Cruise Planners Set Sail For the First Mid-Year Conference in New York City

CRUISE PLANNERS SETS SAIL FOR THE FIRST MID-YEAR CONFERENCE
IN NEW YORK CITY
The convention will culminate at the inaugural sailing of Norwegian Breakaway

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – April 22, 2013 – Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is gearing up for its first mid-year conference in New York City’s Times Square, May 7 and 8.

“We hit the road last fall to do regional meetings around the country, and realized there is so much going on in the industry and within our company that we decided we couldn’t wait until Fall for our next convention to get our advisors together,” said Cruise Planners CEO and Co-founder Michelle Fee.

More than 400 travel advisors are expected to attend the two-day conference at the Sheraton New York Times Square, which will focus on the power of the Cruise Planners brand and its substantial value to travel advisors.  Additionally, the company will release information on a myriad of marketing programs currently in the works to follow up on and support the recently launched smartphone app, Cruise Planners Mobile™.  Training sessions will provide in-depth knowledge of various destinations such as New Zealand, Ireland, Barbados, Hawaii, Tahiti, Taiwan, among others.  The land portion of the show will conclude with a trade show with more than 60 exhibitors including destinations, cruise lines, tour operators, hotels and tourism partners. Actor, director, and now renowned travel writer Andrew McCarthy is the confirmed guest speaker at the event.

To culminate the conference and celebrate the company’s recognition as Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2012 Franchise Partner of the Year for the second year in a row, Cruise Planners travel advisors will be among the first to set sail on the Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line’s much anticipated new cruise ship.

“With the May inaugural of the Norwegian Breakaway, the timing is perfect for a mid-year conference.  We want to ensure travel advisors are fully-equipped and educated with the inside scoop as it relates to the latest travel innovations in technology, industry trends, as well as top destinations,” continued Fee.

In true Cruise Planners style, the conference will be going social, online.  To be part of the conversation, follow @CPMichelle, @VickyGarcia621 and @Cruisitude on Twitter and use hashtags #CPSocial, #CPinNYC and #CruisePlanners or connect with Cruise Planners – American Express Travel on Facebook.

About Cruise Planners - American Express Travel
Named No.1 Cruise Tour / Travel Agency by Entrepreneur for the past ten years, Cruise Planners positions franchise owners for success by providing them with innovative marketing, booking and lead-generating tools as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry’s top executives.

Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line. Accolades include  a record nine Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly in 2012, Special Needs Group Accessible Travel Advocate Power Partners™ for 2012, American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award for eight years in a row (2004 – 2011), American Express Agency of the Year (2010), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007 – 2012), Royal Caribbean International President’s Award for Overall Achievement for 2012, Norwegian Cruise Line Franchise Agency of the Year (2011-2012) and Home-Based Agency of the Year (2010), Celebrity Cruises Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year (2010), American Express Vacations Globe Award (2008 – 2012), Globus Family of Brands Premier Agency Partner (2009- 2012), Platinum Circle Member with Viking River Cruises (2009-2012), and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer. For information, visit www.cruiseplanners.com.

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Media Contact:
Holly Zawyer / Veronica Villegas
Cheryl Andrews Marketing
P: 305-444-4033
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