TL Network Takes Aim At The Future With New Initiatives

It’s all about bringing in new business these days and TL Network (TLN) is making sure that it helps its members do just that with technology and lead-generation tools that deliver proven results.

In fact, in 2022, it delivered a record-breaking number of leads to its members, but it’s not resting on its laurels as it introduces new options for continued growth.

TravelBrands Receives Sales & Service Partner Award 

This year’s best Sales and Service Partner of the Year was awarded to TravelBrands. Seen here, from l to r, are Doug Lidberg  – TravelBrands with Christine James – Travel Leaders Network

Stephen McGillivray, Chief Marketing Officer of Travel Leaders Group, points out that: “Bringing in solid leads that will become bookings is a core priority for most travel advisors. With the post-pandemic travel boom, the issue has become not only how do advisors get clients, but how do travelers find the perfect advisor for their trip? TravelLeaders.com, powered by Agent Profiler, is the answer that ‘matchmakes’ these two groups for a great solution for both.”

Last year, Travel Leaders Network delivered over 12,000 leads to its members. This number represents a 224% growth from 2021 and a 145% growth from the pre-pandemic high of 2019. These leads represented $20 million in sales with preferred supplier partners and $2.5 million in commission earned by members.

Sunwing Earns Overall Support Partner Award

Sunwing received TL Network’s Overall Support Partner of the Year and seen here, from l to r, are David Wright – Sunwing; Christine James – Travel Leaders Network; and Deana Murphy – Sunwing.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, TLN members had received 97,000 leads since January 1, 2023, putting lead generation numbers on the path to surpass 2022 by 54%.

Agents Are Just ‘Super’

In the past year, TLN introduced the “Super Agent” designation, where heavy users of Agent Profiler can earn a badge that will bring them to the top of searches, making it easy for advisors to be noticed and travelers to zero in on experts. Users are expected to have complete profiles, making use of all of Agent Profiler’s features, as well as a certain level of expertise and client reviews.

Chatting with AmaWaterways 

Travel Leaders Network’s Christine James chats with AmaWaterways’ Gary Murphy, Sandra Gardiner and Alex Pinelo

CanadianTravelAgents.ca now offers a multi-facet search for pinpointed search results. For instance, a user can search by location, destination and travel niche all at once. Users can even see sample itineraries when using CanadianTravelAgents.ca to search for an advisor. The site has been redesigned for mobile users and with a color palette designed to evoke travel.

Taking Care Of Business

Additionally, TL Network has reaffirmed its commitment to corporate agencies with its service offerings.

Corporate travel agencies working with TL Network have access to solutions like:

• The Business Center of Excellence, dedicated to advising corporate agencies and giving assistance on RFPs, customer surveys, sales presentations and more.
• Travel Leaders Global Network for client support abroad.
• Leading technology like flexible booking tools, a suite of data reporting tools and a customized web portal for corporate clients.

Royal Caribbean Was Cruising 

Posing for the camera at the Royal Caribbean booth at the trade show, from l to r, are Penny Martin – The Travel Agent Next Door; Vicki Freed – Royal Caribbean International; and Rhonda Stanley – The Travel Agent Next Door 

Creating New Alliances 

In other news, Travel Leaders Network’s Leaders Alliances continue to provide top-performing members with communities of their own, focused on their niches. The Network has three thriving Alliances currently, with a fourth one starting this quarter.

Leaders Alliances were launched in 2021 with the Luxury Leaders Alliance and the Independent Advisor Networks Leaders Alliance. The Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Leaders Alliance launched in February of this year. All Alliances require a rigorous application, including nomination by the agency owner, and a review from Travel Leaders Network’s internal experts.

Busy At The Booth 

Kensington Tours’ Isabella Borowiee – Kensington Tours and Careese Peters were busy at their booth during the show.

Roger E. Block, President of Travel Leaders Network, said that: “Because of TLN’s size, we are fortunate enough to have many members who are incredibly successful in their areas. It made sense to develop communities where these people could learn from their peers. Alliance members have proven their expertise through their sales, and by banding together, can have better access to supplier partners in their area, new ideas, and new contacts.

The Independent Networks Leaders Alliance was developed to serve TLN’s host agencies. Currently 45 Agencies are part of this Alliance. Those agencies represent 44,881 travel advisors and nearly $2 billion worth of sales. Members of the Independent Networks Leaders Alliance have access to an online library open only to them with content on host agencies, online gatherings, access to EDGE’s Forum event for this Alliance, a white-labeled IC newsletter, and criminal history background check benefits.

ACV Front & Centre On The Floor 

Posing for the camera at the Air Canada Vacations booth at the trade show, from l to r,  are Miroslava Plihtiak – All in One Travel, Diane Pedroso – Air Canada Vacations; and Linda Khanna – Women of the World Travel  

The Luxury Leaders Alliance stands at 275 members strong. Required to be in the top 1% of all luxury sellers in the Network, these advisors are among the industry’s top luxury producers. Luxury Leaders Alliance members are required to undergo an annual audit to continue their membership. As part of this Alliance, members get to attend the annual Luxury Forum at EDGE, have priority for luxury TLN-sponsored fam trips and industry events like ILTM, collaborate with their fellow luxury advisors and suppliers, and gain access to curated luxury continued learning.

In February 2023, Travel Leaders Network formally announced the Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Leaders Alliance. In less than three months, this Alliance has grown to 53 members. As is the case with the Luxury Leaders Alliance, membership in the Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Alliance will be capped at no more than 1% of total membership. Members of this Alliance sell many different types of romance travel, with some focusing on high-end honeymoons in a crossover with the Luxury Leaders Alliance, while others prefer to focus on volume, or to specialize in destination weddings in particular countries. Members of this Alliance are able to enjoy virtual events and networking, with in-person events and coaching opportunities to be announced later this year.

Cunard Was Sailing 

Seen here, from l to r, at the trade show are Cunard’s Jamie Paiko and Monika Pasquerello.

Technology In The Travel Space

With the focus on technology in the travel space, and how advisors can use it to increase sales and productivity, Travel Leaders Network proudly announces the launch of the Technology Leaders Alliance.

Available only to owner and manager-level members, the Technology Alliance will act as a platform to share and learn about tools that exist outside of Travel Leaders Network. This includes everything from the use of AI to pay reconciliation for corporate agencies to online security for travel agencies. Members can not only share their own expertise, but learn what other agencies are using and exploring in travel tech.

Seabourn On Deck 

Seen here, from l to r, are Seabourn’s Eva Damato and Shane Buksh.

Said Block: “Leaders Alliances present an exciting dichotomy: while each group is limited to a certain area, within the Alliance there is so much to learn. Every member is unique, running their businesses in different ways and selling to different clients. By bringing them together under the Alliance umbrellas, success breeds success for the members.”

Block continued: “That’s why I am so excited to welcome the Technology Leaders Alliance into the fold—like our three existing Alliances, I have no doubt that its members will be able to take as much as they give to it, and we can’t wait to watch the great ideas that will come out of it.”

All Smiles At The Show

Taking care of business at the show, from l to r, are Avalon Waterways’ Pam Hoffee and Globus family of brands’ Carla Brake

Go to www.TravelLeadersNetwork.com for more.