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A
MESSAGE FROM THE
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Hello everyone and welcome to the February edition of Traveltalk.
We recently completed our AADA study tour to NADA. It was smaller than originally anticipated, however in times such as these to have our largest-ever tour by at least three times was a testament to our past performances and the commitment of our agency to the auto industry.
The delegates found the convention highly informative. Workshops in particular were very well received, and new ideas were gained on the exhibition floor. Keynote speakers ranged down from two ex-Presidents, George H Bush and Bill Clinton, and overall everyone came back extremely excited about the future opportunities NADA provided.
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I always find NADA to be a wellspring of ideas and this year was no exception. It truly is an incredible experience to visit the world’s largest industry event (any industry) and see what the leaders of their field are thinking and doing.
Times are even tighter in the US auto industry than our own, so there were plenty of ideas and innovations for cutting costs, improving productivity and making hay even if the sun isn’t exactly shining.
All the feedback we have received from tour group members has been overwhelmingly positive. New Orleans is a great city still in the process of rebuilding after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina – in that too there are lessons as we return home to be faced with the carnage caused across Victoria by the worst bushfires in our nation’s history.
It is times like these that reveal the true character of individuals and communities. We might be businesspeople but at the end of the day when you subtract the first half of that word you are left with what we all are: people. To any of you who have suffered in this tragedy or are close to those who have, our hearts go out to you. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know. |
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A wild old time in New Orleans |
Once again we return from the USA pleased and proud of our efforts in leading a study tour group to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in New Orleans.
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We make this pilgrimage every year and it never fails to be a fantastic business and social adventure. On our side, apart from transfers and pre-registering everyone, we also ensured the group felt like they had been in the vibrant city of New Orleans despite attending a conference.
Our first night gave the taste buds a chance to sample Louisiana-style cuisine in the wonderful courtyard of the St Louis Hotel, located right in the heart of the French Quarter. The next night we cranked up the pace and gave many their best night of the tour.
Our parade, consisting of characters, mini float, stilt walkers and police escort down Bourbon Street was a great experience for our group. When we achieve an event in the USA which the Americans are gaping at and taking photos of it shows what an agency in Australia can do! We arrived at the Cat's Meow club where the second floor was reserved for our guests to throw beads to revelers on the streets as well as gain some well-earned refreshment.
The next night saw our booking of my favourite place in New Orleans, the Bombay Club. Refined and sophisticated, this club is tucked away to the point that you have to know it is there to find it. We gave the group a fantastic trip back to the days of old with live jazz and martini mixology. For others this was their highlight and it is great for me to see others enjoying my secret places as much as I do.
The final night finished in the Old West at the Bourbon Cowboy Saloon. Poker tables and characters added to the atmosphere of this Wild West night, along with live music and a DJ, to say nothing of the mechanical bull next door for those brave enough to attempt it. All in all a great tour and the group enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
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It was amazing to see New Orleans three and a half years down the track from Hurricane Katrina. I was last there just before that terrible disaster and the differences between then and now were stark. I’ll report on what I saw in our next edition. With the devastation of bushfires hitting Victoria it will be instructive to note how another community has gone about rebuilding itself. |
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Why not pay for your travel with points?
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We are all sitting and waiting to see whether or not this economic crisis is going to hit us as hard as it has hit the States. Your dreams of taking that holiday, having that very romantic honeymoon or even getting away for the weekend, are in doubt. However there is a way in which you can do all of the above and more, all for a ridiculous price!
For American Express Card members, you have the opportunity to take full advantage of your card by earning Membership Reward points.One way in which these points can be used is to pay for any travel needs through Travelscene American Express agencies, such as our office.
Redeeming points for travel is an instant process, very straightforward and you can’t go wrong when there are no blackout periods.
Points can be used in full or part payment for any travel booking. In this circumstance the pay component of your reward will automatically be billed to your credit card and will appear on the first billing statement following the redemption.
Interesting facts to know about an American Express Card:
1. Pay Instantly
2. You can earn frequent flyer points on eligible bookings paid for using points
3. No travel restrictions
4. Pay for any travel including hotels, flights, cars, packages, tours, foreign currency,
insurance and even airport taxes
5. 10,000 Membership Reward points is worth $100 of travel.
Below is a list of American Express cards that are eligible for the Vantage Program.
ELIGIBLE
Only American Express Australian issued cards with Card members enrolled in Membership Rewards Ascent Premium, Ascent, Choices or Blue Sky are eligible to use their points for travel at Travelscene American Express.
NOT ELIGIBLE American Express Qantas Business Card (Corporate and Small Business)
Qantas American Express Co Brand Card (Consumer)
Westpac Altitude American Express, National Australia ANT American Express and National Australia Velocity American Express
Please see the great specials that are out now below.
If you would like to sign up to the mail outs of specials, please send an email to Kate and she will add you to the database. |
Never been a better time to travel.
Check out these great deals! |
Local and international air travel is becoming more competitive and therefore cheaper.
Read on to see some of the fantastic offers currently available through our partners.
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FALL IN LOVE WITH
THAILAND
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KIDS FLY FREE TO
NEW ZEALAND
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HAWAII - KIDS STAY, PLAY AND EAT FREE
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FIVE STAR
IN THE
HEART OF LONDON
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MIDDLE EAST - BUSINESS CLASS
Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to;
Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Khartoum, Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh, Sanaa, Tehran
Travel between 11 February 2009 to 31 May 2009
Book and pay by 27 February 2009
Business class Airfare: $7950 + taxes |
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British Airways specials: |
BRITISH AIRWAYS - AUSTRALIA/SINGAPORE – KIDS FLY FREE
Ex Adelaide:
Ex Brisbane:
Ex Melbourne:
Ex Perth:
Ex Sydney:
Ex Canberra: |
from $455 + taxes
from $463 + taxes
from $469 + taxes
from $470 + taxes
from $457 + taxes
from $611 + taxes |
Travel between 6th Feb '09 – 1st Jul '09
Book by 20th Feb and payment must be made within 3 days of booking
1 free child/infant per adult and they must travel on all flights together
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BRITISH AIRWAYS – AUSTRALIA/BANGKOK - VALENTINES SPECIAL
Ex Adelaide/Brisbane/Melbourne
Ex Sydney:
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from $749 + taxes
from $649 + taxes
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Travel between 9th Feb '09 – 30th Jun '09
Book by 2nd March '09 and payment must be made within 14 days of booking but no later than 2nd march '09.
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