Chapter Chats

OSSN Memphis Chapter

The OSSN Memphis Chapter met March 31 at the Perkins Restaurant to learn the latest from Kathy Brock, a multiline sale rep who updated the agents on Amadeus Waterways, Andiamo Italy, and Club Med. Pictured here are (front, center) Chapter Director Patricia Bannister and her husband Larry, surrounded by (left to right) William Bowles, Denise Anderson, Penny Looney, Wayne Anderson, Mike Looney, Kathy Brock (the speaker), Karen Shipman, Roxanna Padas, Debra Parmley, Susan Bennett (a brand-new Agency member!), Denise Chavers (who joined OSSN that night!), and Mike Parmley.

OSSN Missouri Chapter

Fran Gellar, a multiline sales rep in the St. Louis region, spoke at the most recent meeting of the OSSN Missouri Chapter. She discussed the newest offerings from Andiamo, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, St. Maarten, United Group, and other suppliers. Shown here left to right are (front row) Cathy Cassidy, Chapter Director Nancy Baxter, Fran Gellar (the speaker), and Sue Slater; (middle row) Fran Colter, Ann Winning, Denise, Vonda Millard, Dionne Stalling, and Renita Lecompte; and (back row) Larry Lecompte and Larry Slater (with Pat Hoye taking the picture!).

OSSN Indiana Chapter

Kimberly Kane (director of the OSSN Indiana Chapter) won the "Best of the Best Chairman's Choice Award" last December from Sandals. In March, she finally got the real present: this Honda Element "wrapped" with Sandals and Beaches artwork! What's really exciting is that this reward is not a lease -- Sandals actually gave the car to Kimberly in recognition of her sales tallies for Sandals and Beaches vacations in the Kentucky-Indiana region (she's led this area for the past five years running). Kimberly says if you see her in this fancy car, and she's driving poorly, just call 1.800.TOO.BADD!

OSSN Boulder Chapter

Laurie Morse from the Jurni Network presented the benefits her company offers home-based agents at the March 9 meeting of the OSSN Boulder (Colo.) Chapter. She also gave the agents a special OSSN presentation price for joining! Chapter Director Robin Paschall (second from left) joins her fellow agents here for the dinner meeting which was held at the Carrabba's Italian Grill.

"Rhapsody" Fam

Nancy Baxter (front, far left), the director of OSSN's chapter in Missouri, led workshops on board the Royal Caribbean ship "Rhapsody of the Seas" during the OSSN Seminar at Sea (Feb. 26-March 5) from Galveston. These agents really learned a lot about selling the Royal Caribbean product (and enjoyed a wonderful cruise at the same time).

"Rotterdam" Fam

Dave Stockert (second from left) -- the well-known director of sales promotion for Holland America Line -- joined agents led by Amy Dismukes (the director of OSSN's chapter in Columbus, Ga.) in a recent OSSN Seminar at Sea aboard the "Rotterdam". Dave and his sales team led very informative training sessions and gave these OSSN agents lots of practical ideas for growing their cruise sales in 2006.

Pleasant Holidays Adds Unique and Exclusive Products to the Mix
by Nikki Shanley

Known for its excellent services and wide-ranging product lines, Pleasant Holidays has added yet another level of products that home-based and outside travel agents can offer their most discriminating customers. The latest niche-market itineraries exclusively available through Pleasant Holidays include its "Treasures of the Imperial Dynasties" in China and "The Essence of Historic Mexico" tours.

Treasures of the Imperial Dynasties Tours

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your well-traveled clients that centers on the ancient city of Xian and one of the world's greatest cultural finds: the now-famous Terracotta Warriors. The Chinese government allows only 30 people per day to visit the dig sites -- and Pleasant Holidays' VIPs are given special permission to examine China's most precious artifacts close-up.

A four-night, land-only package begins at $1,909 ppdo and includes accommodations in a five-star hotel, three full days of touring Xian's treasures, and a Tang Dynasty dinner show. These tours are high-end, fully escorted, and open to being combined with extensions to many other parts of Asia. Airfares are available nationwide.

And, if you book any clients to Xian traveling now through June 30, Pleasant Holidays will award you with an additional 1,000 TRIP bonus points that you can use toward cash and travel!

The Essence of Historic Mexico

Pleasant Holidays is the only travel company that has packaged Colonial Cities itineraries to serve your customers. Three tours offer first-hand experiences to explore the true, historic Mexico, from the temples of the Mayans to the stunning mansions and cathedrals built by the Conquistadores.

These can include fully escorted tours with private guide, motorcoach service to all destinations, transfers to hotels and motorcoach terminals, tickets to museums, shows, and other events. Also, Pleasant offers The Legends of Old Mexico -- an eight-day exploration of Guadalajara, Mexico's colonial capital and a world-famous arts & crafts center; Guanajuato, where the Spaniards built churches and public buildings to reflect fortunes made in the world's largest silver mine nearby; San Miguel de Allende, a colonial gem with cobblestone streets; and Mexico City, with its impressive museums, palaces and largest cathedral in Latin America. This tour also includes the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, built by the Aztecs.

In addition, you should consider Mexico's Secrets, a six-day tour that visits Guadalajara and a nearby archeological site; Aguascalientes, with its beautiful gardens and Baroque-style architecture; and Zacatecas, with its fascinating museums and Ortega Market, popular with shoppers. Also offered is an extension to Puerto Vallarta or Vallarta Nayarit.

Finally, Pleasant has the Mayan Experience, a four-day tour of Merida, the famed "White City," and visits to Chichen Itza and Uxmal, cradles of the Mayan civilization. Also offered on this tour is an extension to Cancun or Riviera Maya.

For more information and reservations, visit the Pleasant Holidays website at www.pleasantagent.com or call toll-free at (800) 448-3333.