Robin Katz, owner of a Cruise Planners/American Express franchise in Miami, is a member of the 2018 Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) Advisory Board and is one of the event's many success stories. She attended GTM for the first time in 2016, and her business has grown significantly since then.
GTM and GTM West are elite, appointment-only, fully subsidized 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 global book of business and deliver memorable vacations for their clients.
GTM will be held at the Diplomat Beach
Resort in Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale July 12 through 14. GTM West, which is focused on travel sellers in the western U.S. states and Canada, will be held at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas May 15 through 17.
The GTM events team's goal is for GTM be a 100% referral program, with top producers recommending this event as a must-attend for their fellow successful travel professional friends and colleagues. In 2017, 80% of first-time GTM attendees were referrals, and 60% of GTM West first-timers were referrals.
In 2016, Katz was one of these referrals from a supplier partner of GTM. "Julie Karp from ShoreTrips had asked me to apply back in 2015, and then Lisa Marmon, a former GTM attendee, encouraged me to apply in 2016." Having been encouraged by a well-known supplier and supporter of the event as well as a respected travel adviser, Katz decided to apply.
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"I am so happy I attended on the recommendations from Julie and Linda," Katz said. "GTM was absolutely worth my time." She returned as an Ambassador in 2017. First-time attendees are offered this unique opportunity to be a mentor to new travel advisers at GTM the following year. Only 20% of attendees are accepted to return as part of the Ambassador Program. This year, Katz will attend GTM in Fort Lauderdale as a member of the Advisory Board and as testament to the growth GTM can bring to a business.
"My business has definitely grown since attending GTM for the last two years," she said. "Not only have I learned about new suppliers and what they are able to offer my clients, I have expanded my go-to list and can now offer new opportunities to my clientele." The supplier relationships were not the only benefit of attending: "I have also met other travel advisers at GTM that are as focused as I am on making sure the needs of my clients are met when customizing a unique experience. Our goals all seem to be the same, and often times, we are guiding one another through new experiences or helping one another find what we need to make a new itinerary happen more quickly."
Katz and her fellow GTM alumni are very active in GTM's post-event private Facebook group, where attendees can make supplier recommendations and assist each other with bookings. GTM attendees overwhelmingly agree that it is a vital resource for their business and extends the lifetime value of the event far beyond the three days of the conference.
Katz absolutely recommends applying to GTM.
"GTM is a very professional, well-run program that dives right into the sharing process. The Boardrooms are so personalized and offer a boutique style opportunity to get to know the suppliers, their portfolio and other seasoned professionals within the room." She considers the 12 boardroom sessions one of the most unique and beneficial elements of the event. There is also much to be earned post-GTM. "The affiliation with GTM offers a certain status within the industry as suppliers seem to respect agents who have been carefully vetted by GTM. I feel more confident about my business and love that I have a place to run ideas by other agents who are so knowledgeable in the industry. The connections are incredible and everlasting. It is truly an honor to be an integral part of GTM."
Applicants to the flagship GTM conference in Fort Lauderdale must be booking at least $1 million or own a multi-million-dollar agency. Travel advisers attending GTM West are required to have at least $800,000 per year in annual sales or be the owner of a multimillion-dollar agency. All applicants must live in the qualifying area, which includes the following U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii and Canadian Provinces British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
All attendees must have the authority to make product and partner decisions, have a global book of business, the desire to meet with and discover new suppliers and destinations, and be able to provide three travel industry references.
Applications for both events are now open, but the deadline to apply for GTM West is April 9, and spots are filling up quickly. Be sure to apply as soon as possible. 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.