Feel the Faith in San Diego!
by Martin B. Deutsch

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We’ve just confirmed Kevin Wright -- one of the world’s foremost authorities on faith-based tourism and hospitality – to conduct a Monday morning (April 28) seminar. Kevin is also the founder and president of the World Religious Travel Association, the well-known author of several books on religious travel, and the man who launched the religious travel division of Globus in 2004. Given the untapped commission opportunities in the religious travel market (as well as its under-utilization by travel agents), this is one presentation you certainly won’t want to miss!

Wright's presentation also is only the tip of the iceberg, if there are still any afloat in this era of global warming. The conference program also spotlights six hours of accredited training by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), three hours of training by the Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance (NCMA), and seminars and panels by the Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN), as well as a Sunday morning and early afternoon regional meeting for OSSN members and a Sunday afternoon series of seminars for home-based travel agents with various levels of experience presented by Royal Caribbean International and sister company Celebrity Cruises.

(Note: OSSN is planning an exciting one-day regional conference in San Diego on Sunday, April 27 – the day before the next Original Home Based Travel Agent Show & Conference! Watch the “OSSN Daily” for further details! OSSN members may contact Anita Pagliasso, OSSN's Regional Conference Director, at anitapagliasso@sbcglobal.net for questions and additional information about the OSSN Regional Conference that precedes the Home Based Agent Show.

On Monday, April 28, the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau will offer a detailed look at what's new and different for travel agents and their clients in the 50th state. Also, on Monday, Carnival Cruise Lines will host a shipboard inspection with lunch aboard the Carnival Elation for 300 agents on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to sign up for the Carnival program, call 925.701.0225, ext. 0.

A cluster of nine seminars and panels on Tuesday afternoon, April 29, will cover such vital niche topics as tours and cruises, Pacific honeymoons and romantic getaways, family and group travel, and golf and spa vacations. Earlier in the program, on Monday morning, one of the country's foremost travel law experts, Al Anolik, will prep home-based agent agents on ways and means to avoid legal problems. At the same time, there will again be a panel discussion featuring a quartet of airline consolidators who work closely with travel agents. On Wednesday afternoon, April 30, the much-acclaimed Technology Forum will offer four sessions on a wide variant of travel agent-friendly subjects relating to email and other computer skills for the beginner, intermediary and those with more advanced cyber knowledge.

The centerpiece of this event, the trade show, will feature nearly 300 domestic and international suppliers on Tuesday afternoon, April 29, from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and on Wednesday morning, April 30, from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., closing with the drawing of much-sought-after prize giveaways. Also on the schedule are sponsored meal functions.

Beyond the show and conference, of course, there are the unforgettable attractions of San Diego itself. These include the historic Old Town, which can be reached by a unique trolley car service that stops in front of the Town and Country Resort. There's the hot and happening Gaslamp district, with its exciting array of restaurants and nightclubs. The downtown area, one of the country's most modern urban centers, features new hotels and a plethora of great restaurants, shops and nightlife. Balboa Park enjoys a worldwide reputation for its many natural and cultural attractions, particularly its zoo, with more than 4,000 animals living in settings that mimic their natural habitats. Finally, San Diego is easily accessible by major highways that traverse California, by Amtrak, and by flights from all over the United States offered by virtually all major national and regional airlines.

To get a comprehensive look at what else is available at this pioneering trade show and conference, please visit www.HomeBasedAgentShow.com. In addition, to get that low, low rate of $49, visit the registration page on the website and use promo code 3056. For suppliers interested in getting a prime booth location, call Jim Cloonan at 617.744.1671 or e-mail him at jim@travelindustryshows.com. You can also book special hotel rates starting from $129 per night by visiting the hotel and travel page on the show’s site.

Martin B. Deutsch serves as chairman of Travel Industry Shows.

(Credits: Town & Country Resort & Convention Center; Martin B. Deutsch)