Home Based Travel Agent Forum


	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: High Praise from both Travel Agents and Suppliers for Recent Home Based Forum in Las Vegas; Now it's On To Atlantic City Post-show questionnaires to travel agents and suppliers who were on hand for the Home Based Forum in mid-May in Las Vegas, were virtually unanimous in their praise of this event at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. “It is unusual when you are dealing with two such critical audiences as travel agents and suppliers, that you find no negatives in the responses,” said Jim Cloonan, president of the Travel Show Marketing Group (TSMG), which produces the forum. Cloonan added that, “it’s also rewarding and flattering when you consider that this was only our second show in Las Vegas, and our fifth such trade show and conference in all.” “What our participants are telling us,” said Cloonan, “is that we are doing something right for just about everybody who signs on.” What follows are some representative comments first from half a dozen travel agents and then from as many suppliers: Dawn Roberto, Cofun, NY, Ohana Travel and Tours; As a first time attendee at the Las Vegas Home Based Travel Agent Forum I certainly learned a lot. I had the opportunity to learn from veteran agents, suppliers, speakers and even the other "Newbies". There was a lot of education and entertainment packed into a few short days… Robert Cooper, Gold Canyon, AZ, Cooper Cruise & Travel; I thought I knew everything that was available to me to help my business grow but I walked away from HB Forum with several host options, new apps, marketing plans and networking ideas. Sharon Eddins, Corsicana, TX, Blubonnet Tours; This was one of the best experiences we have had with the Home Based Forum. Wow, what an experience. All of the sessions that we attended were very informative and the moderators for the panel discussions kept the program moving right along. Michael Schrobat, Seattle, WA, Cetc Travel Services; A well balanced, comprehensive program offering exceptional value with applications and training we can actually use in our business. Add a little fun added in the mix and you’ve got a spectacular event. Maryke Cudd, Humble, TX, Cruise Planners; I love the Home Based Travel Show. It gives me an opportunity to network with other agents, meet with suppliers and learn what’s new. Altogether, it is about increasing sales and becoming a very successful business. Leslie Dellaro, Riverside, CA, Cruising Agents.com; I thoroughly enjoyed the Home Based Travel Agent Forum. The general sessions were very interesting and the speakers definitely were inspiring as well as motivating. All of the presenters for the individual sessions were very well versed in their fields… I can't wait to come back next year. And now, here are the supplier’s: Jennifer Aina, Costa Rica Dream Adventures; This show was fantastic, great agents and very well organized. We look forward to next year! Shannon Fore, Tourico Holidays; There was constant traffic on the trade show floor and it was well attended with well qualified agents. Dana McPherson, LuxTastic Cruises, LLC; The Home Based Travel Agent Forum is a great resource for brand new agents and agents that have been in the business for as many as 30 years or more. Great suppliers, networking and education for all agents. Greg Reilly, Marantha Tours; ...I do at least five conventions a year and this show was one of the smoothest I've been to. Also the Freemont St. Experience you put on for the Agents was AWESOME! I heard nothing but great comments and that it was a huge hit with delegates. Betsy Geiser, Uniglobe Travel Center; The learning sessions were fantastic and I love that you had a whole track just for new comers to the industry. Looking forward to Atlantic City in the Fall. Scott Brandner, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise; A great show with an amazing level of attendance! A very enthusiastic group of agents!!! See you in Atlantic City! Also noteworthy, especially since it was Mother’s Day, was the turnout at the pre-show training sessions on Sunday, May 13, when nearly 200 travel agents showed up for the “Social Networking Bootcamp” at $29 a pop, and the Costa Rica Destination Specialist Training with more than 150 agents, who were invited free of charge. Both the Opening Session on Monday morning, which attracted more than 800 agents, and the General Session on Tuesday morning, which attracted more than 900 agents, were deemed “highly successful” by both travel agents and presenters, and just about every seminar and panel session was chock-a-block with agents, often requiring extra chairs and standing-room arrangements. The Tuesday morning breakfast, hosted by the Jamaica Tourist board, seated 750 agents, and the lunch by the Venetian Resort drew more than 800 agents. In all, more than 1,425 agents from 44 states were on hand. Jim Cloonan also noted that the trade show, with 220 booths and nearly 300 exhibitors drew heavy traffic on Tuesday afternoon and a steady flow on Wednesday morning. The next Home Based Forum is scheduled in Atlantic City October 22-24 at Revel, a resort with great advance notices that opened in late May with four sold out performances by Beyonce. Early bird registration is $60, good until July 16, after which the TRO special rate goes to $70, vs. the $90 rack rate. Once registered, agents are eligible to sign up at Revel for $119 per room night, an exceptional rate for this brand new and prime property. To register for both the early bird $60 forum fee, and the $119 Revel rate, agents can log onto www.ACTravelShow.com or contact Lisa Marshall, registration coordinator, at 508-553-3593 or email at Lisa@TravelSMG.com. Incidentally, you can peruse all of the travel agent and supplier commentaries by clicking on the Attendee or Exhibitor link on the web page, and then by clicking the Testimonials button. Meanwhile, suppliers who want to sign up for a booth and/or sponsorships, may do so by contacting Jim Cloonan at 617-337-5132 or email at Jim@TravelSMG.com. ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

High Praise from both Travel Agents and Suppliers for Recent Home Based Forum in Las Vegas; Now it's On To Atlantic City

Post-show questionnaires to travel agents and suppliers who were on hand for the Home Based Forum in mid-May in Las Vegas, were virtually unanimous in their praise of this event at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. “It is unusual when you are dealing with two such critical audiences as travel agents and suppliers, that you find no negatives in the responses,” said Jim Cloonan, president of the Travel Show Marketing Group (TSMG), which produces the forum. Cloonan added that, “it’s also rewarding and flattering when you consider that this was only our second show in Las Vegas, and our fifth such trade show and conference in all.”

“What our participants are telling us,” said Cloonan, “is that we are doing something right for just about everybody who signs on.”

What follows are some representative comments first from half a dozen travel agents and then from as many suppliers:

Dawn Roberto, Cofun, NY, Ohana Travel and Tours; As a first time attendee at the Las Vegas Home Based Travel Agent Forum I certainly learned a lot. I had the opportunity to learn from veteran agents, suppliers, speakers and even the other "Newbies". There was a lot of education and entertainment packed into a few short days… Robert Cooper, Gold Canyon, AZ, Cooper Cruise & Travel; I thought I knew everything that was available to me to help my business grow but I walked away from HB Forum with several host options, new apps, marketing plans and networking ideas. Sharon Eddins, Corsicana, TX, Blubonnet Tours; This was one of the best experiences we have had with the Home Based Forum. Wow, what an experience. All of the sessions that we attended were very informative and the moderators for the panel discussions kept the program moving right along. Michael Schrobat, Seattle, WA, Cetc Travel Services; A well balanced, comprehensive program offering exceptional value with applications and training we can actually use in our business. Add a little fun added in the mix and you’ve got a spectacular event. Maryke Cudd, Humble, TX, Cruise Planners; I love the Home Based Travel Show. It gives me an opportunity to network with other agents, meet with suppliers and learn what’s new. Altogether, it is about increasing sales and becoming a very successful business. Leslie Dellaro, Riverside, CA, Cruising Agents.com; I thoroughly enjoyed the Home Based Travel Agent Forum. The general sessions were very interesting and the speakers definitely were inspiring as well as motivating. All of the presenters for the individual sessions were very well versed in their fields… I can't wait to come back next year.

And now, here are the supplier’s:

Jennifer Aina, Costa Rica Dream Adventures; This show was fantastic, great agents and very well organized. We look forward to next year! Shannon Fore, Tourico Holidays; There was constant traffic on the trade show floor and it was well attended with well qualified agents. Dana McPherson, LuxTastic Cruises, LLC; The Home Based Travel Agent Forum is a great resource for brand new agents and agents that have been in the business for as many as 30 years or more. Great suppliers, networking and education for all agents. Greg Reilly, Marantha Tours; ...I do at least five conventions a year and this show was one of the smoothest I've been to. Also the Freemont St. Experience you put on for the Agents was AWESOME! I heard nothing but great comments and that it was a huge hit with delegates. Betsy Geiser, Uniglobe Travel Center; The learning sessions were fantastic and I love that you had a whole track just for new comers to the industry. Looking forward to Atlantic City in the Fall. Scott Brandner, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise; A great show with an amazing level of attendance! A very enthusiastic group of agents!!! See you in Atlantic City!

Also noteworthy, especially since it was Mother’s Day, was the turnout at the pre-show training sessions on Sunday, May 13, when nearly 200 travel agents showed up for the “Social Networking Bootcamp” at $29 a pop, and the Costa Rica Destination Specialist Training with more than 150 agents, who were invited free of charge. Both the Opening Session on Monday morning, which attracted more than 800 agents, and the General Session on Tuesday morning, which attracted more than 900 agents, were deemed “highly successful” by both travel agents and presenters, and just about every seminar and panel session was chock-a-block with agents, often requiring extra chairs and standing-room arrangements.

The Tuesday morning breakfast, hosted by the Jamaica Tourist board, seated 750 agents, and the lunch by the Venetian Resort drew more than 800 agents. In all, more than 1,425 agents from 44 states were on hand.

Jim Cloonan also noted that the trade show, with 220 booths and nearly 300 exhibitors drew heavy traffic on Tuesday afternoon and a steady flow on Wednesday morning.

The next Home Based Forum is scheduled in Atlantic City October 22-24 at Revel, a resort with great advance notices that opened in late May with four sold out performances by Beyonce. Early bird registration is $60, good until July 16, after which the TRO special rate goes to $70, vs. the $90 rack rate. Once registered, agents are eligible to sign up at Revel for $119 per room night, an exceptional rate for this brand new and prime property. To register for both the early bird $60 forum fee, and the $119 Revel rate, agents can log onto www.ACTravelShow.com or contact Lisa Marshall, registration coordinator, at 508-553-3593 or email at Lisa@TravelSMG.com.

Incidentally, you can peruse all of the travel agent and supplier commentaries by clicking on the Attendee or Exhibitor link on the web page, and then by clicking the Testimonials button.

Meanwhile, suppliers who want to sign up for a booth and/or sponsorships, may do so by contacting Jim Cloonan at 617-337-5132 or email at Jim@TravelSMG.com.

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