V.com sets sail for annual conference

The 17th International Conference & Trade Show from Vacation.com officially set sail yesterday aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas.

More than 1,200 travel agent members and industry partners are onboard, setting a new record as the largest travel industry event ever at sea and reflecting this year’s Conference theme "Think Bigger."

Throughout the event, attendees can take advantage of more than 100 hours of classes. Highlights will include technology training, focus on all aspects of social media, in-depth reviews of all Vacation.com programs and services including Agent Snapshot, supplier partner training, networking groups and Vacation.com’s trademark Power Speaker sessions throughout the week.

Noted industry speaker and author Mike Marchev will lead seminars and several brainstorming sessions. Members also have six different opportunities for hands-on training for Vacation.com programs and benefits through the Experience Room, which will feature Agent Snapshot, CruisePRO, Engagement, Cruise Space and more. 

Vacation.com’s International Conference consists of five general sessions featuring industry panels and special guests, including Bayley. Additionally, Randy Garfield – former president of Walt Disney Travel Company and EVP/Chief Sales Officer for Disney Destinations – will be featured delivering keynote addresses in two general sessions, as well as in a more intimate special “Fireside Chat.”  

As with all International Conferences, another highlight of this year’s event will be the Supplier Partner Trade Show, which will be held on April 29. 

Attendees will also receive a sneak peek of Vacation.com's revamped consumer website's new focal point, Agent Snapshot, an online tool enabling Vacation.com members and their agents to introduce themselves and their travel expertise to consumers, while also effectively fully optimizing the organization’s prolific domain name in a manner that provides potential growth opportunities for members’ individual businesses.