Highlights from KHM Travel Group’s Crystal Conference
In late February, KHM Travel Group welcomed its agents on board Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas® for the largest in-person event in the company’s 18-year history!
Keep reading to discover the daily highlights of this popular agent event.
Day 1: Embarkation
Along with President and CEO Rick Zimmerman, Royal Caribbean International’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service Vicki Freed kicked off the cruise by posing with agents for photos at Dazzles. Agents loved meeting Vicki and Rick and walked away with awesome photos to share on their social media pages.
The Meet and Greet hosted by KHM Travel Group’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team was another great chance to mingle on Day 1. Agents marked their city on a map and the DEI team gave out “You Belong Bracelets” with a rainbow option to support LGBTQIA+.
The evening ended with a welcome presentation. Speakers included CLIA’s Vice President, Industry & Trade Relations Charles Sylvia, ECC; Cruise Director Dan Whitney; and KHM Travel Group’s Executive Team.
Topics covered in the welcome session included:
- Recognizing the host agency’s Regional Coordinators
- Agent Milestones for 10-15 Years
- 2022 Agent Advisory Board and Agency Directors
- Recognition for all Agent Journey Levels in Attendance
- KHM Travel Group’s DEI Commitment
- Executive Team Remarks
Day 2: Nassau
New for 2023 was a Supplier Scavenger Hunt. This new activity helped agents explore the ship and solve clues to connect with suppliers. Suppliers loved spending more quality time with each agent during this alternative to a traditional trade show format.
Later in the afternoon, KHM Travel Group hosted the Crystal award ceremony, honoring winners in 40+ categories. Highlights included an inspiring keynote from Vicki Freed, special awards for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ambassadors, and the big announcement that the 2024 Crystal Conference will be on Celebrity Reflection!
During the Cocktail Reception at Solarium, the team filmed an episode of KHM Today with winners, first-time attendees, and more special guests. Watch the Sail-ebrating Travel Agents episode.
Day 3: Sea Day
Early in the morning, Rick gathered with agents for an inspirational session to start the day. Supplier sessions and a great workshop on Building an Inclusive Toolkit followed.
A special treat was the complimentary headshots by KHM Travel Group’s photographer. Agents loved this chance to get a new professional photo to use for their businesses. In the evening, everyone enjoyed the entertainment options on the ship including Grease, Love and Marriage Show, and a festive Caribbean Night.
Day 4: Falmouth
This free day allowed for several fun Jamaica excursions. Supplier-sponsored excursions included:
- Blue Hole and River Tubing, sponsored by ALG Vacations
- Doctor’s Cave Beach Day, sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line
- Mystic Mountain, sponsored by American Airlines Vacations
Other agents spent the day doing site inspections.
Day 5: Labadee
A Crystal Conference tradition every year is to take a group photo…and with a group of 500, this year was a challenge! The AquaTheatre was the perfect place to show off the bright shirts, snap a few pictures, and give away prizes from suppliers. Hosts Royal Caribbean gave away two cabins on the Icon of the Seas® inaugural sailing!
Day 6: Sea Day
The last day at sea was filled with supplier sessions and a popular “You Belong” agent panel.
The farewell Cocktail Reception at Solarium brought everyone together one last time to hear from the Executive Team and see a giant cake from Royal Caribbean that was later served at dinner.
View more photos from this special event here.
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If this Crystal Conference recap has you ready to set sail, mark your calendar for early 2024 when KHM Travel Group will once again gather for the 2024 Crystal Conference event. There’s plenty more opportunities to travel and learn as an agent before then. Check the other in-person events KHM Travel Group hosts throughout the year here.