“We’re committed to you, and to driving business to your front door,” says Errol Francis, President and COO of Conquest Vacations
Charmaine Pang
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| Hilda Vitor, Muriel Pereira, Theodora Dias, Polly Dias, Delphine Francis, wife of Errol Francis, Denis Pereira | | Yesterday afternoon, Conquest Vacations gave 1,000 travel agents “Freedom to Travel” at their 2007 trade show and product launch in Toronto. The event took place at the DoubleTree International Plaza by the Toronto airport.
The trade show featured 84 exhibitors, including hotels, destination marketing organizations, CVBs, tourist boards, car rental companies, and more.
At the evening presentation, Conquest representatives highlighted new products, agent incentives and contests to get agents excited about the upcoming year.
First-ever national brochure, real-time pricing
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| Brent Carnegie, VP Sales & Distribution | | Brent Carnegie, VP of Sales & Distribution at Conquest, announced that this is the first year Conquest is offering a national brochure featuring all gateways. This is also the first year Las Vegas will be included in the national brochure, instead of a separate one. This is the first time that real-time pricing has been incorporated in the brochure, so agents can get up-to-date, accurate prices.
New commission structure
“You asked, we delivered. We are returning to gross commissionable pricing, to create a level playing field. From November 1 onwards, we will offer a new commission structure and all advertising will reflect the full commissionable price,” said Carnegie.
“Vacation Access” dynamic booking engine launched
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| Errol Francis, President and COO, Conquest Vacations | | Errol Francis, President and COO of Conquest, commented on how the Internet has changed consumers’ travel-buying habits. Customers are more demanding, and they want choice, flexibility and the best prices.
To address changing consumer needs, Conquest has launched “Vacation Access,” a new dynamic booking engine which allows more flexibility and choice than traditional ITC bookings. Agents can truly mix and match flights, destinations, hotels, car rentals, tours and attractions.
Conquest has launched the “Vacation Access” engine exclusively with Las Vegas product. Soon, Florida, Arizona, California and Hawaii will be added. Eventually, the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central America and Europe will also be available.
Vacation Access incentive
Agents who register with Vacation Access can earn ‘Access Cash’ when booking passengers. Each agent will earn $25 per passenger booked between August 14 – September 16, 2007. For more information, visit vaxvacationaccess.ca to sign up and register.
Viva Las Vegas!
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| Victor Fernandez, Las Vegas CVA | | Victor Fernandez from the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority talked about one of the hottest tourist destinations in recent memory. In 2006, Las Vegas saw over 38 million visit its desert playground. Vegas is no longer just a gambling destination – it’s a place for entertainment, fine dining, and amazing shopping. More and more Canadians are discovering Las Vegas all over again. Fernandez also announced the opening of the Las Vegas CVA’s Canadian office, represented by the team at VoX Communications.
Mazda “Key to Freedom” contest is back!
This year, one of the biggest industry giveaways in history is back. Conquest has once again teamed up with Mazda to allow agents (and clients) to win a 2008 Mazda 3 automobile. Book your clients with Conquest from August 13, 2007 until February 28, 2008 for departures up to April 30, 2008, and you could win one of six cars. Clients will also get a chance to win one of two Mazda 3 automobiles as well.
For every adult passenger booked, an agent gets 1 point. For every 20 points, they will receive a ballot towards a new car. There is no limit to the number of ballots an agent can enter.
Each month, Conquest will be featuring a different sponsor, and when a holiday is booked with that sponsor, agents will receive one ballot per passenger. For other destinations or products, agents will receive one ballot for every 20 passengers booked.
Conquest is committed to agents
Errol Francis ended the evening with a statement of purpose, saying to agents, “One fundamental we adhere to is remaining a tour operator in the wholesale business. We’re committed to you, to drive business and customers to your front door. Our fall ad campaigns are bigger than ever. We believe this will be an exciting year for all of us and thank you for your support.”
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| Conquest staff greeted everyone at the entrance to the trade show | |
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| Kathryn Riddell and Sandra Calcano from Conquest | |
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| Allan Ramsarran and Agnes Kwiecien from Skyservice | |
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| Ken Gibson at the St. Petersburg and Clearwater booth | |
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Lili Derousie, International Tourism Coordinator, South Padre Island CVB | |
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Norina Gomez, Commercial Manager, Dominican Republic; Carlo Salcedo, Service Manager, hotelbeds | |
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Clemen del Tejo, Promotion Manager USA & Canada, Gabriela Veruzco C., Promotion & Marketing Coordinator, Riviera Maya Tourism Board | |
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| Maria Guadalupe Anguiano Rodriguez, Sales Manager, Tukan Hotels | |
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Layla Macias, E-Business Manager, Cancun CVB | |
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| Hortensia Garcia, E-Commerce Manager, Valentin Maya Resort | |
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Paula Munoz, Sales Manager, Oasis Hotels & Resorts | |
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| Carlos Canino, Sales Executive, Excellence Group Luxury Resorts | |
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Jorge Espejo, Sales Coordinator, LTI-Beach Resort Punta Cana Golf & Spa | |
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Rick McCauley, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing, Canada and Fiona M. Taylor, Director of Sales & Marketing, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts | |
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| Eric Rodriguez, Director of Sales, North America, Princess Hotels & Resorts | |
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Rodion Abon, General Manager, Hotel Playa Costa Verde | |
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Edanny Gomez Fernandez, Sales Manager and Milagros Romero Seijas, Reservations, Sandals Royal Hicacos Resort & Spa | |
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Bineeta Ram, Account Executive, Park’N Fly Toronto | |
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Francesca Lombardo, Sales & Marketing Manager, Caribbean & Latinoamerica, Sirenis Hotels & Resorts | |
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Brenda Bradley, Sales, Weddings & Groups, Cuba Division, Sol Melia | |
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Melita Franc, Sales Manager Cuba, Hotetur | |
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| Omar Cisneros Fuentes, Sales Manager America and Mays Garcia Caceres, Sales Executive, Cubanacan | |
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| Hilda Vitor, Muriel Pereira, Theodora Dias, Polly Dias, Delphine Francis, wife of Errol Francis, Denis Pereira | |
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Carla Fisher, Nevada Tourism Commission | |
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Janne Janke, Uniglobe Discover Waterloo, at far left, won a one-week stay at Oasis Viva, Cancun. Jeff Thomas and Carla Brake from Conquest drew her name. | |
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Hazel Downes, Joanne Thomas, Cheryl Dore, The Professional Travel Place | |
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Joanie Triggs, Manager/Owner; Marilyn Stewart; Rose Scala; Margit Mascella, Commodore Travel | |
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Carlos Zambrano, Director, Cuba Tourist Board – Canada, with a Cuban cigar maker and Karen Puebla, Executive Assistant, Cuba Tourist Board | |
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| Steven R. Johnson, Senior Regional Marketing Manager and Paul A. Strachan, National Director, Canada, Bahamas Tourist Office | |
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| Brent Carnegie, VP Sales & Distribution, Conquest Vacations | |
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Front Row: Jacqueline Ziorjen, K. Walsh & Associates; Penny Obee, K. Walsh & Associates; Helga Omstead, Migrations Travel & Cruise Centre; Dana Omstead, Migrations Travel & Cruise Centre; Shelby Smith, Migrations Travel & Cruise Centre. Back Row: Colleen Bulla, K. Walsh & Associates; Ian Proctor and Florence Lake from Migrations Travel & Cruise Centre | |
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| Front Row: Cecile Royer, Travel Source Network; Liz Silva, Carlson Marketing; Georgia Couvavas, Carlson Marketing. Back Row: Marion Primeau, Janet, Carolyn, Jeff Sheshewabic, all from K. Walsh & Associates | |
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| Errol Francis, President and COO, Conquest Vacations | |
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| Brent Carnegie, VP Sales & Distribution, Conquest Vacations | |
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Victor Fernandez, Las Vegas CVB | |
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The night’s entertainment was provided by John Ford Coley and Terry Sylvester | |
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| The night’s entertainment was provided by John Ford Coley and Terry Sylvester | |
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Lillian Ward, Creative Services Manager at Conquest and designer of the winter brochure | |
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Melissa McFarlane, Executive Director, Sales & Service, Contac Services; Lillian Ward, Creative Services Manager, Conquest Vacations | |
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Phil Sproul, Senior VP; Deusana Benvioles; Maria Cornelio and Melissa McFarlane, Executive Director, Sales & Service, all from Contac Services | |
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Irving Goldberg, the father of Conquest owner Robbie Goldberg, celebrated his 89th birthday and was presented with a cake. | |
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| Mr. and Mrs. Irving Goldberg celebrating his 89th birthday | |
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| Agents enjoying the music last night | |
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| Agents from Peerless Travel and YYZ Travel Group | |
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| Haya Miron, Naomi Schwarzberg, Dolly Sandler from Peerless Travel | |
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Ken Gibson, St. Petersburg & Clearwater | |
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Brian Pereira, Reservations Manager and Mary Khan, Supervisor, Refunds/Commissions, Conquest Vacations | |
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A showgirl in the Las Vegas section of the trade show | |
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Todd L. Kirlik, Canadian Director, Sales & Marketing, Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts | |
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Iliana Rodriguez, PR Manager, Xcaret! Mexico | |
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Sobeida Feliz, Sales Director, Blau Hotels & Resorts | |
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Ivar Hottentot, Leisure Sales Manager – International, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino | |
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| Denise Soares and Anita Medeiros, Full Circle Travel | |
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