The Cruisitude™ Revolution Goes Social At Annual Cruise Planners Convention

Social media and networking are key themes at the upcoming event

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - November 13, 2012 - As Cruise Planners - American Express Travel's annual convention is just a couple weeks away, the company is putting the finishing touches on its plans for the Cruisitude™ Revolution, taking place at that Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida from November 28 – December 1, 2012.

This year's much-anticipated convention will feature an increased focus on the importance of social media and how agents can apply new technologies to increase sales with workshops on blogging and sessions such as "Mobile Me" and "Facebook 101" as well as presentations by Susan Black, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer at Travel Impressions and American Express Vacations, and Cruise Planners – American Express Travel's own Brian Shultz, Vice President of Technology.

"Our Home Office team has been working day and night to ensure this year's convention once again surpasses the expectations of our agents," said Vicky Garcia, executive vice president of sales and marketing. "We surveyed our travel advisors and realized that our most successful business owners are hard core networkers in life and in social media, so we decided to share success stories and bring in experts to help all our agents excel in these 'ever-changing' areas. They already have the travel savvy, and with our technology and marketing tools, coupled with learning best practices in Facebook, Twitter, blogs and other online tools, they are poised for great growth in 2013."

With the four day event sure to be filled with announcements and surprises for the nearly 500 agents in attendance, Cruise Planners – American Express Travel will be unveiling industry forecasts for 2013, new signature technology and marketing programs that differentiate this group of agents.

Keeping in line with the company's social responsibility program, CPCares, Cruise Planners – American Express Travel will be holding silent auctions and raffles during the convention as well as selling its notorious "green and bling" merchandise with proceeds benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, a cause CPCares has been supporting throughout 2012. There will also be a teddy bear and DVD drive for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. To be part of the conversation before and during convention, follow @CPMichelle, @VickyGarcia621 and @Cruisitude on Twitter and use the hashtag #CPConvention or connect with Cruise Planners – American Express Travel on Facebook.

About Cruise Planners - American Express Travel
Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Services Representative, is the largest homebased travel agent network in the cruise industry with more than 800 franchise owners across the country that independently book cruises and associated travel. Named No.1 Cruise Tour / Travel Agency by Entrepreneur magazine for the past nine years, Cruise Planners positions franchise owners for success by providing them with innovative marketing, booking and leadgenerating 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 winning 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 7 years in a row (2004 – 2011), Agency of the Year from American Express (2010), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007 – 2012), Norwegian Cruise Line Franchise Agency of the Year (2012) and Home-Based Agency of the Year (2010), Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year from Celebrity Cruises (2010), Globe Award from American Express Vacations (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 more information, please visit www.cruiseplanners.com.

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Media Contacts:
Holly Zawyer / Deserae del Campo
Cheryl Andrews Marketing
P: 305-444-4033 holly@cam-pr.com / deserae@cam-pr.com