March 2010
Chapter Chat
AUSTIN
Shannon Garrett with Carnival Cruise Lines shared tips for making a profit with her company at the Jan. 25 meeting of the OSSN Austin Chapter. Then, on Feb. 22, Rona Walton (the chapter’s director) welcomed Tony Ramos, CPA, to discuss tax deductions and other bookkeeping tips with her agents.
(Credit: Rona Walton)
BIRMINGHAM
The OSSN Birmingham Chapter met on Feb. 24 for an informative presentation by Chris and Ping Lee with China Plus Tours. Darlene Allen (the chapter’s president) says her group enjoyed learning the benefits and products offered by this tour company, especially the highlights of Beijing, Shanghai, and the Yangtze River. Chris mentioned during the meeting that, among all of the travel groups his company works with, OSSN is the most active!
(Credit: Darlene Allen)
BOSTON TRAVEL SHOW
Ellen Paderson, the director of the OSSN Massachusetts Chapter, and Jane Grant (who directs the OSSN Maine Chapter) represented the association on the “Trade Day” at the Boston Travel Show on Feb. 19.
(Credit: Ellen Paderson/Jane Grant)
CENTRAL N.C.
The OSSN Central North Carolina Chapter met on Jan. 14 in Greensboro for a presentation by Sharon Broos with TravelSafe. Chapter director Barbara Ovittore organized another successful event on Feb. 18 featuring Joan Rodriguez from Sandals.
(Credit: Barbara Ovittore)
CENTRAL TEXAS
On Feb. 25, the OSSN Central Texas Chapter met in Temple, Texas, with Brenda O’Leary (the chapter’s director) to discuss the upcoming OSSN trade show and conference (May 24-26) and shared strategies for working with preferred suppliers.
(Credit: Brenda O’Leary)
CHICAGO
Jennifer Brown and Maria Ramirez-Gregg - co-directors of the OSSN Chicago Chapter - welcomed Mark McGee with GOGO Worldwide Vacations to their Jan. 19 meeting. Mark reviewed GOGO’s new web site and the company’s different destinations. Then, on Feb. 16, the chapter turned out with its largest numbers ever for a presentation by Jennifer Bridgeforth of Royal Caribbean, who discussed her line’s booking engines, e-documents, and other tools for agents!
(Credit: Maria Ramirez-Gregg and Jennifer Brown)
HOUSTON
Chris and Ping Lee with China Plus Tours continued their journey across OSSN with a stop at the OSSN Houston Chapter on Jan. 21. Jeff Grieder (the chapter’s director) reports that the Lees had his agents’ complete attention, and the chapter members appreciated hearing about the speakers’ personal experiences traveling in China!
(Credit: Jeff Grieder)
KENTUCKY
Bobbie Murphy - the director of the OSSN Kentucky Chapter - says Monika Hopkins with Royal Caribbean showed slides of her line’s new ship “Oasis of the Seas” during the chapter’s Jan. 12 meeting in Frankfort. The agents asked many questions about the new vessel (which only Monika and Bobbie have seen in person so far!).
(Credit: Bobbie Murphy)
MESA/PHOENIX
More than two dozen agents came out for the Jan. 19 meeting of the OSSN Mesa/Phoenix Chapter organized by chapter director Paula Goldsmith and featuring a presentation by Bill Gardiner of Sceptre Tours. On Feb. 18, the group convened again for a seminar with Cheryl Hudak of Costa Cruises.
(Credit: Paula Goldsmith)
NASHVILLE
Kathy Scott (the director of the OSSN Nashville Chapter) learned the secrets of selling China during the Feb. 25 presentation by Chris and Ping Lee with China Plus Tours. She says the 30-minute seminar stretched to more than an hour as agents continued asking lots of great questions!
(Credit: Kathy Scott)
N.C. TRAVEL SHOW
Barbara Ovittore (who directs the OSSN Central North Carolina Chapter) did double duty recently by representing OSSN at a travel trade show in the state. She met many current and prospective OSSN members at the event whom she’s eager to help as the new chapter director in the area!
(Credit: Barbara Ovittore)
N.J./PHILLY
The OSSN New Jersey/Philadelphia Chapter drew agents to its Feb. 16 meeting with a presentation by Anna Maria Lorang of Sceptre Tours. The agents learned a lot about selling travel to Ireland and Italy, and chapter director Hema Khan praised the attendance (in the face of more snow brewing that day!).
(Credit: Hema Khan)
NEW MEXICO
Keith Powell – the director of the OSSN New Mexico Chapter - welcomed Brian Murphy with Pacific Delight Tours to his group’s Feb. 26 meeting in Santa Fe. During the gathering, Brian presented Craig Pavlus a “Top Partner” award from his tour company!
(Credit: Keith Powell)
PITTSBURGH
Jean Russ (the director of the OSSN Pittsburgh Chapter) organized two well-received meetings for her agents recently: a seminar with TripWitt.com’s Jo Launcher on Jan. 13 and a session with Globus’ Cindy Sullivan on Feb. 18.
(Credit: Jean Russ)
RICHMOND/NORFOLK
The OSSN Richmond/Norfolk Chapter welcomed Larry Garnett with Holland America Line to its Feb. 18 meeting. Chapter director John Grygalonis says Larry explained the inner workings of his line’s “Travel Agent Headquarters” site and discussed the newest upgrades on Holland America’s ships.
(Credit: John Grygalonis)
SAN ANTONIO
Janie Cadena (the director of the OSSN San Antonio Chapter also featured Chris and Ping Lee with China Plus Tours during the Lees’ recent “tour” of OSSN chapters! The Lees spoke during the chapter’s Feb. 16 gathering.
(Credit: Janie Cadena)
SAN DIEGO
The OSSN San Diego Chapter featured Mary Dring with Club Med at its Jan. 14 event. Mary talked with the agents about her company’s all-inclusive resorts and its marketing programs for agents, reports Lei Gonzalez (the chapter’s director).
(Credit: Lei Gonzalez)
SARASOTA/FT. MYERS
Ron Getman - who directs the OSSN Sarasota/Ft. Myers Chapter - invited George Bowe with H&R Block to discuss tax preparation and planning tips with his chapter’s members on Feb. 18. Ron says this gathering was his first attendance at organizing agents in the Bradenton/Sarasota area, and he was pleased with the turnout! OSSN’s Gary and Melody Fee were also present at the meeting and helped lead the group discussion.
(Credit: Ron Getman)
ST. LOUIS
On Feb. 16, the OSSN St. Louis Area Chapter held a meeting on tax tips for small business owners led by Frank Megargel, CPA. Linda Shipp (the chapter’s director) says her speaker fielded lots of interesting questions from the attending agents about getting ready for tax filing this year!
(Credit: Linda Shipp)
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