Applications are now being accepted for TravelAge West and Travel Weekly’s annual Global Travel Marketplace West (GTM West) and Global Travel Marketplace (GTM).
GTM West will be held at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 15 through 17; GTM takes place at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Fla., July 12 through 14.
These are boutique events that give pre-approved travel advisors the opportunity to meet new suppliers, build upon relationships with suppliers they already know and network with peers.
A limited number of top-performing advisors are invited to participate: 100 for GTM West and 100 to 125 for GTM. Advisors must have $800,000 in annual sales to qualify for GTM West and $1 million in annual sales for GTM. Or, a participant can be an owner of a multimillion-dollar agency who actively books travel. All attendees must have the authority to make product and partner decisions.
“The GTM events have had a positive impact on so many travel businesses since their inception,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, senior vice president of events for the Travel Group, Northstar Travel Group. “Those who attend have seen great success from the peer/peer relationships and agency/supplier relationships forged here. We are so excited to open applications and welcome another group of dedicated and motivated travel advisors to the GTM family.”
Northstar Travel Group is the parent company of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West. Each event includes two days of one-on-one, scheduled meetings. Advisors have up to 50 one-on-one meetings, each of which lasts six minutes. Advisors also participate in a number of boardroom presentations, in which suppliers meet with roughly a dozen agents in a collaborative and interactive environment. Select advisors are fully hosted, receiving round-trip air, a three-night hotel stay, meals, networking opportunities and invitations to events.
GTM West is for travel advisors from the western half of North America: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
GTM is a national event, accepting advisors from throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Advisors can apply at www.globaltravelmarketplace.com. The next step is a one-on-one telephone interview.
Both agents and suppliers reported tremendous success after last year's events.
“GTM is unparalleled to any travel industry event,” said Sally Black of Vacationkids. “It is an honor and a privilege to be able to rub shoulders with the ‘best of the best’ on both sides of the appointment tables. Attending GTM has probably been the leading reason for our increased sales this past year.”
Deciding to take the time away from the office is always a challenge, but GTM attendees say it is worth the effort.
“I have been able to implement the most practical and lucrative changes to my business,” said Lisa Plan Fussell of Allure Travel. “I gained so many ideas, connections, and networking during GTM’s three days. It's the most beneficial event to a go-getter that is truly in love with the travel industry.”
Supplier opportunities are selling out. All meal functions and boardrooms are sold out, but a limited number of appointment slots are available for each event. For supplier inquiries, please contact Emmy Morales at [email protected] or (201) 902-1951.
The Details
Global Travel Marketplace West
www.gtmwest.com
Global Travel Marketplace
www.gtmflagship.com