CONSORTIA X 
Consortia X or CX is a small group of like-minded agencies who focus sales to:

• Mexico and the Caribbean
• Travel Impressions and GOGO
• Karisma, Hard Rock, AMResorts, Palace, Royalton, Sandals and other partner hotels

Because of our extremely high sales volumes and partnerships when we branded together, we received attention in the industry. We help each other grow and be successful. CX agencies get exclusive promotions, offer and bonuses via email.

Hotels and tour operators (and other agencies!) are asking to partner with us. Consortia X gets some amazing exclusive promos, offers and bonuses via email.

On the service side Travel Impressions, Gogo and Funjet have assigned CX to the best sales teams they have. There are dedicated emails to use and reps to reach out to for escalation issues. CX take priority.

Best advice for taking advantage of CX:  stop calling TO's. Use the custom emails!

E & O INSURANCE
Errors and omissions insurance (E&O) is a type of professional liability insurance that protects companies and their workers or individuals against claims made by clients for inadequate work or negligent actions.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR/1099 INFO
As an Independent Contractor, it is recommended to contact your Tax Consultant for the rules, regulations, and potential write offs.
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099misc

FINDING CLIENTS 
The travel business is exciting and can be lucrative, but success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to build a client base. Here are four ways to get started.

• Don’t be shy. Talk about your job and your travels when you meet people and don’t be afraid to pass out your card. You never know where your next client will come from
• Ask for referrals. Most travel professionals will tell you that word of mouth is still the number one way they get clients. If you’re uncomfortable asking directly make the request through your e-mail signature. For example, you might say, “Don’t keep us a secret. We value your referrals.”
• Use social media the way you would use a storefront window. The days when there was a travel agency around every corner are gone.  Successful travel professionals use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, blogs and their own personal web sites to promote the world of travel and attract new clients. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert to talk about what you love! It can be as simple as posting travel photos, offering travel tips or letting your Facebook friends know that you are now using your passion for travel to help others plan a vacation of a lifetime.
• Identify other small business owners in your area that would benefit from partnership. For example, a bridal dress shop would most likely be happy to provide clients with a recommendation for a local honeymoon specialist (especially if you provide equally glowing recommendations) of their services.

COMMUNICATING WITH CLIENTS
Getting set up in this business is pretty straightforward. All you really need are business cards, stationery, a dedicated phone line, personal computer (laptop is the easiest) with a good Internet connection and a printer.

Since you’re working virtually you will almost never meet your clients in person. We communicate with clients by phone, e-mail, text, Skype, and Facebook... Chose communications that work for you and your clients, but be sure to set boundaries (your business hours/days).

Here is more information about the tools agents typically use every day:

• Phone 
  You are free to use whatever phone number works best for you. Some agents have set up a business line while others just use their personal mobile phone numbers to handle client calls. Using Google Voice is a free, easy way to keep your personal call separate from your business call, which is highly recommended.
• E-mail
  Always use your professional e-mail account. You should never communicate with clients using a Gmail or Yahoo account.
• Business Cards 
  Check with your manager about the process for ordering business cards.
• Facebook
  Announce that you’re now selling travel on your personal Facebook account. In addition to your normal daily Facebook content, use your page to talk about all things travel!

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL PLANNING
The first step in running a successful business is to develop a sound business plan and strategy. Equally important is the second step, which is to finance the strategy and then manage the money earned by the business.

• Prepare a complete business plan.
• Set goals for your business.
• Analyze new business opportunities and determine their worthiness.
• Identify your strengths & weaknesses --- capitalize on your strengths, shore up your weaknesses.
• Pinpoint gaps between your current capabilities and your strategic requirements.
• Understand the primary purposes of financial planning and accounting.
• Determine whether you should hire a bookkeeper.
• Define the link between customer relationship management (CRM) and accounting.
• Identify the components of external financial statements.
• Describe the importance and functions of internal financial reporting.
• Analyze the relative financial strength of your business.
• Improve your cash flow.
• Use several different strategies to analyze the performance of your business.

STARTING YOUR TRAVEL BUSINESS

Steps to take before selling:

• Create mission statement
• Create bio highlighting your travel experience
• Obtain an email address
• Obtain number for business line or discuss phone options with your manager
• Enter your contact list in VCRM including anyone who you know who you would want to email advising them of your new job & send out email immediately.
• Set up Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest etc. if you want to have your own pages
• Order business cards
• Complete Consortia X Training Series

FAMS/ AWARD EVENTS
The goal of a Familiarization Trip is to immerse Travel Agents in the destination, showcasing the diversity and rich culture, sharing the music and tasting the cuisine first hand while experiencing the beauty of the destination.

Awards events are for agencies achieving certain levels of production. Agents are invited based on production and are responsible for all charges, such as airfare, personal expenses, transfers etc.

• Dress Code: Your attire should be professional and appropriate for the destination. Refer to your schedule and weather conditions.
• Promotional Items: At some properties, items which display your agency name, logo or contact info may not be acceptable or distributed to resort guests or staff.
• Conduct with Staff: Treat everyone including hotel staff, tour guides, drivers, and other agents with respect and professionalism at all times.
• Appropriate behavior: Do not engage in gossip, excessive drinking, bad mouthing any agents, hotels, suppliers, disruptive behavior or anything that reflects poorly on you and your travel agency.
• Solicitation: No Solicitation of guests on properties to change future bookings to your agency, another resort or destination. No Solicitation of travel agents, guests or employees to join another travel agency.
• Recreational Drugs: This is strictly prohibited.
• Site Inspections: Please refrain from sitting on the beds, using the room amenities, such as the bathroom.
• Show Interest: you are here to gather information for your clients and agency. Ask questions, take pictures and thorough notes.
• Many FAMS trips have paying guests on site. Do not take photos of small children or guests.
• Tipping: Ask upfront if tipping and gratuities are included.
• Punctuality and Attendance: You are expected to participate in all scheduled activities.  Make sure you are on time, so you do not disrupt the agenda.
• Guests: Spouses, family and friends are not allowed on FAM trips, as these are business trips.
• Reporting Issues: If you have an issue with staff, an activity, or a fellow agent, meals or any aspect of the FAM, please have a private discussion with your FAM organizer.