Chapter Chats

BOULDER:

The OSSN Boulder (Colo.) Chapter held two fabulous meetings last month! On Oct. 12, Chapter Director Robin Paschall and her agents learned the latest news from Carnival Cruise Lines. For example, Carnival’s “Preferred Awards” program offers gift certificates that can be sold as corporate incentives or charity fundraisers. And, Carnival plans to offer WiFi in all shipboard public areas and suites throughout the fleet by the end of this year. This photo shows these OSSN agents sharpening their skills while they enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. On Oct. 24, the chapter welcomed a representative from Outrigger Hotels to share more details about this hotel chain’s 50-plus properties in Hawaii and across the South Pacific.

TENNESSEE:

Penney Rudicil, OSSN’s Eastern Regional Manager, hosted an OSSN meeting in Nashville last month with Debi Pearsall from Travel Bound to talk about this travel company’s new services for home-based agents. (Among other specials, Travel Bound is now paying higher commissions on many hotel bookings through the end of 2006! Check www.booktravelbound.com for more details.) Penney even recruited a brand-new agency member for OSSN at this gathering!

OREGON:

P.J. Ott, who directs the OSSN Oregon Chapter, took part in the Jamaica Tourist Board product launch in late September in Portland, Ore. Pictured are (l to r) Dave Hoshin (business development manager, Travel Impressions), Andrae Wage (director of industry relations, Sandals & Beaches), P.J., and Rick Lozano (regional manager, Air Jamaica).

MEMPHIS:

Patricia Bannister, the director of the OSSN Memphis Chapter, shares this group photo from the recent OSSN fam cruise aboard the Celebrity Cruises ship “Galaxy.” These OSSN agents improved their selling skills and enjoyed a firsthand look at the Mediterranean region on this trip! (Want to learn more about OSSN’s upcoming work-study trips? Check this OSSN.com page!

OSSN SEMINAR AT SEA ABOARD THE “VOYAGER OF THE SEA”:

In this photo, OSSN agents attend onboard presentations with OSSN President Gary M. Fee during the association’s recent fam cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship “Voyager of the Seas.” During these seminars in the ship’s Conference Room B (Deck 2), the agents learned about setting up a home-based travel business, legal issues, selling and marketing tips, Web site design, and e-commerce tools. Eighty agents were aboard this cruise for a European itinerary that began in Barcelona for stops in Villefranche (Nice), Rome, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and Naples.