NEST Adds Independent Contractor Option Called NEST Plus

The Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) today announced that it was adding a new option for independent contracts (ICs) called NEST Plus, built to serve a growing number of ICs who want to work in a fully-hosted environment.

NEST Plus is designed for those advisors who want “the financial choice for their business coupled with NEST’s rich mix of marketing, back-end technology, supplier partnerships and other services we offer,” NEST president Kathryn Mazza-Burney said in a statement announcing the news.

NEST, for its part, was started 17 years ago and has since grown as the advisor community has increasingly shifted to being home-based. Now, Mazza-Burney and the NEST team are expanding their offerings to “serve a growing segment of unbound travel advisors with our suite of personalized services,” she said.

The new division will be led by Cece Drummond, a longtime industry veteran who previously served as the director of marketing and national account sales at Travel Bound and as former managing director of destinations and experiences at Virtuoso.

“I’m thrilled to join at such an exciting time with the launch of NEST Plus and to be part of the venerated team,” said Drummond.  “I have always admired their hands-on approach, strategic insight, and the company’s warm, family culture.”

“We are thrilled to have Cece join the NEST family as we expand and continue to innovate and deliver new opportunities for our highly qualified and top-producing at-home advisors,” said Mazza-Burney.  “With her unique skillset, Cece will be instrumental in helping our partners harness the pent-up demand of leisure travelers through this new host agency option.”

All potential members will have to meet certain criteria, including being home-based, independently owned and operated, and having a “demonstrable book of business.”

NEST and Travel Market Report are owned by the same parent company, American Marketing Group.