Nominations Open for ASTA Under-40 Mentoring Program

June 15, 2015 - Advisors, Featured - Tagged: , - no comments

travel agentsIf you know a talented young travel agent who could benefit from advice and guidance from the best in the business, then Tourism Cares and the American Society of Travel Agents want to hear from you.

Tourism Cares and ASTA recently announced the Travel Talent for Tomorrow Mentoring Program, where 12 qualified under-40 nominees will be matched with an industry leader for guidance and support.

The 12 agents will also get complimentary registration to the ASTA Global convention from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.

Nominees must be under 40, with an ASTA-member agency for two years, and identified by the head of their agency or their direct manager based on their growth potential, strong sales record, and exemplary customer service skills.

Nominations are currently open and close on July 1, or once the first 36 qualified applications have been received.

To nominate a candidate, the agency head or direct manager must write a 1-2 page letter outlining the nominee’s growth potential and explaining why the nominee would benefit from the program. Letters should also include the nominee’s “exemplary sales record in comparison with other agents and in relation to total agency revenue,” as well as specific examples of exemplary customer service.

An independent evaluation committee chosen by Tourism Cares and ASTA will review the entries and pick the 12 winners.

Nominations can be made here.

A TravelPulse story on the program notes that it is designed to help agencies develop young talent and address workforce challenges. The story quotes ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby as stating, “By providing a meaningful educational experience to young agents, and matching them with their more experienced peers, the new mentoring program will provide a much needed professional development opportunity for young agents.”

Mike Rea, CEO of Tourism Cares, adds in the story, “The industry is faced with significant challenges, and there will not be any one magic bullet solution, but we think that with the right supports, the answers can come from the agent community itself.”