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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
55 Fun Filled Minutes of Money Making Ideas
Moderated by:
John Dalton, Travel Industry Consultant

If you are in this business to make money, then you can't afford to miss this seminar. You will be sitting on the edge of your seat as John Dalton provides sales and marketing ideas from individual agencies and suppliers that you can use to earn much more money. He will provide a step by step approach that will show you how to find new clients. He will also discuss how pricing is not so important when selling travel. When he presents logic and skills you will know why price is overrated when it comes to losing bookings. Fun, ideas, and money are here for the taking!
Breakout Seminar
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
The Secrets of Selling and Marketing Tours and Cruises: Innovative approaches to getting your customers to buy more top leisure products
Moderated by:
James Shillinglaw, CTC, Editor-In-Chief, The Performance Media Group

Panelists include:
Marc Kazlauskas, President, Insight Vacations U.S.A.
Terri Burke, MCC, CTC, Vice President, Business Development, Norwegian Cruise Line
John Diulus, Assoc Vice President of Channel Strategy, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Jim Baer, VP National Account Sales, Princess Cruises and Cunard Line
Ron Letterman, Chairman, Classic Vacations
Sponsored Seminar
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
The Celebrity Treatment
Presented by:
TC Phelps, Regional Account Trainer, Celebrity Cruises
Trade Show
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN
Saturday: October 21, 2006
Event Registration
11:00 AM - 5:00 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.
Meal Function - Sponsored Event
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Fairmont Hotel
Breakfast - How to capture the youth and baby boomer markets.
Sponsored by
Insight Vacations, Contiki Holidays and Uniworld Grand River

Presented by
Join Marc Kazlauskas, President of Insight Vacations
Frank Marini, President of Contiki Holidays
Tom Russell, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Uniworld

During breakfast they will present marketing ideas and strategies you can easily use to capture this large market segment.

Full Conference Attendees Only
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fairmont Hotel
















General Session
Hear from top-level executives at our
industry renowned General Session
   
Hosted by:
 
James Shillinglaw, CTC
Editor-in-chief of the Performance Media Group, which includes Agent@Home Magazine
   
Featured Keynote Speakers include:
   
   
Kay Urban
President and CEO
Amadeus North America
Dan Hanrahan
President of Celebrity Cruises
Current Vice Chairman of CLIA
   
   
Jeff Drew
Sr. VP Sales
Oceania Cruises
Scott Ahlsmith, CTC
President and CEO
Magellan Travel Group
&
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
The Travel Institute
   
Meal Function
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
Lunch
Lunch
Sponsored by Sandals

Full Conference Attendees Only
Trade Show
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
Exhibit Hall Open
Special Event
4:15 PM
San Jose
Convention Center
Prize Drawings
Prize drawings commence at 4:15 pm on the Exhibit Floor.

Only travel agent delegates are eligible to win. Must be present to win.
Sunday: October 22, 2006
Post Show FAM Trip


Post OSSN Conference FAM


7 Night Mexican Riviera
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Vision Of The Seas7 Night Mexican Riviera Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - Vision Of The Seas

San Jose Conference attendees will be confirmed first for this post conference Sideways Tour and Cruise. Tour includes transfer from San Jose, CA to the San Pedro pier with wine tasting tour of Santa Barbara Firestone Winery and lunch on the way to board the Vision of the Seas. Conference attendees on this tour flying into San Jose will need air back out of LAX.

Date: October 22, 2006 - October 29, 2006

Ports of Call:Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Angeles

Member Rate: $349 + Tax and Fees $177. Tips $68. Non-Member add $75. Inside Cabins

For More Information: Click Here

Booking: Fam Reservation Form

Sideways Tour to RCCL’s Vision of the Seas
7 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise

Travel Agent Participants and their companions who register for the OSSN "Sideways" Tour from San Jose to Long Beach will be departing San Jose early Sunday morning, October 22 to allow us to enjoy the spectacular daylight sights along Southern California’s beautiful and rugged coastline.

It was in this California wine country region that the filming of the Academy awarding winning film, "SIDEWAYS" was staged! As we motor coach through Santa Barbara’s vibrant wine country we will have a chance to stop at the lovely Firestone Winery, where Sideways movie characters "Jack" and "Miles" took their romantic walk through the "Barrel Room" with Maya and Stephanie! We will enjoy the same winery tour as Jack and Miles plus sample 6 different wine tastings!

Firestone Winery was established in 1972 as Santa Barbara’s first estate winery and is owned by same Firestone family that owns the tire company. It is currently operated by two of the Firestone sons, one of which is Andrew Firestone of the TV show “The Batchelor” fame.

After our tour we will continue south to Los Angeles/San Pedro to board RCCL’s Vision of the Seas for a 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise, returning to the Los Angeles' Port of San Pedro on Sunday, October 29th.

The Mexican Riviera cruise includes the fabulous ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta! All three ports are exciting and are GREAT for shopping and enjoying the Pacific coast!


Travel Industry Shows - 5000 Hopyard Road Suite 225 - Pleasanton, CA 94588 - (925) 701-0225