The Only Home Based Consortia NEST Expands to Offer Hosted Option
Caters to Post-Pandemic Agencies
LAS VEGAS, NV (October 28, 2022): Eighteen years ago, NEST (Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel) was the first consortia to exclusively serve home-based agencies. Today its model has expanded with a host agency option to cater to Independent Consultants. In the current post-pandemic environment, more agencies are home-based, having closed their retail locations, and allowing advisors to work from home. With this evolution of the agency model, NEST has added new affiliates generating more than $22 million in preferred supplier sales.
“When we created NEST, we saw a shift in the distribution model and committed to offering the right program for these agencies,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, President of NEST. “We also wanted to ensure we were working with the top echelon of the market and set high application standards. We needed to safeguard the integrity of the industry and align ourselves and our partners with qualified agencies.”
NEST Plus Host Agency
In the spring of 2021, to serve the growing need of Independent Consultants, NEST Plus was created as an expansion of NEST. Close to 100 advisors are in the community today finding value in the resources of the NEST consortia, including technology, back-office support, booking tools, extensive marketing, co-branded websites, strong preferred partnerships with exclusive offers, training and more.
“Like NEST, we are very selective in vetting our NEST Plus applicants and want to bring in quality advisors for our preferred partners,” said Wayne Spector, Vice President NEST. “They must have an existing book of business and be incorporated. Once we evaluate their business and they understand the high commission potential and all the other program benefits, they are ready to join. We are also able to offer them a choice of different distribution options to cater to their individual business model.” So far, the NEST Plus members have been impressed with the professionalism of the program and appreciate the hands-on approach to their business and the high level of service they are receiving.
Expanded U.S. Team
The team, led by Wayne Spector, has recently expanded their Business Analysts who support the advisors: Rosemary Sarkis, with 30 years travel experience and 15 years with NEST; Kelly Koehler, also 30 years in travel with management positions at large wholesalers and Maureen Bourcy, with 16 years in the industry and currently a Business Analyst for NEST Plus.
“The support that I have received from my Senior Business Analyst was a good part of what has gotten me through the past several very difficult years,” said Heather DiPietro, owner of TravelSalesGroup in Moorseville, North Carolina. “Any question or need that I have had has been met immediately if not before I even asked. My analyst has become a member of my team and a friend. The success of my agency is as much their success as it is mine!”
Advisors interested in NEST: http://plus.jointhenest.com or the host agency NEST Plus: http://plus.jointhenest.com
About NEST:
The Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) is the industry’s first marketing group exclusively for U.S. home-based travel agencies. Since 2004, the company has focused entirely on helping home-based, independent travel advisors achieve greater success financially, professionally, and personally by championing solutions and opportunities just for them. From supplier negotiations to marketing, education to networking, and a complete portfolio of technology solutions, NEST delivers what home-based advisors need. NEST also supports the changing needs of suppliers, helping them to effectively reach the rapidly growing, home-based distribution channel to train, motivate, cultivate and compensate them. Visit https://jointhenest.com.
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Contact :
Cece Drummond
Corporate Communications Liaison
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