Thank you for partnering with KHM Travel Group to attend our Crystal Conference. This guide was created to help you prepare and navigate the conference and have the best experience possible.
Our 2024 Crystal Conference & Awards will take place aboard the Celebrity Reflection from February 25 – March 2, 2024. We recommend coming into Ft. Lauderdale a day early in case of flight delays and ask that you board the ship as soon as possible. On Saturday, March 2nd, the ship arrives back in Ft. Lauderdale. Please allow ample time to get off the ship before scheduling your flight home, and do not schedule your flight before 11 am in accordance with Celebrity’s recommendations.
Important Contact Information:
Questions including sponsorships and general questions,
Chantelle Nye (Supplier Relations Specialist) [email protected]
Brigett Gerber (Supplier Relations Specialist) [email protected]
Charlie Thompson (Supplier Relations Manager) [email protected]
Ashley Jacin (Lead Event Operations Specialist) [email protected]
Bri Greathouse (Senior Manager of Operations) [email protected]
Marketing questions and material submissions: [email protected]
Door prize questions and submission: Crystal Team at [email protected]
KHM Travel Group has diverse group of agents from a variety of races, backgrounds, ages, locations, and lifestyles. Please keep this in mind when selecting/designing your presentations and handouts. We encourage you to highlight diversity and inclusion whenever possible.
Please have your Marketing Team use the links below to access the new KHM Travel Group logos/brand guidelines and the most recent diversity info. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
guidelines and the most recent diversity info. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Our 2024 Conference Theme: Make Your Mark
At KHM Travel Group, we know the vital role travel agents play and we are here to help them strengthen and showcase their value. That is why we chose, “Make Your Mark” as the 2024 Crystal conference theme.
Through fun sessions and exclusive activities you will provide our agents with the tools to help them make a positive impression on their clients with unmatched service and keep their passion for travel alive.
“Make Your Mark” is all about embracing authenticity in business and paving the way forward to success. Make Your Mark on the agents, their clients, in your community, and in the world.
Supplier Responsibilities Checklist
- Send company logo, names and titles, and head shot of conference attendees to [email protected]
- Book air and hotel as needed – highly recommended to arrive a day early.
Please be sure to make your own reservations to the hotel of your choosing. - Please also be aware of Health Guidelines
- https://www.celebritycruises.com/health-and-safety
- Contact [email protected] to create a QR code of materials and resources to share with agents. This is for any event materials you want our agents to have. See Scavenger Hunt and Engaging Agents sections for further details.
- Choose a door prize and email details to the Crystal Team at [email protected]
- Plan 2-minute award presentation during Crystal Awards Ceremony.
- Reach out to agents to plan one-on-one meetings and dinners.
- Check in for the cruise on the Celebrity App will open on January 11th
- Attend supplier webinar or watch the recording if you cannot attend.
KHM Travel Group’s Responsibilities Checklist
Here is what KHM Travel Group will do in the coming months:
- Confirm your registration and provide confirmation number when available.
- Early December – List of registered agents.
- Mid January – Updated Email list of registered agents. List to include Agent Level, KHM Travel Group events attended in 2022/2023, if they’re a new agent within the past 12 months, and what region the agent is located.
- Host informational Zoom Webinar – February 8th at 3pm EST – Click here to Join
- Include you in a Supplier WhatsApp Group for updates and enhanced communication while traveling.
- Email you award winner’s name in confidentiality, one week before sailing.
- Email you post-conference with Flickr account, attendees list, and survey.
Before the Crystal Conference
Planning ahead for Crystal is just as important as actually attending and we want to prepare you as much as possible. In addition to this Survival Guide, we will be hosting a supplier webinar on February 8th at 3pm EST.
ENGAGING AGENTS
The first step in successful participation in this event is promoting that you will be in attendance. Our agents want to spend time with you and it’s important to get the word out and invite them to meet with you on Crystal. We encourage you to reach out to the agents to schedule times to meet with you prior to leaving on the cruise. Please note, you will be responsible for scheduling those meeting times and locations on the ship.
In early December, you will receive a list of agents registered to attend Crystal. List to include Agent Level, KHM Travel Group events attended in 2022/2023, if they’re a new agent within the past 12 months, and what region the agent is located.
This should help you decide who you’d like to meet with. Consider also meeting and dining with agents who are newer as they may not have had opportunities to meet with suppliers or cultivate relationships with you yet.
PLEASE NOTE: All suppliers will receive this list on the same day. It’s up to you to be vigilant in reaching out to agents and scheduling one-on-one meetings or dinners. Top-producing agents will most likely be asked to attend meetings with multiple suppliers so acting quickly when reaching out to them is important.
ADDITIONAL GUEST OR CABIN
If you need an extra cabin please complete this form: https://khmtravel.com/crystal24-supplier-cabin-registration/
If you have sent this information in for previous conferences, you DO NOT need to re-submit your information if there have been no changes.
To verify what we have on file for you, if there are changes to the following, or you have not previously submitted, please contact [email protected] with subject line: “Crystal Conference Supplier Material” no later than November 28th, 2023 with the following:
- Your Company Logo: Please send a high-resolution file of your company’s logo in the following format: .eps, .ai or .pdf
- Names and Professional Titles of all Cruise Attendees: Please provide a list of correct names and professional titles for our online event promotional materials.
- Professional Head Shot for All Attendees: Please submit a high-resolution head shot for the Crystal Awards Presentation slideshow. The image should be a .jpg or .pdf file, no smaller than 375 x 525 pixels. If KHM Travel Group has previously taken a head shot and you would like to use it, please let us know.
- By December 15th: Links to your handouts to use as a QR Code for agents to download. See Scavenger Hunt for more information.
DOOR PRIZE
All attending agents are entered to win a door prize. If you choose to give out a door prize, please email the Crystal Team at [email protected] to notify us of what the prize will be. You will also need to bring the prize/certificate with you to Crystal, as well as the terms to redeem the prize if a trip is being given away. You will pick your winner during your presentation.
OPTIONAL ONE-ON-ON MEETINGS
The best way to meet with agents is during times that have been scheduled in advance. You will be responsible for using your time and space how you see fit. Plan your schedule to include time for agents who want to pick your brain throughout the conference. These meetings can be some of the most valuable time spent during the conference. Keep in mind you’re also able to schedule meet-ups throughout the length of the conference in any location you find available, i.e. pool, lounges, bars.
PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for scheduling any one-on-one meetings, including determining time and location. We highly recommend confirming these appointments with the agent the week prior to sailing. Agents have been given a list of suppliers attending this conference and may even reach out to you!
Last year’s Scavenger Hunt was a hit! After hearing great feedback from agents and supplier partners, we’re bringing back the Scavenger Hunt this year. One difference is agents will be coming to you in groups. These agent teams will consist of a diverse agent group with at least one “top producer” agent leader who may be assisting less experienced agents with good ways to interact with you in that short timeframe.
How will this work?
When you arrive on board the Celebrity Reflection please go to Sky Observation Lounge (final location TBD and will be communicated with you in advance) where you will pick up your registration bag and verify the location on the ship you will be stationed during the scavenger hunt. Agents will be given a Scavenger Hunt Card to complete with clues for each supplier.
The Scavenger Hunt takes place on Wednesday (the fourth day of the cruise, in Cozumel) from 9am – 11am. Around 8:45am on Wednesday (Scavenger Hunt Day) a KHM Travel Group team member will check on you to make sure you’re in the correct area.
During your time with agents, we suggest bringing business cards to hand out. You can also use this time to plan one-on-one meetings, dinners, post conference calls, etc. Our agents are thrilled to spend time with you, so please try to make the most of it.
QR Code
Our Marketing Team will create a QR code that links to any trade show material you would have brought to the trade show. Contact them at [email protected] to create this code.
What to Wear
To help you stand out to agents looking for you, please wear the Crystal t-shirt provided in the registration bag you’ll pick up on Embarkation Day . You will also wear this shirt for the group photo. Please also wear your company name tag.
Schedule for Crystal Conference
More detailed schedule will be updated and shared when confirmed
Day 1 • Sunday, February 25 • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/25 – Sun | Embarkation | 11 AM – 3 PM | Fort Lauderdale |
| 2/25 – Sun | Registration Bag Pick Up Hand out logo items to agents | 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/25 – Sun | Welcome Aboard Crystal | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Theater |
Day 2 • Monday, February 26 • Sea Day
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/26 – Mon | Optional: Morning Reflection with Rick | 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | KHM Executive Team Panel | 8:15 AM – 8:55 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Virgin Voyages | 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Globus family of brands | 9:15 AM – 9:25 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Holland America | 9:30 AM – 9:40AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Classic Vacations | 9:45 AM – 9:55 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Norwegian Cruise Line | 10:00 AM – 10:10 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Travel Insured | 10:15 AM – 10:25 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Princess | 10:30 AM – 10:40 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Expedia TAAP | 10:45 AM – 10:55 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Viking | 11:00 AM – 11:10 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | MSC | 11:15 AM – 11:25 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/26 – Mon | Award Show Supplier Rehearsal | 12:30 PM | Theater |
| 2/26 – Mon | Award Show | 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Theater |
| 2/26 – Mon | Award Cocktail Reception | 4:30 PM – 5:30PM | Sky Observation Lounge |
Day 3 • Tuesday, February 27 • Grand Cayman
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/27 – Tues | Optional: Morning Reflection with Rick | 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/27 – Tues | Free Day: Open for one-on-ones, shore excursions, site inspections | ||
| 2/27 – Tues | Optional: Meet the KHM Team | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Sky Observation Lounge |
Day 4 • Wednesday, February 28 • Cozumel
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/28 – Wed | Optional: Morning Reflection with Rick | 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/28 – Wed | Scavenger Hunt | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Around the Ship |
| 2/28 – Wed | Free Day: Open for one-on-ones, shore excursions, site inspections |
Day 5 • Thursday, February 29 • Sea Day
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/29 – Thurs | Optional: Morning Reflection with Rick | 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Royal Caribbean | 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Sandals | 8:55 AM – 9:15 AM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Allianz | 9:20 AM – 9:40 AM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Delta | 9:45 AM – 10:05 AM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Travel Leaders Network | 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Apple Leisure Group | 10:35 AM – 10:55 AM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Carnival | 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Agent to Agent Panel | 11:25 AM – 12:00 PM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Group Photo & Gold Supplier Giveaways | 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | Theater |
| 2/29 – Thurs | Celebrity | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Celebrity Central |
Day 6 • Friday, March 1 • Bimini
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/1 – Fri | Optional: Morning Reflection with Rick | 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM | Sky Observation Lounge |
| 3/1 – Fri | Free Day: Open for one-on-ones | Around the ship | |
| 3/1 – Fri | Farewell Cocktail Party | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Pool Deck |
After the Crystal Conference
In the weeks following the conference, we will email you the following:
- Link to our Flickr account to find photos from the conference
- Attendee list
- Survey for you to complete