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Full Schedule  

*Schedule is subject to change, please check the signage at the show.
Thursday: October 19, 2006
Event Registration
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
San Jose Fairmont
Registration will be located on the B Level at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel
You can pick your badge holders, official show program and make changes/additions to your badge during this time.
Special Event
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fairmont Hotel
OSSN All Day National Conference
Home-Based agents, host agencies and suppliers won't want to miss this exciting full day conference. The program agenda will be filled with valuable topics and top industry speakers...all geared toward helping you build a successful travel business. Here's a preview of the some of the topics to be covered:
  • Travel Insurance 101 - Basic to advanced guidance to selling and understanding this valuable and profitable product.
  • Press Releases - In the News! How to get there.
  • Effective Networking - Build your sales force by 30 for under $500 per year.
  • Buyers or shoppers? - How to qualify clients and know the difference.
  • Databases - Simple ways to utilize them to their fullest advantage.
  • Successful Home-Based Travel Agents - Learn from the pros - your peers.

The full day conference, luncheon and an evening reception will be included in your registration fee of only $79.00 per person.

To register for the conference call 408-531-9228 or go to http://www.redticketproductions.com/ossn_conference_reservation.html

For more details click here
Accredited Module
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Fairmont Hotel
Creating a Cruise Marketing Plan
Tom Cogan, MCC, CTC
Director of Training, Cruise Lines International Association, (CLIA)

Successful businesses know a marketing plan is an absolute essential. This course will show you how all the pieces fit into the marketing puzzle. This seminar identifies the essential components in a successful yet simple marketing plan and how to apply them.

This module is valued at 15 CLIA Certification Credits.
Certification Course
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Fairmont Hotel
Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance (NCMA) Educational Program
Larry Dessler, Executive Director, Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance (NCMA)

Agents will learn about the opportunities of selling unique niche cruise products, how to identify the market and a prospect for this commission rich product. Agents will also receive tips into marketing and promotion and receive a briefing on the unique experiences provided by niche cruise products. At the end of the program, agents will receive their certification as a Niche Cruise Specialist, over $600 in bonus commission certificates, a listing on the NCMA web site, subscriptions to the Niche Cruise Specialist newsletter which features information on new products and a special fam and bonus commission information.
Friday: October 20, 2006
Event Registration
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
San Jose Convention Center
Registration will be located in the Almaden Concourse next to Exhibit Hall 3 on the Exhibit Level at the San Jose Convention Center
You can pick your badge holders, official show program and make changes/additions to your badge during this time.

Accredited Programming Presented by
The Travel Institute and CLIA
Accredited Module
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
San Jose
Convention Center
Selling to Special Interests - Niche Markets
John Bateman, Regional Trainer, Cruise Lines International Association, (CLIA)

Most of us know how to sell to that mass-market client, but what about customers with highly specialized interests? Is there a place in cruising for them? In this interactive seminar you'll learn dozens of strategies to help you reach and satisfy niche clients. You'll see how both mainstream and specialized cruise products can satisfy their needs. And you'll explore the profile of six common niche client types and precisely what they want from a vacation travel experience.

This module is valued at 15 CLIA Certification Credits.
Accredited Module
The Travel Institute
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
San Jose
Convention Center
Get Engaged! Do you have what it takes to
be a Honeymoon Specialist!
The honeymoon never ends when you are a Honeymoon Specialist. Join The Travel Institute for this 1 1/2 hour seminar based on The Institute's new Honeymoons and Destination Weddings Specialist program. Walk away with tips and strategies that will help you to effectively tap into this very lucrative and stable market. Join us as we explore the various types of honeymooners, honeymoon travel trends, honeymoon destinations, and strategies for success.
Accredited Module
The Travel Institute
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
San Jose
Convention Center
Re-energize Your Bottom Line by Specializing in Spa Travel

Join The Travel Institute as we introduce you to the lucrative Spa specialist market. Spas continue to grow in popularity for travelers who wish to escape, relax, reduce stress, and pamper themselves. More than 45 million travelers in North America have visited spas, collectively earning spas $11 billion in revenue! Join us in this 90 minute seminar, based on The Travel Institute's new Spa Lifestyle Specialist course, and learn how you too can tap into this growing market. We'll explore:

  • The different types of spas and spa seekers.
  • How to match your clients to the right spa for their needs.
  • Tips for working with spas to build preferred supplier relationships.
  • Marketing and sales strategies that will boost your bottom line.
Breakout Seminar Series
Home Based Agent
Seminar Track
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
The Ultimate Quest: Finding & Getting the
Most out of a Host Agency
Moderated by James Shillinglaw, CTC, Editor-In-Chief, The Performance Media Group

Panelists include:
Scott Koepf CTC, MCC, Vice President of Sales, Nexion
Andi McClure-Mysza, Business Development, Montrose Travel
Bill Alverson, CEO, Joystar Travel
Van Anderson, Co-President, America's Vacation Center/American Express (AVC)

This panel of experts will discuss the criteria for selecting a host agency that will most exactly suit your needs.  Then, how to derive the most benefits from the host agency you've chosen, and how to maintain and expand on that relationship.
Breakout Seminar
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
Reception to Conception
Moderated by:
Thom Curtin, Publisher, Bridal Guide Magazine

Panelists include:
Frank Marini, President, Contiki Holidays
Natalie John, Founder, Dreamy Weddings
Gordon Tolbert, National Sales Manager, Karisma Resorts

How travel agents can make real money on the burgeoning honeymoon/romance market, which today represents 2 billion dollars in potential commissions.

Sponsored Seminar
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
Learn to Earn Huge Commissions Specializing in Selling Honeymoons in Tahiti and Fiji
Presented by:
Gary Murphy, President, Brendan Worldwide Vacations
Home Based Agent
Seminar Track
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
A Home Based Primer: Maximizing Your Supplier Relationships
Moderated by:
Gary M. Fee, Founder & President, Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN)

Panelists include:
Bob Pieri, Manager Of National Accounts, Travel Impressions
Jeff Drew, Sr. VP Sales, Oceania Cruises
Barbara Wanzo, Senior Executive, Travel Agency Products, Trisept Solutions (VAX)
Liz Badras, CCRA Hotel Program, Manager Member Services

Blue-Ribbon Vendor Panelists will discuss how they support the Home Based Travel Agents and how they will best benefit their bottom line.  Timely topics will include:  Training, Marketing, Co-op assistance, Booking venues, ID Code acceptance, Local DSM assistance, Fam and Inspection programs, over-rides and commission payments.
Breakout Seminar
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
Destination Weddings: Walk the Aisle with Commi$$ion Bli$$
Moderated by:
Mike Daly, President, Creative Solutions Inc.(CSI)

Panelists include:
Quentin L. (Bud) Carmichael, Jr., Founder & President, Destination Wedding Travel
Eric Muth, Regional Sales Manager, Kona Village Resort
Gregory Shervington, District Sales Manager, Jamaica Board of Tourism

This accelerating specialty for travel agents and their clients has everything that's required to sell, sell and sell! The audience that populates this market is motivated and developed by positive aftershocks, great word-of-mouth, 42 million visiting friends and relatives and newlyweds with families that want to join the honeymoon trip. The more the merrier, and the more bookings!
Sponsored Seminar
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
Knowledge Is Power for At-Home Agents
Presented by Scott Whitley
Brought to you by Agent@Home

If you are an at-home agent or thinking about taking your business home, please join us for an interactive and educational seminar that will present you with the knowledge you need for your business to grow and succeed. Learn how to better market yourself and your business in order to boost sales and increase productivity. Gain useful sales tips and learn what resources are at your fingertips to keep you current on industry events and product information. This is a seminar you don't want to miss!
Home Based Agent
Seminar Track
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
San Jose
Convention Center