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Crystal sets up agent advisory council

(Photo: Anne Kalosh)
One member of the new Advisory Council is Ensemble Travel's Susan Gannon, front row, at right. She's pictured with Ensemble colleague Chris Lackstrom, left, Crystal executives and chefs at the ongoing sales gala aboard Crystal Symphony
Thirteen global travel partners were named to the new Crystal Partner Advisory Council established by Carmen Roig, SVP marketing and sales.

They are Oded Battat of Traveland, Leah Bergner of Coastline Travel, David Brandon of Savenio, Deborah Deming of Frosch Travel, Michelle Fee of Cruise Planners, Susan Gannon of Ensemble Travel, Jason Jenkins of Cruise Vacations Inc., Edwina Lonsdale of Mundy Cruising, Eric Maryanov of All-Travel.com, Craig Pavlus of Pavlus Travel, Gary Pollard of Ambassador Tours, Mary Jean Tully of Tully Luxury Travel and Ruth Turpin of Cruises Etc.

Ongoing dialogue and quarterly meetings

As Crystal expands, it is 'more imperative than ever that we engage our expert partners for their invaluable insights and feedback,' Roig said. 'We always strive to be a pleasure to do business with and we feel that an enhanced, open dialogue between us will even further enhance our partnership as well as greatly impact our mutual businesses.'

Ongoing dialogue will concern travel partner programs and advancements, newbuilds and client demand for specific luxury experiences. In addition, there will be quarterly Advisory Council meetings to review Crystal’s Strategic Plan, lend insight into market shifts and share client feedback.

Ten of the Advisory Council members are aboard Crystal Symphony this week for the company's annual sales gala, and will rendezvous with Roig this weekend. The first meeting of the full group will take place in Los Angeles in July.

Members will serve for a two-year term.

2019 sales gala set for June in Europe

Next year's sales gala will take place aboard Crystal Serenity in Europe, during the May 29-June 10 Barcelona to Dover cruise. The specific sales gala dates are June 4-10, from Lisbon to Dover. The annual revenue threshold for qualification will be $1m for the second year in a row.