2024 MAST Member Handbook

MAST offers training and education opportunities throughout the year.

2024 Educational Theme

Identifying and Maximizing ROI Opportunities Through Industry Initiatives

In 2024, the travel industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and MAST Travel Advisors are facing both challenges and opportunities like never before. To help MAST Members thrive in this dynamic landscape, our educational theme for 2024 is dedicated to helping members identify and seize return on investment opportunities within the travel industry. At the heart of this theme, we will explore how members can make the most out of key initiatives such as familiarization trips, meetings, and training events. We will delve into strategies for transforming these trips, meetings, and events into business growth opportunities. Additionally, new tools and resources from both MAST headquarters and Supplier Partners will be shared with advisors and agencies to streamline operations and help build profitability in 2024.

Educational Events

Winter Workshops – After work networking meetings for all agency staff.

Annual Conference – MAST’s signature event for education, networking, unique special events and activities, part fam trip, supplier relationships, and fun.

Specialty Travel Forum – Full-day workshop with MAST’s Niche Preferred Suppliers.

Summer Workshops – Half-day morning workshops developing business, sales, and marketing skills.

All Star Trip – Rewards trip, business meeting, social and networking time.

Owners Summit – Business matters and travel agency operations for MAST agency owners.

Sales Sensation – Seminars, Fall product launch, largest travel trade event in the Midwest.

Business Coaching

Business consultation and coaching that begins with a member needs assessment that touches on business plans, budgets, marketing plans, revenue models, profitability, recruiting new employees and employee compensation, benefits, and incentives.

MAST Exclusive FAM Trips

FAM trips provide learning opportunities and are considered an essential part of continuing professional education. FAM trips are also marketing and selling opportunities for travel professionals and for preferred suppliers sponsoring the trips. Fam trip ROI is measured by most suppliers. With that in mind, MAST has created event pre-requisites and eligibility rules for members invited on MAST designated and exclusive FAM trips.

To receive an invitation to a MAST Exclusive Fam Trip, a member agency must participate/be represented in a least THREE major MAST meetings and events (in-person or virtually) during the 12 months preceding the trip.

(Note: notwithstanding all other requirements established by MAST in conjunction with the suppliers and travel providers hosting the FAM Trip.)

Eligibility requirements: (These will differ slightly based on the FAM trip being offered)

• Agency needs to be in good standing with MAST and the supplier offering the FAM
• Agency should have production with the supplier
• Agent applying for FAM needs to be a selling agent
• Agent applying for FAM should not have been on the same FAM the year before
• Agent applying for FAM should not have traveled with the supplier for at least a year
• Agents applying for FAM should have the permission of the Agency Owner they are representing

Requirements:

• Obtain specialist certificate
• Create marketing plan
• Agree to booking incentives
• Come up with a mailing list to market to after FAM

Supplier Webinar Series

Once a month, at 10:00am Central Time, MAST will host social media training webinars. We will cover topics from all social media platforms, apps, and tools ranging from beginner to more advanced. All webinars are archived on the MAST website and are available to you all year.

The new Supplier Spotlight Lightning Session webinar format includes a 15-minute discussion where suppliers discuss high-points and key takeaways they want advisors to be most aware of. During this conversational update, there will be two suppliers featured back-to-back, each with 15-minutes to speak and a chance to answer questions at the end of their segment. Also included is a Supplier Spotlight ‘Get To Know Us’ fact sheet email, which will be sent to all MAST advisors, including a link to a recording of the virtual presentation.

MAST will schedule virtual meetings with 6 agencies and 3 suppliers over the course of one day, and provide a private Zoom room where advisors will pop in and join at their assigned 15-minute appointment time. Members can select from morning appointments or afternoon appointments. The format is a one-on-one discussion, receive updates on itineraries/properties, and Q&A time to ask any business-related questions. Have direct contact with a BDM and ask questions and get immediate input/answers.

The MAST What‘s Supp Supplier Snapshots are monthly, 30–35-minute supplier video recordings for MAST members to view on their own time, and receive the latest news from participating supplier companies. Each month will have a specific theme/topic. Suppliers will focus on how their company is trending on the specific topic, what the company can offer within the specific topic, and any news, updates, or offers MAST agencies should be aware of.