TRAVEL INDUSTRY SALES
Key initiatives this month for the Travel Industry Sales team included successfully hosting the 16th annual California Cup exposing Greater Palm Springs to presidents, CEO and agency owners from several international markets.
Our first time attending the WestJet travel expo placed us front and center with a large collection of reservation staff across Western Canada. The CVB’s international offices conducted several beneficial meetings with key product managers while also training front-line staff.
The DER Campus Live conference in San Diego provided the CVB an opportunity to train almost 200 top-producing, German-based travel agents on Greater Palm Springs. Finally, it was wonderful to welcome our new China representative, Ophelia Yao, to the destination for a personal experience. Ophelia recently replaced Cherrie Yang as our key contact.
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TIS Activities & Programs
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Sales Activity Descriptions and Results
CVB Canada/WestJet Sales Mission | Canada
The CVB traveled to Canada and partnered with WestJet in their annual travel trade expos. The mission gave participating partners the chance to present their company's information to key reservation and product staff with WestJet Vacations. Expos were held in Vancouver, Langley, Edmonton, and Calgary. Total client reach: 612California Cup | United States
The CVB hosted the 16th annual California Cup, an invitation-only event attracting senior-level decision makers from the global travel trade. This year’s event included 57 clients from 8 key international markets, 45 California industry suppliers and representatives from Visit California’s headquarters in Sacramento, as well as offices in the UK, Germany, France and South Korea. The event also raised over $10,000 for local charity Desert Arc.GTM West | United States
The CVB met with 52 clients during GTM West, which is an elite appointment-only event that connects the most influential travel advisors in North America with global travel suppliers in face-to-face meetings and boardroom sessions. This boutique-style event provides a professional platform for the best sellers in the industry, encouraging them to expand their supplier portfolio and grow their global book of business. The CVB and Sands Hotel & Spa co-hosted an Oasis Lounge during registration. There were 63 advisors who took part in the Oasis Lounge, which featured chair massages, a signature cocktail and a character artist.TTG London-Luxury Training| United Kingdom
Our office in the UK attended the TTG Luxpo training day at The Langham to network with key travel trade individuals. Our office had one-to-one meetings with 31 travel agents.DER Touristik FAM | Germany
The CVB worked with our office in Germany and Lufthansa Airlines to host 26 top-selling travel agents from major offices throughout Germany. The FAM focused on outdoor adventure. Partner participation included Hyatt Palm Springs; The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage; Joshua Tree National Park; Joshua Tree Saloon; The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa; Ace Hotel & Swim Club; Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; and Palm Springs Windmill Tours.Travel Bulletin – Dorking | United Kingdom
The CVB office in the UK attended the Travel Bulletin Train & Gain day in Dorking. The event centered on connecting with the homeworker travel community. The event gave attendees an opportunity to increase their knowledge of Greater Palm Springs with 34 travel professionals in attendance.DER Campus Live FAM |Germany
Campus Live is an annual event conducted by Germany's largest tour operator, DER Touristik, to educate top German-based travel agents. San Diego hosted this year's event. The CVB co-sponsored a breakfast, which provided an opportunity to make a presentation to attendees. In addition, the CVB participated in the round-table educational day meetings, with 165 attendees conducting destination training.Club CA | China
Club California China is an interactive educational forum designed to motivate Chinese tour operators to develop California tour product. The forum includes featured destinations, and Greater Palm Springs was showcased in presentations to twelve top Wuhan, China–based tour operators.Ophelia Yao-Aviareps Site Visit | China
The CVB’s new representative from our office in China visited Greater Palm Springs prior to participating in IPW for destination training. Partner participation included Ace Hotel & Swim Club; The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage; Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tour & Events; Joshua Tree National Park; Pappy & Harriet's; and Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.Club CA | Australia
The CVB’s Australia office participated in the first Visit California Club California Australia. Two hundred front-line travel agents attended a destination update, followed by a screening of the newly released film Aladdin. The objective of the evening was to educate agents on the depth and diversity of the state and leverage excitement around a popular film release with a California tie-in.Irene Lee - Aviareps Korea Site Visit | Korea
Aviareps South Korea Managing Director Irene Lee visited Greater Palm Springs prior to participating in IPW to gain a deeper understanding of our destination. Partner participation included: La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST.Black Diamond Meetings and Trainings | United Kingdom
The CVB’s UK office had meetings and trainings with 91 agents for the month of May. Discussions included marketing opportunities and increasing their knowledge of the destination. Companies included American Sky, British Airways Holidays, Abercrombie & Kent, Hayes & Jarvis, Table Talk Media and Virgin HolidaysGate 7 Meetings and Trainings | Australia
The CVB’s office in Australia had meetings and trainings with 33 travel professionals. Companies included, Two Palms, Trip.com. Discussions included updates on the destination, marketing and possibility hosting a webinar for their agent portal in Australia.Aviareps Meetings and Trainings | China
The CVB's office in China met with 173 travel representatives from Brand USA Hangzhou training, Ctrip, and America International Services. Representatives consisted of wholesalers, OTA's, meeting planners and tailor-made tour operators. Discussions and training focused on outdoor activities, luxury hotels, and videos on GPS.MSI Meetings and Trainings | Germany
The CVB’s office in Germany had meetings with 14 managers from key accounts: America Unlimited, Canusa, Faszination Fernweh, CRD, Visit USA Germany, FTI, Knecht Reisen, Flamingo Fernreisen, Trans America Reisen and Holidaypirates.com. Discussions included marketing opportunities and updates on the destination.MNo Meetings and Trainings | France
The CVB’s office in France had trainings and meetings with 18 travel industry sales professionals. Our office focused family, luxury, and golf including outdoor adventure. Companies included Travelzoo, Visit USA France, Worldia, Le Cercle des Vacances, Lastminute.com, Macadam Spirit, Smile Angels, Travel Golf Prestige, Terres Lointaines and Sensations du Monde.
If you have any questions about Travel Industry Sales, please contact:
Gary Orfield, Director of Travel Industry Sales
gorfield@gpscvb.com | 760.969.1335
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