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Filled with key speakers, great food and live entertainment, General Sessions are usually exciting affairs. However Friday’s General Session exceeded all expectations thanks to our VIP Industry Panel.

Moderated by Travel Weekly’s Arnie Weissmann, the Industry Panel—a new addition to the Conference lineup—featured Vicki Freed of Royal Caribbean; Steve Gorga of Travel Impressions; Bill Smith of Crystal Cruises; Michele Saegesser of Viking, Scott Nesbit of Globus; and our own dynamo leader, Steve Tracas.

Topics ranged from agent commissions to tactical pricing, with a highlight coming when Arnie went to the live twitter feed to get questions from the tweeting audience.

The panel was lively and interactive, and had a good mix of banter and serious discussion.

Engaging insights into the current state of the industry…just another benefit for attending Conference. We will try and post some of the video highlights, check back later!

Willie Sellmore is in the house! The star of last year’s Conference, where he wowed the audience with his quick wit and agent skepticism as he introduced EZguider, returned to the main stage at the opening General Session on Wednesday.

What would be so important to get a big star like Willie back to Conference? We’re glad you asked. Willie came back to help us launch the latest and greatest enhancement to EZguider…EZair!

Accessible through the EZguider platform, EZair allows members like you—yes you!—to make stand-alone and add-on air bookings without a GDS contract, no ARC registration, monthly fees or productivity goals.

Or, as Willie put it, “From looker to booker…all in one easy step!”

Willie was joined onstage once again by Tiffany Glass, our Veep of E-Commerce & Technology, and Dave Spinelli, our Strategic Business Development Director as well as Geoff Stewart, Manager of the Training and Member Developmet team. I am proud to say that Tiffany, Geoff and Dave held their own against the comic juggernaut that is Willie Sellmore, which is no small feat.

Together, they explained the ins and outs of EZair, how easy it is to search, compare and book flights, and the beauty of setting your own service fee. Geoff really helped open ole Willie’s eyes about all of the training options available! Visit www.EZguider.net to learn more about EZair today! Of if you are ready to jump in and get started with some training, visit www.agentnet.com/aac.