Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - (Page 49) The Travel Society team, from left, back row: Dan Schibler, director of recruiting; Ken Luzietti, co-owner; and Randy Yaroch, co-owner. Front row: Charissa Deter, vice president of accounting; Alison Kinnear, vice president, business administration and development; and Joan Verdon, vice president of operations. go,” he says. “There are lots of people that call themselves host agencies now, but they aren’t talking about the same things we are. “I believe with a passion that we are still the leaders at providing elite travel professionals the best of both worlds. The Travel Society members maintain the freedom, flexibility and independence of agency ownership while using the buying power and resources of an international corporation. “We have the ability to cater to all kinds of business models. Whether an agency is all-corporate, all-leisure or everything in between, our focus remains the same. We want the agency to be successful.” Luzietti believes agencies choose the type of office setup that works best for them. Many work out of one of The Travel Society’s three Colorado “in-house” office locations. Others maintain independent storefront businesses or work remotely from home or the office of their choice. Regardless of their locale, he says, membership definitely has its advantages. “We’ve seen agents set up tours of the Sistine Chapel after visiting hours, [or] private dinners on the Eiffel Tower. One of our members even set up cooking lessons with an Italian countess and private wine tasting in Napa Valley. “Those things add up to big payoffs for our independent contractors.” But as Charissa Deter, vice president of accounting, is quick to point out, the only thing better than big payoffs are consistent, well-analyzed big payoffs. With accounting office employees that boast more than 12 years average experience in travel agency accounting, Deter says The Travel Society provides individual quarterly sales analysis reports and income statements, third-party reporting through iBank and all other accounting functions associated with a host agency. “We pay bi-weekly commissions promptly, with no more than two weeks turnaround time,” she says. “And when we need to, we can even assist agents in track- ing down difficult commissions. “Anyone who has ever had to do that knows what a time and money saver it can be to have qualified, persistent help.” Working Together In addition to the financial gains seen by members, Joan Verdon, vice president of operations, says The Travel Society has evolved in a unique way that gives members something almost unheard of in today’s business environment: community. “Agents network in the offices and on our electronic message boards,” she says. “They provide each other with backup coverage and serve as a source of business referrals for each other.” Verdon notes that although each independent contractor is an expert in their niche market, their clients eventually want to explore other markets. “What if an agent is a specialist in Europe and gets a call from a great client that suddenly decides to go to Africa?” Verdon asks. “At The Travel Society, that agent simply turns to a fellow agent with expertise in that region. Soon enough, the favor will be returned. I see it every day.” Yaroch agreed that the family environment at The Travel Society is unique. “It is a cooperative, rather than competitive, environment,” he says. “By working together and sharing the resources and institutional knowledge they have individually, they can each appear to their customers like experts on endless facets of world travel.” Yaroch notes that because The Travel Society is a 100-percent host agency and none of its employees sell travel services of any kind, it does not provide training to people entering the travel industry for the first time. Rather, the company seeks out agents with their own book of business, typically with at least five years of experience, who are looking to maximize their potential. “We offer programs to meet the needs of each individual business owner,” says Yaroch. “We’ve also attracted agents whose previous hosts have not supported their interest in business development programs, such as cruise or Aussie specialist certifications.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 50 February 16, 2009 TravelAgent | 49 AT A GLANCE The Travel Society 600 South Cherry Street, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80246 www.travelsociety.com 303-321-0900 2008 Sales: Approximately $85 million Number of agents: 120+ Affiliation: Virtuoso For more information on The Travel Society, home-based agents can contact Dan Schibler, director of recruiting, at 303-563-6258 or dans@travelsociety.com. Making Dollars and Sense “The simple truth is our agencies enjoy some of the highest commissions available in virtually every aspect of travel planning,” says Yaroch. “They also benefit from well-established, worldwide industry relationships and ample complimentary and discounted travel opportunities. And, unlike many of our competitors, our agencies are still free to select the suppliers with whom they do business. They are still free to establish and maintain their own direct relationships.” Travel Society agents also enjoy the benefits of the company’s membership in the distinguished Virtuoso organization. Less than 1 percent of the nation’s travel agents can claim this designation. “Through Virtuoso,” says Luzietti, “our independent contractors are able to offer amenities, experiences and access not available to the general public or even other travel agents. http://www.travelsociety.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 Contents Small Luxury Hotels of the World Launches Agent Portal Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down Agents Speak Out on MIMs Royal Hideaway Expanding Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating From the Editor From the Publisher Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Mexico Los Cabos Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda Cruises Weddings Cover Story: The Travel Society Business Operations Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task Technology Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn Editorial Index Agent Access In The Spotlight Advertising Index Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page 1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 29) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 30) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 31) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 32) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Los Cabos (Page 33) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 34) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 35) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 36) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 37) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 38) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 39) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 40) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 41) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 42) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 43) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 44) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 45) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 46) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 47) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 48) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 49) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 50) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 51) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 52) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 53) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 54) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 55) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 56) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 57) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 58) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 59) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 60) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 61) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 62) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn (Page 63) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 64) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 65) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 66) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 67) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 68) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 69) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 70) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 71) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 72) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover4)
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