FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avoya Travel®, one of the world’s most innovative travel brands, today kicks off its 11th annual Avoya Conference with sold out attendance of Independent Agencies in the Avoya Network™, industry leaders, supplier partners, and support staff. Held in Long Beach, California, and onboard the highly anticipated Norwegian Bliss inaugural, Avoya’s program will celebrate record Network growth and new innovations in vacation planning that improve the consumer experience while accelerating best-ever Independent Agency sales.
The 2018 Avoya Conference will celebrate the Network’s incredible momentum, including another record double-digit sales growth year in 2017 as well as historic expansion with new Independent Agencies continuing to join the Avoya Network at record rates - from 2016 (January through April) to 2018 (January through April) new Independent Agencies affiliating with the Network are up 370 percent.
New performance-focused technology and marketing capabilities are helping drive 2018 sales to out-pace 2017’s record-setting year. As a result of the continued success, more Independent Agencies than ever before are to be honored at the conference as top producers for their agencies’ annual sales, with some reaching sales over $5 million. Avoya will also announce future technology and Network enhancements designed to further improve efficiencies and accelerate Independent Agency sales and incomes in 2018 and beyond.
New to the conference, Avoya introduced an optional Pre-Conference Academy on May 22, which invited Avoya’s Diamond level preferred supplier partners to join Independent Agencies for a day of exclusive networking and education. During the conference, all attendees will hear inspirational keynotes from industry leaders, including Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises; John Diulus, Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Norwegian Cruise Line; Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service at Royal Caribbean International; Brett Tollman, Chief Executive at The Travel Corporation; and many more.
Avoya has crafted a high-powered line-up of educational workshops, an exclusive tradeshow, and private networking events for Independent Agencies and supplier partners to connect, inspire, and learn together. Royal Caribbean International will host Caribbean Nights featuring entertainment from Symphony of the Seas with Mo5aic, and Carnival Corporation will welcome attendees to a preview soirée for its refurbished Long Beach Cruise Terminal followed by the Chairman’s Great Gatsby Gala onboard the Queen Mary.
“At the Avoya Travel Conference travel professionals, suppliers, and industry leaders come together for an extraordinary few days to network and collaborate on creating the future of vacation planning, and this year we’re thrilled to all celebrate the record sales and continuing growth of the Avoya Travel Network,” said Jeff Anderson, Executive Vice President, Avoya Travel. “We are also excited to incorporate the Norwegian Bliss inaugural into the conference program and to have the Avoya Travel Network to be among the first travel professionals in the industry to sail onboard this amazing new ship.”
The 2018 Avoya Conference is held May 23 – 25, at Hotel Maya in Long Beach, California, followed by the two-night Norwegian Bliss inaugural. To follow live conference updates, join the conversation on social media at #AvoyaConf2018.
To learn more about opening an Independent Agency in the Avoya Network, visit: www.JoinAvoya.com.
About Avoya Travel:
Avoya Travel is a family-owned company with a longstanding reputation for being one of the world’s most innovative marketing and travel technology companies. As an American Express Travel Representative for more than 30 years and one of their largest sellers of cruises and tours, Avoya is deeply committed to Integrity and Professionalism™, service, and value in every aspect of planning cruises and vacations. Through an elite network of independently owned and operated travel agencies, Avoya provides exclusive discounts, amenities, and first-class customer service to travelers worldwide. Cruise lines and travel partners recognize this, as Avoya has received numerous accolades, including being repeatedly named Travel Partner of the Year by Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruises, American Express, Oceania Cruises, MSC Cruises, and more. Today, Avoya is headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, with support offices throughout the United States.
Travel agency owners, travel professionals, and others interested in owning and operating their own travel business should contact Avoya Travel at 800-521-2597 or visit www.JoinAvoya.com. Travelers interested in booking their next vacation with Avoya Travel, should call 800-753-1463 or visit www.AvoyaTravel.com.