MailPound MAC CHAT

MAC Chat: An interview with Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity Cruises

by Jessica 7/30/2009 3:17:00 AM

Today's featured interview is with Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, Celebrity Cruises.

Dondra Ritzenthaler
SVP Sales, Celebrity Cruises

For more information visit:
CelebrityCruises.com

Jessica: Welcome Dondra... Celebrity Cruises is nominated for 4 different categories of the MailPound Agents' Choice (MAC) awards. That's fantastic, congratulations!
Dondra: We are honored and thrilled to be nominated by our travel partners. They are so valuable to us and to know they voted for Celebrity makes me very happy as it means we have and will continue to keep a real and mutually beneficial relationship with them. We have never needed each other more and we are genuinely grateful for the support!

Jessica: Let's begin with "Best Large Cruise Ship Fleet" and "Best Mid-Size Cruise Ship Fleet." You were nominated for both of those categories. What do you think appeals most to travelers about your fleet?
Dondra: Celebrity Cruises is known for it's service. From the moment you step onboard the ship, are handed a glass of champagne, and are escorted to your stateroom to the last moment of the cruise, Celebrity Cruises provides a personalized vacation experience to everyone. Our Specialty Restaurants across the fleet offer cuisine that rivals 4 star restaurants on land. Our new ships - leading ladies made sure we had the right touches to meet everyone's needs. Large number of wheelchair access staterooms.

Jessica: "Best Cruise Line for Families" is another category you were nominated for. What on-board programs do you currently offer for families?
Dondra: We offer fabulous supervised kids' programs, each with a staff of energetic and highly educated counselors.

Five different age groups: ShipMates (ages 3-5), Celebrity Cadets (ages 6-8), Ensigns (ages 9-11) and XClub Teens (ages 12-14 and 15-17), with age-specfic "edutainment" powered by LeapFrog
Dedicated "teen hangout" called XClub
Dedicated self-contained space for all younger kids called the "Fun Factory"
VIP Party Passes available, which include behind-the scenes ship tours, movie screenings, slumber parties, VIP souvenirs and up to 40% off on nighttime baby-sitting.
A variety of family-friendly shore excursions in most of our ports of call.
Broadway-style productions in the Celebrity Theater, as well as karaoke
The Hot Glass Show and Lawn Club activities onboard the Solstice Class ships

Jessica: You were also nominated for "Best Supplier Specialist Program," I would love to hear more about Celebrity's Five-Star Academy.
Dondra: Created as a genuine learning tool for agents to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of Celebrity Cruises. After completing this program learners will gain an understanding of the brand history and promise, our quality service, destinations, and award winning fleet.

Agents who complete Five Star Academy will gain knowledge of Celebrity products and learn information to assist in building their overall cruise business.

Celebrity Five Star Academy was built based on feedback from what agents said they wanted to learn about. The main components include Celebrity's: History, Leadership and the Celebrity guest: how to identify them and how to find the cruise that fits their lifestyle and budget.

The 2 Star section discusses the fleet in detail - including accommodations, public areas, restaurants and lounges, onboard life, and Celebrity's white glove service.

The Five Star program also provides descriptions of Celebrity Cruises' destinations and introduces our members to Celebrity's incredible Cruisetours.

The Five Star section demonstrates how to use the tool available that provide added value to the agent and the consumer. It was created with education and understanding in mind, Celebrity Five Star Academy utilizes multiple learning modalities to enhance the learner's knowledge retention.

Through visual and audio means, as well as games and quizzes, this learning tool reaches for a higher level of learning. To enrich the learning experience, Five Star participants are invited to monthly webinars that give them the latest updates and the opportunity to chat directly with Celebrity's leadership.

Completing Five Star Academy offers agents:

Celebrity Five Star Agent Status,
A space on our Travel Agent Locator,
Five Star certificate,
Value book, and pin
Agency recognition as a Five Star Agency
Eligibility for monthly drawings of a free cruise
GAP points or a Co-op raffle of one free cruise.

Once Five Star Academy is completed, agents are eligible to take other value at Prizes focus on assisting the agent to grow their cruise customer base and their business.

Five Star Academy was quickly embraced by the travel agent community. Academy has registered over 11,000 agents.

Jessica: I heard the formal naming ceremony of Celebrity Equinox is coming up soon. Can you share a few details with us about your newest ship?
Dondra: Guests sailing on Celebrity Equinox will enjoy a resort-like experience at sea through the brand-defining, industry-first attributes also found on Celebrity Solstice, including the industry’s first Lawn Club, a half-acre country-club atmosphere featuring real, growing grass; 10 dining venues including several created by noted hospitality designer Adam Tihany, and all featuring menus pairing classic and contemporary selections created by noted chef, restaurateur and Celebrity’s Vice President of Culinary Operations Jacques Van Staden; AquaClass, the line’s spa-inspired staterooms offering exclusive access to the Mediterranean-influenced specialty restaurant, “Blu”; the industry’s first Hot Glass Show at sea, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; larger, more intuitive staterooms influenced by a panel of five “boomer” women with unique travel and hospitality insights, and widely varied entertainment, including spectacular new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals.

Jessica: Do you have any current promotions you would like to share with our travel agents?
Dondra: Our current pricing is the best value it has ever been, offering guests the opportunity to experience our award-winning fleet for as little as $69/day. There are options for 2009 sailings ranging from our 4-night getaway cruises in the Pacific Northwest starting from $299 per person to 14-night itineraries crossing the Panama Canal starting from $949.

We also have very appealing incentives further into the Winter involving free upgrades from oceanview to veranda staterooms on all December and January 7-night Caribbean sailings on Solstice; sailings during February and March feature a $49 upgrade.

Thank you Dondra for sharing such great information with us. I can't wait to see the Celebrity Equinox!

Please feel free to submit comments below. Have an excellent day!

Tags: mac chat

MAC Awards

MAC Chat: An interview with Nigel Osborne, Virgin Vacations

by Jessica 7/29/2009 3:05:00 AM

Today's featured interview is with Nigel Osborne, President of Virgin Vacations USA.

Nigel Osborne
President, Virgin Vacations USA

For more information visit:
VirginVacations.com

View Full Screen Version

Jessica: Hi Nigel, thank you so much for being a part of the 2009 MAC Awards.
Nigel: We are honored to be part of any program that will help agents earn more and also educate them, and by offering a trip agents can experience the true Virgin travel experience.

Jessica: Virgin Vacations is sponsoring a fantastic prize for participating travel agents featuring a vacation to London for two. Can you tell me a little bit more about it?
Nigel: Simple: We offer 4 nights at a Superior Hotel with breakfast daily and taxes (location and value driven) with R/T on Virgin Atlantic, then the winner can add whatever they want.

Jessica: What is it about the Virgin Vacations experience that attracts so many travelers?
Nigel: With a name like Virgin, we’re obviously not your ordinary tour operator. In fact, Virgin Vacations follows the same philosophy set forth by our Chairman, Sir Richard Branson when he first started Virgin Atlantic Airways: "Give travelers more comfort, more amenities, and more entertainment at a better value".

Virgin Vacations was established in 1994 to provide Virgin Atlantic Airways' customers with inclusive vacation packages to London and beyond. Today, we’ve expanded our reach, as well as our product. We now offer an expanded travel menu that includes Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and Central and South America. More recently, we’ve added Africa to the list, even the option to visit Sir Richard’s private game reserve Ulusaba.

And our new Virgin Hotel Treats offers accommodations but more than just a bed. Go to hotels.virgin-vacations.com

Jessica: You've introduced a new program, the "Virgin Vacations' new travel stimulus program for travel agents!" Can you share some information about it with us?
Nigel: We reduced our prices on all Vacations and offer the packages to agents NET/NET do they can add their own commission and
compete with big guys either on line or through the call center: plus we have added a Group Therapy program, including planning and marketing to groups to help agent close more sales.

Virgin's Fly / Drive the UK: 7 Days From $519* per person
Virgin's 3 Night London Fling: 3 Nights From $569* per person
Virgin's 6 Night London Fling: 6 Nights From $649* per person
Virgin's Premium London: 6 Nights From $1,449* per person
Virgin's Deluxe and Different S Africa: 6 Nights From $3,789* per person

Jessica: Do you have any special offers you would like to mention to our travel agents?
Nigel: These are on our home page. Plus:

Upper Class Packages from $2,949 per person including 4 nights accommodation and R/T Upper Class
Upper Class Package - Now extended through March 2010
London Eye Champagne added
Our contract fares are cheaper than published
Premium Package - Now extended through March 2010 - no changes to inclusions
Holiday Packages - New Years and Thanksgiving now have London Eye Added

Thank you Nigel for sharing such great information, especially all those special deals, with us!

Please feel free to submit comments below. Have an excellent day!

Tags: mac chat

MAC Awards

MAC Chat: An interview with Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International

by Jessica 7/27/2009 3:40:00 AM

Today's featured interview is with Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales for Royal Caribbean International.

Vicki Freed
SVP Sales
Royal Caribbean International

For more information visit:
RoyalCaribbean.com

View Full Screen Version

Jessica: Hi Vicki, Royal Caribbean is nominated for 4 MailPound Agents' Choice (MAC) awards. Congratulations!
Vicki: We are extremely honored to be among the top MailPound choices in the cruise industry and to be nominated in so many categories, especially being that they come directly from MailPound Agents themselves. It is not only rewarding but also very inspiring. We will use this inspiration to continue our quest to be the best.

Jessica: Let's begin with "Best Cruise Line for Families" which is a big category. We currently have 6 cruise lines nominated. What do you think makes Royal Caribbean stand out as an ideal cruise line for families?
Vicki: Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean® is one of the most interactive, educational and entertaining youth programs available at sea. Every member of our Adventure Ocean staff holds a four year degree in education, recreation or a related field and provides hands-on activities developed for various age groups. Our Royal BabiesSM and Royal TotsSM programs provide learning and enjoyment to our youngest cruisers through exciting partnerships with Fisher-Price®, Crayola®, Mattel® and more. From Sitters at Sea to My Family Time DiningSM we want every family member to enjoy their vacation to the fullest.

Jessica: You were also nominated for "Best Large Cruise Ship Fleet." I can't wait to see the new Oasis of the Seas! Can you tell me a little bit about it:
Vicki: I think Oasis of the SeasSM is the most exciting thing to happen to the cruising industry in decades. She’ll be the most revolutionary cruise ship in the world, spanning 16 decks, 2,700 staterooms (including loft-style suites), carrying 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and featuring seven themed neighborhoods including Central ParkSM, BoardwalkSM, Royal Promenade, Entertainment Place, the Youth Zone and more.

Plus, for the adventure-seeker, Oasis has not one but two rock climbing walls, a thrilling zip-line suspended across the BoardwalkSM and a two-story, adults-only retractable-roof solarium! There’s only one word to describe this ship – incredible!

Jessica: "Best Supplier Specialist Program" is another category you were nominated for. Which aspect of your "University of Wow" supplier specialist program do you think appeals most to travel agents?
Vicki: Supplier Specialist Programs should not only be informative but also entertaining, because when you enjoy the experience you'll retain more knowledge. This is exactly the model we built upon when we designed the "University of Wow" program. Through interactive modules that include audio cues, video clips and a friendly and engaging tone, we have seen a substantial increase in not only the sales successes of our Travel Partners but also in their own confidence levels.

Jessica: Do you have any current promotions you would like to share with our travel agents?
Vicki: We have been working diligently to develop new ways to increase group business and therefore profitability for our Travel Partners, while making the group sales process more streamlined. We are confident that our new Groups Your Way program will inspire agents who are hesitant about working on groups to give it a show. In fact, planning and promoting group cruises an easy, turn-key process. From complimentary collateral to dedicated shoreside and shipboard group representatives and event coordinators, we've proven that things really are better in groups - especially cruises!

You can find eTools to help plan and promote your group, special offers, new policies, incentives and more information on Groups Your Way at: creative.rccl.com/e-lite/RCI/2009/Sales/09014059-2009_Groups_Mini_Kit/home/index.html

Thank you Vicki for sharing all of this great information about Royal Caribbean with us!

Please feel free to submit comments below. Have an excellent day!

Tags: mac chat

MAC Awards

MAC Chat: An interview with Chris Austin, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

by Jessica 7/24/2009 3:50:00 AM

Today's featured interview is with Chris J. Austin, VP of Global Customer Partnerships, Leisure & Luxury Sales for Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Chris J. Austin
VP Global Sales, Leisure & Luxury Sales Starwood Hotels & Resorts

For more information visit:
StarwoodHotels.com

Click here to view full screen.

Jessica: Hi Chris! Thank you for being a part of the 2009 MAC Awards. Let me begin by saying that I am so excited about the luxurious 6-night Hawaiian vacation accommodations Starwood Hotels & Resorts is providing for one of our lucky participating travel agents to win. That's such a great prize. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
Chris: Starwood is delighted to support Mail Pound by offering a 6 night hotel stay in the Hawaiian Islands. The lucky Travel Professional winner will enjoy 3 nights at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, a member of The Luxury Collection. An icon of comfort and romance, this stunning property captures the warmth of a true Hawaiian home, calling back visitors year after year. Located on the famous Waikiki beach the hotel reopened earlier this year after a meticulous renovation, repositioning the famous Pink Palace as the luxury landmark befitting to her. Follow the stay in Waikiki travel to Kauai where we are offering 3 nights at The St. Regis Princeville Resort, that official opens on October 1st 2009, located on the lush island of Kauai. Perched majestically atop Kauai's emerald cliffs, The St. Regis Princeville Resort holds court over crystal waters, silver sands and golden sunsets, a palatial landmark of exquisite marble and glass set against the stunning Namolokama mountains. Flights, transfers and all incidentals are at the winners own expense.

Jessica: What are some of the hotels and resorts that are part of the Starwood family?
Chris: Starwood is continuing to expand its footprint around the world! We have nine powerful brands including St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Le Meridien, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Element and aloft.

We have many famous properties well known by our travel professional partners, too many to reference, however as one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. constantly looks for opportunities to expand our global presence. We have more than 400 hotels and resorts, representing each of our well-known brands, slated to open in the next several years – ensuring every guest will find a hotel to suit their specific needs.

Just to give you an idea of the breadth of new properties opening this summer, I ask that you go to our website and explore the newest St. Regis properties including The St. Regis Atlanta, The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort, and The St. Regis Princeville Resort. Or in the W brand, among our newest openings are the W Atlanta – Buckhead, W Boston, W Washington D.C. and the W South Beach. Among the newest Westin’s you might explore the The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit or The Westin Jersey City Newport. And for something unique and fitting in our Luxury Collection portfolio, perhaps a stay at The Joule, Dallas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, The Fairfax in Washington DC or Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in Vermont. These are just a sampling of the properties that have recently opened or are soon to open.

Jessica: What is it about the Starwood Hotels & Resorts experience that attracts so many?
Chris: Established less than fifteen years ago, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has grown at a dynamic pace to assume an industry-leading position in the global hotel and leisure business. Known by travelers and industry insiders alike for having many of the best brands in the business, Starwood has reshaped public perception of the hotel experience with its emphasis on innovation, design and brand differentiation.

Starwood is a global lifestyle hospitality company that has nine diverse brands from luxury to select serve; resort to airport that appeal to leisure, business and group travelers. Starwood makes emotional connections with its guests, offering lifestyle-focused venues, signature experiences and leading-edge branded products.

The wide variety of brands and guest experiences means Starwood will have the best experience to fit a travel professional’s client’s needs. Innovation drives our business. Travel professionals can trust Starwood and our brands when booking their customers. Be it Westin Hotels & Resorts that this year is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Heavenly Bed, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, that feature the iconic luxury, unmatched privilege and bespoke services to guests in 19 locations worldwide, or Sheraton, where guests can connect with loved ones back home using our free internet services at the Link at Sheraton.

Starwood is looking at this economic climate as an ideal time to renovate properties. We are ensuring that we are ready for the turn a round, that our hotels and resorts truly exceed our customers expectations and hence our retail travel professional partners can trust Starwood. We are committing millions of dollars to property renovations worldwide and our new hotel pipeline is still incredibly strong. This year Starwood will open our 1000th hotel, but what our agency partners need to understand is this is not a pure numbers game, every hotel that Starwood opens is additive to the brand it belongs to, if it cannot be, we simply won’t open the hotel.

Jessica: I noticed on your website that you have a Starwood ProLearning program. Can you share some information about it with us?
Chris: ProLearning – a learning and development tool - helps travel professionals better understand and experience our brands, learn more about our hotels & resort locations and find topics that are relevant to their business, all with the goal of improving profit performance and deepening customer relationships.

While ProLearning has a focus on Starwood’s hotels and brands, it also explores general consumer needs and motivations. ProLearning defines what makes a brand, examines the human truths that impact purchase decisions and provides insight to help travel professionals better understand and meet customers’ travel objectives.

ProLearning also includes attractive STARPRO rates for those who complete the training. STARPRO rates are only available to graduates of ProLearning and are designed to allow continual education by offering travel professionals great rates to experience our hotels and resorts first hand. STARPRO rates start at $69 and can be booked at starwoodpro.com. To participate in ProLearning, travel professionals should visit starwoodpro.com today.

More than 5,000 fellow travel professionals have completed the first module of ProLearning and are eligible for our STARPRO rates. The second module, focusing on Business Development has just debuted and all new graduates of our second module will be automatically entered to win a Westin Heavenly Bed. Our modules are designed to share some strategies we use at Starwood to build our business and sharpen our sales skills. We certainly recognize the challenges our industry has faced in the first half of 2009 but we all hope to be busy selling this fall and these modules are designed to facilitate strong sales for our agency partners and, in turn, for our hotels.

Jessica: Do you have any special offers you would like to mention to our travel agents?
Chris: Yes, it truly is a great opportunity currently and Starwood stands up for travel and are doing our part by offering commissionable offers that our travel professional partners can promote to their customers. Visit starwoodpro.com and click on our special offers tab to identify the specials currently in market. Some examples include our Caribbean or Hawaii Sunsational Savings, and our Mexico Sensational Savings, that include free nights and stay credits. The Luxury Collections, Linger Longer promotion also includes free nights and a donation to UNISEF. Starwood also has over 150 hotels and resorts across 60 of the world’s cruise ports. Our hotels in these locations offer bed and breakfast rates and travel professionals need not look any further than a Starwood hotel or resort to satisfy their customers travel requirements.

Thank you Chris for sharing all of this great information about Starwood Hotels and Resorts with us!

Please feel free to submit comments below. Have an excellent day!

Tags: mac chat

MAC Awards

MAC Chat: An interview with Mary Clegg, NACTA

by Jessica 7/23/2009 5:05:00 AM

I am so excited about the upcoming 2009 MAC Awards. I was especially happy when asked to host MAC Chat, 5 minute interviews featuring MAC nominated suppliers and prize sponsors. It's been a while since I've blogged and there was definitely a void felt in my life... I'm glad to be back in the blogsphere!

For my first official "MAC Chat" interview, I chose Mary Clegg, director of industry relations for NACTA.

Mary Clegg
Director of industry relations for NACTA

Contact
Phone: 703-739-6825
Email: mclegg@nacta.com

Jessica: Hi Mary, thank you so much for being a part of the 2009 MAC Awards.
Mary: Thank you Jessica for the opportunity to participate. It is such a pleasure to be involved with the MAC Awards - especially since the awards really do voice the opinion of the front line travel professionals and what and who they value most in our industry. I know suppliers are truly honored when awarded a MAC award.

Jessica: You are offering a prize of a 1 year membership to our participating travel agents. That's great! As a new member of NACTA, what can travel agents expect?
Mary: The National Association of Career Travel Agents is truly focused on developing professionalism for career focused travel agents. We are the travel industry's leading national trade association representing independent contractors, outside sales agents, cruise and tour oriented agents, group oriented travel professionals and traditional ARC appointed travel agencies who host independent agents.

NACTA started out in 1986 as the original association with a mission to represent the interests of independent travel entrepreneurs when being a homebased agent was not widely recognized as a legitimate agent. NACTA let the industry and suppliers know that with the advent of technology and the ability to work from home that homebased agents were real, legitimate and could and are moving market share. NACTA continues that objective and works to promote professionalism and recognition for the professional independent agent. A new member can expect the opportunity to participate in our seminar at sea and land fam programs, daily webinar trainings, and sales and marketing trainings all focused on helping the entrepreneurial travel agent build their business.

Jessica: Who can join NACTA?
Mary: Any travel professional who is career minded and serious about developing their career as a travel agent.

Jessica: Can you tell me about the "NACTA Agent Digest?"
Mary: The NACTA Agent Digest is one of our many benefits and a favorite of most of our members. It is in email format and is a forum in which our members can pose questions to other members and get unbiased answers from agents all over the USA. For example… let's say an agent has a client wanting to travel to Egypt and they have no idea what tour company to use. The agent posts the question and it is sent out to all 3000 agents in the daily digest. The agents then can post answers helping that agent out and giving them "real deal" answers on who to use and what has worked best for them in the past. Remember our agents are some of the most experienced agents around and specialize in most every destination. The other nice thing is this forum is for agents only, no suppliers allowed so agents feel free to voice their real opinions and help each other. The Digest is delivered every morning to all our members and is free and part of their membership. Being a homebased travel agent can be isolating at times and the NACTA Agent Digest is one way to combat working alone, it's like having your own board of directors at your finger tips and our agents love it.

Jessica: What is the best advice you can give new agents just starting out in the business?
Mary: Join NACTA! All kidding aside I do mean it… NACTA is the association that gave homebased agents credibility with suppliers over the past few years. We wave the flag for the travel agent and make sure your voice is heard. We also give you so many opportunities to network with your fellow travel professionals with regional and national meetings, seminars at sea and land fams, our NACTA Agent Digest, and Mastermind Training program and so much more. It's important for folks new to the industry to have a road map and that is what NACTA does… we are your GPS and guide you and help you navigate your way to a successful travel business. For $145 a year agents can take advantage of all of our programs and renewal is only $95 per year there after. I welcome any agent experienced or just starting out to contact me anytime at 703-739-6825 or at mclegg@nacta.com

Thank you Mary for sharing such great information!

Please feel free to submit comments below. Have an excellent day!

Tags: mac chat

MAC Awards

Where to go..Hawaii or St. Lucia?

by Sheona 7/22/2009 7:07:00 AM

Good morning friends!

I cannot believe this is already our second week of voting! As you know just by voting for your favorite suppliers you are entered to win fantastic prizes from gift cards to incredible trips. I just wanted to take the time to share with you just a few of the incredible prizes you can win!

One of my personal favorite prizes being given away (maybe because I have always wanted to go to Hawaii) would have to be the 6 night luxury vacation to Hawaii from Starwood Hotels and Resorts. With this prize you will be able to experience everything Hawaii has to offer by staying 3 nights complimentary at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki and 3 nights complimentary at The St. Regis Princeville, Kauai. You will be able to enjoy the ocean, participate in an array of activities and enjoy cuisine that celebrates their local flavors. It is definitely a trip I wish I could win =)

Another fantastic prize I wouldn’t mind winning would be the 3 night all inclusive stay at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia, generously donated by Ask Me About Destination Weddings and Honeymoons. This would be the perfect getaway with your loved one or family as the Coconut Bay Beach resort creates 2 worlds in one. Imagine spending the day with your loved one relaxing in the coconut fringed pool, taking a nap in a hammock or in the intimate cabana beds, or refreshing at the spa. Or imagine spending the day with your family at “Spash” the resort’s tropical playground where the kids can enjoy St. Lucia’s largest water park and activities just for them! Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is the place for you! And thanks to Ask Me About Destination Weddings and Honeymoons one lucky agent will win an all inclusive 3 night /4 day stay for either 2 adults or a family of 4.

Now if only my votes allowed me to be entered to win one of these great prizes but lucky for you, you can! So go out there and start voting for your favorite suppliers and maybe you will be sitting on the beaches of Hawaii or St. Lucia. To view all of the prizes you can be entered to win please click here.

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MAC Awards

MailPound Agents' Choice Official Blog

by Debbie 7/21/2009 2:53:00 AM

Hello friends!

Well, we just had our first full week of voting! It is honestly so exciting to see how many of you have already cast your vote. I actually have the “Who’s Leading” web page bookmarked on my phone. My curiosity of who’s in the lead is getting the best of me. : -)

This is the first day of our MAC Awards blog. Here you will be able read all about this exciting summer event, contribute your thoughts and experiences and of course ask questions. I would like to share with you some information on the MAC Awards. But first, let me share with you how this all got started… Back in 1999, MailPound was created to assist with the flow of faxes that came through the agency fax machines every morning. Our mission was and still is to connect you, the travel professional, with the suppliers. Over the past 10 years, MailPound has evolved to include marketing tools designed to increase your sales with minimal effort. From customized eBrochures to personalized eFlyers to educational webinars, agents have utilized the free marketing tools to help grow their business. One feature on MailPound that many of you have contributed to is the MailPound Forum. The forum is a place to ask questions, share experiences and most importantly a place where we can learn from each other. My goal with this blog is very similar.

Since this is our first year hosting the Virtual Travel Awards I wanted to take a moment to share with your our vision. We have 3 major goals in mind with the MailPound Agents’ Choice Awards. First, we want to hear from you! Who are your favorites? Who would you recommend to your clients, friends & family? Second…Let’s benefit from each other’s experiences. This will be the ultimate networking event combined with education that can impact your business. What better opportunity to learn from the best? This summer we will be showcasing many suppliers. Some you are very familiar with… some you may just be learning about. In both cases we have top suppliers providing us with the “Insider Tips” that can help you sell their products. Imagine sitting down with the top Cruise Lines as they share with you “Insider Tips” based on years of experience and knowledge of the ships. This type of invaluable information can help increase your sales this year. Our third goal and my personal favorite is to HAVE FUN! Who says work can’t be fun? We have fantastic prize sponsors offering you everything from gift cards to incredible trips. All for participating in the Summer Event of the Year!

Don’t sit back and let summer pass you by. I invite you to dive in and join us for the first Annual MailPound Agents’ Choice Awards!