The new look of the Travel Research Online front page is just about a year old. We have tweaked, poked, prodded and hopefully we are delivering on our promise to provide useful tools to travel professionals at no cost. But we are not sitting on our laurels either.
But first of all, we have our perspective and you have yours. Ours is evident; but yours–not so much. So tell us! What do you like about TRO? What’s your favorite section? The TRO Community? Destination Guides? Webinars? Videos? Columns? Which columns? We really want to know—please leave a comment.
Last month, we added the fantastic new column entitled Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down by Les-Lee Roland. This month, you will be introduced to three new columnists in our Point To Point section who will get you thinking differently, challenge your marketing programs, redefine your business plan, and make your head hurt–in a good way. None of them need any introduction, but since it is my column, I will do it anyway.
Les-Lee Roland
As many of you have already seen, we have brought Les-Lee Roland and her popular Thumbs Up Thumbs Down column. But we are not stopping there. IN the following weeks, look for debut columns from some of the best thought provokers in the industry today.
Nolan Burris
Nolan Burris will be debuting next week with a series of columns entitle “The Edge of Excellence”. Nolan is an author, former travel agent, failed musician and self-professed techno-geek. He’s also a popular international speaker both inside and outside of the travel industry. He is the founder and chief Visioneer of Future Proof Travel Solutions (futureprooftravel.com) based in Vancouver, Canada. Nolan’s believes that if can change the way business works, you’ll change the world. His goal is to spread the message of integrity and ethics in a techno-driven world.
Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC
Chelle Yarbrough will be making your technology head spin. Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC is the CEO (Chief Everything Officer) of TravelWebMarketing.com which offers weekly teleconference training classes, videos, marketing tips, software discounts and website advice to travel industry professionals for a low monthly fee. She’s often paid to speak at the travel industry’s finest conferences, which she thinks is ironic since her husband would pay her to shut up, and she wouldn’t have to do a slideshow. AS you read Chelle’s columns you will understand more about her self-proclaimed awesomeness with all things travel+internet.Chelle will be at ASTA’s TRADESHOW September 13-15, 2009, where she’ll be discussing Twitter and Customer Relationship Managers.
Mike Marchev
Mike is a marketing humorist who actually has the skill to motivate. Mike is one of the most energetic speakers (and writers if that is possible) and is known for sharing personal experiences and lessons in a fun, light and refreshing fashion. By keeping messages real, he manages to connect with audiences at all levels. Mike has worked with some big names in corporate America like Merck, AT&T, Toyota, Maersk Shipping, Savin, Seimens, Pitney Bowes, Wells Fargo Bank, The Washington Post, Sysco Foods, Ortho Pharmaceutical, and more—and now he will be here on TRO bringing you his unique and motivating insights to this crazy profession we all love.
Well, there you have it—the next few surprises from TRO. All we ask of you is that you refer us to your colleagues and if appropriate, support the vendors that advertise with us—they really make it all happen.
On a personal note, I am absolutely thrilled each week to be editing this site and producing a column where I am given relatively free reign to opine. I get so excited when an Agent Diary column comes in so I can be the first to see the progress of these five brave professionals. I have met so many wonderful and supportive people (face to face, on the phone and virtually) here and I am proud to call this group of professionals my friends. Under the direction of Richard Earls, TRO has moved from a “cool idea” to a true force in the travel industry. We are attracting more and more attention as we stay our course and prove to the travel world that a travel professional is still your best resource.