Carnival Cruise Line has announced "Your Winning Plan," a new program that aims to provide business growth opportunities for travel advisors.
The program consists of an eight-part event and competition series that brings experts in small business and entrepreneurship to assist travel advisors in building successful business plans to enhance sales and income.
The events will feature experts from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the America's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a resource partner of the SBA. Additionally, representatives from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), and Carnival's business development team will provide training on social media, Carnival booking tools, and the importance of developing a strong business plan.
The advisors will have the opportunity to enter their business plans into Carnival's competition to determine the "Your Winning Plan" champion.
During the final event in Houston, respected entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" star, Daymond John, will participate in a fireside chat to share his business expertise. He will also present the grand prize to the winner of the competition.
“Your Winning Plan emphasizes the win-win partnerships between travel advisors and Carnival Cruise Line,” said Adolfo Perez, Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing. “Not only will this series personify the spirit of Carnival fun, but it will demonstrate the partnership value Carnival brings to travel advisors through real, first-time ever expertise from the Small Business Administration and renowned entrepreneur Daymond John.”
Your Winning Plan is open to all travel advisors across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, with events taking place in seven cities, plus an all-virtual event (the grand finale will also be simulcast virtually). The series kicks off in JUN and spans the summer months with events on 23JUN in San Jose, Calif. and Detroit, Mich., Las Vegas, Nev. on 07JUL; Nashville, Tenn. on 14JUL; Denver, Colo. on 19JUL; Richmond, Va. on 28JUL, a virtual event on 05AUG; and the grand finale event in Houston, Tex. on 27SEPT.
The competition will choose seven semi-finalists, one from each event, judged by a panel of experts from Carnival, CLIA and ASTA. Semi-finalists will receive a USD $2,500 prize to implement their business plans as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to the grand finale in Houston, where they will compete for the title of "Your Winning Plan" champion and the chance to win a USD $5,000 grand prize.
At the program finale in Houston, attendees will also hear from Carnival President Christine Duffy, Perez and members of Carnival’s leadership team.
Travel advisors can register at GoCCL.com. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
