Register for your conference - and don't even think about not going!

Spring and fall are conference months for most travel retail groups. 

I have always felt fortunate to have worked in the travel industry and to have the opportunity to attend meetings in different destinations abroad or at fabulous resorts across Canada.

I could never understand why everyone didn’t take advantage of them. This is an opportunity lost!

There are several excellent reasons you should always jump at the chance to attend your organization’s conference. First of all, it is an opportunity to meet your fellow agents and share best practices, forge friendships and develop contacts you will have throughout your career.

Secondly, there are tremendous professional development opportunities. Conferences are your opportunity to learn so many things. Your preferred suppliers will all be there to tell you the latest news about their products, promotions and offerings. There’s usually a keynote speaker or a motivational speaker…or perhaps a workshop session where you team up with other agents. This is your one-stop shopping opportunity to have a refresher on all your suppliers’ products and services – and be newly motivated for the year ahead.

Don’t you owe it to your clients to keep yourself current?

Another benefit is the opportunity to socialize with suppliers. You will develop professional relationships that can serve you – and therefore your clients – well in the future. If you’ve had breakfast or a glass of wine with a supplier, that supplier will be far more likely to support you.

And if your conference is held in a destination or on a ship, then you have the FAM trip aspect as well. This is your chance to explore the resort, the cruise ship and the destination in person. With fewer and fewer FAM opportunities for agents, can you afford to turn one down?

Conferences can be exhausting yes, but also invigorating and inspiring. A whirlwind of colleagues, management, workshops, seminars, presentations … and a whole lot of fun as well! Suppliers go all out to entertain you at these events. Theme nights, dinners on the beach, pub crawls – what other industry offers all this?

Don’t stay home!