Here’s What You Missed in Tampa ...
by OSSN President Gary Fee

Twenty-five OSSN chapter directors met at the Hyatt Tampa on March 23 to discuss
OSSN issues and strategies.

OSSN hosts a two-and-a-half-hour dinner cruise on Tampa Bay for OSSN members aboard
the 600-passenger Yacht Star Ship. This event was sponsored by South African Tourism,
TravelSafe, Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Cruise Lines, ClientEase and Pleasant Holidays.

The OSSN member registration desk for the Yacht Star Ship event.

OSSN agents line up to enter the Yacht Star Ship for the OSSN Welcome Reception.

OSSN President Gary M. Fee, Debbie Parker (trade relations manager for South African Tourism),
and OSSN Vice President Melody Fee welcome OSSN members aboard the Yacht Star Ship.

(l to r) ClientEase’s Darla Graber, Pleasant Holidays’ Nikki Shanley, OSSN’s Gary Fee,
TravelSafe’s Cindy Perry, and South African Tourism’s Debbie Parker welcome OSSN members
and discuss their products and services

(l to r) ClientEase’s Darla Graber, Pleasant Holidays’ Nikki Shanley,
OSSN’s Gary Fee, TravelSafe’s Cindy Perry, and South African Tourism’s Debbie Parker
welcome OSSN members and discuss their products and services

Jeff Greider (director of the OSSN Houston Chapter) and Patricia Bannister
(director of the OSSN Memphis Chapter) have fun aboard the Yacht Star Ship.

Juan Lamela (director of the OSSN Puerto Rico Chapter) and Kelly Chiusano
(OSSN’s TRUE administrator) enjoy themselves during the OSSN Welcome Reception.

Mike Daly (president of CSI Creative Solutions) and Debbie Parker
(trade relations manager for South African Tourism) enjoy dinner aboard the Yacht Star Ship.

OSSN chapter directors from Connecticut to Orlando party down
during the OSSN Welcome Reception

OSSN allied suppliers and members have a great time aboard the Yacht Star Ship.

OSSN members have way too much fun at the Welcome Reception!

Sal Donato (OSSN’s advertising director) and Allied Supplier member
Nikki Shanley of Pleasant Holidays dance to the shipboard band.

OSSN’s advertising director and Travel Impressions representatives pose
for a shot during the OSSN Welcome Reception.

TravelSafe staffers enjoy a great time at
the OSSN Welcome Reception aboard the Yacht Star Ship.

Yacht Star Ship crew say good night to OSSN members
after a gala welcome reception and dinner.

OSSN members enjoy the night out!

OSSN members enjoy the dinner show at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.

Dancers at the Columbia Restaurant.

Mike Daly (president of CSI Creative Solutions) moderates
the show panel on golf and spa vacations.

Noted travel industry consultant John Dalton moderates
the panel on “Host Agency vs. Going Solo.”

John Dalton conducts a seminar on “Working With Suppliers.”

Jared Braunstein (vice president of the Eastern region for Vacation.com)
moderates the technology panel.

The doors open -- and 1,000-plus travel agents enter
the Tour & Cruise TravelWorld trade show floor!

Brenda O’Leary (director of the OSSN San Antonio Chapter)
gives high five to a brand-new OSSN member!

John Hawks (OSSN’s news editor) gathers ideas at
the OSSN trade show booth in the Tampa Convention Center.

Kristin Karst (vice president of Amadeus Waterways,
an OSSN Allied Supplier member!) on the trade show floor.

Mark Rebein (president of Specialty Global Insurance) and Alice Ergovich
(Travel Professionals Insurance Network) discuss the new E&O general liability
insurance program with agents during trade show floor time.

Mike Daly displays the “Vacation Planning Party” concept at his trade show booth.

Garth Laird (director of sales in the Southeast region for Sandals) congratulates
OSSN Eastern Regional Manager Penney Rudicil for winning the grand prize drawing
after the show in Tampa. Penney now gets to go to Sandals (including free air).
Congratulations again to Penney Rudicil!