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

I Get a Kick Out of You There comes a time in our career when we need to discover what business we are really in. Based on the ever increasing amount of information we try to absorb, it seems we have to move from one mindset to another in rapid succession. We need more product knowledge, more sales techniques, more ways to make social networking work, and an unlimited stream of advice and suggestions as to where we should spend our time. It seems that the key to success is based on switching directions faster than the rest of the travel agents we compete with. I beg to differ. In the campy musical Anything Goes, one of Cole Porter's most famous songs stops the show as the heroine finally 'gets it'. Reno Sweeny (who was recently portrayed brilliantly by my youngest daughter, Cassie – sorry, proud daddy moment) has had a full life of experiences trying to find what will excite and move her. Just like many travel agents, she jumps from thrill to thrill trying to find what will 'work'. So after trying many things she finally comes to the following conclusion: My story is much too sad to be told, But practically everything leaves me totally cold The only exception I know is the case When I'm out on a quiet spree Fighting vainly the old ennui And I suddenly turn and see Your fabulous face. I get no kick from champagne. Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all, So tell me why should it be true That I get a kick out of you? I get no kick in a plane, Flying too high with some guy in the sky Is my idea of nothing to do, Yet I get a kick out of you. Ms. Sweeney realizes her happiness will come from only one thing. It is the same for us. No new trend, no fancy sales technique, no astounding product enhancement nor promise of new avenues of marketing bonanzas should replace our complete focus and dedication to our clients. I am not suggesting we stop learning about our industry and the products in it but we need to always keep the focus on our clients. I must admit I had to go to the dictionary to look up 'ennui' to discover it is "a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety". Or in other words, too much same ole same ole! Now I will admit that in the travel industry, our ennui looks exciting and thrilling to most, which is part of the problem. If we had a boring and stagnant industry it would be easier to focus on our clients. However, to be the best, we need to realize that our only 'kick' should come from our clients. In today's world we may not even know what our client's face looks like so it is even more important for us to motivate ourselves to turn to them often (and just imagine their face is fabulous!). As a final note I cannot help but comment on the prophetic nature of the lyrics when speaking of air travel. Remember that this song was written in the 1930's, and it appears we have come full circle! Today we know that flying high still may not provide our clients a thrill. However, cruises, tours, resorts and destinations will usually deliver beyond their expectations. But no matter what they book we really want our clients to know that it is them that gives us a kick! Ultimately our relentless focus on our relationship with our clients should lead them to sing another song from Anything Goes about us: You're the top! You're the Coliseum. You're the top! You're the Louvre Museum. You're a melody from a symphony by Strauss… You're the top!
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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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Joel M. Abels • Rusty Pickett • Scott Koepf• Cruising • Airline • Europe • Hotels • Luxury Cruising • Paull Tickner • Mitchel J. Schlesinger • Sherry Laskin • Les-Lee Roland • Mary Brutscher • Sue Shapiro

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Host Travel Agenices • Cruises

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