ASTA and NACTA join forces for Cruisefest 2005

For the first time ever, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) are joining forces to bring travel agents the ASTA & NACTA's Cruisefest in Miami April 7-10, 2005. Under the theme, "More Than Just Cruises," the revamped show, sponsored by Travel Agent magazine, will focus on all aspects of the leisure travel market, including cruises, honeymoons, tours and all-inclusive resorts.

"We're in the height of the WAVE season and ASTA & NACTA's Cruisefest is a terrific opportunity to expand our knowledge about all the offerings from our cruise partners and to sell at this level all year round. Cruises continue to be one of the brightest stars on our horizon. As its capacity grows, it presents many more opportunities for travel agents to expand their businesses," said ASTA President and CEO Kathy Sudeikis, CTC.

"Once again our trade show format includes a second day in which we'll be holding supplier roundtables and giving agents the chance to hear from and talk to even more suppliers than they might otherwise," Sudeikis added. "And for agents looking to broaden their knowledge beyond the cruise industry, we are offering an exciting line-up of seminars on all aspects of the travel industry, some for which agents can earn up to 40 CLIA credits just by attending."

A first at this year's cruise show will be the debut of the Model Agent Program (MAP II). A follow-up course to the highly successful Model Agency Program, the program was designed for experienced travel agents or independent contractors who want to expand and benchmark their skills. 

"I think ASTA & NACTA's Cruisefest is a great chance for all travel agents, whether they are home-based or working in an agency setting, to enhance their knowledge of the cruise and leisure markets. With so many great seminars targeting all areas of the vacation market and so many wonderful ships to inspect, I hope that travel agents will come out and participate," said NACTA President Joanie Ogg, CTC, MCC.

ASTA, NACTA and CLIA agents who register before 1st March pay only $99 ($149 for non-members), colleagues who attend pay only $59 additional.

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