NEST, the Network of Entrepreneurs Selling
Travel, chose Las Vegas as the site of its third annual conference,
NEST FEST, Dec. 2 to 4. The event will be staged at Mandalay Bay
Resort and Casino. Kathryn Mazza-Burney, executive vice president
of sales and service for NEST, said the conference would feature
speakers, product training, networking and sales and marketing
seminars. Agents will increase their overall knowledge of the
portfolio of NEST products, including NESTDirect, CruiseNEST and
NESTRewards. Also, the Golden Egg Awards will again be presented to
the top-producing NEST agents of 2006. For more information, agents
can contact Rosemary Sarkis at (888) 245-NEST, Ext. 3007 or by
e-mailing [email protected].
MY AVC
MENTOR, a program rolled out in January by host agency
America's Vacation Center, is showing positive results, with the
average participant doubling his or her performance with regard to
sales, increasing commissions and boosting the level of customer
service, AVC said. Mentor pairs are chosen based on the skills
agents are looking to improve, such as shifting from a
brick-and-mortar environment to home-based, using technology to
increase productivity, sales techniques and group bookings. One AVC
affiliate, Jomanque Cannon, who works out of Fargo, N.D., said her
sales have increased by 200% since she was paired with mentor
Alishah Kier, an agent in Charlotte, N.C. Agents who would like to
learn more about the program can visit www.joinavc.com.
EDUCATION
UPDATE: Cruise and Travel University will feature
three-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez as a speaker during the
organization's educational event aboard the Carnival Liberty next
December, said Charlie Dubinksy, president. Each Cruise University
sailing features well-known industry speakers as instructors and
usually offers several courses for CLIA credit. Travel agents
interested in learning more about the program can call (954)
491-2269 or visit www.cruiseandtravelagents.com.
THROUGH THE
PORTHOLE: Azamara Cruises, Celebrity's new deluxe cruise
line, opened bookings for the 2008-2009 Asia season on the Azamara
Quest. Azamara also announced 2008-2009 itineraries for the Quest's
sister ship, the Azamara Journey, in Europe and South America. Full
details are at www.azamaracruises.com.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Cambodia/Vietnam
Trip: An eight-day cruise along the Mekong
and Tonle rivers between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Siem Reap,
Cambodia. In addition, participants spend three nights in each of
the two cities.
Departure: Sept. 12 from Ho Chi Minh City,
land/cruise only.
Length: 13 nights, including eight days
aboard the Tonle Pandaw.
Sponsor: Value World Tours, Fountain
Valley, Calif.
Cost: $1,399 per person, double. Includes
hotel, main-deck accommodations on the cruise, most meals, guided
shore excursions and sightseeing.
Noteworthy: Rate for single, lower-deck
accommodations is $1,499; companion rate is $1,499. Port charges
($120) and visa fees (Vietnam, $95; Cambodia, $25) are not
included.
Contact: (800) 795-1633; e-mail: [email protected].
Home-Based
Agent Editor: Donna Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].