Sweets, Jenga, elephant hoopla masks – I could have brought my kids.
But this wasn’t all fun and frivolity. TIPTO roadshows do serious business with all operators preaching their worth, write Diane Evans.
Where else can you get a mix of agents from homeworkers, to single outlets to miniples all in the same room at the same time with the only common tie being they’re independent and free to sell pretty much what they want?
I joined the Ipswich branch of operators and agents. It’s come a long way since the inauguration of the Truly Independent Professional Travel Organisation Professional in 1998.
Last year the group changed from a free-flowing style roadshow with added razzmatazz expense, to a tight and effective ‘speed’ dating system.
Around 50-75 agents from the each region arrive for a reception before dashing from table to table for an eight minute brief – there’s stop watches and everything. Operators including All Leisure Holidays, Do Something Different.com, Funway, Great Rail Journeys, Hoseasons, Leger, Newmarket Holidays, Olympic Holidays, Superbreak, Tailor Made Travel, Travel Indochina, The Holiday Team and Trafalgar, Insight & Contiki have a well prepared script.
A non-stop run starts of the company highlights and sales tools, including some gimmicks, which they adapt to the needs of the indie agent.
It’s fast, it’s furious and its thoroughly exhausting for both taking part but the independent operators and agents say it’s very effective.
It’s no wonder more than 5,000 agents are registered with the group.
After a brief break for a two course hot buffet and informal chats, the sessions recommence, wrapping the evening up about 10pm.
Despite all emerging hoarse and bleary eyed, the messages learnt really hit home. Operators say the business starts to materialise immediately.
The group, which is free for agents to register to, also hosts awards and training. Miniples and chains are also organising their own dedicated roadshows. Check out TIPTO Terri at www.tipto.co.uk
TIPTO is a consortium of leading independent travel companies including tour operators, ticketing companies, touring companies, holiday parks and resorts whose primary goal is to increase their share of the UK holiday sales market through independent travel agents.
The roadshows are funded through a marketing budget raised by the tour operator members.
