Table of Contents

• COMMITTEE REPORTS
  • MEMBERSHIP REPORT
  • SOCIAL REPORT
  • SPEAKER COORDINATOR REPORT
  • TREASURER REPORT
• LEADS
• NOTABLE MENTIONS
• QUESTION OF THE DAY
• MAIN SPEAKER

Committee Reports

Membership Report
(Click here to go to the Membership page)

Erin La Grassa attended the meeting today.  She is our newest member.  Her company does skateboard manufacturing.  She is looking to gain knowledge and network.

Social Report
(Click here to go to the Social Event page)

No report.

Speaker Coordinator Report
(Click here to go to the Speaker Schedule)

June 6      Dave Lathrop
June 13    Dave Crissman
June 20    Mark Dreher

Treasurer Report

The next quarterly dues billing will go out 6/1.  Look for them in your email box.

Leads Report

17-52, 06-34, 56-15, 54-34, 54-47, 20-13, 10-17, 53-56, 40-41, 40-25, 37-47, 15-56, 04-21, 25-19, 09-20 (x2), 09-23, 09-19, 46-21, 46-50, 21-26, 21-46, 21-15.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Notable Mentions

With the resignation of Dave Spiess, we are in need of a social director. 

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It's been a great 10 years in MABE. 

I was born and raised in the Northwest.  I come from a blended family.  We are a busy family but we are all doing good.

Its a nice position to be in as a travel agent...making dreams come true.  It is a nice change from Corporate America.

How many years have you been in the travel business. What are the highlights for you?
From my perspective, having clients become personal friends.  The other thing is the incredible travel programs I have been able to take part in.  One of the perfect adventures I went on was to Bulgaria. It was the most beautiful, unspoiled country I have ever been to.

What are the low points in your career?
Being diagnosed with cancer shortly after opening my own business.  I had a lot of people depending on me and a lot of tough decisions to make.  But people came to my aid and we made it through. 

Do you have any stats on the volume of Travel Agents “then and now”?
I don't have stats.  A lot of consolidations have gone on behind the scenes.  It still takes place.  I would say there are still 125,000 travel agents in the U.S.  You don't see them on every corner because many are starting up from home offices. 

How has TECHNOLOGY affected your business? The good, the bad and the ugly.
The internet didn't hurt me.  It is a powerful tool.  I embrace it.  I don't do budget travel.  People can do it so much easier on their own.  But people ready to spend a few thousand on a trip prefer not to press that button.  They want me to handle it.

How have you had to reinvent yourself?
Our agency was very corporate oriented.  When the airlines cut the 10% commission, that was two salaries.  We really had to scramble and work to upgrade our leisure department to compensate.  And when they raised my lease, we had to change again.

What can MABE members expect with your new merger, and how has it evolved?
They provide a backup to us.  The technology is superior.  The buying power is incredible.  We have an intranet just for our use.  It is phenomenal to have all these tools available to us.  I can set up my office wherever I am.

What are the 5 Biggest Travel Bargains in your opinion?
There really isn't a whole lot.  Look for things in Arizona this year.  China still has unbeatable low rates.  Vietnam.  Panama has a great infrastructure and they love Americans.  Nicaragua and  Costa Rica (except at Christmas), the Dominican Republic has great low cost, all-inclusive packages.  Lots of values in South America.  US national parks.  Sicily.

What is the state of the Cruise Industry. Has the cost of jet and cruise ship fuel affected the pricing, and what is your prognosis for this popular way to travel?
The cruise industry is still growing.  They are getting rid of the older ships and sending them to our European counterparts.  We Americans like things new.  With new builds you are looking at 5000 people on the floating hotel.  They are thriving.  Price point areas (Caribbean, Hawaii) will become more expensive.

Tips

• If you have to take a connecting flight.  Go out at the first of the day.  Otherwise, delays will just snowball.
   
• Also, write the number of the reservation line for the airline on your ticket/confirmation.  If you get bumped they can get you a new flight faster than standing in line at the airport.
   
• Take your sense of humor and a credit card.  The airline situation is not getting better.
   
• Train travel in all other countries is fabulous.  But here it is subsidized by the government, "need I say more?"  It is expensive travel.  The track system in the US is so old, they can't run high speed trains on them.