Expedia Cruises Hosts ANCHOR Conference At Sea

Last updated on July 3rd, 2024

Our Conference at Sea for Franchisees, and now, Vacation Consultants!

Each year our Franchisees, along with our corporate team members, look forward to our much anticipated annual National Conference at sea. This year (and every year going forward) we decided to add an additional conference, ANCHOR, at sea for our Franchisees AND Vacation Consultants!

The anticipation was at an all-time high as this marked the first time our Vacation Consultants were able to experience a conference at sea, and let me tell you…it was a major hit! From embarkation to disembarkation the energy and excitement on the ship was palpable. Not only is the cruise industry booming, but our franchisees and Vacation Consultants were coming off their best sales year. That’s why, as an Expedia Cruises franchisee or Vacation Consultant, attending our conferences at sea is so much more than setting sail on an amazing cruise, it’s an opportunity to come together to celebrate our successes (both personally and professionally) and to prepare for the year ahead.

In early April, we welcomed over 500 of our franchisees, Vacation Consultants, travel industry Executives and Corporate team members, onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas for a roundtrip Caribbean sailing from Fort Lauderdale. The six-day conference consisted of an action-packed agenda with executive keynote presentations, workshops, supply partner 1 on 1’s, and panel discussions. Discussions and workshops revolved around the booming cruise and travel industries, new technology coming soon to our Vacation Consultants and Franchisees, as well as helping our franchisees and Vacation Consultants prepare for the year ahead.

“Each conference represents a unique moment when our entire industry and system are united in the same space. Our Franchisees, Vacation Consultants Corporate executives, and industry thought leaders gather to share best practices, build relationships, and drive the industry forward” – Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia Cruises.

Keep Your Finger on the Pulse

Each conference, we thoughtfully craft the week at sea with our franchisees, and now our Vacation Consultants, in mind. We had a dual track running with workshops tailored for each group. Our goal is to provide maximum value for them as they take time away from their Centers to work on their business. We organize a variety of educational workshops, inspiring keynote speakers, and fun networking events with our own corporate team members, industry leaders, suppliers, and fellow franchisees and Vacation Consultants. Plus, plenty of downtime in the sun! By the end of the week, our franchisees and Vacation Consultants came home with a renewed and elevated level of excitement for their business and the travel industry as a whole.

“This conference was more than networking—it was about building connections and envisioning mutual success, with inspiring keynote speakers, discussions on the rise of land-based vacations, and seamless organization” – Expedia Cruises Franchisee

Build and Establish Relationships

Another benefit of attending our conferences is getting to meet or reconnect with members of the corporate team that you work so closely with! You will also get to spend some quality time with your fellow franchisees and Vacation Consultant who are truly your built-in support network. Having a group of people to turn to, who have been in your shoes, is an incredible resource. Whether you’re just starting out and want advice on recruiting your dream team, or have been in business for years and are looking for fresh new ideas to reach travelers in your community, you’ll find the franchisees and Vacation Consultants in our network have invaluable insights and are always willing to help each other succeed.

“It was truly inspiring to witness vacation consultants, managers, and franchisees coming together in one place.  The networking opportunities provided a valuable platform for us to connect and build relationships. Events like these not only foster camaraderie but also highlight the strength of our unity as a team. Seeing everyone collaborating and exchanging ideas reaffirms our collective commitment to working towards common goals.” – Expedia Cruises Franchisee

Experience the Company Culture

Traveling should be a fun experience, and we share that sentiment across our company (both at the corporate and franchise level). At Expedia Cruises we’re dedicated to recognizing our success when we’ve earned it and making fun a priority – it’s truly at the heart of what we do. We carry this same enthusiasm for fun and recognition into our conferences, as well as the smaller events held throughout the year, by hosting Awards Dinner Galas, theme nights, cocktail parties, fundraisers and more.

This year’s ANCHOR Conference was no exception as we made sure to have a good balance of fun and work! In between training, learning, and networking, we hosted entertaining cocktail parties, delectable dinners, and enjoyed beautiful and sunny port days in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Royal Caribbean’s private island – CocoCay! We also had different theme nights including Latin, Tropical, 70s, and 80s.

Our franchisees and Vacation Consultants live our mantra of Stronger.Together® and enjoy time together while recognizing our combined and individual accomplishments.

“As a relatively new Travel Consultant I was nervous about making the investment for Anchor. I’m so glad I did. I learned more in 7 days of fun than in 7 months of training. I connected with numerous suppliers and became much more informed about their products. I came to appreciate the Royal Caribbean brand and now know that it will be ideal choice for many of my clients. I was inspired by the leadership presentations – especially from our Expedia team. I networked with experienced agents and franchisees and learned all sorts of techniques and strategies to grow my business.  I was re-enforced with my belief in the Expedia Cruises brand. I posted aggressively to my social media followers that helps build my credibility as a TC. I enjoyed Playing to Win and feel Stronger.Together.” – Expedia Cruises Vacation Consultant

Awards and Recognition

As we recognize our franchisees at our National Conference each year, we took this opportunity to recognize our Vacation Consultants who are the heart and soul of each of our franchise locations. The Navigators Club Recognition Program acknowledges Consultants for delivering the effective sales and customer service behaviors that deliver Our Promise.  Consultants are recognized with Navigators Club designations based on their individual Booked Sales Activity for a one-year period January 1 – December 31.

Although we recognized every tier of our Navigator’s Club Level by having them stand in their seats as everyone applauded their hard work and success, we had all of our Diamond Level Vacation Consultants come up on stage for a special presentation. Our Diamond level Consultants book a minimum of $1 million in sales in the year; this is an incredible feat and something definitely worth celebrating!

Learn more about starting your own travel agency franchise

Expedia Cruises is North America’s Full-Service Leisure Travel Agency specializing in air, land, and sea vacations and backed by one of largest travel brands in the world, Expedia Group. Build equity and enjoy a great lifestyle with our proven franchise model with 37 years of success. Expedia Cruises currently has over 265 retail locations open or under development across North America. As the cruise industry rebounds, customers are seeking the expert advice of a travel agent who can create customized travel plans and provide personal service.

If you’re ready to learn more, we invite you to continue exploring the Expedia Cruises franchise opportunity by completing the form below.