Miami, Florida – November 2015 –  AskMeWeddings has launched the Proactive Honeymoons & Destination Weddings Specialist Program (AskMePhD), a special business development course for travel agents who are currently booking destination weddings and honeymoons and want to increase revenues. The 12-month program includes quarterly strategy sessions, round table meetings, as well as sharing tips, tools and techniques to ensure a complete business path. The program starts January 2016 and is $250 per agent. To apply to the program or to learn more about the benefits and features, email TravelAgents@AskMeWeddings.com or call 844-TA-AskMe (844-822-7563).

“Having a strategic business plan is critical in order to grow your business,” stated Joe Pereira, Business Development Manager at AskMeWeddings and the lead educator for the Proactive Honeymoon & Destination Weddings Specialist Program (AskMePhD), “yet very few travel agents take the time to create a plan. That is where our new AskMePhD program comes in – to help agents succeed.”

The AskMePhD will provide agents with the tools and guidance needed to create and implement an effective business plan. “We provide resources including monthly postcard mailings and romance nights, as well as the support from conference calls and webinars to in-person meetings, to keep participants on track and motivated,” said Pereira, who offers more than 28 years of industry experience and has trained thousands of travel professionals.

Pereira has helped agencies across the country develop plans that have proven results including a Massachusetts based agent who hired two additional employees to manage the boost in business. Other agencies report their income tripling as a result of the business planning. “Joe was the biggest influence on my business,” said Veronica from Customs Travel in Connecticut, “I went from having three couples at my Romance Nights to having 125 people attend.”   

The AskMePhD course, which has a limited number of slots available, will offer one-on-one support, mentoring, and is geared towards travel professionals committed to growing their business. Key elements of the program include:

·       Quarterly Business Training Webinar. Each quarter will feature an interactive webinar that focuses on growth strategies and tools. The first quarter webinar will concentrate on developing a business plan and implementing it.  

·       Business Strategy Boot Camp where AskMePhD members spend a weekend focused on strategic steps to increase their business.

·       Collateral Resources including customized agency-branded materials such as flyers and monthly postcard mailings; pre-written social media posts; and signage.

·       Exclusive promotion weeks which occur throughout the year and offer members-only access to deals, discounts and commission boost opportunities with AskMeWeddings’ hotel partners.

·       Co-op advertising and participation opportunities at regional and national bridal shows in print publications and online outlets.

Additional benefits of joining AskMePhD include collaborating in developing Romance Nights; one complimentary Live & Learn FAM trip per year; and up to 12% commission on AskMeWeddings packages.

The AskMePhD business development program is available to a limited number of travel agents. Applicants must be certified travel agents (IATA, TRUE, CLIA, etc), currently booking destination weddings, and have been in business for at least three years. Applications are available here or by calling Ask Me at 844-TA-AskMe (844-822-7563). Applications must be submitted before the December 17, 2015 deadline. The fee is $250 per agent. The program will begin with the first AskMePhD webinar in January 2016.

About Joe Pereira

Joe Pereira is the Business Development Manager of AskMeInc, which develops travel agent focused programs for resorts, and is the Director of Sales for AskMeWeddings, the stress-free solution for romance travel including destination weddings and honeymoons. Pereira began his vacation industry career as a travel agent with Colonial Travel while attending Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. Post-graduation he dedicated 19 years to US Airways. He was the Northeast Director of Sales for Unique Vacations/Sandals and Beaches Resorts for more than eight years. In 2013 Pereira joined AskMeInc.   

 

About AskMeWeddings

AskMeWeddings is a destination wedding company that handles travel agent and consumer bookings for weddings at top resorts. AskMeWeddings is the exclusive Romance Department for Paradisus Resorts, Melia Resorts, Coconut Bay Resort & Spa, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, and Occidental Hotels & Resorts including Royal Hideaway. AskMeWeddings is a division of AskMeInc, a Miami-based company that fuels collaboration between the travel agent community and hotel partners, and develops stress-free hotel wedding packages. For more information visit www.AskMeWeddings.com or call 844-TA-AskMe (844-822-7563).