
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October is ‘Specialization’ Month at The Travel Institute Free training series designed to help travel professionals prosper through narrowed business focus FRAMINGHAM, MA, September 23, 2015 — The Travel Institute today announced plans to dedicate an entire month of training activities to “Growing Your Business Through Specialization” in October – a focus that is quickly becoming a key differentiator for travel professionals as well as consumers. “We’re hearing from many travel professionals that specialization is their pathway to success,” said Pat Gagnon, CTC, The Travel Institute’s director of program development. “Whether it’s through a destination or niche-lifestyle focus, The Travel Institute has more than 20 courses to help you grow your bottom line by narrowing your business focus to a finite and profitable collection of products. “And now, with the addition of our new themed month on specialization, counselors have an arsenal of tips and tools to help them grow their business. For instance, the webinar on October 7 explores how to find your niche and best practices on how to promote it led by our very own Guida Botelho and Patty Noonan. Designed for all experience levels, those new to the industry will especially find it helpful in strengthening their sales skills.” The October program – the fourth and final quarterly themed month offered by The Travel Institute in 2015 – consists of a series of webinars, e-newsletters, and blogs that zero in on the “whys and how tos” of specialization. In addition, a twice-weekly geography quiz contest called “Around the World with The Travel Institute” will test one’s knowledge of four popular destination specialties: Italy, Alaska, North America, and Mexico. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the month’s competition. Six destination and niche/lifestyle specialization webinars are scheduled in October and led by members of The Travel Institute’s Professional Educators Program or other industry veterans. Cost is free to all participants. The webinar schedule and topics are as follows: Oct. 1, 1 p.m. EDT – Villa Travel Vacations with Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds Oct. 7, 2 p.m. EDT – Specialization and Choosing Your Niche with The Travel Institute’s Guida Botelho, CTA, and Patty Noonan, CTC Oct. 8, noon EDT – Northern and Central Italy with Andrea Grisdale of IC Bellagio, Italy Destination Management Company Oct. 16, noon EDT – How to Introduce River Cruising to Your Affluent Clients with Mike Marchev, CTC, of Mike Marchev Associates Oct. 20, 1 p.m. EDT – Well-Being Travel with Anne Dimon, founder and CEO, Travel to Wellness Oct. 29, noon EDT – Southern Italy and the Islands with Andrea Grisdale of IC Bellagio, Italy Destination Management Company Advanced registration is required for the October specialization webinars. To enroll or for more information, visit The Travel Institute’s new website at www.thetravelinstitute.com. In addition to October, The Travel Institute offered three additional month-long trainings in 2015: Preparing for a Career in Travel (February), Let’s Get Social (April), and Promote Your Professionalism (July). 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October is ‘Specialization’ Month at The Travel Institute

Free training series designed to help travel professionals prosper through narrowed business focus

FRAMINGHAM, MA, September 23, 2015 — The Travel Institute today announced plans to dedicate an entire month of training activities to “Growing Your Business Through Specialization” in October – a focus that is quickly becoming a key differentiator for travel professionals as well as consumers.

“We’re hearing from many travel professionals that specialization is their pathway to success,” said Pat Gagnon, CTC, The Travel Institute’s director of program development. “Whether it’s through a destination or niche-lifestyle focus, The Travel Institute has more than 20 courses to help you grow your bottom line by narrowing your business focus to a finite and profitable collection of products.

“And now, with the addition of our new themed month on specialization, counselors have an arsenal of tips and tools to help them grow their business. For instance, the webinar on October 7 explores how to find your niche and best practices on how to promote it led by our very own Guida Botelho and Patty Noonan. Designed for all experience levels, those new to the industry will especially find it helpful in strengthening their sales skills.”

The October program – the fourth and final quarterly themed month offered by The Travel Institute in 2015 – consists of a series of webinars, e-newsletters, and blogs that zero in on the “whys and how tos” of specialization. In addition, a twice-weekly geography quiz contest called “Around the World with The Travel Institute” will test one’s knowledge of four popular destination specialties: Italy, Alaska, North America, and Mexico. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the month’s competition.

Six destination and niche/lifestyle specialization webinars are scheduled in October and led by members of The Travel Institute’s Professional Educators Program or other industry veterans. Cost is free to all participants. The webinar schedule and topics are as follows:

Oct. 1, 1 p.m. EDT – Villa Travel Vacations with Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds
Oct. 7, 2 p.m. EDT – Specialization and Choosing Your Niche with The Travel Institute’s Guida Botelho, CTA, and Patty Noonan, CTC
Oct. 8, noon EDT – Northern and Central Italy with Andrea Grisdale of IC Bellagio, Italy Destination Management Company
Oct. 16, noon EDT – How to Introduce River Cruising to Your Affluent Clients with Mike Marchev, CTC, of Mike Marchev Associates
Oct. 20, 1 p.m. EDT – Well-Being Travel with Anne Dimon, founder and CEO, Travel to Wellness
Oct. 29, noon EDT – Southern Italy and the Islands with Andrea Grisdale of IC Bellagio, Italy Destination Management Company

Advanced registration is required for the October specialization webinars. To enroll or for more information, visit The Travel Institute’s new website at www.thetravelinstitute.com.

In addition to October, The Travel Institute offered three additional month-long trainings in 2015: Preparing for a Career in Travel (February), Let’s Get Social (April), and Promote Your Professionalism (July).

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.