Patti Lehman, owner of Travel 67 in Fort Wayne, Ind., is a member of the 2018 Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) Advisory Board and an excellent example of the success GTM brings travel advisers. She attended the inaugural GTM in 2013, and since then she has been able to grow her business through new suppliers and travel adviser connections.
GTM and GTM West are elite, appointment-only events that connect top-producing travel advisers in North America with global travel suppliers in rapid-fire one-on-one meetings, exclusive boardroom presentations and a variety of networking opportunities. This intimate, boutique-style event supports the best travel professionals in the business, encouraging them to grow their books of business and deliver memorable vacations for their clients. The events are produced by Northstar Travel Group, parent company of Travel Weekly.
GTM is a unique event, often described by attendees as unlike any other in the industry. Lehman had attended other events in the travel industry, but when she came across an ad for GTM in Travel Weekly, something about it stuck out to her. She thought it sounded different, she liked the exclusivity, and she loved that it took place over just a few days.
Each time Lehman has attended GTM, she has come home with new contacts beneficial to her business. "I saw the passion of the vendors who come to GTM, because I was able to meet with them face-to-face and give them the chance to earn my business. I have formed brand new relationships through GTM and increased my sales with current partners," Lehman explained. "I have also earned larger commissions, and these suppliers often give my clients special amenities. It makes me feel truly special to be a part of this event."
Lehman first attended GTM in 2013 and was accepted back as an ambassador in 2014. First-time attendees are offered this unique opportunity to be a mentor to new travel advisers at GTM. Only 20% of attendees each year are part of the Ambassador Program. This year, she will attend GTM in Fort Lauderdale as a member of the 2018 Advisory Board.
The impact GTM had on Lehman's sales was amazing. She recalled seeing a great increase in her sales with Outrigger Resorts, and her Hawaii sales skyrocketed. She attributed that to getting to know Robyn Basso from Hawaii Tourism United States in their one-on-one appointments at GTM. "I love meeting with BDMs who are clearly passionate about their destination or product and are excited to teach us about it," Lehman said of the vendors that come to the event. According to post-event survey statistics, all of travel advisers and suppliers expect new business as a result of GTM.
Lehman has found that in addition to new vendor relationships, she has formed great connections with her fellow travel professionals. "I have made lifelong friends who have become my sounding board for opinions and advice," she said. "I love knowing that I can send out an email or Facebook post asking for a vendor recommendation and it will be met with options I can trust, from like-minded travel advisers."
According to Lehman, GTM offers excellent educational content as well. "It is so worth your time to have these one-on-one appointments with vendors you might not know about, or ones you already do business with. For example, I had already been working with Kensington Tours, but it wasn't until I attended GTM that I really learned the scope of their product. I was able to plan a client's trip to Bulgaria with them."
The thorough application process is absolutely worth it for serious travel professionals, she added. "GTM is an excellent show. You will meet great people, and it is definitely a productive use of time away from the office. It is one of the top shows in the industry. I can't say enough about how much it has impacted my business."
GTM West will be held at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Nevada May 15 through 17, and GTM will be held at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale, Florida July 12 through 14. GTM, the flagship event, is open to travel sellers across North America who own agencies with annual bookings of $1 million or more or have $1 million in individual annual sales; GTM West is open to advisers in Western U.S. states and Canadian provinces with a minimum of $800,000 in annual individual sales or own an agency meeting the same sales qualifications.
Applications for both events are now open. Travel advisers who are selected to attend are fully hosted, including airfare, hotel, and all meals during the event. To learn more and to apply, visit www.globaltravelmarketplace.com.