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	Scott Koepf Vice President of Sales Avoya Travel/American Express www.JoinAvoya.com

I Count My Blessings Instead of Sheep As we come into the holiday season I will continue with musical theatre references. Although most of you will know the show from its movie predecessors "Holiday Inn" or "White Christmas", this one just recently made it to the stage. While I love the most famous song from "White Christmas", it is the lesser-known song crooned by Bing Crosby that I think we can really learn from. In these difficult times there are a few specific suggestions that can help you, but no skills or advice will help you if you are focused on the bad news all around us. This is not to ignore the realities of our world, but those who will be the most successful over the next year will focus on the positive, or in the words of the great Irving Berlin: When I'm worried and I can't sleep I count my blessings instead of sheep And I fall asleep counting my blessings When my bankroll is getting small I think of when I had none at all And I fall asleep counting my blessings Now is the time to not only count your blessings but to focus all your energies on them! The bankroll line is so true for most of us who have been through a few rough years financially! But just immerse yourself in the soothing velvet vocals of Bing Crosby and know that things could be worse. Your attitude is a choice and it is also contagious. Enthusiasm and optimism cannot be taught — only caught. Counting your blessings is not just to help you with your attitude, but it has a business rationale also. Your clients are also worried and have seen their bankrolls shrink, so they need to be encouraged to travel and spend their money. If you don't feel positive, you are going to have a hard time convincing anyone else to feel good enough to spend money. This is fundamental to anything else you do to increase sales in these tough times. So assuming you are counting your blessings every night here are two specific suggestions to focus on. First, determine who your top clients are and write down a specific communication program with them for the next year. You may hear this advice often and most everyone shakes his/her head in agreement. However the agents who will really excel will have written down every touch point and will hold themselves accountable to the planned schedule. To make sure you not only implement your plan but also track its results, now is the time to fully utilize a CRM system. The best systems will set up reminders and automate many aspects of a good plan. If you have ever thought about getting and using a CRM system, then do it now. I truly believe all serious travel agents need a system to track, maintain data, and record details about the only asset they have — their clients. The other thing I suggest for all agents is to set up at least two groups in the next 12 months. I don't mean promotional space, but a unique group package. Plan on hosting the groups yourself and make that a real selling point. Your 'exclusive' hosted trips may make all the difference in these difficult times. Travel fills an emotional need and given the increased fear to spend money, your clients need reassurance. You being the host is immediate validation that you believe in the product and also makes clients feel comfortable that someone they know will be going with them. Also, groups tend to grow based on word of mouth — so set up these unique vacations to take advantage of peer pressure! I do hope you will be counting your blessings and watch your bankroll grow in the future!
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Auto

Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
You Leave For Europe (part 3)

April 19, 2012: Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the final set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived back from your trip. (continue)

Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
You Leave For Europe (part 2)

Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the second set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived at the car rental location. (continue)

Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before

You Leave For Europe

Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is compiling a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below are the first suggestions on being prepared before you rent a car. (continue)

Auto Europe: New mandatory ruling for automobiles in France

Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is prepared to service their clients with the new ruling in France requiring mandatory breathalyzers in all passenger vehicles. (continue)

Host Agencies

Amadeus and Expedia sign multi-year agreement in North America

MADRID, April 19, 2012 – Amadeus, a leading travel technology provider and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, and Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world's largest online travel company, today announced they have signed a multi-year content and technology agreement for North America. (continue)

Sales Tip #11:

Build Your Professional Brand
Create a Lasting Impression
with These 3 Tips

One of the best ways to maintain a customer database full of people who want to hear from you, book with you and send referrals to you is to build a strong and professional brand. Each travel agent has their own personal brand, and it's important to make sure that you take advantage of yours!: (continue)

Travelsavers And Network Of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (Nest)
Introduce New Customer Loyalty Program

April 2012: Travel Club, a new complimentary customer loyalty program for clients of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST travel professionals has just launched. The benefits of the program are two fold: (continue)

American Marketing Group

Launches Family Lifestyle Campaign

April 2012: American Marketing Group continues to expand upon its award-winning lifestyle direct mail program with a new family-themed campaign, available to licensed travel professionals of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST (continue)

Steven Thompson, CEO
Of Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Will Address "Well-Being And Medical Travel Conference"

March 28, 2012 (Oyster Bay, NY) – It was announced today that Steven J. Thompson, MBA, Chief Executive Officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine International, will address the constituents at the "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (wellbeingtravelconference). (continue)

Patient Travelers Give Candid Recaps at "Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"

A specially assembled panel of patient travelers will candidly discuss their experiences in traveling abroad for medical and dental procedures at the upcoming "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (continue)

Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic Host
The Sales and Service Team of American Marketing Group's

Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic recently hosted American Marketing Group's sales and service team on a four day FAM in London. The whirlwind tour of the world-class city incorporated all of the most renowned sites. (continue)

"Best of the Best Globe Award"

Avoya Travel™/American Express® has been awarded an American Express Vacations 2011 'Best of the Best Globe Award'... (continue)

"Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012" GIVEAWAY

Any one who registers by April 15 will be entered to win an ultra-pampering personal spa package at the Centre for Well-Being at the 5-star Phoenician luxury resort. A $300 value, the prize-winning package includes a choice of two 50-minute spa services...(continue)

20% Growth for ExpediaCruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters has entered its 25th year in business in good stride with 2011 sales figures showing a remarkable 20% growth over the previous year! (continue)

"Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"

The "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012" -- which will take place on June 20-21, 2012 at The Phoenician luxury resort in Scottsdale, Arizona... (continue)

Sandals honored Avoya Travel/ American Express

'Best of the Best, Western' for the company's dedication to outstanding customer service and creating exceptional vacation experiences for Sandals Resorts' guests. (continue)

NCL Honors Avoya Travel With Top Travel Award

Avoya Travel™/American Express®, one of the leading travel companies in North America and beyond, today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line has presented the company with its 2011 'Home-Based Agency of the Year' award. (continue)

OASIS Reports Record
Growth in 2011

OASIS, www.OasisAgent.com, a leader in the development of programs for home based independent travel agents, reports another year of record growth. (continue)

TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services &
Analog Analytics Team Up to Provide

TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services, a new American Marketing Group company, has won the account as the exclusive travel provider for Analog Analytics' Bigger Better Deal™ solution. (continue)

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This website is dedicated to the memory of Joel M. Abels
"HE CREATED A VOICE, NOT JUST AN ECHO"