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Trade Secrets is on a quick break this week, so please enjoy this encore episode. Here’s the article Jamie mentions in her updated intro, “How Substack became the hottest social media platform.” In this episode, Trade Secrets is all about content — and why travel advisors should get theirs off social media and into an email newsletter. Kayla Douglas, director of content for SmartFlyer in New York, delves into the world of Substack with co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Kayla Douglas’ email, Instagram and Substack SmartFlyer Core coverage From TravelAge West: Five things we learned at SmartFlyer’s 2025 Core Conference From Travel Weekly: Will luxury travel slow down? One expert expects a dip in hotel rates Mentioned on this episode: Substack Emma’s substack Flodesk Mailchimp Stephanie Lee’s most recent appearance on Trade Secrets Host Agency Reviews’ travel agency software profiles Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

River cruising is one of the fastest-growing verticals for many travel agencies. In this episode, listeners will hear from Hank Schrader, who owns Dream Destinations with his wife, Anne, about their success in the space — all thanks to blogging. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Hank Schrader's website, blog and email Mentioned in this episode: Jamie’s project tracking new travel advisors TravelAge West’s Trendsetter Awards Emma’s reels on river cruise lines’ dating profiles: part one and part two Hank’s Travel Weekly article Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trade Secrets After Dark, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Travel Weekly’s own Johanna Jainchill, the publication’s newly minted editor in chief. Get to know Jainchill, her vision for Travel Weekly’s editorial strategy and why the Bolivian military once picked her up after inadvertently crossing a border on foot (no, really!). While Trade Secrets usually invites listeners to ask questions that are answered on the show by industry experts, enjoy the occasional “After Dark” episode, featuring casual chats — and drinks — with guests from around the travel industry. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Send Johanna Jainchill an email Mentioned in this episode: Johanna’s story on tourism (and bourbon) in Kentucky Christina Jelski’s story on branded hotel apparel The Travel Industry Survey Robby Silk and his competitive sitting: read about it in Travel Weekly and Atlas Obscura, and hear about it on The Folo Johanna’s column on reader feedback (and the article that inspired it) Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s your plan for your business when you retire, or you’re unable to run it anymore? In this episode, the second in a two-part series on succession planning, hear from industry attorney Tom Carpenter. He discusses some of the varying ways agency owners prepare their businesses for the next step, and gives practical advice on how to make the transition smoother. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Find Tom Carpenter: On the web  Via email On YouTube On Facebook Mentioned in this episode: Mark Pestronk on the web and in Travel Weekly Bob Sweeney’s Innovative Travel Acquisitions Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s your plan for your business when you retire, or you’re unable to run it anymore? In this episode, hear from mother-and-daughter duo Stacey and Sami Ray of Sisterhood Travels as they discuss their personal paths on the vital, albeit often overlooked, process of succession planning within a successful travel agency.  Next episode, tune in to hear from a travel industry attorney who’s an expert in succession planning. This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  Further resources Sisterhood Travels on the web and via email Stacey Ray’s podcast, Life. Reimagined. with Stacey Ray Stacey Ray on Humans of Travel Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How closely have you read your contract with your host agency? Does it have a non-compete clause? How about a detailed plan for termination? In the season seven premiere of Trade Secrets, we’re digging into the fine print that every travel advisor needs to watch out for. We’re joined by Marcie Muensterman, travel advisor, coach and host of the No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, to identify host agency red flags. Welcome back to a brand-new season! Thanks to our friends at Coastline Travel Group for helping us solicit travel advisor questions this season.  This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Marcie Muensterman On Instagram On Facebook The No BS Travel Advisor Podcast Courses Freebies, including Marcie’s host agency interview questionnaire Mentioned in this episode: WorldVia Travel Network Travel Planners International Nexion Travel Group Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets is on a winter break but will return with new episodes in just two weeks, on Monday, Feb. 16. Until then, please enjoy this old favorite. New travel advisors, look no further than this episode of Trade Secrets for advice on everything from setting up your business, to finding clients, to prioritizing fam trip destinations. Co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by KHM Travel Group’s Bill Coyle, vice president of agent engagement, to tackle listener questions on that and more. This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Connect with KHM Travel Group online, on Facebook, on Instagram, on YouTube and on LinkedIn Encompass the World Travel, Bill Coyle’s family agency Mentioned in this episode and related reading: From Travel Weekly, stories on card mills and the history of host agencies Travel Weekly’s Legal Briefs column by industry attorney Mark Pestronk (many articles talk about terms and conditions) From TravelAge West, an article on terms and conditions by industry attorney Jeffrey Ment The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and its educational offerings The Travel Institute  The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its educational offerings Trade Secrets episode on fam trips Need advice?   Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets is on a winter break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites. Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from “agent” to “advisor,” then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch. This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Nexion Travel Group on the web Reach out to Jackie Friedman via email Mentioned in this episode: Erica Carr’s bookitbox Travel Christine Potthoff’s travel beCAUSE Courtnie Nichols’ client gifting strategy Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets is on a holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites. When it’s time to expand your business, what’s the best way to do it? Should you hire independent contractors, employees or assistants? Then, once they’re onboarded, how do you effectively train — and, subsequently, trust — your new people? All that and more is covered in this week’s Trade Secrets, when co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada talk business expansion with Julie Lanham, president of Vacations to Remember in Augusta, Ga. This episode was sponsored by the Globus family of brands.  Further resources Julie Lanham on Instagram  Mentioned in this episode: From TravelAge West: Why you should consider hiring an international virtual assistant From TravelAge West: Travel agencies are struggling to hire qualified advisors, according to a new survey Lucia Need advice?   Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Secrets is on a holiday break but will return with new episodes in early 2026. For now, enjoy some old favorites. This week, Trade Secrets takes on the world. Jennifer Doncsecz of VIP Vacations returns to the podcast to discuss her specialty: destination weddings and honeymoons. She talks about everything from getting started selling destination weddings and honeymoons, to turning those travelers into clients for life. Then, she answers a number of listener questions about destinations, ranging from the benefits of visiting a spot before selling it, qualifying for fam trips and where to send clients headed to Europe for the first time. This episode was sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Further resources VIP Vacations on Facebook  Jennifer Doncsecz’s email  Jennifer’s previous Trade Secrets episodes: All things branding Destination weddings and honeymoons Mentioned in this episode: Death of a Travel Advisor by Dori Saltzman The Travel Institute’s course on destination weddings and honeymoons From Travel Weekly: Getting into groups Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the new year have in store for travel advisors? On this week’s episode of Trade Secrets, the last of season six, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada give an overview of 2025 trends and break down their predictions for 2026. Will 2025’s bumpy road continue? Who will most influence travel decisions? What type of travel will continue to explode in popularity? Find out the answers to those questions — and more — on this week’s episode. Trade Secrets will take a break after this episode, sharing some old favorites until season seven begins in early 2026. Happy holidays! This episode was sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Further resources From Travel Weekly: Travel that spans the generations From Travel Weekly: A gift that keeps on giving (Signature’s family travel magazine) DMCs: DMCs help bring the ‘wow’ (story) DMCs: Your travel advisor’s (not-so-secret) travel-planning partner (podcast) Demystifying DMCs (Trade Secrets podcast) Brand USA’s America’s 250 events Phocuswright social media panel with representatives from Reddit, TikTok and YouTube Family Travel Association research on “kidfluence” Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the final episode of the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. Trade Secrets used Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. This week’s featured company is Travel Industry Solutions, represented by CEO and founder Sheila Folk. Trade Secrets will be back next week with a look back on 2025 and 2026 predictions before taking a holiday break. Season seven will return in early 2026 with Trade Secrets’ traditional question-and-answer format. This episode was sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Further resources Travel Industry Solutions on the web Travel Industry Solutions on Host Agency Reviews Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is VacationCRM, represented by general manager Stephen Kelly. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode was sponsored by Windstar Cruises.  Further resources Email VacationCRM VacationCRM on Host Agency Reviews Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week’s featured company is VacationPort (formerly Passport Online), represented by Sarah Bauman, vice president of product management for the company. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews’ list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn’t have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list.  This episode was sponsored by Windstar Cruises.  Further resources VacationPort on the web From Travel Weekly, VacationPort acquires Voyager Websites VacationPort on Host Agency Reviews Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season, the aptly named Trade Secrets Tech Summit is all about technology. But this week, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada delve into how Brownel in Birmingham, Ala., completely modernized its tech stack with Chief Operating Officer Rene Alldredge. Learn about identifying the gaps that technology can fill, the “pit of despair” many agencies face and coming out on the other side of a major tech overhaul. This episode was sponsored by Windstar Cruises.  Further resources Visit Brownell on the web Email Rene Alldredge Trade Secrets Tech Summit episodes with Sabre, TripSuite and TravelWits Get in touch! Email us: [email protected]   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.