ASTA Global Conference Challenges Attendees To Confront Change

Travel agents have been pivoting strategies and innovating services for as long as consumers have been seeking their expertise and counsel. At the ASTA Global Conference, agents are confronting the big issues of the day, and exploring how they can best position themselves for a successful future.

Featuring speakers like Samantha Brown, who built an enduring travel expert brand; pilot Sully Sullenberger, who relied on instinct and skill to save a plane full of travelers; and Arne Sorenson, the Marriott International president and CEO who is altering the lodging landscape, this ASTA conference delivers intriguing speakers, insightful panel discussions and opportunities for agents to educate themselves on the latest issues and trends.

At a time when travel agency use is growing fastest among Millennials,agents will have the opportunity to explore the latest ASTA travel consumer survey results, and consider options to tap into the spending power of the country’s largest generation. During todays’ session, “The Travel Agency Value Proposition: The Value of Using a Travel Consultant,” ASTA research director Kevin Wang will join a group of panelists to discuss the marketplace’s view of what travel agents offer.

In less than three months a new Department of Labor overtime rule goes into effect—and a session today features ASTA staff members and two prominent travel agency executives who will discuss the impact of the ruling and how agents should prepare for the Dec. 1 rule implementation. Panelists include Wendy Goodenow, president/owner at HNL Travel Associates, Roger Hale, president & CEO ADTRAV Travel Management, Eben Peck, ASTA senior vice president of Government Affairs, and Peter Lobasso, ASTA general counsel.

Given the global strife that has befallen cities and countries everywhere, the “Duty of Care” business education session will be another timely panel discussion, in which a panel of experts discusses best practices for travel agencies in today’s unpredictable world.

Mike Marchev, president and founder of HeadFirstSales, will lead a Tuesday morning marketing session called “Learning to Spot Profitable Opportunities.” Other conference business education sessions include insights into leveraging social media to build a brand and bookings, a review of alternate payment solutions and a look in to the future of travel in 2020.

On the center stage, noted travel author and journalist Peter Greenberg will lead a “Straight Talk” interview of Marriott’s Sorenson in a can’t-miss discussion, given the hotel chain’s merger with Starwood Hotels, its moves this year to offer direct discounts to consumers, and its recent partnership with Expedia to sell “Vacations by Marriott.”

On Wednesday, Sully Sullenberger will be speaking just weeks after the Clint Eastwood directed movie, “Sully,” has debuted across the U.S. Critics and aviation experts are already pointing out how the movie’s version of the accident investigation differs dramatically from actual events. Come to the session to hear the real truth straight from the hero pilot.

And of course, there will be plenty of off-site activities, networking events and entertainment. Have fun, learn a lot, and go home smarter and ready to sell some travel!