May 2010
Chapter Chat
Baton Rouge/New Orleans
Ann Broussard (left) - the director of the OSSN Baton Rouge/New Orleans Chapter - welcomed Brian Murphy (right) with Pacific Delight Tours to her group's February meeting (shown here with chapter member Annie Schroeder [center]). Also, she organized the chapter's April 8 meeting with TripWitt.com's Chase Bryan.
(Credit: Ann Broussard)
Birmingham
On March 16, the OSSN Birmingham Chapter learned the latest updates from Barbara Popwell with Carnival Cruise Lines. "We really appreciate the information she shared with us," reports Darlene Allen (the chapter's director).
Then, the chapter gave a warm welcome to Chase Bryan (pictured) with TripWitt.com as the main presenter during its April 20 meeting.
(Credits: Darlene Allen)
Dallas
The OSSN Dallas Chapter conducted one of its popular round table meetings on March 17. Chapter director Lucy Warner asked three chapter members to discuss how they manage their home-based travel businesses, followed by Q&A with the other attending agents.
On April 21, the chapter followed up with a meeting focused on the benefits and services of belonging to OSSN. "The purpose was to get us back to our roots of what OSSN means to each member," Lucy says.
(Credits: Lucy Warner)
Daytona/Orlando
The combined Daytona/Orlando Area Chapter held two meetings in April! On April 20, Myrtis Rimassa (right) and Carole Conway, the chapter directors, led a popular session featuring Diane Ryan with Celebrity Cruises (discussing Celebrity's itineraries and promotions) and Denise Vogel with Click of the Mouse (sharing social media marketing tips). Celebrity picked up the lunch, and special guests included Bill Potuchek (one of OSSN's chapter directors in Connecticut) and his wife.
On April 29, the chapters met again for a wonderful presentation by Cyndi Miller Aird (left) with the St. Maarten/St. Martin tourism board.
(Credits: Myrtis Rimassa/Carole Conway)
Greenville
The OSSN Greenville [S.C.] Chapter learned how to sell travel to Europe (especially customized groups) during the April 27 presentation by Margaret Forton with CIE Tours International. Linda Isbell, the chapter director, notes that Margaret is interested in working with OSSN agents across the Carolinas to set up a mini trade show in the future.
(Credit: Linda Isbell)
HOUSTON
The OSSN Houston Chapter turned out on March 23 for a presentation by Club Med's Tracey Murray (right), shown here with chapter director Jeff Grieder (who's also OSSN's Midwest Regional Manager). Jeff says Tracey focused on Club Med's new outlook on family vacations, and the agents walked out of the meeting with a new sense of Club Med and their abilities to sell its products!
(Credit: Jeff Grieder)
KENTUCKY
Bobbie Murphy (rear center) - the director of the OSSN Kentucky Chapter - reports that TravelSafe's Bonnie O'Neill (rear right) explained the ins and outs of travel insurance during her group's April 27 gathering in Lexington, Ky. Bobbie says Bonnie also graciously picked up the tab for everyone!
Chapter member Ellen Downey also gave her fellow OSSN members a look at her Sandals-wrapped vehicle.
(Credits: Bobbie Murphy)
MESA/PHOENIX
Paula Goldsmith (standing, rear left) - the director of the OSSN Mesa/Phoenix Chapter - reports that Judy Berry with J Yang Tours led a discussion of her company's trips during the group's March 10 meeting.
Faye Mann with Ya'lla Tours visited Paula's group on April 28 to talk about her tour company's programs.
(Credits: Paula Goldsmith)
NASHVILLE
Marilyn Ward (far left) with General Tours met with OSSN agents (including Cathy Humphries and Tom and Kim Velker, shown here) during the March 5 meeting of the OSSN Nashville Chapter. Kathy Scott, the chapter's director, says that Marilyn shared copies of her company's new brochure that features all of their products in a single publication.
(Credit: Kathy Scott)
NC Central
The OSSN North Carolina Central Chapter received an update from Carnival Cruise Line's Megan Morra (standing, right) during its April 20 gathering. Chapter director Barbara Ovittore (standing, left) says her members are glad to have regular meetings in the state again!
(Credit: Barbara Ovittore)
NJ Philly
Hema Khan (right), who directs the OSSN New Jersey/Philadelphia Chapter, booked two very supportive suppliers as speakers for her group recently. On March 18, Danielle Fox with Royal Caribbean taught the chapter about the "Nation of Why Not" and covered what's new with her cruise line.
Then, Eduardo Cartaya (right) with Collette Vacations talked with her agents on April 22 about how to market tours and book more group sales this year.
(Credits: Hema Khan)
NY Lower Hudson Valley
Diana Monaco (right) - who directs the OSSN Lower Hudson Valley [N.Y.] Chapter - invited Eva Garfield with Disney Destinations and Disney Cruise Line to meet with her group on April 27 in Tarrytown, N.Y. Shown with Diana are chapter members Bob Sarlo and Sue Ryan.
(Credit: Diana Monaco)
Oregon
Pamela "P.J." Ott (third from right) - the director of the OSSN Oregon Chapter - invited Christine Richards (third from left) - a nationally recognized speaker and trainer! - to present her "Black Belt Business Solutions & Training" program for the group's March 16 meeting. Christine uses martial arts strategies to present her high-impact, energetic programs!
(Credit: P.J. Ott)
Palm Beach
The OSSN Palm Beach County/Treasure Coast (Fla.) Chapter welcomed Laurence D. Gore (far left), a well-known travel attorney, to his group's April 12 gathering. Vince Yeck, the chapter's director, says Larry (who attended with his wife Christina) went into great detail during the meeting about travel law dos and don'ts and answered every question his agents posed!
(Credit: Vince Yeck)
Richmond/Norfolk
TravelSafe's Richard Soldan (standing) led a spirited meeting of the OSSN Richmond/Norfolk Chapter on March 31 about the competitive differences between his company's products and other travel insurance policies on the market. John Grygalonis (the chapter's director) reports that his members learned about earning higher commissions and getting stronger support by working with TravelSafe.
(Credit: John Grygalonis)
San Antonio
Janie Cadena (who directs the OSSN San Antonio Chapter) invited Viking River Cruises's Peter Lumpkin (pictured) to her group's April 13 meeting. She reports that the agents were very interested in Peter's presentation, as none had ever booked a river cruise! "Pete had all the answers," she says.
(Credit: Janie Cadena)
San Diego
Viking River Cruises's Sandra Marshall (far right) shared tips for exploring the world with her line and using its tools to increase OSSN agents' river cruise bookings during the March 25 meeting of the OSSN San Diego Chapter. Chapter director Lei Gonzalez says her agents also talked about strategies for agents competing with other retailers who are selling the same travel products.
(Credit: Lei Gonzalez)
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