From Avatar to Alice in Wonderland, Shrek to Psycho and Gladiator to Grease, agents and suppliers threw themselves into the ‘A Night at the Movies’ theme for last week’s Travel Weekly Northern Ball with the most brilliant of fancy dress costumes.
It was so great to see so many of you dressing up and letting your hair down for what has become the biggest event in the travel calendar for agents outside of London.
With Virgin Holidays sponsoring The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke to entertain guests, and with agents walking away with some incredible prizes, such as ClubWorld flights to the US or Mexico, Mediterranean holidays, luxury cruises, iPads and digital cameras, it really was some party.
You could argue that when times are tough, we should all be chained to our desks. But all the agents I met were so grateful to have been invited by suppliers that wholeheartedly appreciate the value they add to their businesses.
Suppliers know that hosting agents at events where they can meet face to face, thank them for the sales they have made and identify new agent partners, is money well spent.
Some of the best conversations happen at events like these. I overheard a group of agents saying they were going to switch-sell all their business to a particular supplier having met the sales reps who had explained the product fully and offered them a great commission and incentive deal.
Now that really is worth dressing up for!