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Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-five

Schools about to start and what better time to sign up for NCL University. NCL University is the most interactive infrormal travel training available today. At NCLU you will receive training, receive CLIA credits and qualify for discounted cruises aboard NCL. Listen to the show and learn more about the NCLU.

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-four

How valuable is your time? In this show we talk with David Pfeifer, V.P. for Operations and Sales for CLEAR. CLEAR works with the Transportation and Security Agency to clear you as a verified traveler. Once cleared, you will breeze through those long lines at the security check points in many major airports. Listen to the show and learn more about how you can save your valuable time when you travel.

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-three

Seattle is a great town and an exceptional spot for food and a growing reputtation for fine chocolate. Lorene and Barry interview Michel Brotman of Simply Seattle and the Chocolate Box. Michels' company conducts tours of chocolate factories in Seattle. The next time you are in Seattle, or your send clients to Seattle, do yourself or your clients a favor and book a tasty tour of Seattle's chocolate hotspots.

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-two

Familiarization (Fam) trips are a great way to learn about your travel product. You gain direct experience on a Fam trip which helps you represent your product with enthusiasm and knowledge to your client. Lorene talks about her Fam trip with Holland America Line conducted at port in San Diego. Lorene shares her experience and offers some tips on how to bring more home from your next Fam trip.

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-one

Lorene and Barry, in the co-hosted segment of the show, focus on Seattle as a destination for clients. One of the great tour possibilities is a tour of choclolate factories. There are many tour opportunities and companies you can use to arrange great tours for your clients. Barry rants about the $15.00 fee American Airlines is charging for checked luggage. Barry also talks about the Transportation and Security Administration blog where you can find a lot of useful information to help your clients navigate airports. check out my show notes for all of the links to sites discussed on the show.

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty

Home based travel agents can become overwhelmed with user names and passwords to log into all of the travel supplier websites. Barry and Lorene offer solutions to help you organize and instanty find the user name and password at the time you need it. Also, learn about another great travel podcast and a website that will remind your clients to pack their toothbrush.

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-nine

Is Twitter a new way for travel agents to communicate with clients? We also discuss the Virtual Travel Expo where you can attend an Expo and never leave your office. Also in this show you can learn about the 100 worst airports for delays.

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-seven

Is credibility, competence, education and experience important to you. You can bet those qualities are important to the clients and suppliers you serve. The problem is telling the world you possess these essential qualities. The Travel Professionals Network is developing designations you earn by demonstrating such qualities. The Travel Professional Network designations will help you tell the world you are a professional travel agent. Listen to the show and learn more about the Travel Professionals Network and the process to earn these important credentials.

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-six

In this show Barry and Lorene talk about things you can do for your client that will make you stand out as a travel agent. Listen and learn about a variety of resources available for your clients where they can learn about destinations, walking tours, weather, hotel rooms and much more. Plus you have the opportunity to attent a virtual travel expo coming up soon. Listen and learn more!

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-five

Lorene recently returned from Hawaii where she was a guest of GoGo Vacations and learned what they offer clients. Lorene toured several resorts and experienced first hand what the properties offer. This is a great travel agent education. You can learn what different properties offer and you can design a perfect trip for a client with this kind of knowledge. Listen in and learn if you are wondering what happens on a familiarization trip (Fam Trip).

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-four

Connecting with your host agency is important. Getting to know the host agency's procedures, training opportunities, back office support and people is critical to your business. Lorene talks about his topic in the co-hosted segment of the show.

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-three

How would you like a personal coach to motivate you and point you in the right direction toward increasing your travel sales? In this edition of the show we talk about your personal business coach, what it will do for you and how to get it. Learn about the personal coach and more as Charlie Dubinski joins me and shares his enthusiasm for his just launched "Success for Travel Agents Website."

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-two

Vicki Freed, the Senior Vice President for Sales at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, highlights many of the tools offered by RCL to help the travel agent sell more cruises. Vicki also talks about RCL's family focus and some new selling opportunities being offered. Listen in and learn how you can boost your cruise sales!

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty-one

Is a bottle of oxygen standing between you and your next cruise sale? Andrew Garnett and his company, Special Needs At Sea, is there to help the travel agent serve special needs clients. Listen in and learn how you can help clients with disabilities enjoy their traveling experience.

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifty

Steve Mydanick from the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) joins Lorene and I to talk about the travel industry and SATH's advocacy for accessible travel. SATH was founded in 1976 fourteen years before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became a household word. Back then SATH's goal was to reach the untapped travel market of 40 million people with disabilities who were excluded from the ranks of tourists. Today there are over 50 million people with disabilities who have the time and income to travel. This market for travel agents remains largely untapped. A review of the landing pages of the major travel websites tells me they are ignoring this market. So what are you waiting for?.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-nine

Having a disability can give you ability as a travel agent. Gary and Jackie Metzler join Lorene and I and talk about Gary's blindness and the travel business. Gary and Jackie specialize in helping blind people travel as tourists and experience the wonderful tastes, sounds, smells and feel of new destinations. Gary talks about his experiences as a tourist and as a cruise ship passenger. Gary and Jackie have consulted with cruise lines to help cruise lines become accessible to people who are blind or vision impaired. This is an interesting show where you can learn about travel and the travel business from a whole new perspective.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-eight

The rewards for hard work in the travel business are not only your commissions but your ability to take familiarization trips (FAM trips). Lorene describes how her hard work has paid off in several special travel deals. Learn how Lorene is staying in an expensive Marriott and taking an expensive cruise for pennies on the dollar.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-seven

Cruise360 is the main topic of today's show. Lorene just returned from Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she spent time taking clases and doing ship inspections. Lorene talks about her time at Cruise360 with her usual enthusiasm. Listen and learn about a travel trade show you shouldn't miss.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-six

Getting clients is the most challenging part of running a home based travel agent business. Lorene describes how she uses her local Chamber of Commerce to get clients knocking on her door. There is more to this process than just joining your local Chamber. Listen in as Lorene describes how she uses and participates in her local Chamber to generate new clients.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-five

Bernie Karl, the proprieter of the Chena Hot Springs resort in Fairbanks, Alaska, give us an in depth look at the beauty of the resort. Chena Hot Springs resort is full of natural beauty where your clients will be surrounded fascinating sights such as the wildlife of the area and the northern lights. Bernie describes how Chena Hot Springs Resort is nearly 100% self sustaining. That means the resort produces all of the energy it needs to operate. Bernie offers your clients the opportunity to learn about alternative energy sources and how Bernie and his team are creating an example for all of us to follow.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-four

Jesse Carlstrom from the Fairbanks Information and Visitors Bureau joins us in the co-hosted segment of the show. Learn about the northern Alaska experience including the Yukon Quest sled dog race, world famous ice sculpting at the World Ice Art Championship and the Chatanika Outhouse Races. There are many cultural events during the winter in Fairbanks. Then summer begins and Fairbanks is host to all sorts of tourist events. Listen in as Jesse tells us about all that Fairbanks has to offer your clients.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-three

Lorene talks about her adventure to Fairbanks, Alaska in February. Traveling to Fairbanks in February may not sound like a good vacation but Lorene turns the tide on that thought despite 40 degree below zero temperatures. Learn why Faribanks is a great vacation destination for your clients.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-two

Travel agent Ed Taylor shares his experiences in starting a home based travel business. Ed discusses a couple of interesting internet services for travel agents and talks about choosing a host agency.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty-one

Barry and Lorene interview Tom Ogg. Tom conveys a wealth of information in this show and he has more information available through his website for travel agents at www.homebasedtravelagent.com. Tom's website is a gold mine for travel agents. Just a scratch on the surface reveals travel agent forms, currency converters, host agency reviews and books designed to help the beginning travel agent.

Podcast Number One-hundred-forty

Holland America Line is offering a non-cruise familiarization trip for travel agents to Fairbanks, Alaska. Lorene is preparing to take this trip. Lorene will get to experience dog sledding, the Chena Hot springs, the Aurora Ice Museum, the Northern Lights and twenty below zero temperatures. Barry talks about some newsworthy items including an Elvis cruise and the market that is available to you in religious travel and cruises. Plus, if you've been a bad boy or girl at a hotel, then you may be in the hotel database for bad guests.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-nine

Cory Andrichuck from Norwegian Cruise Lines joins Lorene and me to talk about NCL's exciting programs and offerings for the home based travel agent. Learn about the villas aboard NCL cruise ships and learn about the training and marketing tools NCL is offering the home based travel agent.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-eight

Barry and Lorene engage in a lighthearted discussion about technology and websites and how the technology and websites will be helpful in your travel agent business.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-seven

In the co-hosted segment Barry and Lorene discuss what they are doing to organize their travel agent business for the new year. In another segment Barry talks about several trends that will impact the travel business in 2008. The trends may have an impact on how you develop your business plan for 2008. There are some interesting things happening in the travel business - interesting even if the trends don't impact your business.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-six

Kathleen Kavanaugh from the Globus Family of Brands joins Loreen and I to discuss exciting opportunities for travel agents selling the Avalon Waterways river boat cruise packages. Kathleen describes the cultural and scenic adventures that are available on the Avalon Waterways cruises. Listen to the show and learn about the value river boat cruising offers your clients. Kathleen tells you how you can learn more about selling this great product by attending webcasts or in person events coming to a location near you in 2008. The Globus Family of Brands are strong supporters of the home based travel agent community. Check out the support they offer you at their website, "Globus At Home."

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-five

This is a continuation of the back to basic shows. Barry and Lorene talk about issues in setting up your home based travel business. We discuss a general overview of setting up your business, host agencies, suppliers, marketing and training. Listen in if you are thinking about starting a travel business. Or, if you've already taken the plunge, this is a good review for you. Barry concludes the show with a little holiday cheer from downtown Boston.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-four

Barry and Lorene discuss the realities of starting a home based travel agent business. This show is the first of two shows about back to the basics of beginning a travel business. Starting any kind of business can present challenges. The travel business is no different. Finding and selling your first clients can be the biggest challenge and the biggest thrill when you make that first sale. Listen in and get a reality check on the home based travel business.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-three

Lorene returned from Las Vegas where she attended the Luxury Expo and the Home Based Travel Agent Expo and Conference. Loreen describes the interesting things that she learned and some very interesting experiences that were quite touching.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-two

Find holiday gift ideas for clients or the special traveler in your life. Barry and Lorene talk about some great gift ideas. Lorene describes her visit to Barcelona Spain as a part of her mediterranian cruise. Learn about some of the sights you will experience visiting Barcelona and learn about some unusual Christmas customs from that part of the world.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty-one

Tim Warren of TravelBusinessSuccess.com joins the show filling in for Lorene. We discuss an email from a listener about host agencies who provide a specialty in the adventure travel market segment. Tim tells us how to get our clients selling for us. Word of mouth advertising is one of the most effective ways to gain business. Tim tells us how to leverage word of mouth marketing to generate sales.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirty

Special Thanksgiving Edition. At the time this podcast is published, Lorene is meeting with Gaston Magrinet and taking advantage of his tour services of Barcelona Spain. Gaston and his business is the focus of this special edition of the Home Based Travel Agent Show. If you have clients who are going on a Mediterrean cruise you should pay special attention to this show. Gaston conducts pre and post cruise tours of Barcelona. His tours can be walking tours, bicycle tours or bus tours. Whatever it is Gaston focuses on personal service. He will meet you at the airport at the beginning of your cruise, or at the ship at the end of the cruise. From there you will experience a tour of Barcelona that is specially designed for you. If you are creating a Mediterrean cruise experience for you clients you will want to contact Gaston at www.barcelonaexperience.com. Your clients will love you for it!

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-nine

Around the world in sixty pubs. Kenneth Hart joins the show to explain the first ever Around the World Pub Crawl. Kenneth talks about previous pub crawl tours he conducted in Europe and he talks about the upcoming Around the World Pub Crawl. In addition to hearing about an interesting travel opportunity you can learn some of the mechanics of setting up a tour. Listen in if you are interested in setting up your own tour as a part of your travel business.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-eight

Tim Warren of TravelBusinessSuccess.com joins the show and talks about adventure travel. Tim shares his story of how he got into the adventure travel business. We also learn about the different aspects of adventure travel. This may be a specialty you may want to consider for your travel business.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-seven

Are you attending a travel expo or conference? Listen and learn what you can do to get the most out of your conference experience. Also, learn about networking on the personal level. Are you building relationships or merely trading business cards. Find out what it takes to build relationships.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-six

The Amateur Traveler Show producer, Chris Christensen joins the show. Lorene is traveling to Barcelona Spain in a couple of weeks and Chris shares his insights about Barcelona. Chris is also going on a cruise next week. The cruise that Chris is taking is a theme cruise for geeks and it is all about Shakespeare. Tune in and listen to one of the best travel podcast producers on the internet.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-five

Barry continues his discussion about networking and the largest business network organization in the world. Business Networks International (BNI) helps you obtain referrals because everyone in your BNI Chapter becomes a salesperson for you. Lorene discusses what she saw of the plight that still exists long after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Lorene offers suggestions how travel agents can help.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-four

Lorene joins the show from New Orleans just after disembarking from her cruise. Lorene shares some pre and post cruise tips that you can pass on to your clients.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-three

In the travel business you have three assests - you, your clients and the relationship you have with your clients. Scott Koepf joins us in the co-hosted segment to tell us about a new program to build your client relationships. Listen in if you are serious about taking your business to a new level.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-two

Dave Stockert joins the co-hosted session of the show. Dave is a Vice President for Holland America Cruise Line and the author of the book, "The Idea Machine." Dave's book is about marketing for home based travel agents. In the show we talk about the travel business, marketing and training. This is one show you don't want to miss.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty-one

Barry is recording from Music City, U.S.A., Nashville, Tennessee. Lorene talks about American Airline Vacations. There are several travel agent events around the country where you can attend. Lorene also talks about signing up for Cruise3Sixty. Cruise3Sixty is the cruise event where you can learn all about cruising. The event sells out fast so sign up early!

Podcast Number One-hundred-twenty

Networking is a very important tool for marketing your business. Lorene discusses ways that she networks within her community. Barry talks about a very poplular web site that is dedicated to networking professionals such as travel agents.

Podcast Number One-hundred-ninteen

Lorene and Barry talk about booking group cruises. Lorene shares some tricks and helpful information about group cruieses. Barry talks about a company that will help your clients get a passport in a matter of days.

Podcast Number One-hundred-eighteen

Why use a travel agent? Barry talks about why you should use a travel agent. Lorene and Barry discuss how you keep a client after you have done the research on their vacation.

Podcast Number One-hundred-seventeen

Packing a suitcase - all travelers pack a suitcase. But not all travelers travel easy or light. Susan Foster the author of, "Smart Packing for Today's Traveler," passes along some advice for travel agents and for travelers.

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixteen

Last week we talked about the importance of a tagline. This week we talk about using an Idea Box to fire up your creativity to create a great tagline for your travel agent business. In th Co-hosted segment Lorene joins us from Lake Tahoe to talk about some upcoming travel agent training opportunities.

Podcast Number One-hundred-fifteen

Creating a tagline for your travel busines is one of the most important marketing tools that you will develop. Barry explains taglines and why they are important to your business. Lorene joins the show from Juneau, Alaska and talks about the training that she is receiving on this most recent cruise.

Podcast Number One-hundred-fourteen

Learn about a Holland America Cruise Line familiarization trip (FAM) and learn how you can take advantage of these wonderful travel agent education and entertainment Fams! Also, Barry talks about his Michigan Upper Peninsula vacation. Check out his photos at Flicker.

Podcast Number One-hundred-thirteen

Learn about Alaska and learn how to increase your sales. Tanya Hancock from the Anchorage Convention and Tourism Bureau joins the show to talk about Alaska destinatiion training and how this travel agent training can increase your sales.

Podcast Number One-hundred-twelve

John Bateman from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) joins the show to talk about selling cruises. John shares a wealth of knowledge about the cruise industry and about the training that CLIA offers to travel agents. This show is a must listen if you're interested in selling cruises.

Podcast Number One-hundred-eleven

This podcast is dedicated to some very useful travel agent resources including a five night Caribbean Cruise offered through Cruise University. The cruise with the great training is offered for less than $400. Listen to the show for more great travel agent resources.

Podcast Number One-hundred-ten

Lorene and Barry talk with Dan Egolf, the owner and one of the founders of Alaska Nature Tours. Dan goes into detail about the beauty of Alaska that surrounds the former fishing village of Haines, Alaska. Cruise ships are now stopping in Haines, Alaska and Dan takes delight in showing visitors all that nature has to offer in this awe inspiring place.

Podcast Number One-hundred-nine

Lorene and Deb Gronski talk about the challenges, rewards and fun they had in preparing for the Certified Travel Advisor (CTA) Designation. The Travel Institute offers a course of study that leads to the CTA and other advanced designations for the travel agent

Podcast Number One-hundred-eight

Barry and Lorene discuss a few tips you can use when booking group cruises. We continue our discussion on helping your clients who have special needs. Plus, passports are a real issue for your clients if they've recently applied for a passport and they are planning a cruise in the near future.

Podcast Number One-hundred-seven

Lorene and Barry talk about taking your client's special needs into consideration when you book their travel. Every travel agent should have a good "Client Profile Sheet" that guides you in asking the right questions to determine how you can give your client a great travel experience. In a Tech segment Barry talks about a great way to back up and store your important computer files.

Podcast Number One-hundred-six

Lorene is back from her Alaska Cruise destination training. Lorene discusses the training and great perks available to the travel agent on these training cruises. Barry talks about his "Up North" experience and the whirlwind that the past two weeks visited upon him.

Podcast Number One-hundred-five

Barry talks about a great way to organize all of those tasks that, as a travel agent, you juggle everyday. The organization is created using a software product called Evernote. Plus, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is positioned to change the travel industry.

Podcast Number One-hundred-four

It's time to start thinking about signing up for the Luxury Travel Expo and the Home Based Agent Expo. Lorene talkes about the early bird discounts. In a response to a listener email, Barry talks about the finer points of choosing a host agency. Plus, a short story about the entrepreneur Walter Avis.

Podcast Number One-hundred-three

Lorene Romero and Paco Ojeda join the podcast from Cabo San Lucas. Paco is the producer of the podcast about Puerto Vallarta called the VallartaVU podcast. You can find the VallartaVU podcast at http://www.vallartaundiscovered.com/.

Lorene and Paco talk about how to discover local culture when you travel. This is something you should explore with your clients. Do your clients want to stretch themselves and experience local culture? Or, are they content with staying in their comfort zones?

Podcast Number One-hundred-two

Barry and Lorene talk with the CEO and founder of Olivia Travel. Olivia Travel offers lesbian clients a a wide variety of cruise, vacation and tour opportunities. Olivia will help the travel agent community promote their products with high quality marketing collateral and generous commissions. Barry also reports on an underwater restaurant in the Maldives and the first travel agent to sell a ticket to outer space.

Podcast Number One-hundred-one

Barry talks about a blog where you can learn what hotel workers really think about their guests. Lorene passes on a couple of tips that she learned during her recent cruise. Plus the two biggest challenges facing travel agents today.

Podcast Number One-hundred!

Show 100 takes on a new "feel!" Are you ready to specialize in space travel as your travel agent specialty? Well, in 2008 or early 2009, a spaceport will be in operation here in the United States. Space vehicles will be taking off with space tourists aboard! There have been a number of travel agents trained in this specialty. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Podcast Number Ninty-nine

Lorene talks about tips that travel agents can use to impress their clients - or, stuff for your newsletter! Can you compete with the big web based travel sites? Barry talks about how important it is to differentiate your business. Show 100 will begin a transformation for the Home Based Travel Agent Show. Stay tuned!

Podcast Number Ninty-eight

Kellie Evans, a new travel agent, shares her experience about what it takes to start a travel business. Learn about the resources that has helped Kellie begin her business. Also, learn about the challenges a new travel agent experiences in the start up of a new travel business.

Podcast Number Ninty-seven

Lorene and I are joined on TalkShoe by Deb Gronski of Harrison Avenue Travel. Lorene talks about her experience at the travel agent Bootcamp sponsored by Nexion. Deb talks about her training with Cunard and how this cruise line is pet friendly. Barry expands on pet friendly travel in his segment of the show.

Podcast Number Ninty-six

Marketing your home based travel business at local expos and trade shows can be very rewarding. Listen in and hear Lorene describer her experience with hosting a booth at the Windsor Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. Lorene shares some good advice and tips for setting up your table at local expos. A great way to see Australia is Air Cruising. Asia Transpacific Journeys offers your clients a great way to tour vast areas of the Land Down Under.

Podcast Number Ninty-five

Learn how to increase your commissions if you are selling cruises or vacation packages. In this Home Based Travel Agent Show, Barry and Lorene interview Barry and Julie Karp of ShoreTrips. Cruise lines and vacation packages do not pay travel agents commissions on shore excursions. ShoreTrips offers you a way to make those commissions. Listen in and find out how!

Podcast Number Ninty-four

Want to learn more about travel insurance. Listen in as Lorene and I talk with Sheri Machat, a travel insurance expert with the M.H. Ross Company. You can learn more about the M.H.Ross Company through their website at tripinsurance.com.

Podcast Number Ninty-three

Lorene and I pay tribute and say our farewells to a travel professional icon, Joel M. Abels the editor and publisher of the Travel Trade Magazine. We also discuss a variety of tools and marketing ideas for your travel business. Listen to Lorene tell how she is going to use her Hawaiian skirt from the Oriental Trading Company to attract new travel clients.

Podcast Number Ninty-two

Charlie Dubinski from the Cruise and Travel Agent Only website talks about all of the great content and educational opportunities that he offers to travel agents. His premier product is Cruise University where you will be involved in great courses while you are cruising.

Podcast Number Ninty-one

As a home based travel agent it is very important to develop a yearly business plan. A yearly business plan will give you focus and direction for the year. Barry talks about how to start your very own yearly business plan by looking at top down and bottom up budgeting.

Podcast Number Ninty

You can join us "live" on TalkShoe. Sign up for a TalkShoe account and watch for upcoming Home Based Travel Agent Shows. Lorene talks about upcoming travel agent events that you will want to get on your calendar. And, have you ever wondered what day of the week or the time of the month that will give you the best airfares? Barry discusses a website that compares airfares by month and days of the week.

Podcast Number Eighty-nine

Some of the best travel professionals in the business offer their advice on how to succeed in the travel business. The advise comes from clips from the 2006 interviews of Warren Sukernak, Scott Koepf and Alan Gerstner. We are closing the year with tips from the best. Happy New Year everyone.

Podcast Number Eighty-eight

Barry and Lorene talk with Randy Goodrich and Cynthia Juhnke from Passport Online. Randy and Cynthia discuss many great features of the websites that they develop for travel agents including fresh content with the latest travel specials, target marketing email, website training and much more. Listen to this podcast and get the whole story on how you can have your own professional travel agent website.

Podcast Number Eighty-seven

Alan Gerstner, "The Travel Doctor," joins Barry on the Home Based Travel Agent Show. Yes, this is the Alan Gerstner from Podcast 81 where Barry engaged in a rant about Alan not having a blog or a podcast - "A Plumber Without a Pipe Wrench." Well, Barry finds out that it is not good to judge someone by a Google search.

Podcast Number Eighty-six

The Home Based Travel Expo and Conference along with the Luxury Travel Expo are topics that Lorene discusses in the co-hosted segment of the podcast. Barry talks about taking online courses from the Cruise Line International Association's Cruise Academy and how that will lead you to get a CLIA Travel Agent ID Card.

Podcast Number Eighty-five

Learn about client profile forms and what new kinds of information you should be including. Get an email address that reflects your business name and get rid of the AOL and YAHOO domains. This will greatly improve your image, branding and marketing. Learn how to get your own email address by listening to this podcast.

Podcast Number Eighty-four

Barry extends his apology to Alan Gerstner for his rant in HBTA Podcast #81. Lorene talks about an organization where home based travel agents can enjoy wonderful cruises, take travel agent courses, all quite inexpensively. If you are listening to this show by clicking on the link to the program then you will want to hear what Barry has to say to home based travel agents about subscribing to podcasts.

Podcast Number Eighty-three

If your a home based travel agent and your home based more than you would like, then check out the Amateur Traveler Podcast. Chris Christensen's podcast will give you insights into destinations that will make you a better travel agent. Listen as Chris talks about his podcast with Lorene and Barry. In the final segment of the podcast, Barry takes you on a treaure hunt in a sound seeing tour in this podcast.

Podcast Number Eighty-two

Lorene interviews Elizabeth Linn a Senior Account Executive for Marriott. Elizabeth describes Marriott's wonderful vacation resorts in the Caribbean and how Home Based Travel Agents can learn about fam trips to those resorts. Barry describes a marketing tactic that will win you friends and clients.

Podcast Number Eighty-one

Lorene checks in from her Hawaiian cruise and talks about her good experience with her pre cruise stay. Barry rants about a travel agent podcasting and blogging seminar taught by someone that doesn't have a podcast, blog or a website. However in the end there is a lesson for travel agents.

Podcast Number Eighty

Marketing versus Sales - what's the difference and why you should pay attention. In the co-hosted segment Lorene offers some marketing tips as she talks about her recent experience at the Home Agent Expo in San Jose, California. This podcast was re-published because of reported difficulties in playing the previous version.

Podcast Number Seventy-nine

Are you interested in a fam (familiarization) trip to the Canadian Rockies? Lorene tells you all about her fam trip to Calgary sponsored by Brennan Vacations. Barry gives you information that you must pass along to your clients. This is a great oppotunity to send a letter to all of your clients and contacts!

Podcast Number Seventy-eight

Learn how to become more approachable and make those sales roll in to your business. And, Lorene talks about developing her travel business website using a company she discovered at the Jurni Conference.

Podcast Number Seventy-seven

A marketing tip that will help your sales hit that home run out of the park. Lorene and I talk about the great tools and motiviational information that we received at the Jurni Conference.

Podcast Number Seventy-six

Lorene talks about some unusual travel resources for the home based travel agent. Barry discusses his upcoming trip to Las Vegas and Ontario, California.

Podcast Number Seventy-five

Happy Vacations is the topic of the co-hosted segment. Happy Vacations is a high quality tour provider that works with the home travel agent community. Barry talks about the trip to Cambridge, MA and provides a short marketing tip.

Podcast Number Seventy-four

Lorene talks about Gay and Lesbian travel and how your home based travel business can prepare to serve the gay or lesbian traveler. Lorene talks about websites and cruises for the gay and lesbian traveler. Barry has a tip learned from another podcast about keeping your hard earned clients.

Podcast Number Seventy-three

Kathleen Kavanaugh once again joins the Home Based Travel Agent Show to complete the interview we started in Show number 70. Kathleen describes the Globus product line. This is a product line that makes selling easy for the Home Based Travel Agent.

Podcast Number Seventy-two

TravelScream offers a service that will focus the travel supplier information you receive. The information can be narrowly tailored to meet the needs of your travel specialty. Rob O'connor of TravelScream joins the show to talk about what promises to be a great service for travel agents.

Podcast Number Seventy-one

The Platinum Luxury Society travel seminars offers you great training in luxury travel and the training is often conducted during luxury fam trips. It's well worth your time to find out about these great benefits.

Podcast Number Seventy

Globus Tours and how they are good for your bottom line. How to get referrels using postcards. Using RSS aggregators to make life easier and more interesting.

Podcast Number Sixty-nine

Learn how to develop your two second introduction and discover how travel trade magazines can be a great resource for your business

Podcast Number Sixty-eight

In this podcast Lorene talks about becoming a Norwegian Cruise Line Specialist and about Kelly Monaghan's Home Travel Agent Home Study course. (see the main page of this website) Barry talks about an experience that is an example of customer service that will drive customers away!

Podcast Number Sixty-seven

More marketing tips to get your businees rolling. A special song for a special girl, Elsa Kantz. The travel agent training program offered by Marriott.

Podcast Number Sixty-six

What is travel insurance all about? How can you do a better job of marketing you travel business? These are questions answered in this podcast. Strap yourself in and take a listen!

Podcast Number Sixty-five

The series continues about how to start your home based travel agent business. In this segment we talk about Permission Marketing. Permission Marketing is a concept that you need to understand to effectively market you home travel agent business. When you bring all of those contacts in to your business, Lorene talks about client and contact management software.

Podcast Number Sixty-four

The series continues about how to start your home based travel agent business. In this segment we talk about the basics and the realities of marketing your home based travel business. Lorene joins the podcast and talks about her visit to Vancouver attending the Cruise-a-Thon conference.

Podcast Number Sixty-three

The series continues about how to start your home based travel agent business. The IATAN issued number is your connection to travel suppliers. In this podcast I discuss how you can get your own IATAN number. Lorene joins the podcast and talks about her visit to Key West.

Podcast Number Sixty-two

The series continues about how to start your home based travel agent business. Host agencies are the topic of discussion - what they are and what they mean to you. We also talk about Lorene's site inspection of the ship, The Pride of Hawaii.

Podcast Number Sixty-one

In How to Start a Home Based Travel Business Part 4 we talk about business plans and focusing your efforts. We also talk about organizing your office and Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) identification cards and educational classes.

Podcast Number Sixty

How to Start a Home Based Travel Business Part 4 will be postponed to next week. This week we will focus on Familiarization Trips. Travel Cheap with FAM Trips and get educated! Lorene describes her travel agent familiarization (FAM Trip) to Hawaii.

Podcast Number Fifty-nine

Third in a series of what it takes to get into the travel business as a home based business. In this series I talk about the Limited Liability Corporation. The business entity that I generally recommend for the home based travel agent. Also in this podcast is information about the booming Asian travel market and a new product offering by Disney.

Podcast Number Fifty-eight

Second in a series of what it takes to get into the travel business as a home based business. In this series I talk about "Seller of Travel Laws" and organizing your business. Lorene and I interview David Lovely of Perfomance Media Group that produces the Agent@Home magazine and the Modern Agent Website.

Podcast Number Fifty-seven

First in a series of what it takes to get into the travel business as a home based business. Lorene talks about her upcoming attendance at Cruise A Thon 2006 and the Platinum Luxury Society.

Podcast Number Fifty-six

Whats on your desk? We discuss what's on our desk that makes life easier for the home office worker. Tune in and grab some ideas for your home office.

Podcast Number Fifty-five

If you listen to the podcast I say this is podcast 54 - oops. It's podcast 55. In Podcast 55 Lorene and I speak with Scott Koepf, Vice President for Marketing at Jurni/Nexion about Nexion as a host agency.

Podcast Number Fifty-four

Warren Sakernek from Cruise West Cruise Lines discusses the intimacy of their cruising product. In another segment Barry talks about Repositioning cruises and what a great value they are. Hear about them here!

Podcast Number Fifty-three

The Disney Vacation Club and Vacation Points explained; Lorene is back from Puerta Vallarta and gives us a trip report. Lorene talks about an educational opportunity in Hawaii for a very good price to the travel agent.

Podcast Number Fifty-two

A Disney product that you may not be thinking about; booking space travel; college on a cruise and cruise lines pumping up the amenities.

Podcast Number Fifty-one

A Disney Mystery Revealed, A new Disney ride opens on April 7th, and Lorene is off to Puerta Vallarta.

Podcast Number FIFTY

A journey back in time, Disney Vero Beach Resort revealed and training with VAX, Funjet, JURNI and more.

Podcast Number Forty-nine

The Mechanics of Disney, Hertz Never Lost, Travel Expos and Blogging for Fun and Profit

Podcast Number Forty-eight

The Disney trip, vacationing on houseboats and wonderful Alberta Canada.

Podcast Number Forty-seven

Discover a wide range of products available for the travel agent to sell or use to create a specialty. Scott Ahlsmith summarizes Joanie Ogg's article on how to sell cruises.

Podcast Number Forty-six

Travel Agent Discounts at Disney. Loreen on the street in San Francisco!

Podcast Number Forty-five

We look at strategies for marketing your business in the new year.

Podcast Number Forty-four

Earn Chances for Free Trips While Browsing an Essential Site for Travel Agents. Learn about the loss of one of Arubas most photographed locations.

Podcast Number Forty-three

Organizations that you can belong to that will help market your travel business

Podcast Number Forty-two

Conversations that will get you more sales and additional benefits of becoming a Norwegian Cruise Line Specialist.

Podcast Number Forty-one

Become a Norwegian Cruise Line specialist and discover cruising for health and wellness.

Podcast Number Forty

Travel Agent Television and a website where you can get FREE templates for your website.

Podcast Number Thirty-nine

The most important decision to make for a home based travel agent - plus Mexico's recovery from hurricane Wilma.

Podcast Number Thirty-eight

Introducing a co-host for the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast and we discuss Travel Agent Expos, training and more.

Podcast Number Thirty-seven

The third podcast in a series about setting up a website for your travel business. We discuss how to get FREE dynamic content for your web site.

Podcast Number Thirty-six

The second podcast in a series about setting up a website for your travel business. We discuss how to get dynamic content in this podcast.

Podcast Number Thirty-five

Are you interested in getting a website for your travel business? This is the first in a series on how to get a website.

Podcast Number Thirty-four

Close encounters with Killer Whales - a sound seeing tour.

Podcast Number Thirty-three

Learn a tip on how to explore a new city and embark on a sound seeing tour of Seattle's Monorail and Space Needle.

Podcast Number Thirty-two

A New Travel Agent - Lorene Romero relates her experiences in an interview about becoming a new travel professional. Lorene is from northern California so we also discussed earthquakes and podcasting.

Podcast Number Thirty-one

Seattle, Washington gives up its sounds at the Pike Street Market. This is a sound seeing tour of the sounds of the Pike Street Market. You will hear street musicians and the employees at the Pike Street Fish Market as they throw fish over their customer's heads.

Podcast Number Thirty

The Hug Your Travel Agent contest and travel insurance are the main topics of podcast number 30.

Podcast Number Twenty Nine

A variety podcast with travel news generated by Hurricane Katrina. Also discussed is the state of podcasting plus a monologue about our visit to the family reunion in Pennsylvania and a scary discovery about our motel room.

Podcast Number Twenty Eight

An interview with Scott Ahlsmith, Chairman of the Board of the Travel Institute. The Travel Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education of travel agents.

Podcast Number Twenty Seven

How to enroll in the College of Disney Knowledge plus a sound seeing tour of the Del Shannon Memorial Car Show and Coopersville Festival.

Podcast Number Twenty Six

Interview with Jana Smith of the "Let's Talk About Disney" podcast. Plus a short discussion about logos for your business - a great place to get a logo for $25.00.

Podcast Number Twenty Five

Interview with Kelly Monaghan the author and publisher of the Home Based Travel Agent Study Course.

Podcast Number Twenty Four

Family Friendly Beaches and a new and improved audio for the HBTA Podcast. An apology for the poor audio in the July 31, 2005, podcast. Also promos for the Sturgeon's Law Podcast and Trucker Tom's Podcast

Podcast Number Twenty Three

Strange Creatures, Pet Travel and Mackinac Island Sound Seeing Tour #4

Podcast Number Twenty Two

An interview with Mark Murphy the President and CEO of Performance Media Group. This company is the publisher of the Agent@Home Magazine. Also a short book review of, "Podcasting, The Do-it-yourself Guide" by Todd Cochrane. You can order the book on the link within this web page.

Podcast Number Twenty One

Can travel agents compete with the big web based travel sites and do people still like to use travel agents plus a sound seeing tour of Mackinaw Island Part Three.

Podcast Number Twenty

A great airfare search engine, accounting software and, a sound seeing tour of Mackinaw Island Part two.

Podcast Number Ninteen

Business Essentials: Business Cards. And, A sound seeing tour of Mackinaw Island Part One.

Podcast Number Eighteen

A Brief Podcast with Some Marketing Ideas

Podcast Number Seventeen

Business Essentials, Errors and Omissions Insurance

Podcast Number Sixteen

The Wedding Cast - Your Home Travel Agent in the Wedding Business

Podcast Number Fifteen

Aussie Specialist Training for the Travel Agent

Podcast Number Fourteen

Encouraging Words and Good Advice for New Travel Agents

Podcast Number Thirteen

A Destination Gadget & Listener Mail About Host Agencies

Podcast Number Twelve

Trucker Tom Cameo Appearance, Home Office & Pet Travel

Podcast Number Eleven

The Humble Travel Agent

Podcast Number Ten

Again, European Travel Guides and Nexion Host Agency

Podcast Number Nine

Listservs and the Power of Gmail - European Guidebooks

Podcast Number Eight

Discussion of Seatguru.com and using airline blankets during your flight

Podcast Number Seven

The Home Travel Agent Talks About Various Host Agencies

Podcast Number Six

Fake Travel Agent Credentials and Hilton Values Travel Agents

Podcast Number Five

Regular Host Agencies and Caller Rejection

Podcast Number Four

Host Agencies and Aruba Trip

Podcast Number Three

IATAN Numbers & Identity Theft

Podcast Number Two

Learning Resource for Those Interested in Home Based Travel Agency

Podcast Number One

Introduction of the Home Based Travel Agent's podcast.

Welcome

This is a website that is for and about the home based travel agent. The site is run and managed by a home based travel agent who wants to share his experiences with other home based travel agents. The main ingredient of the website is a podcast produced for home based travel agents but you will find discussions about travel news, cool places to visit and an occasional sound seeing tour.