CCRA has launched a Travel Advisor StartUp program aimed at new-to-the-industry advisors, and it will hold a series of free seminars this year to kick off the program.
The free Travel Advisor StartUp seminars will be held in conjunction with CCRA's PowerSolutions Live in-person events. They will be held on Sept. 8 in Philadelphia, Sept. 20 in Tampa, Dec. 1 in Atlanta and Dec. 7 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Topics covered will include how to earn money, building relationships with suppliers, travel niches and more. Prospective advisors will also have a chance to hear from suppliers and network with potential mentors. Supplier roundtables will be held, as will an afternoon trade show.
The Travel Advisor StartUp program will also have an online option that consists of a training course covering the foundations of being a travel advisor. Successful participants will get a Recognized Travel Advisor certification.
Like the in-person seminars, the online component is free to prospective advisors.
If they want to get certified after that, the cost for the full Travel Advisor StartUp program is $800, which includes full training and certification. Those who are certified receive the benefits of a hosted agent under CCRA's Travel Advisors Global Network Host Agency along with extra help as new advisors and Travel Advisor StartUp participants.
UPDATE: This report was updated at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 23 to indicate that the online component of the program is free and to include information about certification.