blog post

Home office executives and industry professionals hosted breakout workshops immediately following the cruise line executive panel held during day two of 2010 CP Convention. The goal was to provide agents with a slew of business and marketing advice that ultimately helps them build their client base and increase sales in today’s challenging travel market. From tricks to using Cruise Planners’ online reservation tools to learning how to sell luxury and river cruises, day two of convention kept agents learning, growing and embracing the change that’s on the horizon.  

Cruise Planners’ guest and social media specialist Coach Laura Rubinstein gave agents the social media basics that will ultimately help agents grow and optimize their home-based business. Coach Laura dedicated her time to address the top two social media platforms: Facebook and Twitter. She advised agents that creating a Facebook page is NOT something to shy away from, but an easy and effective online marketing tool that is easy to navigate and manage. “Twitter is the new CNN,” said Coach Laura, as she began to break down what is a “tweet,” how Twitter is used and why it’s so effective in today’s world when news travels faster than ever before.   

The breakout session creating the most buzz was led by Terri Burke, SVP of Relationship Marketing, assisted by an energetic team of Home Office associates – DNA of a Rock Star. Dressed in a doctor’s medical coat, Terri shared the ins and outs of what makes a Rock Star and how they have risen in the ranks to become Cruise Planners’ top producers. Why dedicate the time to be a Rock Star? It’s really about the cha-ching!

Rock Stars produce more than $300,000 in annual sales and are awarded certain incentives: usage of the American Express logo, advertising grants, immediate entrance to the Senior Track of Cruise Planners University, and let’s not forget admittance beyond the velvet rope to top-producer events. Rock Stars know travel and the business of cruising – more than 90 percent of Rock Star agents have traveled to the Caribbean, with the second top destination being Alaska followed by Europe. And accreditation is key. More than 60 percent of agents are CLIA accredited.

Other breakout sessions led by home office executives included:

What’s in your CP Bag of Tricks?

Selling River Cruises – Get Your Piece of this Hearty Pie!

AMEX Tools

Using your Website as a Marketing Tool

Today, Cruise Planners will convene its 2010 Convention with a Final Showdown presentation of awards and revelations on where next year’s event will be held! Then it is “Bon Voyage” as agents and execs sail aboard the Celebrity Eclipse to relax, unwind and reconnect.