Chapter Chats

New York City

Monique Peragine -- the director of the OSSN New York City Chapter (and OSSN's Northeast Regional Manager) -- organized a last-minute meeting on Sept. 5 for her agents to meet two representatives from Target Travel (an OSSN supplier member!) who'd just arrived in the city. Sherley Duncan, a member of the chapter, offered her office's conference room to host the gathering, and Chiara and Sandy from Travel Travel provided the food and wine. Everyone had a great time!

(Credit: Monique Peragine)

Austin

Leigh Dillhoff with TripTailor demonstrated her company's booking services for home-based agents during the Aug. 28 gathering of the OSSN Austin Chapter. David Appleby, the chapter's director, reports that the members received very helpful information about using TripTailor.

(Credit: David Appleby)

Memphis

A dozen agents turned out at Tunica Landing in Robinsonville, Miss., for the Aug. 28 meeting of the OSSN Memphis Chapter. Patricia Bannister (the chapter director and OSSN's Southeast Regional Manager) says the meeting was really more of a fam trip, as agents enjoyed a tour of the Tunica River Museum and the "Tunica Queen" riverboat (along with a luncheon cruise up the Mississippi River). Bruce Daniels (2nd from left), an agent of Bannister Travel and the co-pilot of the riverboat, set up the trip for the chapter.

(Credits: Patricia Bannister)

St. Louis

Linda Shipp -- the director of the OSSN St. Louis Chapter -- welcomed members to her Aug. 26 meeting for a presentation by Jim Dobroski, the local business development manager for MSC Cruises. She says Jim was very informative about his products.

(Credit: Linda Shipp)

Dallas

A dozen members of the OSSN Dallas Chapter met at La Madaline on Sept. 17 to discuss OSSN's member benefits and ideas for taking their businesses to the next level. Lu Ann Edger, the chapter's director, says the group also talked about upcoming home-based trade shows.

(Credit: Lu Ann Edger)

Northern New Jersey

The new OSSN Northern New Jersey Chapter held its Sept. 23 gathering with presentations by Bonnie O'Neill of TravelSafe and Harvey Geller and Wendy Gottlieb of Israel Tour Connection. Congratulations to Sharon Scheideler and her group for a strong start!

(Credit: Sharon Scheideler)

Richmond/Norfolk

John Grygalonis, the director of the OSSN Richmond/Norfolk Chapter, welcomed Robin Bear with Viking River Cruises to his chapter's Sept. 24 meeting. During the event at Mirabella's Italian Restaurant in Williamsburg, Robin discussed her cruise line's products, as well as Thrifty Car Rental and Travel Options (a customized tour excursions operator).

(Credit: John Grygalonis)

California Chapters

Three OSSN chapter directors in California -- Paula Mitchell Manning (Los Angeles), Mary Ann Mari (Inland Empire), and Desiree Sakow (Orange County & San Diego) -- joined forces to host a major event at the Magic Castle in the Hollywood Hills on Sept. 23. Almost four dozen agents turned out for the private reception, plus workshops and private training with three suppliers (Triton, Travel Safe, and Panda Travel USA). Anita Pagliasso (OSSN's Western Regional Manager) kicked off the event with a seminar titled "The Art of Cultivating and Managing Group Travel."

(Credits: Paula Mitchell Manning, Mary Ann Mari, and Desiree Sakow)

Oregon

P.J. Ott -- the director of the OSSN Oregon Chapter -- organized her group's recent event at Portland Luggage, a family-owned business where owner Wendy Liebreich demonstrated the latest travel gadgets and solutions.

(Credit: P.J. Ott)

Kentucky

On Sept. 23, the OSSN Kentucky Chapter met at Panera Bread in the Oxmoor Mall in Louisville for a spirited discussion of marketing and sales tips. Bobbie Murphy, the chapter's director, says her group is excited about its October outing at Keeneland, an historic horse race park in Lexington, with presentations by Norwegian Cruise Line!

(Credit: Bobbie Murphy)