First annual America's Vacation Center Summits give home-based agents training, support, and a free cruise

SAN DIEGO — May 24, 2006 — America's Vacation Center this week announced the successful completion of two new conferences held exclusively for AVC agents. Dubbed AVC Summit-East and AVC Summit-West, the events were held over the last two weekends aboard the newest cruise ships in the industry.

All AVC agents at the AVC Summit-East were treated to a free cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's new Freedom of the Seas, weeks before its first voyage available to the public. "I've been in a lot of meetings in the last 20 years in this business, but I've never anything like the AVC Summit," said Steve Hirshan, an independent contractor and industry veteran. "Nobody else provides such a positive atmosphere. It was tremendously motivating!"

Even more AVC agents attended the AVC Summit-West and enjoyed a free cruise on NCL America's new Pride of Hawaii, just before making its maiden trip to Hawaii. "I enjoyed the camaraderie with other AVC agents," said Mary Fallet, another home-based independent contractor with AVC who made three NCL bookings the day she got off the ship. "Working at home, you don't get to see the people you work with from all over North America, so it was a great chance to put faces to everyone's names."

"Most home-based agents don't get the opportunity to interact face-to-face with their host and with other home-based agents — let alone get to do it on a free cruise," said Brad Anderson, co-president of America's Vacation Center. "In addition, it gives agents an opportunity for ongoing training and the chance to be recognized for outstanding performance.

Both conferences included an awards ceremony, where AVC recognized agents with outstanding sales for 2005, as well as top performers for the first quarter of 2006 — AVC's most successful wave season ever.

America's Vacation Center is a leading host agency with hundreds of independent contractors working from around the world. "AVC's innovation, like our exclusive Agent Power™ software, Live Leads™, and amazing support available seven days a week, give home-based agents all the 'high-touch' benefits of a smaller host agency," said Anderson. "But unlike small agencies, AVC delivers the rates, group space, technology, and top commissions that only large agencies can offer."

Travel agents looking for more information on how America's Vacation Center / American Express can help them grow their own travel businesses should call 866-520-2133 or visit www.JoinAVC.com. Customers interested in booking their next trip with America's Vacation Center should call 800-646-4319 or visit www.AmericasVacationCenter.com.

PR Contact
Evan Rutledge
Direct: (760) 233-7630 ext. 267

About America's Vacation Center
With more than 40 years of experience and a half-million customers served, America's Vacation Center® (www.AmericasVacationCenter.com) is one of the top travel agencies in the American Express Travel Service Representative Network. America's Vacation Center is a leading seller of cruises and vacation packages from leading suppliers such as Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, American Express Vacations, Classic Vacations, and more. With hundreds of independent contractors, America's Vacation Center is America's Leading Host Agency™ (www.JoinAVC.com), providing technology, support, and Live Leads™ to travel agents around the world.