Staying up-to-date with the ever-changing travel landscape can be taxing. How do you keep your head
Seeking Under-40 Passionate Travel Professionals!
On December 7, The Travel Group launches the inaugural Young Leaders Conference geared toward education and networking for travel professionals under 40. Designed by, and for, travel professionals, the event will deliver educational programs that directly impact this age group, by way of personal and professional development. A steering committee, comprising young leaders under 40, has been appointed to work out the format and content of the conference. 
Those who attend the Young Leaders Conference will have unique educational opportunities, including town hall workshops, mentor presentations, peer-to-peer networking and career development. The event will foster relationships required for professionals looking to forge a successful career in travel.
For details on the program and to register, visit the website. The travel advisor registration includes a complimentary Full Conference pass to Luxury Travel Expo (a $100 value) and costs $150. Supplier registration will open in fall and cost $300.
wrapped around new destinations while ensuring you are on top of your business? We all have our favorite streams to keep abreast of the latest industry news and trends. I start my day poring over CNN.com and various travel- and marketing-related newsletters in my inbox. As my day progresses, I make it a point to read the newsletters from our sister publications—Luxury Travel Advisor’s Dossier and Travel Agent’s daily newsletters.
Social media has changed the way we obtain information. Through our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages, we are delivering important updates on the conference and trade show. I also use it as a source of information. We follow many advisors and suppliers via our social media sites. In fact, it was one among you who sparked my interest for taking a recent summer vacation! How? I had logged in to post a story that had appeared in Luxury Travel Advisor and noticed a link to a blog an advisor had shared about her experience in Turks and Caicos. It seemed like the perfect escape for a few relaxing days away from the busy schedule planning Luxury Travel Expo.
The Rise of Social Media
I highly recommend that you get up to speed on social media. Many of our advertisers and exhibitors have a phenomenal presence on the web 2.0 world and execute specific travel agent campaigns via their social media sites. At Luxury Travel Expo this December, we have some sessions focused on this very topic. CLIA will present a primer on social media that will cover the basics on how to communicate, network and sell using the sites. For those who want in-depth knowledge, you may want to consider attending Twitter 101. Here, you will leave with a better understanding from our expert on how you can benefit by tweeting. Already on Facebook? We will show you how to reap the rewards of this online social networking site.
Haven’t seen our full roster of educational offerings? View our website for the up-to-date schedule of offerings, which include luxury-focused educational sessions designed according to your experience level. Our renowned conference program will comprise more than 25 sessions that cover the hottest trends and marketplace developments and are divided into educational learning tracks, including Sales and Marketing, Professional Development, Social Networking and Technology and In-Depth Product Knowledge.
This year, we want you to walk away with the ability to enhance your luxury knowledge and build a future as a luxury-selling star. The cost for our Full Conference Pass is $80 and our fabulous Las Vegas Sizzle Package has been extended until September 15! I look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas this December.