In this energizing and insightful episode of On Deck With Avoya, Chris Greene, Director of Network Expansion, welcomes industry leaders and Network standouts for a deep dive into what's new, what's next, and what's working now across the travel landscape. From cruise line innovations to marketing tech and education strategy, this month's show delivers fresh perspective and practical advice to help every Independent Agency in the Avoya Network thrive.
Featured Guests Include:
• Diana Rom, Vice President of Sales, Windstar Cruises – Shares a career journey from small-town beginnings to industry leadership, plus insights into what sets Windstar apart and how advisors can grow luxury sales.
• Gina Hoyt, Senior Director, Avoya Travel Academy – Introduces Avoya's enhanced educational foundation designed to fast-track new advisors to success.
• Laura Burk, Director of Promotional Operations & Development, Avoya Travel - Delivers key retention and referral strategies to grow your business using repeat clients and smart outreach.
• Brando Quinn, Owner, Brando's Fun and Sun Travel, an Independent Agency in the Avoya Network - Reflects on 13 years in the Network, his world travels, and what it takes to scale a cruise-focused agency past $1 million in annual bookings.
• Andy Craig, Vice President of Marketing, Avoya Travel - Discusses AI in marketing, Avoya's lead generation strategies, and the future of simplified self-marketing support for advisors.
Executive Insider: Diana Rom, Windstar Cruises
Diana Rom brings warmth, humor, and wisdom to this month's On Deck With Execs: Inside the Industry segment. With a sales career that began in childhood (selling worms, no less), Diana's passion for people and storytelling has led her to a leadership role with one of the cruise world's most beloved boutique brands.
Windstar's casual luxury approach, deep destination relationships – especially in Tahiti –and focus on guest familiarity create a uniquely personal onboard culture. Advisors were reminded that the brand's repeat clientele and smaller ships make it a perfect upsell opportunity for celebrations and milestone trips.
Advisor Opportunity: “Don't put all your clients in the 'mass market' bucket. Use 2025 as a chance to up-level special occasion travel into higher-earning experiences.”
Big News: Windstar's Star Seeker launches January 2026, followed by Star Explorer, with itineraries being previewed to Club 180 partners like Avoya in June. Advisors were urged to stay ahead of the curve, as demand has already proven strong.
Insights From the Academy with Gina Hoyt, Senior Director of Avoya Travel Academy, Avoya Travel
Gina Hoyt introduces the Travel Agent Education Certification Program – an award-winning course that has helped many new advisors boost their closing rates by 50%. With a 125+ lesson curriculum and recognition from CLIA, ASTA, and Travel Weekly, the Academy is positioned as a trusted launchpad for success.
Whether you prefer audio, video, or written content, the Academy meets you where you are and gives you the support needed to thrive in the industry. Learn more about getting started in the travel industry with Avoya Travel Academy here.
Secrets to Success with Laura Burk, Director of Promotional Operations & Development, Avoya Travel
Laura Burke reminds advisors that summer slowdowns are the perfect time to shift gears into client retention and referrals. Her simple yet strategic reminders are focused on sustainable, repeatable growth systems.
This Month's Professional Development Tips:
• Exceed expectations across the entire client journey – from quote to post-trip follow-up
• Personalize outreach (welcome home notes, curated content, seasonal greetings)
• Confidently ask for referrals after positive feedback
• Be your own travel expert – share insights, inspire dreams, stay visible
• Build long-term loyalty with thoughtful, relationship-first marketing
Independent Agency Success Story: Brando Quinn, Brando's Fun and Sun Travel
Brando Quinn's entry into the travel industry may have started with curiosity, but it's evolved into a thriving, multi-million-dollar agency built on cruises, custom adventures, and global expertise. Booking over 70% cruise and having traveled to 60+ countries himself, Brando credits Avoya's resources and educational tools with supporting his scale and success.
From major river journeys to an upcoming trek to Mount Everest base camp, Brando's firsthand travel experiences make his client conversations personal and passionate.
Top Advice: “Take advantage of every training. I use everything – from supplier webinars to Avoya Academy tools – to better serve my clients.”
Avoya Insiders with Andy Craig, Vice President of Marketing, Avoya Travel
Andy Craig pulls back the curtain on how Avoya is streamlining marketing for advisors using automation, AI, and personalization. He emphasized the importance of meeting the traveler at the moment of intent – not just with any message, but with the right message.
Avoya's multi-channel lead generation strategy, powered by advanced data targeting and AI testing, is continually evolving to drive higher-quality leads to the Network. Craig also hinted at future enhancements to the Marketing Resource Center that will make it even easier for advisors to launch brand-consistent, high-converting campaigns.
“You don't have to be a full-time marketer to grow like a pro. That's what we're here for.”
Final Thoughts: Success Anchored in Strategy and Support
This month's episode proves that success in travel isn't about luck – it's about relationships, resilience, and the right tools. From supplier partnerships like Windstar to marketing insights from Andy Craig, and educational leadership via the Avoya Travel Academy, On Deck With Avoya highlights the many ways you can grow with confidence in the Avoya Network.
If you're ready to start your journey, fill out the form below to find your best path forward. Whether you're scaling an existing business or making a career pivot, the time to take the leap is now.
Together, let's build something extraordinary.
