The Travel Institute’s “Promote Your Professionalism”
Month to Focus on Certification, PR Skills

FRAMINGHAM, MA, June 23, 2016 – The Travel Institute today announced details of its first-ever Leadership Learning Series, a five-part webinar program that kicks off May 18 and focuses on the emerging as well as the experienced manager. The topics covered – igniting performance, developing personal stamina and integrity, managing people, database management, and supplier negotiations – are areas that are key to an executive’s success, with particular emphasis on one’s ability to lead, learn, and innovate.

Throughout July, travel professionals can enroll in the Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), or Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE) programs and qualify to receive a 50-percent savings thanks to the generous scholarships from The Travel Institute Fund. Depending on selected coursework, the value may be as high as $250 off standard curriculum pricing. Individuals must apply for the certification scholarships and answer several questions before being accepted. The application form is on The Travel Institute’s website at www.thetravelinstitute.com.

Complementing the certification-scholarship offer in July are four interactive webinars, a podcast, and twice-weekly e-communications, all focused on how to effectively market yourself as a travel professional.

“We introduced Promote Your Professionalism in 2014 during our 50th anniversary as a way to give back to the industry,” said COO Diane Petras, CMP, CTIE. “In the last two years, The Travel Institute Fund has endowed more than $100,000 in scholarships for CTA, CTC, and CTIE certifications during this agent outreach. That translates to helping more than 600 professionals reach their educational goals through this special endowment – and that doesn’t even include the thousands of people who took advantage of the PR training.

“It’s clear to us that people understand the value of certification, but may not have the financial resources to see it through, nor the know-how to promote it once they complete the comprehensive training. Our Promote Your Professionalism program makes both happen.”

July’s four webinars are led by members of The Travel Institute’s Professional Educators Program, along with other industry veterans. Cost is free to Institute members and $19.99 for non-members, per session. All webinars begin at 1 p.m. Eastern. The schedule is as follows:

• July 12 – “How to Promote your Professionalism and Certification with the Media” with Richard Earls, publisher, Travel Research Online


• July 21 – “Powerful Public Speaking” with Kate Koziol, CTC, director of growth strategies, Winger Marketing


• July 26 – “How to Promote Yourself as a Romance Expert” with Lisa Sheldon, CTC, MCC, executive director, Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association


• July 28 – “How to Promote Yourself as a Wellness Expert” with Anne Dimon, CEO, Travel to Wellness

Also during Promote Your Professionalism month, The Travel Institute’s popular “Hot Tip Tuesday” e-newsletter and member-only “Friday Five” blog posts will focus on selling yourself as a travel professional. In addition, a new podcast, “Do Your Social Photos Boost Your Professionalism?” produced by Catherine Heeg, founder, Customized Management Solutions, will provide tips to elevate photos and graphics to new levels. All Hot Tip Tuesday subscribers will receive an email with the link to the podcast.

Advanced registration is required for the Promote Your Professionalism webinars. To register or for more information about the certification scholarships, visit www.thetravelinstitute.com.

About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute, visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.