Results Travel rolled out a program that will create 10 local chapters throughout the U.S. to give members increased networking and support opportunities.
"You could say we are taking a page out of the old playbook," John Risner, vice president and general manager of Results Travel, said following the group's national meeting in Las Vegas last week where the plan was announced.
"I've been in the industry now about 28 years, and when I was starting in the business, there were a lot of local groups that agencies could belong to," Risner said.
Many of those groups have fallen by the wayside, but Results is bringing back the trend with initial local chapters in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Portland, Ore. The franchise network comprises more than 650 brick-and-mortar travel agencies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The member-led chapters will offer agencies a chance to network and share ideas, Risner said. For example, member agencies could work with fellow chapter members on shared marketing or advertising campaigns, he said. Risner described the chapters as a "forum" for member agencies.
Chapter advocates with two-year terms will lead each local group, aided by an assistant chapter advocate.
Mark DeGonda, an owner of A1 Travel in Edina, Minn., was approached by Results about heading up the Minneapolis chapter.
"It didn't take me long to say, 'Absolutely, yes,'" he said, calling it a "fantastic program."
DeGonda is particularly excited about the networking opportunities the local chapters will offer Results members.
"Getting together the owners of this area to discuss the opportunities is invaluable for the growth of your company and the growth of the travel industry," he said.
Becoming a chapter leader attracted DeGonda because of the members of Results.
"They have worked endlessly to help our business grow," he said, and leading a chapter will be a good way to give back.
DeGonda has been an active member of Results, including serving on the company's advisory board.
"He's one of those great examples of the kind of member that we want in our local chapters as we roll out this initiative," said Kathy Gerhardt, director of public relations with Travel Leaders Group, Results' parent company.
The former regional meetings Results held in four markets twice each year will be replaced by the annual local chapter meetings. The national meeting will remain unchanged.
In addition to offering increased networking opportunities, Results hopes the local chapters will attract the right suppliers to present to agents at the right times, a benefit to both parties.
"We know that different parts of the United States have different cultural nuances," Risner said. "We know that what sells on the East Coast is not necessarily what sells on the West Coast, in terms of products and destinations."
Results plans to expand the local chapters into more cities as the program unfolds.
Also highlighted at the Las Vegas meeting were the results of recent marketing initiatives.
According to Risner, tools and programs offered to members have resulted in a 10% increase in agencies between January 2014 and August 2015, compared with the same period in 2012 and 2013.
"We continue to grow. We continue to expand," he said, adding that he hopes the introduction of local chapters will add to that growth.
Results also celebrated its 15th anniversary during the national meeting.
Charter members who had been with Results from the beginning, in May 2000, were honored at a private reception.
Next year's national meeting will take place at the Hyatt Regency Orlando from Sept. 24 to 26.