Travel Weekly « Sabre

Southlake, TX – Sept. 10, 2009 – One year ago, Nexion(R) Inc. launched Nexion PowerUP! with the objective to create value for both travel industry suppliers and potential sellers of travel by developing a new generation of experienced agents. Twelve months later, PowerUP! has evolved into one of the travel industry’s most attractive educational programs, allowing agents to pick and choose courses they need to be successful in their business. Travel Weekly recently recognized the PowerUP! program with a Silver Award in the trade publication’s annual Magellan Awards. Nexion personnel will discuss the PowerUp! program at next week’s American Society of Travel Agents TradeShow event at booth number 827 in Las Vegas. Nexion is a business unit of Sabre Travel Network(R), the world’s leading provider of high-performance solutions for the travel industry. Agent Katie Frederick joined both Nexion and the PowerUP! program in January 2009. “I was in a job I wasn’t happy with, and everyone says to do what you love, and I love to travel,” she says. “I have always been good at researching destinations and planning our trips, so I decided that being a travel agent would be perfect for me. I didn’t know how to get started in the travel industry, so Nexion PowerUP! has been great for me. It allows me to be an independent travel agent with the support and training that I need.” After reviewing feedback from the program’s first graduates, Nexion revised the program structure to a 24-week course that allows agents to select modules that they need to focus on to their business. The program focuses on three core elements: Welcome to the Industry Industry Basics, and Building Your Business. “Since PowerUP! participants had such diverse business backgrounds, we saw the need to be more flexible,” says Robbi Hamida, director of agent development for Nexion. That flexibility included introducing PowerTrainer, an online Learning Management System (LMS) for PowerUP! participants. PowerTrainer enables agents to have access to Web-based training and pre-recorded webinars as well as dynamic transcripts to track their training progress. This portal is instrumental in helping agents focus on the education they need to succeed and can be accessed 24/7. Not only does PowerUP! offer group training calls, one-on-one coaching and Web-based learning, but participants have access to a private group in Nexion Town, Nexion’s social networking platform. Agents can communicate with each other and share successes and challenges to help them evolve in this business. A blog hosted by Mr. Hamida keeps agents engaged in the program, with Nexion and with each other. “The PowerUp! program has helped me get to the next level as a travel counselor,” said participant Michael Bird. ”The instructor showed me how to operate my business, the proper communication for my clients and suppliers, and where to go for any problems that I may encounter. He provided plenty of opportunity for me to ask questions and get help, both privately and in a group. The instructor has proven to be a valuable role model; I hope to be that same type of travel professional.” PowerUP! is just one more feature of Nexion’s comprehensive package that helps agents become effective entrepreneurs and stay focused on their success. To learn more, visit www.nexion.com/powerup. Nexion® is a fully licensed, bonded and accredited agency, which has been an industry pioneer and a host agency since 1995. Nexion, the travel industry’s premier and most trusted host agency, is in business to help independent travel professionals accelerate their success. Nexion enables members to operate more efficiently and profitably by reducing costs and increasing revenues. Nexion provides ticketing, operations, fulfillment support and marketing services (through their sister company, CBMS), allowing members to focus on selling travel. And, unlike other host agencies, Nexion does not sell directly to consumers or compete with its members. Nexion is a Sabre Travel Network brand. Sabre Holdings connects people with the world’s greatest travel possibilities by retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information is available at www.sabre-holdings.com.

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