International Network of Travel Directors

Cool, Carry-On Travel Products for Savvy Travelers

2010-06-28T11:24:00.003-05:00

Great news for all you road warriors who prefer to travel light and avoid those pesky airline luggage fees! 3floz.com a new website "For those who travel, those who are curious, and those who can’t commit" has launched to provide travelers with TSA-friendly products. Co-founded by Kate Duff and Alexi Mintz who wondered for years why they couldn’t find all of their favorite beauty products in travel-friendly sizes to take along on their frequent travels for both work and pleasure.

The site carries a variety of men’s and women’s products, including skincare, hair care and nail care, many are organic and natural products. Brands include Philip B, Go Smile, Ole Henriksen, Malin + Goetz, Air Repair, Archipelago Botanicals, Anthony for Men and more, including travel kits from Ahava, The Art of Shaving, Dr. Hauschka, Jonathan and Yes to Carrots. Online exclusives include Phyto Haircare, Baxter of California, and Blow.

With TSA rules changing daily, travelers can now save time and money by skipping baggage check all together. Small sizes also offer the perfect way to sample new products without the large investment compared to full-size counterparts. Items available at 3floz.com range from $3-$110.

Spring Giveaway!

2010-03-15T14:56:00.016-05:00

We have flipped over the Flip Camcorder! We love this gadget so much we are giving an INTD fan the chance to win their very own Flip UntraHD.

What will you win?
The lucky winner will win a Flip UntraHD Camcorder, be invited to co-host our May 31st Twitter party and be featured in INTD’s Newsletter. As a special bonus, INTD Travel Director or Tour Guide members will have the opportunity to be a Featured Travel Director on INTD’s Home Page for the entire month of May! What a great way to spread the word about your expertise or organization and reach over 10,000 people across multiple marketing platforms!

But hurry, contest ends April 30, 2010!

How do I enter, you ask?
Simple! Select at least one of the following options by helping us promote the contest and you’re entered to win. Note: You will need to add your email address to our mailing list for us to be able to contact the winner. We respect your privacy and our email address will never be sold.

Join INTD's Mailing List!

Pick at least one of the following options:

■ Twitter – Tweet about our contest (+2 entries) (this can be done 4 times daily). Each time you tweet counts as 2 entries! Don't forget to come back to this blog and tell us about your tweets in the comments section below. Copy & Paste this: @intdonline is giving away a Flip HD Camcorder. Where Meeting Planners and Freelance Staff connect at http://www.intdonline.org/ #eventprofs #meetings #intd

■ Facebook – Add the contest to your Facebook status. Let us know you’ve done so in the comments section below and include your FB page url address. (+ 3 entries). Copy & Paste this: INTD is giving away a Flip HD Camcorder. Where Meeting Planners and Freelance Staff connect at http://www.intdonline.org/.

■ Become a Fan on INTD’s Facebook Fan Page (+ 2 entries). Come back and let us know you became a fan by posting in the comments section below.

■ Blog – Link our contest page to your blog or website. Let us know you’ve done so and include your website/blog link in the comments section below. (+ 4 entries)

■ Follow - Follow INTD’s Blog by registering to the right of this post. Let us know you did by posting a comment below. (+ 2 entries)

Tell your friends, co-workers, neighbors, clients and maybe even the passenger sitting next to you on your next flight about this contest. No purchase necessary, but you need to enter to win. Winner must be 18 or older. Contest ends at midnight April 1, 2010 and winner will be chosen randomly by Random.org.

Win the Flip Ultra HD Camcoder!! ENTER TODAY!!

Winner Announced for Thank You Giveaway!

2010-03-11T15:23:00.001-06:00

Congratulations!! The winner of INTD's Thank You Giveaway is @VisitMoabUtah! Please email info@intdonline.org by Friday, March 12th to claim your $100!

This drawing was conducted by Random.org and concluded on March 2nd. Results can be found by visiting http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=1668.

Thank you for participating and stay tuned for INTD's giveaway next month!! To stay up to date on the latest promotions, tips and career resources be sure to join our mailing list.

Click HERE to join INTD's Mailing List!

Maximize Your INTD Membership

2010-02-28T22:59:00.004-06:00

Since launching in 2008, INTD has over 800 members worldwide! With the continued growth of the database, a valuable online resource continues to exist for meeting & event planners, DMC's, incentive houses and tour companies to connect with and hire freelance travel professionals directly.

Below are a few tips to get the most value out of your INTD membership!

1. Join INTD's Blog Team - Write an article for INTD's Blog or newsletter and be a featured travel director on the home page!

2. Update Your Member Profile - Keep your profile current – upload a photo, resume, rate, experience, etc.

3. Promote Your Profile - Add "Proud Member of International Network of Travel Directors, Passport #" and the url address of your INTD profile to your email signature.

4. Grab a Widget - Grab INTD's widget to the right of this blog post and share on your personal blog, Facebook, Twitter and more! Check out this very cool tool and let others know you are a professional TD.

5. Network - Post comments on our blog, communicate on the message board….This is an easy way to advertise yourself as a member. Be sure to subscribe to the message board feed.

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Note: INTD is not a job placement firm or staffing agency. INTD is a membership based organization dedicated to freelance travel professionals for the purpose of career development, networking and freelance opportunities.

Happy 2nd Anniversary INTD!

2010-02-07T23:23:00.036-06:00

February 8th kicks off International Network of Travel Directors’ 2nd Anniversary! Has it really been two years? Wow, how time flies…

As the first day of our month long celebration begins, INTD would like to make this year memorable with a special "THANK YOU" Giveaway just for you! On behalf of our Advisory Board Members and Membership Development Team, thank you for your support and we look forward to 2010!!

What will you win? A $100 American Express Gift Card that can be redeemed wherever American Express credit cards are accepted. Now who couldn’t use $100 these days?

To Enter this SPECIAL Giveaway (do at least 1 or all of the following):

1st - Copy and paste this blog posting url link in your Facebook or LinkedIn status Copy & Paste This: INTD is 2 years old this month. Travel Directors and Meeting Planners connect at http://tinyurl.com/ybveo8w Come back to this blog and COMMENT BELOW that you updated your account and include your LinkedIn or FB url address

2nd - TWEET about this giveaway (you can do this up to four times a day) . Twitter accounts are FREE!! Copy & Paste This: INTD is 2 years old this month. Travel Directors and Meeting Planners connect at http://www.intdonline.org/ #eventprofs #meetings #INTD Come back to this blog and COMMENT BELOW that you updated Twitter and include your Twitter address

3rd – Follow INTD on Twitter (CLICK HERE) Come back to this blog and COMMENT BELOW that you did and include your Twitter address

This Thank You Giveaway will end on March 2, 2010!

Thank you so much to all our dedicated members who are persevering in the current economic climate. We continue our mission to advocate, promote and motivate the most valuable assets in the industry – freelance travel directors!

Note: INTD is not a job placement firm or staffing agency. INTD is a membership based association dedicated to freelance travel professionals for the purpose of career development, networking and freelance opportunities.

Don’t give up, Get Motivated in 2010!

2010-02-01T12:20:00.003-06:00

Yes, the unemployment numbers are still discouraging and freelance projects are few and far between, but what can you do? I know we are all tired of the depressing news the media can have on our day to day challenge of finding a new job or any job at this point.

If you have ever read my Travel Director blog or followed me on Twitter, you know I am a really big fan of Tory Johnson and passionate about sharing her job tips whenever they are relevant to our industry and members. Her recent GMA segment about getting a job in 2010 put a spring in my step and motivated me to start brainstorming. What can I do to help our members get back to work and find more freelance projects? I guess you could say I had my own breakthrough moment when I discovered Tory’s volunteer movement to establish Career Clubs across the US.

That’s when it hit me, INTD needs a career club dedicated to our members that can provide virtual access to a collaborative group that shares advice and provides camaraderie in a serious, positive and motivating environment (from the comfort of home or on the road)! Over the past few weeks our team has been working to develop and launch INTD’s Get Motivated! Career Club.

Join INTD’s Get Motivated! Career Club, online for a live career chat and personal goal setting that will be sure to prepare you for a great and prosperous 2010. Space is limited and members must qualify to be accepted as a participant. Want to know more about joining INTD’s Get Motivated! Career Club? Send an email to careerclub@intdonline.org by February 8th to submit your request to join.

It is no secret our job board and most industry job boards are extremely lean or deserted. However, I refuse to let that deter me or our members and I am committing to pushing forward to help advocate, promote and motive the industry’s most valuable assets - freelance meeting and travel professionals.

Check out Tory’s segment on GMA.

Learn more about Get Motivated! Career Club.

5 Quick Tips for Getting Hired

2009-10-26T10:41:00.003-05:00

Just saw this segment on GMA this morning and thought I would share. Some of the techniques are different and probably worth trying, access video clip below.

Proof that some of these tips work ….A close friend of mine received an email from someone via LinkedIn. The woman had recently graduated from college and referenced that they were both members of the same sorority. She asked if there were employment opportunities within my friend’s company or if she could refer her to someone within the industry. My friend knew of someone looking for an intern and was so impressed by her email that she did forward the email and information.

Proves that sometimes it is not just WHO you know personally...

Many of our members are still in need of work so if you are in a position to refer INTD members or travel directors you have worked with previously, please take a moment and do so. Don't forget, INTD's job board is free and allows meeting planners to connect with over 700 travel directors and tour guides directly!

Watch video clip....

Why Hire a Travel Director?

2009-10-14T21:08:00.001-05:00

by Serenity J. Knutson...

Even the best meeting planner can't be in more than one place at a time. For some tasks, you need onsite help. But not just anyone will do. When it's your hard work and reputation on the line, you need a professional.

Enter the freelance travel director. Often the answer to a meeting planner's need for qualified, onsite meeting management professionals, travel directors were once hard to find. Through the International Network of Travel Directors (INTD) and their launch of INTDONLINE.ORG, planners have access to experienced travel directors who provide services for meetings, events and incentive trips around the world. Planners can search for a travel director based on location, expertise, employment and more.

"That was a key issue: having staff, finding staff, not paying a fortune to interview," says INTD's Director of Development Megan Moiles. She envisions "one network, so everyone knows each other, so everyone has one core place for resources, for work, and basic networking."

Read more....

Where’s the Meeting Jobs?

2009-04-12T15:45:00.005-05:00

The economy and our industry are slow but where can you find freelance meeting jobs? International Network of Travel Directors (INTD) provides one central location for meeting and event planners, DMC’s, incentive houses and tour companies to post temporary and freelance meeting jobs. Job postings are currently FREE as part of INTD’s meeting planner stimulus plan. For more information, visit the #1 resource for meeting planners and learn about INTD’s Meeting Planner Stimulus Plan.

Why should planners post jobs on INTDONLINE.COM? The #1 reason is to target the right audience for freelance projects. INTD members consist of freelance travel professionals whose professional expertise is on-site and pre-planning logistics. Their main source of revenue relies on temp and contract work. INTD’s job board allows planners to connect directly with members.

While industry message boards are vital and necessary resources, using this type of online forum as a job board does not always warrant finding appropriate candidates successfully. In many cases employers post their freelance position hoping that someone will read the requirements and offer a referral or qualified candidates will respond. Additionally, message boards do not provide planners with 100% privacy (preventing spam) or the ability to manage applications effectively. INTD’s job board is secured and allows planners to keep their contact information confidential and administer applications directly through INTDONLINE.COM.

Lastly, INTD streamlines the process by providing meeting planners access to online profiles, downloadable resumes, home base locations via Google maps, member photos, recent project experience and much more. The next time you need assistance with temporary meeting jobs, please consider INTDONLINE.COM, the fastest growing hospitality association dedicated to freelance travel professionals.

Visit INTD’s member database of over 600 freelance travel professionals!

Note: INTD is not a job placement firm or staffing agency. INTD is a membership based association dedicated to freelance travel professionals for the purpose of career development, networking and freelance opportunities.

Like this article? Please help us improve by posting your comments, feedback and suggestions below on this blog. Anyone can post, just select the comments link here.

Featured Meeting Destination - San Francisco

2009-04-11T14:01:00.002-05:00

San Francisco is one of the best locations for planners to host a meeting in 2009. Not only does the city boast an inventory of new and renovated hotels, but there is an array of exciting attractions and venues to be found everywhere from the lush glades of Golden Gate Park to the docks of the bay. Click here for full article……

Home to over 30 top-level freelance travel directors! Visit INTDONLINE.COM, San Francisco’s meeting planner resource for on-site staff, freelance travel directors and tour guides.

Clients – Are They Not That into You??

2009-04-06T13:49:00.004-05:00

I’m sure this is how many freelance Travel Directors (TD’s) might be feeling these days when it comes to the relationship with their meeting planner clients. I have heard comments from many TD’s that clients are not returning their calls or emails and they feel abandoned. Everyone is highly aware that business has slowed down, but closing the lines of communication all together can send mixed signals to freelancers, especially your top-level Travel Directors whom you were once eager to book for ALL your projects.

If you are a planner that previously relied on freelance TD’s to ensure the success of your meetings, events and incentive programs, below are a few tips for managing this relationship when business is slow.

1. Keep Lines of Communication Open
Send an email to your freelancers letting them know the current status of your organization’s projects for 2009/2010. If you are not currently hiring but planning to keep them on your database list, please share this information.

2. Refer a Travel Director
Referrals can be the greatest gesture of appreciation. If you are unable to hire freelancers but know other planners who are, share your contact list and refer a TD. I have never understood companies who kept their list a “secret”. Just like many small businesses (printer, transportation, entertainment, etc) TD’s survive on referrals. Treat them well and they will keep you at the top of their priority list too.

3. Negotiate Compensation
If you are unable to pay previous compensation rates due to budgetary constraints, take the time to contact your Travel Directors and ask if they can be flexible at the moment. TD’s are willing to negotiate now more than ever. However, treat freelancers like any valuable vendor and offer reasonable compensation rather than low balling in hopes someone will do the work for nothing.

4. Respond & Follow Up
When one of your Travel Directors calls or sends you an email, please follow up within 24 or 48 hours. Even if you have nothing to offer at the moment, at least respond letting the person know you will be in touch should something change. Thank them for their service and all they have done for your organization in the past. Many of your TD’s have spent months, maybe years providing you and your clients with superior service. We all need a little reassurance that it is nothing personal but just a sign of the times that they aren’t being hired at the moment.

Now is the time for all of us within the hospitality industry to work together and support one another. Treat your Travel Directors like any vendor you have come to rely on to be a successful meeting planner. With so many Travel Directors out of work, many are being forced out of the industry all together. This is going to have a significant affect for the industry once business picks up.

When planners are consistent and responsive regardless of economic times, it provides open, honest and successful relationships with freelance contractors eliminating any worry that you - are not that into them.

Want to learn how Travel Directors can save you time and money or need a Travel Director referral for your next meeting, event or incentive program? Contact International Network of Travel Directors, the #1 online resource for meeting and event planners to connect with on-site event staff, travel directors and tour guides.

Wi-Fi Tips at Hotels - Worth Sharing

2009-03-22T07:24:00.003-05:00

Read an interesting article that is worth sharing. How to avoid Paying for Mulitple Wi-Fi Connections in One Room at hotels. There are great tips and instructions which could potentially apply in a staff office, not just an individual hotel room.

INTD's Featured City - Chicago

2009-03-20T12:41:00.006-05:00

This month INTD is featuring Chicago as a top destination for meeting and event planners. While Chicago offers amazing hotels, unique venues, restaurants and some of the best industry suppliers in the business, it is also home to over 50 top-level freelance travel directors!

Access INTD's travel director database for more details.

Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Meeting and Event Planners Resource Guide to Chicago!

Read more about why Chicago is on the Rise.

Top 10 Online Job Search Tips

2009-03-14T15:06:00.003-05:00

INTD’s job board was established to make applying to meeting jobs easier and more efficient. However, when it comes to creating a fruitful online job search, successful seekers can follow these 10 guidelines.

1. If you build it, they can come.
Instead of simply posting your profile on INTD’s site, take it one step further and design an easily-navigable Web site or online portfolio where recruiters can view your body of work, read about your goals and obtain contact information. Link your site’s URL address to your INTD profile.

2. Check yourself to make sure you haven't wrecked yourself.
Google your name to see what comes up -- and what companies will see if they do the same. If you don't like what you find, it's time to do damage control. Check Yahoo and other search engines too.

3. Stay focused.
Only apply to jobs you are qualified for or meet the stated criteria. While you may be willing to apply to ANY job out there in hopes that the company will make an exception based on your skills, companies are more turned off when they are bombarded with applicants who do NOT meet the job description.

4. Obtain a professional headshot.
Adding a professional and current headshot to your online profile is imperative. It is not about being glamorous. Today companies want to know you have the ability to present yourself in a professional manner. Using a candid photo that your friends have been cut out of is not recommended. Go to outlets such as Target and Wal-Mart for an inexpensive photo session and request a digital copy.

5. Update your profile and resume.
Login to your INTD profile often and be sure to update your recent projects and references. The great thing about being and INTD member is your profile is 100% secure. Only Planner members may access your info after posting a job. Your profile shows the date you last logged into your account.

6. Utilize job alerts.
INTD’s job board allows you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts about newly available jobs that match your membership type. Go one step further and subscribe to the RSS feed from the job board to appear on your customized Internet homepage or your PC's news-reader software.

7. Get connected.
How many times have you been told that it's not what you know, but who you know? Thanks to professional networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn.com and INTD, travel directors no longer have to rely on word of mouth referrals. These sites provide access to hundreds of industry professionals and allow you to connect with people you know and the people they know and so forth.

8. Participate in forums.
Join meeting industry forums and participate on their discussion and make sure to include your signature. INTD’s message board and Linkedin Group is a great way to network with fellow members. Just be sure to avoid spamming or soliciting these forums.

9. Write articles.
Want to spread the word about your personal expertise? Submit an article on a topic you are passionate about to industry sites and INTD. This is a great way to increase your exposure.

10. Be willing to negotiate.
Last but not least, be willing to negotiate your compensation. Companies are on extremely tight budgets these days and on-site staffing costs are being highly scrutinized. If you can afford to accept a project that may be lower than your normal rate, do so with enthusiasm and appreciation of the opportunity. Especially if the project is for a company you have never partnered with previously. Who knows where this opportunity may lead.

Also, be sure your compensation rate is listed as negotiable on your INTD online profile. Applying to positions that are lower pay than what your profile displays can easily eliminate you as a potential candidate.

Show me the money!

2009-03-03T15:00:00.001-06:00

While this phrase is a very old movie reference, unfortunately it is currently hitting home to millions worldwide. Over the past few months I have been scouring industry message boards and social networking groups to assess the situation and how hospitality professionals are handling things. I have to say, attitudes are not good.

While this is not news to anyone, I think I was more surprised by the public venting people were willing to publish on online forums. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely worried about the economy and the stability of my own income, however, are we really losing sight of maintaining grace, dignity and professionalism in the eyes of this financial crisis?

With many professionals using message boards, blogs and social networking sites as a way to network and possibly find a new job, everyone should really give thought to what they are posting publically. Taking the opportunity to vent and rant about the terrible state of your current job, how much business you have lost or how you are willing to do anything to find a job, just comes across as desperate and sends the wrong message to readers and potential employers.

It is so important to stand out among your peers without appearing distressed, especially when looking for a job. If you want someone to “show you the money”, it is imperative to stay positive and professional at all times. Rather than focusing on things that are NOT going right, try focusing on more optimistic points like what you are doing to enhance your career. Take every opportunity to share your experience with industry peers so they become more familiar with your area of expertise.

Take for example Jamina Alvarez who is this month’s Featured Travel Director. Since becoming a member and being hired for a project through INTD in her home town of Puerto Rico, Jamina keeps our development team updated occasionally on what she is working on. While business is also slow in PR, she is consistently positive, upbeat and energetic. And even though some of her efforts may not come to fruition, she is remains undaunted and dedicated to making the most of the current situation. For more about Jamina read her article “The Future is Bright in Puerto Rico”.

The bottom line is most of us are being affected by the economy in some way. However, isn’t the secret to success really about empowering yourself and the law of attraction? I am a firm believer that what you put into the universe is what you will get back in return. I definitely think this also applies to the worldwide web.

Surviving 2009 as a Freelance TD

2008-12-31T12:50:00.005-06:00

We all know that 2009 is going to be a rough year and many of us have already taken a hit in 2008 with cancellations. So how do you manage in these tough times as a freelance travel professional??

As a hospitality professional who survived the aftermath of 9/11, I feel this is much worse for business because corporations are more concerned about perception rather than refraining from traveling out of fear. Over time fear seems to dissipate much faster. Restoring financially stability may take more time.

Having said that, I have come to realize that as a freelancer it is extremely important that we diversify our services, network like there is no tomorrow, improve our skill set and focus on career development. One of our members recently posted a great comment on our message board regarding these same points. Click here to read more…..

Treat companies you work for as true clients. When it comes down to it, as a TD you are the vendor. This means you must run your business like a business. Many planners will occasionally mention to me that many TD’s just show up with little ethusiasm, do their job and then move on to the next project. While companies understand this is how you earn your living, don’t think this goes unnoticed. Repacking program supplies haphazardly, not completing forms properly or following accounting instructions can come across as inconsiderate and cause more work for your clients. How about sending a handwritten thank you note after completing a program, calling the planner a few days after arriving home and saying thank you for the business, asking if he/she has questions you could answer to close out the program. Letting your clients know you care is the best way to be rehired.

Something that can also help is to ask the planner to review your services and if there were ways you could improve. As an INTD member, you may be reviewed online by INTD Planner Members. We suggest that anytime you are granted an interview or are hired through INTD, ask the planner to post a review on your personal profile. For more information click here....

Don’t forget to focus on improving your skills. Learn a new language and computer program, obtain your CPR and First Aid certification, write articles for INTD’s newsletter, volunteer at local fund raisers in your city to gain experience in areas where you may be weak. You never know who you may meet at these events.

There are a million ways to stay connected during these slow times but I have to say that becoming a member of INTD is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Being part of a network that supports your profession is priceless. As meeting professionals rely on MPI for career development, our goal for INTD is to fulfill this same need for freelance travel directors. As an INTD member, use the resources provided after logging into your account, post comments on the message board, update your profile frequently (planner members can see the last time you signed in when they view your profile).

Stick with INTD and you never know where the road may take you! I hope your holidays were enjoyable and we wish you all the best in 2009. The best is yet to come for INTD!

Controlling Room Block & F&B Costs On-Site

2008-11-03T21:58:00.004-06:00

Considering the current economy and the forecast for our industry in 2009, there are bound to be cancellations and no-shows to any group's room block and f&b events. Many cancellations may occur prior to program dates, however no-shows can be difficult to avoid on-site, depending on the type of program you are working.

As a professional travel director, it is imperative that you help control costs on behalf of the organization that contracts your services. Your role in overseeing the room block along with food & beverage is essential to managing the client’s bottom line. Although you may not be personally responsible for the overall budget, your on-site management skills have a direct impact on ensuring that unnecessary spending is avoided.

If you are new travel director or an experienced TD who has never been responsible for managing rooms or food and beverage on-site, here are a few tips that may help.

Room Block Tips:
1. Obtain a current rooming list and reconcile with the hotel’s rooming list prior to the group’s arrival.

2. Confirm the hotel’s occupancy status each night the group will be on property.

3. Confirm if the group will be subject to any attrition prior to arrival day. If yes, be sure to inform your Lead Program Manager immediately.

4. Become “best friends” with the hotel’s reservation and front desk manager. These are key staff members that can help you control and manage slippage.

Food & Beverage Tips:
1. Request that the banquet staff not replenish coffee and tea service without approval from the group contact. When the venue staff know you are controlling costs, the less likely you will be over billed for consumption.

2. Institute a cap on alcohol consumption and request that the banquet staff let you know when the group is coming close to reaching this amount. Request that wine & champagne bottles only be uncorked upon consumption.

3. Meet with the banquet captain and review the beverage consumption before and after the event. Again, once the vendor recognizes that you are managing consumption closely, the less likely the group will be billed for unrealistic costs.

4. After the event, divide the number of guests by the number of beverages you are being charged. If theis number equates to more than 5-6 glasses per person over the course of 3-4 hours, you may want to question your banquet captain. When in doubt, never sign a receipt without approval from your lead program manager. It is very difficult to dispute a receipt that has been signed.

For more room block and f&b tips, visit Checklists and Resources located under Profile Settings after logging into your INTD account.

We would like to hear from you. Go to our message board and comment on this topic at http://www.intdonline.com/forum.

INTD Co-Hosts Networking Event for AIMM

2008-08-06T21:23:00.035-05:00

Monday, August 4th was an exciting day for International Network of Travel Directors! We, along with Hinton & Grusich and Lettuce Planet co-hosted an event for AIMM (Association of Independent Meeting Managers) at Hub 51 Restaurant in Chicago. I have to say it was an amazing success! Over 30 people attended including several of our Chicagoland INTD members.

Guests were greeted with passed hors d' oeuvres and wine as they networked and we displayed http://www.intdonline.com/ on the overhead screen. Our very own Seth Kane with Hurrikane Solutions was the guest speaker, discussing the basics of website design and how to showcase your professional experience online. Seth's session was informative and he provided easy to follow steps and advice for any size budget. After the Q&A session, I had the opportunity to present our website and give a live demo.

Champagne was passed as we toasted the launch of International Network of Travel Directors! Guests were invited to preview the Sabika Jewelry line provided by our good friend Kori who donated a necklace for our drawing. We concluded the evening with drawings for various prizes - Lettuce Entertain You Gift Certificates, A Year's Web Hosting Services with Hurrikane Solutions, A Free INTD Platinum 1 Year Membership, 5 Free Job Postings on INTD and a Sabika necklace just to name a few.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to help us celebrate and we sincerely appreciate you braving the storms we experienced that evening.

To view additional photos visit select this link for event photos....

Do you Skype?

2008-07-25T17:02:00.005-05:00

Ok, tell me I am way behind or maybe I am ahead of the game but just last week while I was in Toronto overseeing a meeting, one of our fabulous INTD members brought me in the loop about Skype. Actually, I have been asked if I Skyped or had Skype before but was too embarrassed to admit I had no idea what they were talking about.

But as of last week I am in the know about this amazing site that is and should be downloaded to every TD's laptop. In fact meeting planners should encourage their TD's to use this on-site especially in international destinations.

What is Skype? For those of you who are like me, I will fill you in on this must have website. You simply download it for free, create a user name and just like that you can make local, long distance and international phone calls right from your computer. There is very little time delay and the sound is great considering it is processed over the internet.

The best part is the service is free when both users have Skype but you can call any number (land line or cell phone). For example when I contacted my office I used my associate's Skype user name so it called directly to her computer. We spoke daily for free without incurring .40 cents per minute rates by using my cell phone. If you call a land line or cell phone you simply purchase Skype credits for the long distance charges but the cost per minute is pennies. I was able to call home daily from Toronto to Chicago and it cost me a total of $3.00 USD over the course of 3 days!

I highly recommend purchasing a headset for your laptop which helps with the echoing and allows for private conversations. Not only can you make phone calls you can also host video conferencing and send SIM (text messages) too. Of course you need a video camera if you computer does not come with one already installed.

This is a great option for those of us on the road when cell phone reception is not great or the roaming rates are outrageous. So what are you waiting for?? Check it out at http://www.skype.com/.

INTD Updates Website!

2008-06-26T00:32:00.004-05:00

For the past few weeks the INTD team has been busy updating the site with a few changes since we launched on May 5th. In addition to spreading the word to meeting planners, DMC's and hospitality suppliers so we can add more jobs to the board, we have been developing our Travel Director and Tour Guide Tools which are now accessible to our Platinum Members.

The first thing we added, based on feedback from our members, was an invoice and expense report template. Our goal is for INTD members to use these forms while they are on the road to make life easier and to begin streamlining the billing process between freelance contractors and their clients.

I spoke to Keith Johnston with On-Site Events last week who just launched Plannermix.com (a new global community for meeting and event professionals) and relayed our vision for INTD members to begin using our forms and templates. I was pleasantly surprised and excited for him to tell me if that if his freelance staff started using our forms, he would gladly accept and distribute! Wow!! This made my day and reinforced my belief that we are headed in the right direction but it will just take time to get things going.

If all our members started using these forms, just think how much easier life on the road will become for everyone! How nice would it be to complete one form for every program you work and have access to the template online 24 hours a day??

As a member of INTD we encourage you to think of International Network of Travel Directors as your professional association and a resource for career development and networking. When you are on-site and have a few minutes, visit INTDONLINE.COM and connect on the message board and access the TD or TG Tools. Visit the TD Blog and post your comments, get involved and submit an article for the newsletter.

Stay tuned as we continue to bring you more information and resources!

Being Green - Are you doing your part?

2008-06-11T16:42:00.004-05:00

Being "green" or Eco friendly is a very hot topic and has made its way to the hospitality industry, urging us to do our part by planning greener meetings. I think this is great and at times I wonder, what took us so long? But as I read more and more about the green movement in our industry, I noticed the focus is directed toward the supplier (hotels) and meeting planners.

As someone who supports being green, it made me question how those of us in the industry who have no control over the preparation or planning of a meeting or event could be green. How can we do our part as freelancers whose primary responsibility is on-site logistics?

I came up with 3 ways I am trying to be green when on the road….

1. Travel with an aluminum water bottle. Fill up from the pitcher in the meeting rooms or order one for your own sleeping room and the staff office. I started ordering pitchers of water with lemon from room service and use this to refill my water bottle throughout the week. I have room service refresh it for me daily. I even order pitchers of water for the staff office with lemon or oranges. If you speak to your conference service manager he/she may do this for you at no charge.

2. Reduce or eliminate soda consumption. I know, we need the caffeine based on the hours we work, but if your hotel does not recycle then try and sustain until you are in a location that does offer recycling. Plus, sodas are so bad for you! You will be promoting better health and helping the environment.

3. Reuse and recycle paper. I actually print on both sides of the paper for internal documents and I also send paper that is only printed on one side back to my office. If the company you are working for does not do this then maybe ask if you can speak to the hotel about recycling left over program materials before you depart.

I know it does not seem like much but every effort counts!

If you have tips or suggestions on how you are making an effort to be green when traveling, please let me know!

Responding to Emails and Phone Calls

2008-05-27T23:41:00.002-05:00

I recently read a question on an industry message board asking members "What should be the expected/average response time for email and phone calls?" The responses were very interesting and ran the gamut from within 24 hours to 1-3 hours. This got me thinking about the standard for TD's who are on the road all the time and potentially have limited access to email and voice mail while they are working.

I hope most meeting and hospitality professionals who hire TD's realize that responding within 24 hours much less 1-3 hours is not always realistic. I have reviewed many corporate freelance staff policies and interviewed many INTD members who all say that most of their employers prefer they not make or take personal calls while on duty. In most cases checking email is extremely limited if not almost impossible on-site. When was the last time you had the opportunity to sit at a computer while on the road?

The downside to this is many meeting professionals responsible for hiring TD's need an answer quickly or if you are the last to respond to a job posting does that limit your chances? I find very few TD's activate an auto responder to their email account to let people know they are out of the “office”. So…by not responding quickly could potentially cause someone to lose out on a really great job opportunity.

This is the reason it was extremely important to offer text email messaging to our members. The hope is if a TD is not able to check email and does not have a blackberry, employers can send INTD members a quick text email message via their cell phone. I am really hoping this feature will take off and be a great benefit to our members.

Just like anything new, using this technology will take time. If you think this is something that would be helpful while you are traveling, be sure to enable this feature by logging into your account and posting your personal text email address in the "home base information" section.

What are your thoughts regarding this topic?

Volunteering & Networking

2008-05-21T21:29:00.001-05:00

Today was a great networking day, well spent attending the MPI CAC All Committee Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency downtown Chicago. This year I have committed myself to volunteering on both the CMP Committee and Diversity Committee...Wow, it is going to be a busy year! I could not be more excited about both opportunities.

Believe it or not, but the food was actually really good. Based on the presentation of the plate I thought I was at a fine dining restaurant for a moment. Seriously, it was that impressive for a hotel banquet function!

I had the pleasure of sitting next to two great industry colleagues, Mr. Kevin Boland, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Drake Hotel and Mrs. Tanya Tarnoff, Account Executive with Minding Your Business. It was so nice catching up and sharing the news about INTD.

So what is the deal with the committees I selected to volunteer my time? Glad you asked....I chose the CMP Committee because as a fellow CMP I think it is an honor to help others accomplish such a highly regarded designation within our industry.

The CMP Committee is responsible for assisting MPI-CAC members to study for and pass the exam for their Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation within compliance of the Convention Industry Council’s (CIC) authorized program.

The Diversity Committee's objective is to celebrate the distinct and unique attributes each member of MPI brings to the organization and to the industry. On its own and in partnership with other committees, Diversity works to broaden members' understanding of and appreciation for what makes celebrating our differences powerful.

We are directly responsible for organizing the Women's Leadership Conference. The conference is hosted downtown Chicago this year and will be one of the best yet! Once the details are confirmed I will be sure to add to the blog and to INTD's Event Page.

INTD in the Press

2008-05-21T19:31:00.001-05:00

This has been a very exciting week so far for INTD! We were recognized by Sue Pelletier, MeetingsNet Web Editor when she posted on her blog the launch of INTDONLINE.com and how we are connecting travel directors with meeting planners.

You can read the entire article on MeetingsNet.com.....Thanks so much Sue!

Next up is our press release on Midwest Meetings. Thanks to Serenity J. Knutson, Editor of Midwest Meetings Magazine who recently wrote the article "Why hire a Travel Director?" was nice enough to post the news on their site.

So what does this mean for our members??? Getting published and blogged about is extremely important for spreading the word and driving meeting & event planners, DMC's and tour companies to the site. The more visible we are in the public, the more employers visit the site, see your profiles and post jobs.

But members, please don't forget INTD is not just a job board but an industry resource! The network was founded specifically for Travel Directors for the purpose of networking, professional development and freelance opportunities. INTD is NOT a staffing firm and does not guarantee project work for our members. However, we do guarantee to provide the best online tool to maximize your career!