WELL, according to comments from many of the disgruntled globe-trotting delegates, the Australian Convention appears to have been a washout literally.
I don’t think I would have gone as far as London to listen to some of the subjects covered – as you said the same old arguments about tour operators and airlines clashing. Why these long-haul exotic locations are chosen to host these events is a mystery.
The tour operators will always support them because they have the budget for them and I bet 75% of the agents who went combined the Convention with a holiday – the front-line agents who should benefit from these conventions will never be able to go to them unless they are closer, thus making them more cost effective.
However, if I had gone to the other end of the earth I would have been greatly disappointed with the subject matter. I am all for conferences if they are done correctly.
At the end of October we spent several days at the Midconsort Majorca conference. The subjects covered ranged from the Internet to, selling holiday extras, keeping your staff and customers etc – everything we learnt we have since utilised.
We networked with all the leading suppliers on how we can work better. The evening events were fantastic, and of course no jetlag. So keep these conventions closer so we can all share them.
Nick Bartholet
Sales manager
Airparade
Huddersfield