CCRA Hosted a Webinar on How to Increase Your IHG Expertise top

We hope you learned everything you needed to about IHG's brands, amenities, and client services. If you missed the presentation, click here to view the PowerPoint.

Congratulations to our 7 winners who will receive 10,000 Priority Club Rewards points. Isabel Ferreira will be contacting you with more information on how to collect your prize.

Remember to be Fun to do Business With and Boost Your Clientele top
By Bill Todd

Being known as “fun to do business with” is the single most powerful, yet least understood, competitive advantage available in the travel industry today.

Gain the Competitive Advantage

Tom Peters, America’s foremost business guru, states that 70% of all consumers would switch suppliers today if they could find one that was more fun to do business with. Being fun to do business with provides you with a distinct competitive advantage over your direct competitors.

Why? All things being equal, most people will choose to deal with someone who is fun to do business with over anyone else. All things not being equal, people would still rather deal with someone who is fun to do business with.

Shift Market Share

Just look at the annual load factors of Southwest Airlines. Let's face it, Southwest is not exactly an uncomplicated airline for travelers. They make their passengers stand in one line after another. They offer no aisle or window seat assignments, provide no lounges and extend no upgrades to their most frequent travelers. What makes them successful is that they are fun to fly with. Over the last two decades, no airline can rival the outstanding financial results of Southwest.

Southwest enjoys a customer recommendation rating double the industry average and nearly seven times higher than that of United Airlines. So how do they do it? Southwest has a philosophy of first employing fun, talented people; they aim their recruiting ads to the whimsical, unconventional, and even the zany, to attract potential employees.

Jay Conrad Levinson, author of “Guerrilla Marketing For Free,” says, “Southwest’s marketing doesn’t work because it sells cheap flights and destinations. It works because it helps people realize the fun of flying Southwest.”

The best seller, “The Seven Deadly Skills of Competing,” states that, “If you can make your customers laugh, and excite them with your vision of what travel can be, they are not going to walk into your doors, but run into them.  Making fun an important part of your corporate culture will trigger relentless innovation by your staff and rapidly increase your word of mouth advertising.”

Travel is too often perceived as something that must be endured. If you can mix fun and entertainment into your existing customer’s experience, your competition’s clients will soon hear about it. You will quickly shift market share, increase sales and drive profits.

Marvin Martinez, a bellman and front desk agent at the San Antonio River Walk Marriott, says, “We all bring out smiles in our own special way. Me, I’m a performer. Every day I’m on stage in front of my biggest fans, my guests. When I walk into the lobby, I’m on! I’m an aggressive hospitality animal.”

Boost Retention

According to Roshan Thiran, CEO of Leaderonomics, Fun is a critical element in employee retention; a fun workplace is a cure for employee turnover.

A recent survey of employees showed that humor displayed by their manager increases their loyalty (retention) and productivity. Google, with its fun workplace, retains about 95% of their employees.

“When people are having fun, they’re working harder, focused on your organization, and are able to maintain their composure in a crisis. If your organization is ready to catapult into the next level of business success, fun may just be your catalyst.” 

Bill Todd is one of the travel industry’s most sought-after sales and marketing speakers and coaches. He is the co-author of the new book Speaking of Success which also features best-selling authors Stephen R. Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People), Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager) and Jack Canfield (The Secret and Chicken Soup for the Soul). Todd has served as vice president of sales and industry marketing for the 5000+ franchises and seven global brands of Choice Hotels International, and was vice president of sales and marketing for Marriott International’s Corporate Lodging Division. BTodd@BTodd.com | www.BTodd.com | 301.633.5856

Now is the Time to Boost Your Home-Based Travel Agency top
By Karen Miller

With the economy in flux and companies laying off employees, it is time to declare your independence as a small business owner and get the ability to tap into millions of dollars of federal contracts. In this article learn how to complete the SBA 8a application successfully without paying someone thousands of dollars to fill out a handful of forms. I did it and my company is SBA 8a certified. You can do it too, especially if you’re trying to start a home-based travel agency.

If you are a small business (travel agency) owner, you may have wondered how to increase your market share. One strategy is by becoming certified by the federal government as an SBA 8a company qualified to bid on large contracts. This program helps small business owners get organized to compete on contracts as a prime or subcontractor.

While most of us think of a small business as a "mom and pop" with a manager and just a few employees, the federal government has a different definition of small business. While the numbers may vary slightly due to industry, the federal government recognizes small businesses as those with less than 500 employees and a gross revenue (in the computer programming field for example), less than $23 million in three consecutive years. Now that is a BIG small business!

The ability to apply for and receive SBA 8(a) certification is attainable within a very short time. We are talking weeks.

Many small business owners want to get certified, but might be intimidated by the thought of filling out reams of paperwork. In reality, if you were to apply for the certification the application process takes about two hours, if you are registered in about five key databases, you have gathered all of the necessary backup paperwork (tax forms, incorporation documents, other relevant documents) and you meet the minimum standards of program qualification.

All of the information you need is online, but there is one issue. The SBA website is so large it is difficult to find the application quickly. And more importantly, determine the order in which you must complete the registrations to efficiently navigate the application process.

There are companies that prey upon small business owners and charge outrageous fees to complete government forms. I have received information from companies that attempt to scare business owners into thinking they cannot apply on their own or they will not get accepted unless they use Company X. That is hogwash! No company can guarantee your acceptance into the SBA 8(a) program. And more importantly, this is not a complicated application process.

If you are serious about taking your travel agency business to the next level, it is time to investigate how to get SBA 8(a) certified.

Article Source:
http://www.bestmanagementarticles.com
http://small-business-management.bestmanagementarticles.com
About the Author:
Karen Miller, President of Design2Train has created a free report to help small business owners learn more about the SBA 8a application process. Visit Form 1010 Narrative

Consumer Confidence is Up in May top

According to the most recent survey of The Conference Board (survey), consumer confidence which had increased significantly in April posted another large gain in May. In fact, the index level is now at its highest in the past eight months.

Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Sonsumer Research Center, “…Looking ahead, consumers are considerably less pessimistic than they were earlier this year, and expectations are that business conditions, the labor market and incomes will improve in the coming months. While confidence is still weak by historical standards, as far as consumers are concerned, the worst is now behind us."

How does consumer confidence impact the economy?

Kimberly Amadeo, Publisher of WorldMoneyWatch.com, the international news guide for the individual investor, offers this explanation (definition), “Consumer confidence is important to the economy because consumer spending drives 70% of economic growth. If consumers are uncertain about the economy, they will buy less, and the economy will slow further. If consumer confidence increases, then the economy will grow.”

The Consumer Confidence Survey™ is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The monthly survey is conducted for The Conference Board by TNS. TNS is the world's largest custom research company. The cutoff date for May's preliminary results was May 19th.

Article source: The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index™ is a trademark of The Conference Board, a global independent membership organization working in the public interest. (learn more)

Meetings Mean Business ... and Jobs. You Can Help! top

Did you know that corporate travel creates 2.4 million jobs in the US and that meetings and events are directly responsible for 1 million American jobs?

This is just one of the startling statistics about the importance of meeting related travel not just to the travel industry, but to the economy as a whole. It is a message that the Meetings Mean Business campaign plans to address with lawmakers and the media across the country.

In the last several months, in part due to the excesses of certain prominent companies, the whole idea of business meetings has become associated with boondoggle and waste. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Meetings Mean Business is a campaign working to protect the millions of American jobs that depend on business travel and events. Meetings Mean Business supports a robust travel industry that employs millions of hardworking Americans in hotels, restaurants and conference centers across the country.

Here are the hard numbers:

But beneath these numbers, there is an even more compelling human story. According to the Meetings Mean Business website, “When business meetings and events are cancelled, it’s the hourly-wage workers – not corporate CEOs – who pay the highest price.” The site goes on to say, “Generating 1 million jobs and $27 billion in wages, meetings and events can provide a solution to our economic woes. Meetings and events support local communities and working families around the country – something we cannot afford to overlook as we rebuild our economy.”

As members of the travel community, we all need to become involved in this campaign to inform and reinforce the vital importance of business meetings. We at CCRA urge all our travel partners to take a moment and visit www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com to learn any of the many, simple yet powerful actions we, as individuals or as corporations, can take with our legislators and the media to restore the credibility of business meetings travel.

Jobs are at stake … we can make a difference!

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Golfers love Amelia, especially when we offer our summer specials! The Family Tee Program is designed for families to play and learn the game together. By starting from the same tee, every member of the family is able to have fun while improving their game. Available on the front nine of Oak Marsh through September 7, $35 per adult, juniors 15 & under play FREE! For those late risers, the Twilight Golf rate is available on Oak Marsh and Ocean Links through September 7. Play after 2:00 p.m. and receive 25% off the prevailing rate. Play after 4:00 p.m. and receive 50% off the prevailing rate. Juniors (15 & under) play FREE year round, when accompanied by a paying adult.

July 4 is a family favorite at Amelia Island Plantation. Decorated bicycles and island hoppers form the holiday parade, joined by pooches in patriotic costumes. The shops offer a red, white and blue sale. Family Events are held at the Beach Club, and the beach itself is the site of afternoon and evening air shows with aerial acrobatics, and a fabulous fireworks display to top off the day. The excitement and activities are virtually endless!

Tee off Labor Day Weekend with the Third Annual Guinness & Golf event at Amelia Island Plantation. The weekly Friday Boardwalk Bash at the Spa and Shops offers a special Irish theme from 5-8 p.m., with $2 Guinness drafts and Smithwick’s Irish Ale, live Irish entertainment and other food and drinks specials. On Saturday, golf begins with a shotgun tournament at 10:00 a.m. on the Pete Dye-designed Oak Marsh course. The $85 per person cost includes boxed lunch, drink tickets and Guinness branded goodies. Awards and an after-tournament party follow immediately at the Falcon’s Nest, Amelia Island Plantation’s aviation-themed restaurant and bar. Each participant will be entered, and must be present, to win a fabulous trip and prizes. Last year’s winner won a trip for two to Ireland, with a tour of the Guinness Brewery. A portion of every Guinness & Golf package sold will be donated to Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature activity in the fight against cancer. For more information on the golf tournament, call 904-491-4646.

Amelia Island Plantation, a 1,350 acre resort and residential community on Florida’s northernmost barrier island, is only 35 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport. A Florida Green Lodging designated property, Amelia Island Plantation offers 3 ½ miles of beach, four golf courses (all Audubon International certified sanctuaries), a holistic spa, 20 pools, 23 Har Tru tennis courts, a nature center, 10 dining outlets, an old Florida-style shopping village, plus Segways, kayaks, and more than seven miles of biking and jogging trails.

Experience a historic stay in the heart of the California gold country!
Winner of the Mountain Democrat Reader’s Choice award and featured in LA Times.

Welcome to the Lexington Historic Cary House Hotel, the “Jewel of Placerville” since 1857. Nestled in the heart of the California gold country, on historic Main Street. The likes of Mark Twain, Buffalo Bill, Ulysses Grant, Horace Greely, and John Studebaker have passed through this historic hotel. Featured in “A Christmas on Main Street” painting by Thomas Kinkade, as well as in LA Times, and voted the Reader’s Choice Award 2009 by Mountain Democrat.

Let our lobby with rich wood and stained glass artwork by Wendy Wythe, and the Chickering Square Grand built in 1876 in Boston, which includes the 2nd oldest elevator west of the Mississippi and an old time radio with glass tubes, transport you to a bygone era! Over $90 million in gold bullions passed through the hotel as the Wells Fargo Stage Coach stop.

News:
Courtyard Café opens for dinner on May 22 on the weekends: Enjoy a “comfort foods” dinner in the open brick Courtyard covered with 90 year old ivy.

Events:
Brewfest 2009: June 27th; Enjoy this popular event with street closure for added enjoyment and safety for all patrons.  Entertainment will feature several different bands up and down Main Street.  Sample over 40 different micro-brews.  Purchase tickets for patrons over 21 years of age. They will go on sale in late May for $30 at River City Bank, Tony Matthews and The Winesmith in Placerville.  Or, tickets can be purchased online with a credit card at www.placerville-downtown.org.

Whitewater rafting season is now open on the famous American River:
Enjoy 1/2 day or full day of exciting, guided rafting trip provided by American River Rafting, with 30 years of experience.  Save $10 per person on rafting, and a special value of $78.95 for the accommodations including expanded continental breakfast.  In the evening enjoy free wine tasting at Wine on Main. For more info.: www.arrafting.com

Golf Special:
Golf at Mountain Valley Golf Resort for only $40 including golf cart, fees, and lunch, when you stay one night at the Lexington Historic Cary House Hotel.

Winemaker’s Dinner in the Courtyard: August 8th: Auriga Winery will be hosting an elegant dinner paired with their award winning wines.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Park: Performances every 3rd Saturday. Come to the park this summer and enjoy four interpretative performances of some colorful people from the gold rush era. Events will be the 3rd Saturday of June, July, and August, with a special event in September. Over the summer you will meet Fremont, Sutter, Brannan, and Marshall. You will hear fascinating life stories from the Native American point of view and from some of the folks buried in Coloma's cemeteries. For full details, CLICK HERE.

Agri-tourism at Apple Hill – opens Labor Day weekend.
Apple Hill just east of Placerville is always a popular attraction, particularly in autumn when the lush foliage turns to orange, red, and yellows. There are more than just apples to be found in Apple Hill, there are pies, pumpkins, cider, crafts and much more. Apple Hill opens Labor Day weekend and most of the 56 ranches are open 7 days a week through Christmas.

Weddings and receptions: Summer weekends are now bustling with wedding groups.

Hooters Casino Hotel is conveniently located one block from the famous Las Vegas Strip and across from the MGM Grand. The 30,000 square-foot Hooters-themed casino floor offers approximately 650 state-of-the-art slot and video-poker machines and 33 table games. While guests can expect to see more than 200 world-famous Hooters Girls throughout the property, an exciting mix of drinking, entertainment and nightlife is also featured.

For a good time, head to Dixie’s Dam Bar, a 3,000 square foot intimate and casual no nonsense rock ‘n’ roll bar. It has revolutionized the Las Vegas nightlife industry by being the first venue to offer keg service to its patrons. Dixie’s Dam Bar offers guests a selection of four varieties of beer served in the quarter-size kegs – Budweiser, Widemere Heffeweizen, Amber Bach and Michelob Ultra all for a low price of $200 each. The quarter-size kegs are custom fit into each of the seven tables and contain enough beer that is the equivalent of approximately 60 12-ounce cold ones for a group of friends to enjoy. Having too much of a good time to pour yourself a beer? No problem. Dixie’s provides each table with its own beer-tender

– a beautiful woman who will tap the keg, pour a nice frothy beer and keep the party entertained. What more could you ask for? How about the sexy Dixie’s Divas dancing to some of the hottest tunes on the jukebox on top of the bar and pouring free alcohol shots for everyone in the house? Dixie’s Dam Bar is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 p.m. until the party stops.

Just a few steps away, the Night Owl Showroom packs a one-two punch, with performances by all male revue The Men of X and starting June 15th, The Todd Paul Show! From the producers of X Burlesque, the sexy “six-pack” of Men of X will strut their stuff as everything from desirable doctors and fierce firemen to muscular mile-high captains and sexy soldiers, guaranteed to fulfill every fantasy. The Todd Paul Show features comedy, magic and rock ‘n’ roll! Todd Paul's act combines incredible feats of juggling and magic with his unique humor and an awesome, upbeat musical soundtrack! These elements combined with a genuine likeability allow this talented young performer to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together as an audience and give them a truly exceptional entertainment experience!

Hooters Casino Hotel is also home to Tito Ortiz’s Punishment MMA Store. Ortiz, one of the most popular MMA fighters, opened his Punishment MMA Store in January 2009. The store features his very popular clothing line Punishment Athletics as well as other top MMA clothing lines, including TapOut and Hitman Fight Gear.

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The Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles opened in 1923 to national acclaim as the largest hotel west of Chicago and was designated a Historical Cultural Landmark by the City of Los Angeles in 1969. Most famous for its Hollywood history, the hotel is perhaps best-known as the spot for the founding of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which held their first banquet in the Crystal Ballroom in 1927, and where the original “Oscar” statuette was sketched on a Biltmore napkin. Eight Academy Awards banquets were subsequently held in the Biltmore Bowl during the 1930’s, and photos of everyone from Clark Gable to Shirley Temple line the Biltmore’s walls. The hotel was also the host for the 1960 Democratic National Convention and the 1984 Summer Olympic games, and even the Beatles found refuge at the hotel during their first world tour in 1964, landing on the roof by helicopter to escape fans on the streets below.

The hotel’s public spaces are still its most stunning feature. Resplendent with hand-oiled wood paneling, ornate carvings, vivid hand-painted ceilings and sparkling crystal chandeliers, Spanish-Italian Renaissance themes and motifs throughout the décor celebrate California’s heritage and the history of Los Angeles.

The Millennium Biltmore’s accommodations include Classic and Club Level rooms, all of which feature traditional décor in rich, warm tones with historic features such as crown molding and thick draperies. 683 guestrooms offer the ultimate in comfort and convenience with brand new bedding and high-speed and wireless Internet access, with Club Level rooms offering access to the exclusive Club Lounge, serving daily breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Five bars and restaurants make dining at the Biltmore a true culinary experience. Try Sai Sai for modern Asian cuisine and sushi, Smeraldi’s for Mediterranean and fresh seafood, the famous wood-paneled Gallery Bar for signature martinis and live jazz or the beautiful Rendezvous Court for traditional Afternoon Tea. In late May 2009, the Biltmore proudly opened the brand-new La Bistecca, an Italian-style steakhouse from the hotel’s 2 native Italian chefs, serving fine steaks, authentic pastas and seafood, hand-selected Italian wines and liqueurs, homemade desserts and much more four nights a week in the Rendezvous Court.

The Millennium Biltmore is a recipient of numerous industry awards, including the 2009 Pinnacle Award from Smart Meetings magazine and numerous Gold Key Awards from Meetings & Conventions magazine over the past 5 years. Countless movies and television shows have been shot at the Millennium Biltmore, including Bugsy, Chinatown, Ghostbusters, Ocean’s 11, Wedding Crashers, Dreamgirls, The Soloist, The West Wing, 24, Nip/Tuck, Boston Legal, CSI: New York, American Idol and Heroes.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles | 506 South Grand Avenue | Los Angeles, CA  | 90071  USA
GDS Access Code: MU

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An ideal choice for business and leisure travelers alike, the Millennium Hotel Buffalo offers quick and easy access to area attractions and commercial centers. Free parking and a complimentary shuttle to and from the Buffalo/Niagara Airport are also offered. It is adjacent to the Walden Galleria, Western New York’s largest shopping mall, and is just ten minutes from Downtown Buffalo. Conveniently situated at exit 52E of the New York State Thruway, the Millennium Hotel Buffalo is just three miles from the Buffalo International Airport and Depew Amtrak Station. And the grandeur of Niagara Falls is only 20 minutes away!

Once inside, guests enjoy a wide variety of services and amenities. In addition to 300 beautiful guestrooms, all with high-speed Internet, the hotel features 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a full-service banquet and catering staff, a restaurant, lounge and business center, an all-season pool, an exercise room with private his ‘n’ hers saunas, and an awesome game room for the kids.

At the Millennium Hotel Buffalo, guests may choose from a variety of first-class accommodations, including oversized rooms with balconies that open onto a tropical courtyard, spacious bi-level suites, or cozy Jacuzzi rooms. For the ultimate in service and amenities, experience the Preferred Travelers Club. This private clubroom features a continental breakfast each weekday morning, as well as cocktails and hors d’oeuvres each weekday evening. A variety of exclusive benefits are guaranteed to instill that VIP feeling.

Some of the best food in Western New York can be found in our restaurant and lounge. Enjoy the fine dining of Waldens Restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in an elegant atmosphere overlooking our Tropical Courtyard. Or relax in Twigs Sports Bar, serving all the Buffalo favorites from the classic Beef on Weck to crispy Buffalo Wings. Room Service is available too, for guests who prefer to relax in their graciously appointed guestroom.

At center stage in the Millennium Hotel Buffalo is a lush tropical courtyard. Ideal for receptions and pre-function gatherings, the courtyard displays more than 50 varieties of plants and features a retractable domed ceiling. The Presidential Ballroom accommodates up to 700 guests within 6,300 square feet of flexible meeting space. There are also six additional meeting rooms, a/v capabilities, full-service banquet facilities and an array of business center amenities.

And that’s all under one roof! If that’s not enough, the best shopping in town is a short walk away at the Walden Galleria, with over 200 stores, movies, restaurants and specialty shops. And if you’d rather not walk, we’ll even drive you!

Exciting winter sports are just some of the activities and attractions in the Buffalo area. Downhill and cross-country skiing, ice-skating, ice fishing and tobogganing are just a short drive away. In warm weather months, area beaches, boating activities and theme parks are popular. Buffalo also offers a cultural feast for the arts and theatre lover, all a short drive away.

Millennium Hotel Buffalo | 2040 Walden Avenue | Cheektowaga (Buffalo), New York | 14225
GDS Access Code: MU

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Along the coast near San Diego, the enchanting community of La Jolla is known for sunshine, pristine beaches, beauty and sophistication. The Rancho-style Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, which opened in June 2004, is located on a 9.5-acre, former equestrian estate. Perfect for business or leisure, this AAA Four Diamond San Diego hotel features a distinctive collection of furnishings, luxurious accommodations, a full-service California spa, award-winning restaurants and abundant recreational opportunities.

Recognized currently on Trip Advisor as one of the top 5 hotels in La Jolla, Estancia La Jolla was selected as a Gold List Resort in 2006 by Conde Nast Traveler.

Hotel amenities include:

• On site Tranquil Spa
• Three restaurants and bars including Adobe El Restaurante and
  Mustangs & Burros
• Full-size pool with private cabanas
• Wireless Internet access
• Views of lush gardens and expansive courtyard
  

Area attractions include:

• Within five minutes:
• University of California, San Diego
• Torrey Pines Golf Club
• Birch Aquarium
• La Jolla Playhouse
• La Jolla Shores Beach
• Within ten minutes:
• La Jolla Village
• Del Mar Village
• Within twenty minutes:
• Sea World
• San Diego Zoo
• Downtown San Diego