NEW YORK – New details have been released about the 2017 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference, set to take place from Oct. 16-20 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion in Dallas, TX.
This year’s event is based on the theme of ‘Think Big’ and will highlight Ensemble’s initiatives designed to help members grow their business. Co-Presidents Lindsay Pearlman and Libbie Rice will kick things off with a state-of-the-organization address.
New this year to the closed-door owner/manager session is the addition of Eben Peck, ASTA’s senior vice president of government & public affairs, who will discuss the many issues impacting 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. Ryan Estis, recently recognized as one of “the best keynote speakers ever heard” by ‘Meetings & Conventions magazine has been named as a keynote speaker, while Frederic Gonzalo, ranked among the most influential bloggers for marketing and social media in Canada in 2013 and 2014 will also take the general session stage.
Frontline travel specialists will boost their industry expertise through interactive sessions led by National Training Managers Kim Specht and Cathy Varraecchia, as well as Kathleen Passanisi, therapeutic humorist, medical professional and author.
Daily Supplier ‘Happy Hours’ feature participating partners: 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.
Conference attendees will also have plenty of opportunity to network with Ensemble’s preferred partners in prime-time events such as the Hotel & On Location Exchange and Trade Show; and Air, Car, Cruise, Destination, Insurance, Land/Tour, Rail, Specialty & Other Services Trade Show.
Before the official conference kickoff Monday, members can attend the Ensemble Cruise Hosting or Navigate trainings on Sunday, plus a variety of sessions Monday morning, including a new Ensemble Digital Marketing Series; a look into the big business of destination weddings; and a management session on creating organizational success.
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.
