays with a spa visit on Friday at one of several
resorts in the area, then attended either the National Finals Rodeo
or a Las Vegas show Friday evening, indulged in a carb-loading meal
on Saturday night and finished with a celebration dinner following
the marathon.
FUNJET VACATIONS REWARDS TOP-SELLING AGENTS
In keeping with its commitment to travel agents, Funjet Vacations
sent the 101 top-booking agents nationwide of Las Vegas packages to
Vegas for a chance to win an array of prizes, including the grand
prize a new 2007 Cadillac CTS. Finalists were randomly chosen to
try their keys in the car on Dec. 12, 2006. The third to try her
key, Colleen Kerr of Cruise Connections in Winston Salem, N.C.,
walked away with the brand-new luxury Cadillac.
“I cannot believe I won a car,” said Kerr. “Funjet Vacations is
a great company with a wonderful support team. This made it very
easy to sell one of my favorite destinations, Las Vegas, and
qualify.”
“This is an event that we really look forward to each year. It’s
really all about collaboration and creatively recognizing a job
well done. This event truly defines the outstanding relationship we
have with the agents, LVCVA and our hotel suppliers,” said Ray
Snisky, president of Funjet Vacations.
THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN PROMOTES GERSONDE
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii announced the promotion of Jon
Gersonde to general manager of The Royal Hawaiian.
Gersonde joined The Royal Hawaiian as hotel manager in 2005.
With his promotion to general manager, Gersonde now oversees the
hotel’s management team and ensures that the overall standards for
guest service, decor, housekeeping, food quality and banquet
operations are upheld at the 528-room hotel.
