Travel Weekly Looks Ahead to 2009
Travel Weekly is certainly taking advantage of the popularity of it’s new online format with it’s second Virtual Summit slated for today and tomorrow. You know how much I love these types of events and enjoyed participating in the first annual Leisure Summit back in October. The current summit is the second of three scheduled in less than 6 months, and it appears that Travel Weekly may be on to something here.
The conference runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and attendance is free, and has all the trappings for being yet another blockbuster event. It’s riddled with mystery as industry experts look into their crystal ball and tell us what to expect in 2009. Preview 2009 also features educational seminars and keynote speakers with a superb agenda embracing valuable industry topics. Of course, not to forget the chance to mingle with travel agents and travel industry leaders and get a sneak peak of their products for 2009.
Both days will feature hosted chats with Travel Weekly’s award winning editorial team and access to visit pavilions from the industries leading suppliers. Educational Presentations will include.
- The 2009 Travel Consumer in the 2009 World Economy
- A Crystal Ball Session: Industry CEO’s Predict 2009 Trends. Featuring Travel Weekly Editor-in-Chief, Arnie Weissmann; Mike Batt, Travel Leaders; Steve Tracas, Vacation.com; Doug Bower, AAA National; and Lynne Biggar, American Express.
- How will Luxury Be Defined in 2009?
Featuring Kristi Jones, Virtuoso; Jack Mannix, Ensemble; and Ignacio Maza, Signature Travel. - Keynote: Peter Greenberg: Travel Talk on TODAY For 2009
- A Crystal Ball Session: The Cruise Market of 2009
Featuring Brad Tolkin, Cruise One, Cruises Only and Cruise 411; Charlie Funk, Just Cruisin’ Plus and a Vacation.com agency; Roger Block, Cruise Holidays and Travel Leaders; and Jeff Anderson, America’s Vacation Center.
There is one other element that will once again prove this to be a widely viewed event.
Controversy.
Much about 2009 is uncertain, but one thing unlikely to change is the controversy surrounding the ever-vexing question of just who is a travel professional. Travel Weekly has assembled the leadership of the organizations that hand out credentials — Bert Rivero of IATA; Bob Sharak of the Cruise Lines International Association; Kelly Chiusano of the Outside Sales Support Network; and Scott Koepf of the National Association of Career Travel Agents — and leaders of agency groups that have a vested interest in the issue of certification: Chris Russo of ASTA; Jan Miller of the Travel Institute; Andi McClure-Mysza of the Professional Association of Travel Hosts; and Kim Sorensen of YTB.
And now because of a name, a company, it appears that our traditional counterparts have have had just about enough concerning Travel Weekly not only asking Kim Sorensen and YTB to participate in this summit but the mere name of YTB should be banned from being mentioned in any Travel Industry publication. After the last summit in October and the “Meet The Press” style interview that was held, a number of articles surfaced condemning Travel Weekly for including YTB. One even went as far as compairing YTB to nothing more than a glorified AARP type program. In reality, the article was written to do nothing more than shame the publishers of Travel Weekly for providing the credibility to YTB who now has what it needs to succeed.
To look at this in a perspective that might state Travel Weekly is mentioning and including YTB because YTB IS successful would surely be considered blasphemy.
Instead, the attention, various emotions and frustration surrounding our company continues to escalate. The longer YTB continues to exists, the higher the emotions climb and the more heated the conversations and arguments get. Now, you have a document from the Attorney General that appears for the time being, to be backing you up. Yet here we are, 5 months after the initial filing, and the President of the MLM your attempting to run out of town is given a voice from “The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry”.
I’m sorry, but that’s got to be one of the most frustrating and awkward realizations staring you right in the face. A good reason for some to dig in their heals even further providing more resistance towards the one thing that if eliminated, would solve all your problems.
I’ve heard some won’t be attending the show simply because Kim Sorensen is associated with the program. In this difficult economic time, I’m not so sure that’s such a good idea, but it’s not my decision to make. Of course, I’m not emotionally attached or obsessed about a single issue, nor do I focus on problems. Solutions no matter where they come from are far more productive. I’ll take what I find useful, and use it. The rest can be left where it is without having to own any of it.
Seems unrealistic to some, I’m sure, but then again, most who feel that way have never even so much as tried. Much like the business model they are certain doesn’t belong in their industry.
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Tags: Kim Sorensen, Travel MLM, Travel Weekly, Virtual Summit, YTB Travel Network
