Vacation.com- has welcomed a full house of over 1,400 attendees at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas to celebrate the 10th International Conference & Trade Show.The conference agenda features informative seminars from returning speakers, world-class entertainment and 400 learning and networking opportunities, including nearly 200 hours of training sessions.

A tribute to the last decade, the opening general session titled Bet On Ten - A Heritage of Winning, features a review of the past 10 years and welcomes back some of the Vacation.com founding presidents including: Tony McKinnon and Dick Knodt, Travel Associates Network; Gerry Hazzard and Mary Hazzard, Aura; Marty Braunstein and Milton Cohen, Space; and Mike Spinelli, Sr., Action6.

 

Focusing on training opportunities for members, The Learning Center, co-sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, Amadeus and Comtec, features an info-packed schedule with new curriculum, valuable tools, hands-on training rooms, and over 170 hours of classes with a variety of sessions including:

á            Olympics in Vancouver, BC 2010 - A Golden Opportunity

á            90 CLIA Credits

á            15 Supplier Breakfast/Lunch Breakout Sessions

á            Excel for Travel Agents

á            Building Success With Your Website

á            Selling to Lifestyles and Lifestages

á            Destination Training

 

This year’s class schedule will have a heavy focus on the EZguider sales platform, with over 13 hours of scheduled sessions, to help familiarize members with the new all-in-one booking platform.  The course, titled The Complete Leisure Selling Solution from Vacation.com, will provide agents with an overview of how to plan, quote, compare and book cruise, tour and insurance with the Ezguider platform.  Other courses include: Complete Cruise Selling Solutions, and Live Connect and Mass Importing with EZguider.

 

Headlining the educational sessions are notable presenter’s including: Bernie Blomquist, CLIA Cruise Lines International Association; Tom Cogan, CTC, MCC - CLIA Cruise Lines International Association; Mike Marchev, CTC, MBA, Michael Marchev & Associates; Roberta Schwartz, CTC, MCC, SATH (Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality); Sherrie & Charlie Funk - Just Cruisn’ Plus; Nolan Burris - President & Chief of Vision-eer; Dr. Marc Mancini, Professor, West Los Angeles College; and Nancy Friedman, The Telephone Doctor.

 

The Preferred Supplier/Destination Trade Show, scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, will showcase products from Vacation.com top suppliers and some of the most alluring travel destinations across the globe.  Offering an incredible networking opportunity for members, there will be over 186 booths on the trade show floor representing 99% of Vacation.com preferred suppliers.

 

In the Vacation.com Experience Room, agents will receive hands-on training and view informative demonstrations on Vacation.com’s powerful technology, marketing, and industry tools.  The Experience Room provides an interactive showcase featuring the products, programs and booking solutions available for members via AgentNet, including EZguider, SIREV, Engagement and the Vacation Vignettes program, and is open daily throughout the conference.

 

Matching the incredible educational line-up already in place, attendees will enjoy world-class entertainment including a general session performance, Keith Prowse presents a Tribute to Andrew Lloyd Weber, the Vegas show The Rat Pack is Back, as well as Vacation.com Freedom Fest, a Patriotic Night Under the Neon at Fremont Street with the U.S. Army Color Guard, U.S. Army Stage Band, U.S. Army Marching Band, and other special guests. 

 

The Member/Supplier Gala Awards Reception and Dinner is an Oscar-style event complete with Red Carpet, Joan Rivers, and Gold Oscars.  The conference will close-out with a show stopping performance from Royal Caribbean’s ABBA Cadabra.

 

Complimentary show tickets will also be provided for members to Blue Man Group, V-The Ultimate Variety Show, The Greatest Magic Show and Defending The Caveman. 
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