MONTAGE-Seville
MONTAGE Seminars
The following is a tenative schedule for MONTAGE seminars. Please check back for updates and additions to the schedule. Also, please contact Catherine Prather with comments and suggestions, or visit our Prospective Speakers page if you are interested in speaking.
Thursday, April 15
4-5:15 p.m.
Green Travel, Sustainability and ROI
Featured Speaker:
Peter Krahenbuhl, Sustainable Travel International
Join NTA strategic partner Sustainable Travel International to explore the ways in which "greening up" your business can save you money. For many companies, that is a major consideration these days. If you don't understand why sustainability approaches are critical for the future, this session will help you gain this perspective. In this session, you will learn how incorporating green practices can not only save money but also help you gain new customers. And if that's not enough, you'll learn about best practices that will help your company become a steward of the destinations you serve.
Working with Travel Agents to Boost Your Business 
Featured Speaker:
Scott Koepf, National Association of Career Travel Agents
Everyone is looking for ways to increase business these days, including creating new marketing ideas, attracting new customers and finding different distribution channels. In this session, you'll hear from Scott Koepf, president of NTA's strategic partner NACTA, the National Association of Career Travel Agents. Scott will share ideas as to how you can boost your business by adapting a plan for working with travel agents, and in particular the growing number of home-based and independent agents.
5:30-7 p.m.
Buyer/Tour Operator Crackerbarrel - New Rules in Sales and Customer Relations
Featured Facilitators: 
Cathy Greteman, NTA Chairman and CEO; Star Destinations
Jim Reddekopp Jr., NTA Vice Chairman; Earth Bound Tours
NTA crackerbarrels are open discussion sessions led by moderators. They typically cover a variety of topics, and this session will be a bit different in that the discussion will focus solely on how recent economic conditions have changed customer marketing, sales and relations. This session is for buyers/tour operators only. NTA's crackerbarrels are never disappointing-except you wish you had more time. You will walk away with new ideas or affirmation for your current practices.
Seller/Destination/Supplier Crackerbarrel - New Rules in Sales and Customer Relations
Featured Facilitators: 
Jorge Cazenave, Cazenave Argentina
Carl Prince, Theatre Direct Inc.
Ed Hall, CTP, VisitRochester
Sellers, destination and supplier representatives, here is your opportunity to discuss how recent economic conditions have changed your customer marketing, sales and relations. NTA crackerbarrels are open discussion sessions led by moderators. They typically cover a variety of topics, and this session will be a bit different in that the discussion will focus solely on this one topic. This session is for Sellers, destination and supplier representatives only. This session will not disappoint. You will receive support for what you are currently doing or walk away with new ideas and fresh perspective (and probably a little of both!).
Friday, April 16
9:15-10:30 a.m.
How Can We Help Each Other and Our Businesses?
Featured Facilitators:
Michele Michalewicz, CTP, Western Leisure
Phil Sheldon, Hanns Ebensten Travel and Alyson Adventures
Jay Smith, Sports Travel and Tours
Back by popular demand, members of NTA's Owners Network, formerly the Tour20 Group, will lead a discussion on timely topics that will be invaluable to business owners. How can you motivate your sales and marketing team during these challenging times? What employee benefits and programs have you found to offer cost-effective incentive to your staff? What suggestions do you have for being more profitable in the current economy, and how are you preparing for the future? For tour operators, what are guidelines for selecting and working with tour guides/directors? Come prepared to share your best practices and have your questions ready so you can gain priceless feedback and input from your NTA colleagues. Sponsored by Hotel Silken Al-Andalus Palace
Business and Product Development - India (Inbound and Outbound)
Featured Speakers:
Uday Marwah, Uday Tours and Travel
Rashmikant Gandhi, India Vision Tours & Travels
Lisa Simon, CTP, NTA President
With the vast population of India and the growing interest of exploring the many facets of the destination, India is one of the fastest growing markets for travel. To help members facilitate business with Indian travel professionals, both inbound and outbound, NTA developed a strategic partnership with the Indian Association of Tour Operators. In this session, you will learn more about this market and how you can expand your international inbound and outbound business.
10:45 a.m.-Noon
Discover the Potential of Social Media. Marketing & Branding Skills for a New Era - Session 1
Featured Speaker:
Catherine Heeg, Customized Management Solutions
Social media has proven to be the break-through communication medium for the tourism and hospitality industry. Are you getting your fair share of exposure and revenue from this new form of business generation? Catherine Heeg will help you discover why social media marketing will help you cost-effectively build your brand while also staying on top of what your customers are saying about your products and services. During this session you will quickly move through social media basics to learn how to capitalize on the power of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and more. Catherine was one of NTA's highest rated speakers from Convention '09, and in this session, you will take away key elements that were not available in Reno. (Note: This seminar can be added to sessions 2 and 3 for a complete workshop on social media marketing.)
Business and Product Development - China Featured Speaker:
Phil Sheldon, Hanns Ebensten Travel and Alyson Adventures
Through NTA's China Inbound Program, which focuses on inbound travel to the United States, the association developed best practices based on input from the NTA China Inbound AdvisoryTask Force and other members already specializing in the market. You will review these practices, learn what you should look for in a tour guide to give Chinese visitors the best experience and have an opportunity to ask questions to help you get into the market and better serve your customers.
12:15-1:30 p.m.
Get a Grip on Social Media. Hands-on Social Media Skills -Session 2 Featured Speaker:
Catherine Heeg, Customized Management Solutions
Take the next step in social media by jumping in and learning to set up and measure your foray into social media. In this intermediate session, Catherine Heeg will provide the answers to questions like "How do I track and measure my success with social media?" "How do I know what my clients are saying?" "How do I know if I've done the right thing?" Continue your journey into social media by learning more about the set up and special applications available in Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Take your marketing to the next level by understanding what's bringing success to others in tourism and hospitality and how to track your own success. You'll take away knowledge on how to mine new followers in order to generate interest and revenue for your business.
Business and Product Development - Africa
Featured Speakers:
The Honorable Kaliba Senghore, Destination The Gambia
Dr. Gaynelle Henderson-Bailey, Henderson Associates/Henderson Travel Service; African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference
With travelers growing savvier and their interests for new exploration growing, Africa is a destination of intrigue. To help members facilitate business with African travel professionals NTA developed a strategic partnership with the Africa Travel Association. In this session, you will learn more about this market, including the African Diaspora, and how you can expand your international outbound business.
Saturday, April 17
9:15-10:30 a.m.
Customize your Social Media Marketing Plan. Tap into Your Creative Marketing Potential - Session 3 Featured Speaker:
Catherine Heeg, Customized Management Solutions
In this session you'll walk away with your own customized plan to implement Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and more into your marketing plan. You'll wrestle with the effectiveness of each and harness the plan that will work best for your business. Should you take on this mission, your tool box will include topics for your next blog postings, a contest for your followers, content for your next Facebook and Twitter posts as well as poll questions to learn your customer's wants and needs. Catherine Heeg will help you develop a plan so you can walk away ready to take your social media marketing to a new level.
Ask the Supplier for Tour Operators
Featured Speakers:
Moderator:
Laurie Lincoln, CTP Main Street Tours
Panelists:
Luca Arioli, Intertravel
Linda McNicoll, Step-on Guides Canada
Juan Romani, CTP Mohegan Sun
In a twist on this NTA Convention education favorite, this session will offer a panel of tour suppliers and tour operators will have the opportunity to ask the panelists whatever is on their minds. Tour operators, you can receive feedback from your vendor partners on the topics and issues that are most important to your business. The supplier panelists will be ready to share their ideas, opinions and needs with you. (Destinations, see your opportunity at 10:45!)
10:45 a.m.-Noon
Ask the Destination for Tour Operators
Featured Speakers:
Moderator:
Anne Davis, CTP, Cruises and Tours Worldwide
Panelists:
Jean Bouffard, Tourisme Quebec
Larry Friedman, Nevada Commission on Tourism
Santiago García-Dils de la Vega, Seville Tourism Board
This session will offer a panel of DMOs representing a diverse range of small and large destinations so tour operators will have the opportunity to ask whatever is on their minds. Tour operators, you can receive feedback from the destination representatives on the topics and issues that are most important to your business. The DMO panelists will be ready to share their ideas, opinions and needs with you.
International Marketing Opportunities
Featured Speakers:
Steve Klika, International Motorcoach Group
Victor Parra, United Motorcoach Association
Join Victor Parra with NTA strategic partner United Motorcoach Association and Steve Klika with the International Motorcoach Group for a discussion on emerging organizational and technological advances in the motorcoach industry. You'll walk away with information that provides you a global advantage for growing your inbound customer base, as well as expanding your outbound reach. In this session Parra and Klika will share the latest on what their organizations are doing to help boost your international business.
12:15-1:30 p.m.
Table Topics Discussion
During this always popular session, learn from your peers during small group discussions on a variety of topics. NTA colleagues will guide the discussions so you can hear from others as well as share your "best practices." During this session, you can participate in a series of small group discussions on a variety of relevant, timely topics, or you can take in one conversation the entire time.
Topics:
Handling the Unexpected. What happens when the airlines cancel flights that leave your group stranded or natural disaster strikes a destination on your itinerary? Share your stories (both successes and missteps), hear how your colleagues have handled these situations, and learn from these experiences.
Facilitated by Phil Sheldon
Creating a Cohesive Team with Your Staff. Does your operations staff roll their eyes at ideas from your sales and marketing team? Do all of your staff members effectively communicate and collaborate? Find out how other managers and owners have brought together their staff.
Facilitated by Jay Smith
Prioritizing New Ideas. You've just spent several days with your NTA colleagues and your head is spinning with ideas for product development and market expansion. How do you prioritize the ideas, conduct the research and evaluate the risk so you can move forward? You'll discuss this fundamental aspect of growing your business. Facilitated by Fred Standeven
Building Your International Business. Have you wondered how to get started in the outbound international market? Or maybe you have a few programs and want to build your international business. Join this discussion to pose your questions, share your ideas and discuss your successes (and mistakes).
Facilitated by Anne Davis
Making Money Paying Your Bills. Are you earning money by paying your bills? Do you have ideas or would like to learn how to leverage your payables to earn thousands of dollars a year? Join this discussion to share ideas and learn how you can leverage your accounts payable to put dollars in your pocket.
Facilitated by Kevin Davis