Four Cruise Ships Will Welcome OSSN Agents in Tampa
by Martin Deutsch

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On Thursday, March 23, Carnival Cruise Line's "Inspiration" will host 300 travel agents as the show gets under way, with three ships ready to provide the same service on Saturday, March 25, for a total of 900 travel agents. These vessels include Holland America's "Veendam" and Royal Caribbean's "Legend of the Seas" and "Grandeur of the Seas." It's important for travel agents to keep in mind that these shipboard opportunities are available only a first-come, first-serve basis, and security details will be required in advance. Also, OSSN (one of the major partners in these shows) has just announced several pre- and post-conference cruises.

Two of the four much sought-after keynote speakers at the General Session on Saturday morning at the Convention Center are the new USTOA Chairman, Peter Tauck, president of Tauck Holdings; and Gary Fee, president/founder of OSSN. Also scheduled for the General Session are Bob Whitley, USTOA president, who will introduce Peter Tauck and make some relevant remarks of his own. The General Session will again be hosted by James Shillinglaw, editor-in-chief, Performance Media Group.

The educational sessions commence on Thursday afternoon, with a certification course presented by the Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance (NCMA) and a concurrent track of hands-on training sessions by OSSN. Both of these three-hour programs will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The following day will kick off with accredited modules by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and The Travel Institute, which will offer credit toward agents' designations and professional growth in these arenas. CLIA will offer three hours of training with accelerated modules, including "Professional Selling Skills" and "Understanding Groups." Concurrently, The Travel Institute will cover hot topics such as "Tee Off to Greater Profits: Learn How to Capitalize on the Lucrative Golf Vacation Market" and "Re-Energize Your Bottom Line by Specializing in Spa Travel."

The early afternoon will feature a series of breakout seminars highlighting such hot-topics as "On the Rivers & Barges: The Newest Trend in Cruising," "Land and Sea: Make More Money with the Complete Tour & Cruise Vacation Package," "Spa and Golf Travel: The Indulgent Pairing That'll Boost Your Green$$$," "Packaged Profits: The USTOA Panel," and many other programs to offer key information and proven techniques to participating travel agents.

The centerpiece of this ambitious three-day event is the tradeshow, which is scheduled on Friday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. More than 250 domestic and international suppliers will be on hand to provide face-to-face networking and the latest word on their products and services. Word will be forthcoming shortly on a reception and meal functions.

Making this event all the more attractive is the fact that it is located in Tampa, North America's fastest growing cruise port, and the hub of a major resort market that includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater and extends east and south to Orlando, Sarasota, Sanibel/ Captiva, Fort Myers, and Naples. Also, this will be the first travel industry tradeshow in Tampa in more than 20 years.

Special hotel rates of $129 at the Hyatt Regency Tampa Bay are available to all delegates on a first-come, first-serve basis. With all major airlines and low-cost carriers serving the region and transportation via Amtrak and Greyhound, delegates can easily access the Tampa Bay area. More information on traveling to this resort metropolis will be posted on the event's travel page.

OSSN travel agent members interested in attending can register for the full weekend at a rate of $35 (rack rate as of January 1 will be $49 per agent) should mention Group Code 3044 when they register. Call the Travel Industry Shows Registration Department at (925) 701-0225 and press 0 or visit www.tourcruiseworld.com or www.golfandspashow.com. Please note: There is also a tradeshow- and conference-only option at a rack rate of $15 per travel agent delegate. Suppliers interested in exhibiting should contact Jennifer Fernandez, the show's manager, via phone at (917) 679-3761 or email at jennifer@travelindustryshows.com.