Chapter Chats

Boulder Chapter

More than a dozen agents gathered at Carrabba's Italian Grill for the January meeting of OSSN's chapter in Boulder, Colo. This lively group is led by Robin Paschall of Zara Travel in Boulder.

If you're in the Boulder/Denver area, join this chapter for its February meeting with the hotel experts at CCRA! Just send Robin an email.

Indianapolis

Penney Rudicil (OSSN's Eastern Regional Manager) and Robert Lane (OSSN's Indianapolis Area Director) led the "kick-off" meeting for the Indianapolis chapter in January at the Easley Winery. Joining in the fun were Donna Barker, Carol and Rex Callis, Tim Harms, Julie Hott, Kathy and Robert Lane, Joan Miller, Brenda Porter, Becky Pruitt, Penney and Kevin Rudicil, and Joie and Greg Souder (along with Larry from the Easley Winery!).

If you'd like to take part in this chapter's next meeting, just send Robert an email.

New Jersey Chapter

Frank Hryszkanich -- the director of OSSN's chapter in Central New Jersey -- held the group's first "Technology Seminar" of the new year on Jan. 14. A whopping 44 agents attended this event in Spotswood! The presenting trainers came from Vacation.com and TRAMS Agency Management Systems.

If you don't want to miss out on future OSSN meetings in central New Jersey, just send Frank an email.

San Diego Chapter

Congratulations to Desiree Sakow (OSSN's chapter director in San Diego) and her husband Keith on the Dec. 26 addition of Jayden Xander to their family! He was a wonderful late Christmas present. Here's the link to the baby pictures. If you'd like to offer best wishes to the Sakows, just send Desiree an email (scroll down to find the San Diego chapter listing).

San Jose

Anita Pagliasso-Balamane -- OSSN's Western Regional Manager and the director of our chapter in San Jose -- organized a very exciting "hands on" computer training session for home-based agents in her area. Foothill College Travel School hosted the agents in a classroom filled with Internet-wired computers. An army of regional trainers and district sales managers for major travel suppliers -- including CCRA, Funjet, Royal Caribbean, Sandals/Beaches, and Trafalgar Tours! -- walked the OSSN agents through the steps of using their companies' online registration systems and travel agent portal sites. The best part? The participating agents followed along on the classroom computers, while the supplier reps showed them how!

Don't miss this chapter's next meeting! Just send Anita an email.

San Jose / Bay Area
OSSN Chapter Meeting

Foothill College – January 21, 2005

Hands-On Computer Training brought to our chapter
by the industry’s leading Travel Suppliers

Lisa Bell, Miami Florida – Regional Account Trainer for Royal Caribbean
Denise Berube – DSM Royal Caribbean
Lisa flew in from Miami to conduct training for local our members
on both Cruising Power and Cruise Match
We were honored to have RCCL’s “Star Trainer” in San Jose!

Eric Miller – DSM Sandals and Beaches
Eric took us through the agent portal, and the benefits of pre-registering our clients as well as the ability to pre-book spa appointments

Thanks Anita for a great day.  I learned so much and would love to attend more of these types of seminars.  It is perfect for home-based agents.

As we can discuss things with others face to face.  Keep up the good work!

Marilyn Herzog Marilyn Can Travel

Hi Anita-  Thank you, thank you!  It was great!  I enjoyed meeting you once again and appreciated your birthday greeting that I received from the group!

I was very impressed with the caliber of the presenters and the information was invaluable!

I would definitely come again to another "training". 

Thank you again.

Kitty Peterson

Heather Minkstein listening and watching Karen Wong’s Trafalgar Tours online booking engine

Training – The agent’s loved the ease of use

Hi Anita -

Thank you so much for organizing the training this past Saturday.  I learned so much, I'm very thankful I attended. 

I really like the all day training.  Whether it's computer, classroom style, or a lecture, it doesn't matter to me.  Since I am from the Sacramento area I would most likely only come if it were an all day event.  One of the best parts was all the networking I was able to do with other agents. 

Alicia Correia

Sharon Hack – Director of Foothill College Travel School Presenting the great destination specialist programs and classes offered at the Foothill College Travel Program.

I thought the training was very worthwhile. 

The hands on training was great, and it seems I learned something new from each presenter.  I'd say do it again -

Gale Infeld
Vacation Specialist
Ticket To Travel

Anita,

I enjoyed the training very much.  It was great to see the actual demonstrations by the reps themselves, "a real hands-on".

I felt the Trafalgar was the quickest and easier to manipulate.

Attending trainings like this can be very beneficial to all.  Thanks again for putting on such a great event!

Mary Flores

P.S. the lunch and snacks were great too!

Patty Mattler – FUNJET
– VAX Regional Trainer

Laura Gipson –
Product Marketing Manager

Funjet Vacations – Western Region

Patty’s enthusiasm is infectious!

Liz Badras – CCRA Online Gave us a preview of what’s to come!

Hi Anita,  I loved the hands on meeting last weekend! I wish Patti could have stayed longer, but then Lisa had so much useful information, too.  All the vendors were great - but I could have definitely used more time with Patti and navigating around the New Dynamic Booking Engine.  Her training was so very helpful for me - I am already putting it to good use.

Thank you,

Heather Minkstein

Hi Anita,

I really enjoyed the meeting yesterday at Foothill College and learned so much!   I'm anxious to get on my computer and start using those booking engines!  Just 15 minutes a day to become an expert!

Thanks again for the great day and delicious lunch!

Coleen Nadvornik

Jan Wyer, Foothill College Travel School Instructor

Getting the suppliers set up

Anita,

I thought I had raved enough about the valuable training experience I received last week.  I want to thank everyone involved for making it happen.

Thank you again.

Debra Sandau
Bon Voyage Travel
Fair Oaks, CA 

Anita....

You've been on my mind all week! THANK YOU so much for making all the arrangements for last Sat...I enjoyed the day very much even though I was on the road at 5am and had to leave one hour early. We had a commitment for the evening that I needed to attend. The lunch was wonderful and thank goodness for that hill to climb...I still lost weight at Weight Watchers this week!

As for the hands on..it was really good and I've been encouraged to us VAX more after the workshop. Funjet ladies were also very motivating and I'm happy to feel most confident in booking them.

Thank you again and hope our paths cross again.

Darlene Newton
Destinations with Darlene
Lemoore, CA