ORLANDO — Ensemble Travel Group has created a membership option
for non-shareholders. Called the Ensemble Affiliate Division, it is geared toward small, niche and mid-size
travel organizations.
During a press conference after the general session at Ensemble’s annual conference at the Omni Orlando Resort at
ChampionsGate here, the consortium’s co-president, Lindsay Pearlman, said
affiliate members would not be able to vote, be a host for Ensemble’s
hosted cruise program or serve on the board of directors.
They will have access to Ensemble’s preferred-supplier contracts and
conference, technology, marketing and training programs.
The membership fee for affiliates is $199 annually. Affiliates
can choose to become full-fledged
members if they meet the requirements.
Outside of the affiliate division, Ensemble members are all
shareholders in the company. There is no tiered membership plan.
Members must be in business for a minimum of two years; be
accredited by ARC, IATA or CLIA; have a minimum level of $350,000 in preferred
supplier sales; pay an annual membership fee; purchase a share of stock upon
membership approval; and attend the annual international conference.
Pearlman said Ensemble’s field team reached out to agencies
that don’t belong to Ensemble and found a demand for an affiliate membership.
He said it’s a good way for agencies to try out the consortium.
Small agencies might not be able to meet minimum production
requirements that shareholders are required to meet.
“So they become an affiliate and they still receive all
those other benefits,” Pearlman said. “It’s a nice little sweet spot.”