Aug 18, 2009
Expo Buzz Update
August 18, 2009
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Saturday Events You Don't Want to Miss
- Expo-- Did you Know?
- Expo Tip of the Week-- Choose Wisely!
- Get Noticed in the Faith-Based Market
- Exhibitors of the Week
- Be a Know-it-All at the Expo
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Get to the Expo early Saturday- So much to do!
Invitation from NTA: Saturday International Luncheon
Join us for NTA's International Luncheon, being held Saturday, Nov. 14 from 12:30-1:45 in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. In this luncheon, you'll dine with hundreds of tourism professionals while you learn more about international destinations such as Jordan and Mexico. Each sponsoring destination will deliver a destination presentation, designed with all travel packagers in mind and be exposed to great product development ideas for your clients. We have also confirmed, Her Excellency of Jordan, will be one of the destination presenters. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about these exciting destinations while networking with your peers.
Take Advantage and Sightsee!
After NTA's International Luncheon on Saturday (2pm-6pm), experience the Reno area and choose from one of five sightseeing tours! From historic Virginia City to the brand new Reno Aces AAA Ballpark, each four-hour tour is a great way to see the southwest area of Reno. The tours are offered on a first-received, first-registered basis, so sign up now! Deadline to register is October 14, 2009.
Tours start and end at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Tour #1 - Virginia City "Step back in Time"
The mining boom turned Virginia City into the most important settlement between Denver and San Francisco and the grubby prospectors were turned into instant millionaires - who built mansions, imported expensive furniture, food and fashions from Europe and the Orient, and ended up helping to finance the Civil War.
Tour #2 - Can You Believe it?
Start with Reno's newest venue-Reno Aces AAA ball park- walk through the dugouts and visit the Hall of Fame Club Suite where you get a birds eye view of the entire park and the Reno skyline! The next stop is to the National Automobile Museum, the Harrah Collection, where time, culture, beauty, history, human invention, ingenuity and frivolity merge to fascinate us in the form of cars.
Tour #3 - The Biggest Little City in the World
Explore downtown Reno, a city that started as a small river crossing but ended up as the "Biggest Little City." Before Las Vegas, Reno was a Mecca for movie stars and entertainers, beautiful architecture and famous restaurants. You will also get a glimpse of our small city as it undergoes a renaissance throughout the downtown corridor. Visit downtown spots, historic churches, bridges and hotels with us.
Tour #4 - Carson City- "A Stroll through the 1800's"
Take a walk back into the 1800's in Carson City, Nevada's capitol. Explore the Kit Carson Trail, the city's fabulous historic district. Come see all the sites, including the Governor's Mansion and the Capital Building, and hear the tales of our capital and its colorful residents!
Tour #5 - North Shore of Tahoe and Squaw Valley
Travel west with us to the beautiful North Short Lake Tahoe and see what all the fuss is about as you take in the views. Visit the Tahoe Maritime Museum, Squaw Valley (home to the 1960 Winter Olympics, and the Sierra Nevada Foothills (home to the oldest Zinfandel vines in the world). Enjoy the view - and the wine - on our tour.
Read the full descriptions of the tours
Sign up by October 14, 2009!
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Expo- Did you Know?
Expand your contacts and grow your business with the National Tour Association. As you know, WRTA and NTA are co-locating their conventions this year in Reno, however, did you know WRTA suppliers/wholesalers/destinations and WRTA buyers can access select NTA functions with the NTA add-on options?
$220 NTA Add-on: For Travel Wholesalers/Tour Operators who want appointments with Tour Suppliers at NTA. Subject to NTA approval.
$545 NTA Add-on: For Wholesalers/Suppliers/Destinations who want access to NTA Convention Mall and education. Does not include appointments with NTA Tour Operators. Subject to NTA approval.
$825 NTA Add-on: For Wholesalers/Suppliers/Destinations who want to have appointments with NTA Tour Operators. Subject to NTA approval.
About NTA
More about WRTA/NTA registration
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Expo Tip of the Week- Choose Wisely
With so many great educational breakout sessions to choose from, the decision may be tough! A great expo tip, for any educational conference, is to decide in advance which educational session you will get the most out of. Our Sunday morning educational sessions start of the conference with great topics! Which best suits your needs?
WRTA Educational Breakout Sessions
Sunday, November 15
9:15am-10:15am
Product Development for the faith market
Seminar 1 - How to build the right travel products and experiences for today's religious market
Seminar 2 - Fellowship vacations and events in North America: Tapping your backyard goldmine
Seminar 3 - Discover the top trends, destinations and opportunities in religious travel
See the full (preliminary) WRTA schedule of events and other educational session topics.
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Get Noticed in the Faith-Based Market
With Expo 2009 only 3 months away, we don't want you to miss your opportunity to stand-out in the faith based market. Here are three reasons to book exhibit space now:
Join your travel industry colleagues including ACA Travel & Tourism, CIE Tours International, Cyprus Tourism Organization, Ed-Ventures Worldwide Tours, German National Tourist Office, Globus Family of Brands, Greek National Tourism Organization, Idee Travel Services, Jordan Tourism Board, Krouse/Amsalem Travel, Leipzig Tourism and Marketing Company, Lifetree Adventures, Reno-Tahoe, Routes to Luther, The Shrine of Christ's Passion, Switzerland Tourism, Tauck World Discovery, Theatre Direct & Broadway.com/groups, Trafalgar Tours USA Inc, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Visit Britain and Visit Scotland. View the complete list of Expo 2009 Exhibitors. - New this year - exhibitors choose their own space. Booth selection has already started, so act quickly to get the best spot!
An anticipated 400 NTA tour operators will have access to the WRTA International - Tradeshow floor. This is your ticket to meeting more buyers!!
For more information about exhibiting, contact Kami Risk at WRTA.
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Exhibitors of the Week
Cyprus , an island in the Eastern Mediterranean with history that dates back 10,000 Years. A country exceptionally rich in monuments of the Byzantine period, many of them UNESCO World Heritage The arrival in Cyprus of the Apostles Paul, Barnabas and Mark in 45A.D. is one of the most important historical events to leave its mark on the island. Their visit is linked to the spread of Christianity. Come and trace the steps of Apostle Paul and Barnabas on our beautiful island. Cyprus is a year round destination with more than 360 days of sunshine.
http://www.visitcyprus.com/wps/portal
Ed-Ventures is a family owned and operated company specializing in worldwide tours with a purpose, and has been customizing tours for operators and travel agents for over 30 years. In recent years our focus has shifted to faith-based travel with a special emphasis on the Passion Play, Footsteps of Paul, the Holy Land and Egypt, and the Reformation era. We have also arranged travel and volunteer opportunities for mission groups in Central America and pilgrimages to Italy and other destinations.
www.ed-ventures.com
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Be a Know-it-All at Expo
Want some fast, fun facts about the World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference? Knowing as much as possible about the Expo before you get there will allow you to get the most out of it!
Official Expo website
Expo video
Discover the World of Faith Tourism video
Scott Keopf, NACTA President, named keynote speaker
Aug 17, 2009
New Webinar Released: Revenue Secrets From Faith Tourism Experts
WRTA's newest Webinar has just been released: Revenue Secrets from Faith Tourism Experts - How to Flourish in a Thriving New Market.
The Webinar also features highlights from the World Religious Travel Expo.
To view the Webinar, visit the homepage of http://www.WRTAexpo.com/
The Webinar also features highlights from the World Religious Travel Expo.
To view the Webinar, visit the homepage of http://www.WRTAexpo.com/
Aug 14, 2009
NACTA President, Scott Koepf, Keynote Speaker at World Religious Travel Expo
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 14, 2009) – The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has named NACTA President, Scott Koepf, as keynote speaker for the final day of the World Religious Travel Expo 2009.
“We are ecstatic about Scott Koepf serving as a keynote speaker at the World Religious Travel Expo,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “As a motivational speaker and sales trainer with two decades-plus experience in the travel industry, Scott is the ideal candidate for sharing with delegates how to make 2010 their best year ever.”
Koepf is recognized as one of the leading authorities and representatives of travel agents in the industry. With more than 25 years in retail travel, Scott became president of the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) in 2008. Prior to his current position, Scott was with Sabre Holdings as general manager of the Jurni Consortium, TMA and the host Travel agency, Nexion. He opened a cruise travel agency in 1985 and in 1989 became president of Cruise Holidays International. Scott was responsible for taking the franchise company from 12 franchises to over 120. In 1991 he returned to owning an agency, which quickly became one of the top cruise selling agencies in the country.
“I am thrilled to be a keynote speaker for the WRTA Expo in Reno,” said Scott Koepf, NACTA president. “First, as a graduate of the University of Nevada in Reno, the destination will serve as a memorable homecoming. Secondly, the conference theme Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever is perfect and I will dig into how you can make that happen—even in these remarkable times. I might even slip in a few never-before-told college stories to spice things up!”
With a special partnership between WRTA and NACTA, all NACTA travel agent members are eligible for a special $35 rate to attend the World Religious Travel Expo.
The Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to draw tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries.
A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association’s Convention, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.
For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, including registering for the special NACTA member travel agency rate, contact the World Religious Travel Association
“We are ecstatic about Scott Koepf serving as a keynote speaker at the World Religious Travel Expo,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “As a motivational speaker and sales trainer with two decades-plus experience in the travel industry, Scott is the ideal candidate for sharing with delegates how to make 2010 their best year ever.”
Koepf is recognized as one of the leading authorities and representatives of travel agents in the industry. With more than 25 years in retail travel, Scott became president of the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) in 2008. Prior to his current position, Scott was with Sabre Holdings as general manager of the Jurni Consortium, TMA and the host Travel agency, Nexion. He opened a cruise travel agency in 1985 and in 1989 became president of Cruise Holidays International. Scott was responsible for taking the franchise company from 12 franchises to over 120. In 1991 he returned to owning an agency, which quickly became one of the top cruise selling agencies in the country.
“I am thrilled to be a keynote speaker for the WRTA Expo in Reno,” said Scott Koepf, NACTA president. “First, as a graduate of the University of Nevada in Reno, the destination will serve as a memorable homecoming. Secondly, the conference theme Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever is perfect and I will dig into how you can make that happen—even in these remarkable times. I might even slip in a few never-before-told college stories to spice things up!”
With a special partnership between WRTA and NACTA, all NACTA travel agent members are eligible for a special $35 rate to attend the World Religious Travel Expo.
The Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to draw tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries.
A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association’s Convention, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.
For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, including registering for the special NACTA member travel agency rate, contact the World Religious Travel Association
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