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!
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