For Immediate Release
Contact: Holly Botsford
Public Relations Manager
414.934.1286, hbotsford@marktravel.com
Relationship Managers" Fan out across the Nation from
The Mark Travel Corporation Ready to Help Agents Succeed
MILWAUKEE, Jan. 24, 2005 - Nearly 50 members of the marketing force (dubbed 'relationship managers') for The Mark Travel Corporation spent this week in Milwaukee as part of a first-ever business development manager conference for the company. The conference, "Representing The Mark Travel Corporation in the Marketplace," took place Jan. 17-19, 2005 and brought together employees from across the nation to Mark Travel's headquarters in Milwaukee.
"Our greatest asset is our people and we need to give them the tools they need to succeed so that they can, in turn, help our travel agents be more successful in growing their business with us," said Bill La Macchia, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of The Mark Travel Corporation. "This conference was a way for us to learn from each other -- what is working and what we can improve -- to better meet the marketing needs of travel agents."
The three-day conference focused on success skills for the future including relationship building, communication tactics and presentation skills in interactive learning sessions. Conference goers participated in role-playing sessions and even "an amazing race" to polish their skills and better understand the needs of agents.
Session topics included the latest market research and trend analysis conducted by market intelligence department of The Mark Travel Corporation; tips for polishing presentation skills; overviews on all of Mark Travel's vacation companies; and a technology session highlighting the features and benefits of the new dynamic VAX VacationAccess. In addition, attendees heard motivational presentations from two successful area business leaders who talked about building strong relationships as the key to increasing sales.
"I am thrilled to be here with my colleagues, learning and engaging in activities to help improve me and my team," said Terry Linex, vice president of sales in Texas for Funjet Vacations. "The opportunities travel agents have through Mark Travel are endless. We are excited to get back out on calls and use the new knowledge we have to work with our agents."
"The education we received on the resources we have now and the snapshots of what we will have in the future is amazing," said Rich Basen, general manager of Southwest Airlines Vacations. "We are truly equipped and excited to help agents by continuing to put them first."
La Macchia added that the relationship managers are now also armed with a broader understanding of all of the products and services offered by The Mark Travel Corporation's 15 leading vacation companies. "Relationship managers can now help educate agents on the benefits of selling from multiple Mark Travel brands - enabling them to better meet the varying needs of their clients by booking with a family of companies they know and trust," said La Macchia.
La Macchia concluded by saying this is the first of many educational conferences The Mark Travel Corporation plans to host for its front-line relationship managers.
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Editor's note: An electronic image (jpeg) of a photo of the entire group is available. Please contact me
The Mark Travel Corporation is headquartered in Milwaukee. Founded in 1974, the company employs more than 1,600 individuals in 15 offices worldwide. The vacation companies of The Mark Travel Corporation include ATA Vacations, Blue Sky Tours, Funjet Vacations, Mark International, MGM MIRAGE Vacations, Midwest Airlines Vacations, Mountain Vacations, Showtime Tours, Southwest Airlines Vacations, TransGlobal Vacations, Travel Charter, United Vacations, US Airways Vacations, Vacations by Adventure Tours and lasvegasandmore.com. Mark Travel is a member of USTOA and ASTATOPS
