Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/875351
Hello TPOC Members, Lots of things have taken place throughout the past year that have affected TPOC members. Some were good and some not. Denise Mosley got married, several members completed higher educational goals, some have been afflicted with various ailments and of course some of us lost love ones. Please keep all our members in your prayers. As mentioned in the last news brief, we are still growing! I'd like to welcome back Annie Russell, owner of Annie's Traveling Shoes, located in St. Louis, Missouri and Odetta Rodriguez-Oliver, student living in Chowchilla, California. TPOC 15th Annual Conference and Trade Show – Our 2017 conference theme is "A Celebration of Success". The conference dates are May 18 – 21, and of course the venue is the luxurious Reunion Golf and Spa Resort in Orlando, FL. The conference rate for 2017 is $149.00 for members; $199.00 for non-members and for travel partners, $249.00. The conference rate includes: pre-conference cultural tour (May 17th), general sessions, educational workshops, trade show, wel- come reception, closing gala and meals. So, do not procrastinate, get your registration in early. Space is limited for the cultural tour, which is sponsored by the Kissimmee CVB, and available on a first come first served basis. Remember this tour will convene on Wednesday, May 17, starting between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. You do not want to miss out on this great event. Please check the website often for updates concerning the conference. Make sure you reserve your hotel accommodation soon, there are limited rooms available at the conference rate. The nightly rate for a one- bedroom villa is $149.00; two-bedroom villa is $169.00 and three-bed- room villa $189.00. You can now reserve your hotel accommodation by calling 1-877-856-2171 and give the group code: TPOC or reserve your accommodations online at www.reunionresort.com , click on reserva- tions then enter dates and online code: TPOC. Registration and reserva- tions can also be made through the TPOC web site. SPECIAL CONFERENCE FACILATORS We are pleased to have the return of Anita Pagliasso, Founder and President of Ticket to Travel. By generously and thoughtfully sharing her success tactics, Anita has become a renowned industry speaker, home-based travel agent advocate, author and a mentor to thousands. She is also a member of the Travel Institute's Professional Educators Program. Also on the platform next year will be our own Vice President of Marketing, Mr. Michael Bennett, speaking on how to increase profits through various forms of Social Media. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES Carnival is The World's Most Popular Cruise Line® with 25 ships operating 3to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. As mentioned in a previous news brief Carnival is one of our Corporate Members. We encourage you to con- sider them first when selecting a cruise line. Make sure you get to know your Business Development Manager (BDM) in your area as well as signing up at goccl.com to receive all the latest news from the company. Remember a representative from CCL will be with us at the 2017 con- ference OUR FIRST GOLF TOURNAMENT Through the TPOC Miracle Globe project, we give annual dona- tions to organizations that provide for the care and education of children in the areas we visit. Since our conference will be held at the only place you will find a collection of signature courses designed by golf's greatest legends, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer, we decided to introduce our first Golf Tournament to raise funds for the Miracle Globe. The tournament has been scheduled for Saturday morning, May 20th, the details for this event are being worked out and will be available soon. Keep checking the website for additional information. The 2017 recipient of the Miracle Globe donation will be "Give Kids the World." It is a 79-acre, nonprofit resort in central Florida that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Check out the website for "Give Kids the World", you will be amazed at all they do. CLIA – CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION Established in 1975, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. CLIA sup- ports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustain- able cruise ship environment and is dedicated to promoting the cruise T P O C N E W S B R I E F S BY BETTY JONES B M & T ••• January/February 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 10