Why should I join the VTC Program?

I get that question a lot. I could dedicate several paragraphs to this topic, but will leave my thoughts in a few short sentences...

There are obviously options out there for the travel professional. Can you join/participate in other programs out there today? Sure! It's your business and your decision to make. That's the key sentence..."It's your business and your decision to make." I oftentimes tell my travel professional friends this...perform due diligence on your options and determine if you can actually measure an ROI.

I won't enter into a public battle of "my program is better than this other program" because I believe that hurts the industry, not helps it. BUT, I do not have a problem with highlighting the VTC Program's benefits, products, and services because they are second to none and they can yield an ROI.

-Your ARC VTC #
-ARC MarketPlace = commissions on products and services
-ARC MasterCard Travel Card = commissions
-ARC Agent's Choice = collect revenue thru service fees
-Agency List File = suppliers identify and market

Feel free to ping me with questions at cflores@arccorp.com. AND, if you have an idea...I welcome it.

Chris Flores
Product Manager, VTC Program

Twitter

So everyone's doing it... Does that mean I'm falling victim to peer pressure? Check us out at www.Twitter.com/ARCVTC.

Follow topics on this blog. Follow my thoughts on Twitter.

Chris Flores

My thoughts on Cruise3Sixty...

What a great show. It's my first time at this event and it's what I expected. Quality production and great agent and supplier support. We had our first day of the trade show yesterday (Friday) and our booth was very busy with travel professionals interested in find out what the Program can do for them. I expect us (ARC) to welcome several new members in the coming month.

We were also visited by current VTCs and that's always a treat. Thumbs-up and praise. We're definitely moving in the right direction.

I had some good meetings with industry folks and a lot of ideas were thrown around. Although I can't announce anything solid just yet, if things go as planned...wow, I think you guys will be pleased.

My highlight of the day (Saturday) so far was this morning's general session. Amex sponsored the keynote speaker, Barbara Corcoran. She's not industry (she was in real estate), but she did not disappoint. I wasn't quite sure how I felt about her candid, and often times questionable comments, but I praise her because she spoke with conviction, from experience, and really put a lot of things in perspective...and she brought relevance to her speech. Just because she isn't industry doesn't mean she didn't have anything offer - that was my take away. Heck, I'll listen to anyone who can turn a $1,000 investment into a $66 million return, AND befriend Donald Trump in the process.

Another person who had the floor this morning was Charlotte Haymore, President of Travel Professionals of Color or TPOC as they're known in the industry. We (ARC) support TPOC and their annual show and it's great to see her succeed with her group. What a charming woman.

Okay, that's it for now. I'll post more later...

Chris Flores