NEWS — AMERICAN IDOL 2014
LAUREN STARTS TO Discover America
Just a week after being revealed as Travel Weekly and Brand USA’s American Idol, Carrick Travel agent Lauren Greenway has already expanded her knowledge of the US. Lauren, 22, won the competition to find an agent who wanted to boost their sales and knowledge of the US.
And she has already completed
three modules of the online USA Discovery Program and earned ‘badges’ for each one. “It’s really informative and easy to use,” she says. “Coming from a point where I only really knew about Florida, New York and Las Vegas, there’s a lot to take in, but it’s really helping my destination knowledge.” Like all agents who take the online training programme, Lauren started off by earning her Regional Expert badge, before moving on to the Food & Drink and Great Outdoors badges. She says the Regional Expert module gave her a great grounding, with maps and images helping her to develop her knowledge of America beyond the traditional hotspots for UK travellers.
“I’ve had some great reaction since finding out I’d won and I’m enjoying getting involved”
Carrick Travel’s top clients to find out more about the US and have access to exclusive itineraries and products from USAirtours. She will also get to attend
And she likes the fact that more specific modules such as the Great Outdoors and Food & Drink link back to the regions to offer practical ideas for itineraries or suggestions for clients. “I’ve got a client who is
Lauren with Carrick Travel co-owner Tina Nason (left) and branch manager Tracy Lea Top: Lauren has an introduction to the USA Discovery Program from Brand USA’s Gerry Boyle and Sarah Barnett
USA Discovery Program
The USA Discovery Program is the official agent training website for the US. Built with agents in mind, this handy
site provides the information needed to effectively sell more holidays to the USA and to inspire agents to discover this land, like never before. To become a USA expert, members can gain an overview of the entire destination by earning the Regional badge before moving on to complete eight experiential Specialist
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travelweekly.co.uk — 11 September 2014
badges, including Big City Buzz, Great Outdoors, Winter Sports, Fly-Drive, Food & Drink,Coastal Escapes, Family Holidays, and Music,Culture & Heritage. By signing up to the USA Discovery
Program, agents also benefit from the Knowledge Forum, which allows users to ask other members questions, as well as be the first to hear about new Specialist badges, fam trips and the latest news from Brand USA.
usadiscoveryprogram.co.uk
interested in doing America but wants to go all over, so I’ve been talking to him about winning American Idol and he’s been really interested,” Lauren adds. In addition to receiving personal
assistance as she makes her way through the USA Discovery Program, Lauren’s prize also includes help hosting an event for
events including the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards and the Brand USA MegaFam in 2015. “I’ve had some great reaction since finding out I’d won American Idol and I’m enjoying getting involved,” Lauren says. “Learning more about places
like Texas and Ohio and the types of holiday experiences they can offer is a great way to expand my knowledge and will hopefully lead to more sales.”
● See next week’s issue for the third feature on our new American Idol when we find out how Lauren is getting on with the training, and also hear about a visit from the USAirtours sales team.
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