Breakout session energizes buyers

“Please continue showcasing independent travel companies and bus companies at this conference — don’t Walmart travel.”

That was one of many comments turned in during this year’s buyer breakout session at the Select Traveler Conference held in Branson, Missouri.

Many travel planners who attend the conference are regular participants in this popular session, a longtime fixture on the first day of the three-day meeting. More than 40 planners made time to attend this year’s session, which was moderated by volunteers Lisa Passley of Southwest Missouri Bank in Joplin, Missouri, and Margie Zieber of Farmers State Bank in Cameron, Missouri.

“Once we get everyone settled in at tables, the conversations flow,” said conference partner Mac Lacy. “This is the only time all year that these influential planners can let their guards down and share ideas with one another in a noncompetitive environment. They will share their best ideas with one another and not think anything about it. It’s a pretty cool couple of hours.”

A couple of telling survey statistics jumped out from the session this year:

• 79% of travel planners said their program membership is growing again after the pandemic.

• 75% of planners are either very or extremely optimistic that new members will join their groups in the next three years.

“We email the summaries of the breakout session to all the attendees as a benefit of attending the conference, and the document serves as a credible gauge for travel activity in the year ahead,” said Lacy. “I think this session energizes a lot of planners and reassures them that they aren’t alone in navigating the challenges they face as global travel generators. Our thanks again to Lisa and Margie for moderating this year’s meeting.”