Become a Home Based Travel Agent

There is no denying it, enthusiasm sells. While economic times are challenging, keeping that enthusiasm at high-octane is essential. It is a funny thing how we may not feel very enthusiastic one moment but as soon as we experience someone who is, we catch that virus and without even trying we spread it.

At the recent Travel Weekly Leisure World and Home Based Show and Conference, that “enthusiasm” virus spread like an epidemic! Experience and new agents alike, all shared the desire to learn and enjoy the process. The Enthusiasm Epidemic was alive and well. Travel professionals in Atlantic City were ready, willing and able to up their games. In fact, if a non-travel industry individual were to have experienced this upbeat mood, I suspect they might wonder what kind of kool aid we were all drinking. How in the world could our industry be so focused on creating a better business future for ourselves in the face of world terror threats, health epidemics, global warming weather challenges and of course the obvious trend of people bypassing agents and booking online? I say the last with tongue and cheek as all of you reading this now better then that.

There is simply no doubt in my mind that the travel professionals who attended the sessions and engaged in the tremendous learning opportunities at this event, will be successful in their travel business if they keep the enthusiasm virus alive and well. Regardless of what challenges we may face, do not “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as the popular TC show name suggests.

Certainly there are many struggling with money challenges, difficult customers, the need to have two jobs, low margins and an overall concern for the future. All the more reason to stay upbeat and pass on the “Enthusiasm Epidemic” to everyone in your life and forge ahead seeking out the areas of growth and prosperity that are out there. Put your enthusiasm to work for you and spread this disease to everyone you come in contact with and watch your business grow.

I hope to see many of you in Las Vegas at the Aria in February at the upcoming Leisure World & Home Based Show and Conference where we can share the “Enthusiasm Epidemic” together!

Please enjoy a special offer for our readers who register before November 30, 2010. Enter the code HBTA at the following link and register for only $50. REGISTER HERE!

Joanie Ogg CTC MCC
Joanie Ogg Marketing Group
Editor

Joanie Ogg is a thirty-five year veteran of the travel industry and has been involved with the independent contractor evolution since 1988. She is the principal of Joanie Ogg Marketing Group, which specializes in consulting and speaking on the topic of Home-Based Travel. She also provides marketing and sales for wide variety of products under the umbrella HomeBasedTravelAgent.com.

A demonstrated industry leader, Joanie most recently served as the President of the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) and TravelSellers. She and her husband Tom acquired NACTA in 1996 and sold it to The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) in 2000. Joanie’s tenure in the travel industry includes owning and operating one of the first successful host agency models. She has owned and operated several storefront travel agencies (both commercial and leisure), as well as a Hawaii wholesale tour company.

Her decades of success have garnered her numerous accolades over the years. Her accomplishments have been recognized by receipt of two Lifetime Achievement Awards from major trade groups, being named as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Travel” by Travel Agent magazine on several occasions, voted as “Travel Agent of the Year” by the readers of Travel Trade magazine, and has been recognized by many other industry organizations throughout her tenure in the industry. In 2008 Joanie Ogg was inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame, an honor held by some of the most influential executives in the travel industry.

Joanie is a Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) and a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). Joanie has co-authored two popular travel industry books for cruise specialists and home-based travel agents and has authored hundreds of travel trade articles. She has inspired tens of thousands of travel agents attending her presentations at trade events, cruise seminars, international trade gatherings and numerous local educational venues throughout the United States. With a time-honored background and forward-looking vision, she is often featured as a speaker at many of the travel industry’s major conferences and events. Joanie’s speaking talents are widely sought as a travel industry emcee by the most recognized travel organizations. She has emceed such events as Cruise-A-Thons, ASTA’s CruiseFest, The Trade Show, The Travel Institute Forum and all of NACTA’s National and International Conferences.


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