Ensemble Invites Members to ‘Think Big’ in Dallas

Ensemble travel agency owners, front-line counsellors and preferred partners will converge in Dallas this fall to attend the 2017 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference set for Oct. 16-20 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion.

Member survey results from last year’s annual meeting indicated 97% of respondents said that the 2016 Ensemble conference in San Diego delivered value for the money spent. A content-rich program, extensive learning opportunities, and non-stop networking were main factors for the high ratings. According to officials, attendees can expect even more opportunities this year in Dallas as a diverse agenda, based on the conference theme “Think Big,” explores industry trends, business practices, and Ensemble initiatives designed to help Ensemble members succeed in the business of travel.

“The survey findings and ongoing feedback tell us the return on investment for both members and suppliers is huge when attending the Ensemble conference,” said Lindsay Pearlman, co-president. “When you can totally immerse yourself into four days of intense education while interacting with business-changing influencers, and then top it off on closing night with a run of the house at AT&T stadium to launch Ensemble’s 50th anniversary, well the stakes are quite high for an A+ event.”

Pearlman and co-president Libbie Rice will kick off the four-day event with their state-of-the-organization address on the morning of Oct. 16.

New this year to the closed-door owner/manager session is the addition of Eben Peck, ASTA’s senior vice-president of government and public affairs, who will delve into the “state of our world” about the many issues impacting the business of travel from a political, economic and security perspective.

Continuing the popularity of last year’s Executive Exchange, Frank Del Rio, president of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, takes the hot seat in Dallas in a session moderated by industry veteran Jeff Drew.

Other highlights include:

  • Conference keynote speaker Ryan Estis, recently recognized as one of “the best keynote speakers ever heard” by Meetings & Conventions magazine.
  • Also taking the general session stage are Frederic Gonzalo, ranked among the most influential bloggers for marketing and social media in Canada in 2013 and 2014, on “How to Think Big Online With Digital Marketing”; Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises and one of the foremost experts on selling and marketing to discriminating travellers, on “The Era of Enrichment and the Affluent Traveller”; John Casey, director of corporate learning for 2logical, on corporate culture and developing peak performers in “Building Stronger Relationships With Your Team”; and Sam Richter on mastering prospects and customer intelligence in “Think Big (Sales) Online!”

Daily Supplier “Happy Hours” feature participating partners (at press time): Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Club Med, Viking Cruises, Delta Air Lines, Tourism New Zealand, TravCorp, Seabourn, ShoreTrips, Azamara Club Cruises, Allianz Global Assistance, and Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau.

In addition to the fanfare of the closing conference dinner at AT&T Stadium, evening events include a lively opening reception and Circle of Excellence gala and Make-A-Wish auction, which last year raised more than $150,000 for this worthy nonprofit organization.
Ensemble Travel Group members can register for conference via the Ensemble Extranet.

(http://www.joinensemble.com)