FORT LAUDERDALE — Featured travel sellers talked about the times they landed the large commission check, during the closing general session at Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld and Home Based Agent Show.
One of the biggest paychecks was earned by Carol Rowland, from Ireland specialist CIE Tours.
After more than two years working on the project, Rowland booked 200 people for the Notre Dame-Navy college football game in Ireland in September, for a total sale of $423,515 and a commission check of $107,278.
Rowland’s payoff was not without sacrifice and risk. In October 2011, she had to put down a deposit on 190 game tickets when she had only sold about a third of them.
April Schmitt of Divine Destination Weddings & Honeymoons got a call for a quote for a trip to Bora Bora. But the catch was that she couldn’t have the client’s name or budget. Despite her hesitation, she put together an honest quote and got the job.
The client ended up being professional baseball player Prince Fielder and the booking was for a 15-person group for a vow-renewal ceremony on the French Polynesian island.
For about eight hours of work, Schmitt closed a $318,000 sale and earned a commission check of $38,000.
Schmitt had entered a Travel Weekly Facebook competition searching for big-payday stories, and hers was chosen by Travel Weekly editor in chief Arnie Weissmann.
Follow Michelle Baran on Twitter @mbtravelweekly.