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| Greg DeClemente, managing director, Courtyard Travel and Kimberly Wilson-Wetty, co-president, Valerie Wilson Travel |
Questex Hospitality + Travel held its annual Luxury Travel Exchange International (LTX) Advisory Board meeting June 5 at the JW Marriott Essex House in New York, setting the tone for the industry-leading travel event to be held September 10-12, 2013, at The Venetian® Las Vegas.
Composed of experts representing the top-producing North American luxury travel agencies and global supplier partners, Advisory Board members serve as ambassadors for LTX and actively provide input on conference programming. The group, which reported an optimistic outlook and increased bookings for 2013, identified key educational topics for this year’s event including sales and marketing, professional development and the service experience. Discussions focused on how to gain confidence in up-selling, overcoming obstacles, building client trust and training sales stars.
LTX combines one-to-one appointments, networking opportunities, and tracked and accredited educational programming with an expansive Exchange floor where reputable suppliers offer a wide range of premium commissionable opportunities, tiered participation packages and appointment options. Last year the event drew more than 1,000 highly qualified professional travel advisors and 350 luxury travel suppliers who participated in more than 7,000 one-to-one meetings.
Travel advisors are selected based on transactions and volume of business booked, categories of bookings, specialization and other criteria. Advisors who wish to participate can proceed through the application process and also access the latest event information at LTXInternational.com. Suppliers interested in securing a position at LTX 2013 should contact Danielle Cirami-Gillis, Global Director of Meetings and Events, at [email protected].
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| Kier Matthews, VP travel industry sales, Europe Express; April Murena, regional director of national accounts, Loews Hotels; and Lia Batkin, In The Know Experiences |
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| The opening luncheon, hosted by the JW Marriott Essex House New York |
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| Mary Woodworth, Questex Media; Roy Twiste, managing director of sales, Tzell Park Avenue; Andrew Rein, director, global sales - Americas East, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Colette Baruth, VP of marketing, AMResorts |
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| Collaborating ideas: Willie Montano, VP marketing, CIE Tours; Suzanne Hall, senior director marketing and development, land programs, Ensemble Travel and Kimberly Wilson Wetty |
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| Roy Twiste shares his favorite social media companies to follow on Twitter |
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| Tom Civitano, VP of sales and marketing, Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts; and John McMahon. |
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| Greg Declemente discusses content ideas with Colette Baruth. The brainstorming sessions during the meeting help gauge what is most important in today’s trends |
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| Leslie Overton, general manager, Absolute Travel; Randall Soy, EVP sales and marketing, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; and Laurie Palumbo, COO, Island Destinations |
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| Roy Twiste and Isaac Cymrot, director of sales and industry relations, Travel Insured International, enjoy a coffee break between sessions |
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| Kimberly Wilson-Wetty; Suzanne Hall; Willie Montano, vice president, marketing, CIE Tours; Sandra Renz, director, global sales - Americas East, Preferred Hotels & Resorts; and Amal Mulhem, travel advisor, Carol’s Travel Service |
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| Another year wraps with closing remarks for Advisory Board members. |