Steve Novello, All Discovery Cruising; Ian Patterson, MSC Yacht Club; Vanessa Lee, Cruise Strategies; Rick Lozano, Paul Gauguin Cruises; Tracy McSorley, Silversea & Dan Chappelle, Windstar Cruises
Tracey Green & Donna Bolton from Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Paul Gauguin Cruises' Rick Lozano & Flight Centre's Lystra Sam
Participants relaxing at the end of the day
It was a cold, dreary and rainy day in YVR, but that didn’t spoil the enthusiasm of suppliers and attendees at Cruise Strategies’ 2nd Annual Cruise Showcase held at the cosy Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. Throughout the day agents listened in rapt attention while 6 cruise brands took turns providing educational sessions on their products.
Conducting the training programs were luxury and niche brands represented by Cruise Strategies in Canada – All Discovery Cruising, MSC Yacht Club, Orion Expedition Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Silversea and Windstar Cruises.
Divided into groups of 15, each brand gave a 50 min. presentation ending in a Q&A session. Paul Gauguin’s Director of Sales – Northwest, Rick Lozano was amazed at the level of enthusiasm shown by the agents. So too was Steve Novello, President – North America of All Discovery Cruising who was impressed that agents were so fully engaged and eager to learn more about his product.
Despite having to pay $75 per person to attend the event, agents had nothing but praise for it. “We didn’t know what to expect when we came here today,” said Expedia CruiseShipCenter’s Tracey Green and Donna Bolton. “But we certainly received value for what we paid,” added Green. Other agents voiced similar opinions saying the sessions delivered the type of information that will help them sell each of the brands more confidently.
According to a very pleased Vanessa Lee, President of Cruise Strategies and the event’s organizer, it was a sold out event with 76 agents registered. The format of this showcase, explained Lee, allows the small cruise brands to provide agents the opportunity to learn about them in a more personal and upfront manner. “I believe that training is the key to success,” she said. As for familiarization trips, Cruise Strategies, on average, conducts one a year for each cruise brand. “Agents in attendance here will be high on that list,” said Lee.
As an added incentive, each cruise line offered attendees a $100 bonus on top of the usual commission for selling their product.
Last year’s Cruise Showcase was held in YTO. Lee says she does plan to organize the 3rd installment but the location is yet to be determined.
