Chapter Chats

New York City

Monique Peragine - the director of the OSSN New York City Chapter - welcomed a big crowd of 30 home-based agents to the group's recent meeting in the Novotel Hotel in New York City. Shown in the second paragraph are the four suppliers who turned out for this event (l to r): Bill Brooks (business development manager for TravelSafe Insurance), Theresa Doyle (president, Andiamo), DeeOnda Ahadi (national tourism coordinator, South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau), and Guido D'Ugo (president, Ciao! Italy). Monique and TravelSafe presented a gift to each agent for attending the meeting, as well as a prize to members who brought a non-member along!

(Credits: Monique Peragine)

Miami

The OSSN Miami Chapter welcomed agents to the Thyme at Bayview Restaurant in Sunny Isles, Fla., on Jan. 9. Gary M. Fee, OSSN's president and founder, led a discussion of many different business-building topics, from merchant accounts and office hardware and software to buzzwords for Web sites. "Gary made an informative presentation, and we enjoyed a beautiful view of the lake with sailboats!" says Dolores Samms, the chapter's director.

(Credits: Dolores Samms)

Houston

The OSSN Houston Chapter held its annual "Share and Share Alike" networking session on Jan. 17 at Joe's Crab Shack. Thirty home-based agents traded ideas on education, marketing, and technology. "Most attendees were taking notes more so than they do" during typical meetings, observed Jeff Grieder (the chapter's director). "Everyone really enjoyed this networking format." Note in the photos the extra kits from various suppliers and vendors given out by Jeff during this gathering!

(Credits: Jeff Grieder)

Massachusetts

Ellen Paderson -- the director of the OSSN Massachusetts Chapter -- welcomed several suppliers during her group's Jan. 9 meeting. Shown in the first photo are (l to r) Forrest Cramer (Viking Tours), Karen Amundsen (TravelBound), Andrew Wainer (NEST), and Nancy Bennett (NEST). The second picture shows Andrew and Nancy talking with OSSN agents Bob and Peggy Hood.

(Credits: Ellen Paderson)

Austin

The OSSN Austin Chapter is off to a great start this year, reports David Appleby (the chapter's director)! More than a dozen agents attended this group's Jan. 17 event at a local Marie Callender's restaurant to hear Charlie Newton with SITA Tours discuss increasing package sales in 2008.

(Credit: David Appleby)

Kentucky

Bobbie Murphy -- the director of the OSSN Kentucky Chapter -- reports a great turnout for the recent joint chapter meeting at the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Belterra, Ind.! Shown in the first photo are (l to r) Helga and Randy Leonard (Helga directs the Pittsburgh chapter), Carolyn and Raymond Moody (home-based agents from Lexington, Ky.), Robert Lane (OSSN's Indianapolis director), Colleen and Ray Gaier, Kim and Mike Monahan (agents from Cincinnati), and Bobbie with her husband Dennis.

In the second shot, the group enjoyed dinner at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse on the property. The third photo shows one of the resort's classic hotel rooms. And, in the last picture, Alecia (center) - the Belterra's sales rep - took Kim, Robert, Colleen, and Carol (l to r) on a site inspection.

(Credits: Bobbie Murphy)