p12 ace Apr24 22/4/09 17:34 Page 12
news convention preview
ttglive.com
Ace convention 2009
June 17-19 ■ Dover
Wanted: an agent to be
a TTG TV star on Viking
TTG is searching for 10 agents to be Roving
Readers at the UK Cruise Convention in June, Dance pro Nicole Cutler (left) with actress Jill Halfpenny
with one to be selected to report for TTG’s
Travel TV on a Viking River Cruises sailing in
UK TRAVEL DANCE STARS.
early May and another to enjoy a Silversea
Ballroom battle hots up
trip in late May, reports Lee Hayhurst
The Port of Dover is sponsoring our Roving THE SEARCH for the UK Travel Dance Star will
Reader initiative, successfully run as part of our hot up this weekend when the semi-final takes
partnership with Abta for its Travel Convention place in Southampton onboard Grand Princess.
for the past two years. TTG teamed up with Princess Cruises at the
The agents will report from the Ace convention start of the year, taking a group of 15 to a live
on ttglive.com and in the weekly publication. One operator Silversea’s new ship Prince Albert II, on Strictly Come Dancing show in London.
Roving Reader will get the chance to join a luxury a Scotland to Hamburg sailing on May 28-30. Six agents were chosen in February to
river cruise next month with Viking River Cruises. All 10 Roving Readers are offered free compete for the chance to be crowned the
The lucky agent (and guest) will be joined on- delegate places and accommodation at the Ace champion during the Ace UK Cruise Convention.
board by TTG partner Travel TV, and be filmed Cruise Convention, but not transport. They were: Virginia Hunt of Premier Travel,
talking about their Danube cruise experience As well as reporting from the conference Laura Wright of Affinion Travel, American
(see below). sessions, our agent reporters will also be filmed Express Business Travel’s Danny Akhtar, Madison
The footage will be shown on ttglive and on by Travel TV as they explore the four ships in port Travel’s Nicola Birch, Sandra Brown of Voyana
Travel TV, which has plasma screens in 400 for the convention. Cruise and Carlson Wagonlit’s Alwyn Rogers.
travel agencies. It will also feature at the For entry details, see panel below. After having dance lessons from TV
convention in a dedicated river cruise session. professionals Matthew and Nicole Cutler, just
Another Roving Reader will be invited to three of these will be chosen to go on to compete
report for TTG from a fam trip on luxury on the Wednesday night of the convention.
A select panel of judges will give their verdict,
Competition: Luxury Danube river cruise
before the audience vote using hand-held
technology provided by Calluma.
Viking River Cruise & To enter this fantastic The semi-final on Saturday coincides with
Travel TV Roving Reader competition, and/or the Silversea Grand Princess’s first visit to Southampton ahead
Competition fam trip (see above), you need of its summer season based at the port.
to apply to be a TTG Roving TTG editor Lucy Huxley said: “We hope the
One Roving Reader will join Reader through the ttglive final will bring a bit of showbiz pizzazz to the
Viking River Cruises on a website (see below). convention and entertain the delegates.
“Danube Discovery” cruise from Potential Roving Readers must “Good luck to all semi-finalists. I’m sure they’ll
Budapest to Vienna on May 6-8. provide their job title and agency have a great day whether
Viking has put aside a double details, and write about a travel successful or not, and I
occupancy cabin for the winning
Austria’s Melk Abbey overlooks
issue or a trip they have been on look forward to seeing the
the Danube
agent and a guest, and will in less than 300 words. finalists in June.”
provide flights from London or Manchester.
The winner will be informed by April 29, and ■ To apply to be a TTG Roving Reader for the
must be available to travel on May 6-8. Ace convention, visit ttglive.com/ukcc
12 24.04.2009
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