July 9, 2024 – Atlanta – WorldVia Travel Group, a collection of leading travel companies in the United States, is set to host WORLD24, its premier annual conference, September 11-13 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Funner, California. This education and networking event is expected to draw hundreds of travel professionals from across the nation, offering three days of intensive relationship-building, learning opportunities, and award celebrations.
The education and programming agenda for WORLD24 focuses on enhancing travel agency profitability through four educational tracks: Business Management, Marketing and Sales, Travel Advisor Skills, and Growth Strategies.
"Our members have a strong preference for the type of in-depth, face-to-face interactions WORLD24 offers," said Jason Block, chief executive officer of WorldVia. "WORLD24 education is tailored to meet the specific needs our members have voiced, combining our expertise with their most sought-after travel business management and marketing topics."
WORLD24 will open with general educational sessions, concluding with WorldVia’s annual Purple Party reception. Top producers will then be hosted at an exclusive crown dinner, honoring their exceptional contributions and success over the past year.
The conference will feature sessions such as "Leveraging AI in Your Sales Process,” “How to Make Your Website Your #1 Salesperson,” and “Anatomy of a Booking,” along with pop-up demonstrations focusing on media production and technological proficiency to help members enhance their business operations.
Event sponsors for WORLD24 comprise a robust list of 70 partner suppliers categorized into numerous sponsorship tiers. One particularly noteworthy supplier is ALG Vacations, the Platinum-level Sponsor of the event. Gold Sponsors include Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Sandals & Beaches, and Celebrity Cruises.
Multiple high-level suppliers make up the remaining three sponsorship tiers: Titanium, Silver, and Bronze. WORLD24’s success is owed to all sponsoring suppliers whose generous contributions enrich the educational content, provide invaluable resources and elevate the overall experience for event attendees.
New for 2024 are post-WORLD24 extensions, each with their own unique itinerary. Interested members will convene at either Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort and Spa, or the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, California, just steps from the Gaslamp Quarter. These extension sites offer additional networking opportunities and relaxation following the intensive WORLD24 conference days.
"WORLD24 is not just a pivotal gathering for travel professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and networks through actionable strategies,” said Block. “WORLD24 is a testament to our collective passion for the travel industry and entrepreneurship as well as a celebration of our members’ successes, offering a platform to honor those commitments and achievements."
WorldVia’s 2024 conference event will also include the prestigious Questy Awards dinner, honoring travel agencies and professionals around the United States that have demonstrated remarkable growth and achievement during the past year. Award winners will be honored in recognition of their business successes and dedication to current and prospective customers.
A committee of long-standing travel industry leaders working with WorldVia carefully reviewed and evaluated all nominations to select this year’s winners across nearly a dozen categories.
Returning for the 2024 Questys award categories are the “Monarch Agency Awards,” celebrating travel agencies that demonstrate exemplary sales performance and growth, support of the network, use of WorldVia Travel Quest Network products and programs, and a helping spirit within the community of travel entrepreneurs.
The “Monarch Agency of the Year,” which celebrates the agency with the highest score in the awards scoring process, will also be included in the 2024 Questys slate of awards. Last year’s "Monarch Agency of the Year" was awarded to Alan Granza of ExtravaGranza Travel.
The "Dynasty Award" returns to this year's Questys, continuing its tradition of recognizing one agency that has consistently demonstrated a longstanding commitment to excellence within WorldVia Travel Quest Network. The award was previously given to John Brawley of Premier Travel Service in 2023.
The "Local Community Leadership Award," first introduced at the 2023 Questy Awards continues to recognize entrepreneurs who profoundly impact their communities. Last year's recipient, Tyson Wharton of Sioux Empire Travel, exemplified this commitment by actively fostering community spirit, inclusivity, and well-being. This award honors those who excel in volunteer service, organize local events, and demonstrate exceptional leadership and advocacy within their communities.
The 2024 award recipients will be honored at the Questy Awards, taking place at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, September 12. To learn more about the 2024 Questy Awards, visit www.travelquestnetwork.com/questy-awards.
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About WorldVia Travel Group: WorldVia Travel Group is a collection of leading travel companies in the United States with a spirited and longstanding commitment to delivering unmatched services, assets and support to its members, clients and partners – including independent travel agent and advisor entrepreneurs, corporate partners and humanitarian organizations – through the company’s two primary divisions: WorldVia, which operates the company’s host agency, and the consumer travel website, worldvia.com. WorldVia’s mission involves simplifying and streamlining travel agency owners’ and travel advisors’ business management practices as well as empowering them to build and cultivate the travel businesses of their dreams. The company has been honored as the Host Agency of the Year three times by Travel Leaders Network and is featured on Travel Weekly's 2024 "Power List" of the world's biggest travel sellers. Learn more: www.travelquestnetwork.com, www.worldvia.pro and www.worldvia.com.