Ensemble announces new member advisory council

As part of its commitment to enhance communication with members on an ongoing basis, Ensemble has announced the formation of its new Member Advisory Council.  

The group is comprised of a select group of members who will work together to provide insight and feedback on the consortium’s programming to facilitate refinements as well as to share best practices that can be applied to the entire Ensemble community.   

“We are very mindful that our members have gone through numerous changes over the past few years, including Ensemble’s acquisition last year,” stated David Harris, executive chairman of Ensemble who will also serve as Chairman of the Member Advisory Council.  “We also know that we have introduced many new programs in a relatively short period of time. And while members are excited about and have embraced these new offerings, we always want to ensure that we can take the pulse of how they are being received and if or where there are areas where we can refine them for maximum utilization and effectiveness.” 

The inaugural Member Advisory Council includes appointees from a cross section of members from large host agencies to individual agencies including: 

• James Ferrera – Co-founder and President, InteleTravel 
• Jeff Oestreich – President, Goldrush Getaways 
• Laurie Keith – President, Romantic Planet Vacations 
• Marie-Pier Guilmette – Owner, Inspirations Voyage 
• Nadiya Makarenko – Senior Vice President, Travel Edge Network 
• Rick Gaudet – President, Fareconnect Travel & Cruise Centre 
• Ross Spalding – President, Crown Cruise Vacations 
• Sanjay Goel – President, Cruise Connections 

“I am excited to be part of this group and look forward to meeting with my fellow members as we work together to ensure that Ensemble’s leadership and membership are always sharing insight, feedback and working to achieve our shared goals,” stated Jeff Oestrich, President of Goldrush Getaways. 

“If there is one thing that I think we’ve all learned to appreciate over the last few years is the value of being able to come together and focus on mutually shared objectives in order to move forward in a collaborative and productive way,” added Rick Gaudet, President, Fareconnect Travel & Cruise Centre. 

The group will have its first meeting later this month with plans to speak regularly and meet formally on a quarterly basis, Ensemble says. 

The launch of the Member Advisory Council follows on the heels of several programs and initiatives that have been introduced in the past several months.  

This includes Ensemble’s new hotel and marketing programs, new FAM program, new print and digital publications, new training program and new branding including a series of annual events. 

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.