Courier April/May Courier | Page 21

NTA WORKING FOR YOU

Let ’ s connect

Contact speakers focus on making meaningful connections in a digital world
One of the most popular components of Contact is its education program , which is tailored for a variety of roles in the packaged travel industry . A featured seminar topic at this popular NTA buyer retreat that relates to everyone — from a first-year sales director to a longtime company president — is creating and maintaining valuable relationships in today ’ s fast-paced , need-it-now environment .
“ Contact offers excellent speakers who challenge attendees with new information and techniques ,” says Misha Jovanovic , a San Diego-based tour operator and annual Contact goer . And Stephanie Dilling of British Columbia ’ s Wells Gray Tours
In Real Life : Connecting with People in a Gadget-crazed World
Thursday , April 19 , 3:15 – 4:15 p . m . Speaker : Thom Singer , The Conference Catalyst There ’ s more to creating business relationships than a like , link , share and follow . While popular social media tools can make it seem like we have countless friends and business associates , it ’ s real human engagement that leads to opportunity . This keynote session will bring your focus back to the basics on establishing connections that will lead to more success in business , sales and life . Make this event a human laboratory for connecting . says she “ comes back to the office refreshed and flowing with new ideas ” after attending NTA ’ s buyer retreat .
Perhaps no place can get the creative juices flowing quite like Charleston , the coastal gem of South Carolina ’ s Lowcountry . Join us there April 18 – 21 for Contact ’ 18 and learn a thing or two ; you can register today at NTAonline . com / contact .
Here are profiles of two of the educational sessions you can enjoy at Contact ’ 18 :
Public Relations in the Digital Age
Friday , April 20 , 8:30 – 9:30 a . m . Speakers : Gina Stouffer , Lou Hammond Group Melanie Mathos , Lou Hammond Group Join Gina and Melanie from Lou Hammond Group , a New York-based , award-winning marketing communications firm , as they talk about how the internet has changed the travel public relations industry . They ’ ll explore the traditional media landscape and discuss whether communication tools like press releases are still important , as well as outline the importance of working with bloggers and social media influencers . You ’ ll leave with tools for creating content that drives awareness and business .

Todd ’ s trifecta

Convention guru gives 3 tips to maximize your Travel Exchange experience
Todd Probus , NTA ’ s member solutions manager , is the authority on appointment scheduling and helping you make the most of your business meetings at Travel Exchange ’ 18 . With registration now open for our Nov . 4 – 8 event in Milwaukee , Todd provides three things you should do to take full advantage of your business potential in Brew City USA . Visit NTAonline . com / convention to register and learn more .
Register early

1 Having an earlier registration date is a key factor in helping you receive better-matched appointments . You can still get a quality schedule later — and pick up more appointments on-site with our open floor — but the date you register determines the order in which your schedule is created . Being at the front of the line positions you better to get the appointments you want .

Update your profile

2 Your NTA Online profile is what potential partners see when they ’ re determining who to add to their request list , so be sure that your profile is as accurate and informative as possible . Remember that you can add social media links , photos and a logo to your profile .

More is better

3 The more appointment requests you make , the higher the number of prescheduled appointments you ’ re likely to get . So try and make the maximum number of requests . For tour operators , the max is 40 DMOs and 80 suppliers , while DMOs and suppliers should request the 60 tour operator maximum .

Having an earlier registration date is a key factor in helping you receive bettermatched appointments .
What : Travel Exchange ’ 18 | Where : Milwaukee , Wisconsin | When : Nov . 4 – 8 Who : Tour operators , travel planners , tour suppliers , DMOs and associates Register : NTAonline . com / convention ; early-bird rates until June 12
NTAonline . com 17