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Our People: In The News Deprez Group Donates Again
DEPREZ GROUP OF TRAVEL COMPANIES SUPPORTS HAITI RELIEF ROCHESTER, NY - DePrez Group of Travel Companies has pulled together again to support those in need. Upon hearing about the devastating Earthquake in
The employees of DePrez Travel elected to scale back their annual holiday party last year and donate a large portion of those monies directly to The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is a national non-profit organization that provides assistance to recover missing children and raise awareness to prevent child abduction, molestation and exploitation. The DePrez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929, is the largest independent travel management organization in the 5-county For additional information on this, please contact Allen Bernstein at abernstein@depreztravel.com or visit www.depreztravel.com.
THE DE PREZ GROUP OF TRAVEL COMPANIES EMBRACES THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON!
Rochester, NY - The employees of DePrez Travel have elected to scale back their annual holiday party this year and donate a large portion of those monies directly to The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is a national non-profit organization that provides assistance to recover missing children and raise awareness to prevent child abduction, molestation and exploitation. DePrez Travel's owner and CEO, Craig Curran, along with his entire staff will make the donation to the representatives of NCMEC on Wednesday December 23. The presentation will take place at a holiday luncheon for the travel agency's staff and key clients held at the main branch of DePrez Travel, located at 145 Rue De Ville in Brighton NY. "We are so very grateful to receive this generous donation from the employees at DePrez Travel. It is very heartwarming to see the staff at a great local company embracing the spirit of the holiday season by making children safer. In supporting the work of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children right here in the Greater Rochester area, they are helping us to do more to keep our kids safer throughout the year." said Edward Suk, Executive Director NY. The DePrez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929, is the largest independent travel management organization in the 5-county Rochester area. The group includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc (a member of the invitation-only VIRTUOSO network), Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), DMI (DePrez Meetings and Incentives), Charlie Cheap Seats, Whitaker and DePrez Travel Partners, LLC. Wish Upon A Star Vacations, Inc., and Precision Planning. For additional information on this, please contact Allen Bernstein at abernstein@depreztravel.com or visit www.depreztravel.com.
THE DE PREZ GROUP HELPS SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER Rochester, NY 12/01/08 - Each year we at DePrez enjoy helping to make the holidays a little brighter for those in need. This year we are contributing to two very special projects, Cards that Care and Matt's Coats for Kids. Cards that Care is a project started by the daughter of one of our employees four years ago. She began collecting blank holiday cards for people in local hospitals, nursing homes and senior living centers. Family & friends help to fill out the cards, add stickers and stamps. In the past 4 years, with the help of family, friends, several schools and a Boy Scout Troop she has put a smile on the faces of over 15,000 people. The goal this year is 10,000 cards. We are collecting clean, blank holiday cards in an effort to help spread the cheer. Also, each year, in the memory of Matthew Fitton, nephew of one of our agents, we collect gently used (clean) and new coats of all sizes as well as scarves, hats and gloves. These go to help needy children in our area to stay warm. Occasionally the children's caregivers receive a warm winter coat, too. Matt's Coats for Kids has distributed about 2000 coats to needy children since 2004. For more information see http://www.mattscoatsforkids.org
THE DE PREZ GROUP OF TRAVEL COMPANIES CHALLENGES EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EAT WELL LIVE WELL CHALLENGE ROCHESTER, NY 10/2/2008 – The DePrez Group Of Travel Companies recently joined with several other businesses in the area to take part in the Eat Well Live Well Challenge sponsored by the Rochester Business Alliance. This program is one in an ongoing series to encourage healthy life habits. The Eat Well Live Well principles are these:
Thirty five employees donned pedometers provided by DePrez as they took part in the 8 week adventure. Over 12,600,000 steps were logged and a total of 5,680 cups of fruits and vegetables were consumed. Employees got creative trying to increase their daily number of steps by parking farther away from the office door and taking walks at lunchtime. Shari Putnam, company controller, commented "We are always trying to find new ways to make our employees more successful, both professionally and personally. We understand the tremendous value of our employees and being able to impact them in a positive way while building company morale simultaneously is a definite plus for all." The DePrez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929, is now the largest independent travel management organization in the 5-county Rochester area. The group includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc (a member of the invitation-only VIRTUOSO network), Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), Charlie Cheapseats, Whitaker & DePrez Travel Partners LLC, Wish Upon A Star Vacations, Inc., DePrez Certified Convention Management, Precision Planning and DePrez Corporate Services Division. For More Information Please Contact: Shari Putnam. 585-442-8900 x232 sputnam@depreztravel.com
THE DEPREZ GROUP HELPS SUPPORT KATRINA VICTIMS NYC, NY 7/05/2008 - ICSC received the Social Responsibility Caring Hands Award from the New York Society of Association Executives, in recognition of the efforts of its members who helped rebuild homes and schools devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The DePrez Group of Travel Companies who contributed $2255 for the effort, is proud to be afilliated with ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers). About 300 ICSC members attending the Fall Conference last October in New Orleans devoted a day to do some heavy lifting and help the people there. The event, called The Passion Team: Helping to Rebuild the Gulf South, put volunteers to work relandscaping, repainting and generally rebuilding the Hollygrove-Carrollton section of the city. The program's organizers were American Express, AmeriCorps, the Lousiana Serve Commission, Rebuilding Together, and Trinity Christian Community. Kate Wendel, SCMD, director of marketing, marketplace centers and new developments at General Growth Properties, who served on the planning committee, welcomed the news. “ICSC is to be commended for its willingness to embrace this idea wholeheartedly, not just for the New Orleans program, but going forward in future years,” said Wendel. Afterward, the used equipment was donated to local organizations, and an additional $1,100 was raised for the cause. The NYSAE, which created the award in 1991, seeks to honor organizations that help solve social problems through community service. ROCHESTER, NY 5/30/2008 – Fran Kramer of The DePrez Group of Travel Companies has been selected, along with other top culinary travel advisors from the Virtuoso luxury travel network, to serve on a newly formed Epicurean Travel Consultant Board, which will exclusively provide travel fulfillment for Bon Appétit's promotional special events and travel promotions.
“Culinary travel is an ever-growing trend in the luxury segment,” said Paul Jowdy, Vice President and Publisher of Bon Appétit, “We are thrilled with the level of expertise, first-hand experience and connections that our new board members demonstrate. Our readers and partners will greatly benefit from this relationship.”
Virtuoso and the board members will develop exclusive travel packages in conjunction with Bon Appétit promotional events. Board members will be able to promote these exciting packages to their clients and to the millions of Bon Appétit subscribers. Board members will also be invited to attend special Bon Appétit industry roundtables in major markets throughout the United States.
“Being a great travel advisor is very much like being a top chef,” said Kramer. “We have to select just the right travel ingredients and combine them flawlessly for a remarkable experience anywhere in the world. Culinary travel is a real passion for me, and I am honored to serve on the Epicurean Travel Consultant Board. Discovering the world and its many cultures through your sense of taste makes travel all the more rewarding and exciting.”
For vacation planning with a focus on epicurean excellence or to receive information about the travel packages developed for Bon Appétit, contact Fran Kramer at 585-442-8900 ext.207
The DePrez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929, is now the largest independent travel management organization in the 5-county Rochester area. The group includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc (a member of the invitation-only VIRTUOSO network), Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), Charlie Cheapseats, Whitaker & DePrez Travel Partners LLC, Wish Upon A Star Vacations, Inc., DePrez Certified Convention Management, Precision Planning and DePrez Corporate Services Division.
For More Information Call: The DePrez Group of Travel Companies
145 Rue de Ville * Rochester, NY 14618 * 585-442-8900
LOCAL TRAVEL SPECIALIST QUOTED IN FORBES.COM Rochester,NY 02/26/08 - When Forbes was looking for a knowledgeable agent to interview for a feature article on Australia, New Zealand and the SouthPacific, they turned to Virtuoso, North America’s most respected network of travel agents. Virtuoso recommended that Forbes call Fran Kramer of The Deprez Group of Travel Companies. Fran, who specializes in luxury travel to the Oceana Region (the collective name for the islands scattered throughout most of the Pacific Basin) was selected for her experience and standing in the travel industry. She is a past resident of New Zealand, has visited the “Down Under” countries dozens of times, and has been recognized as one of the Top 80 Travel Agents in the US by National Geographic Explorer magazine.
To read the Forbes article on “Swanky Vacation Spots: Australia/ New Zealand/ South Pacific”, go to http://www.forbes.com/2008/02/21/travel-pacific-resorts-forbeslife-cx_ls_0221travelpacific.html.
The DePrez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929, is now the largest independent travel management organization in the 5-county Rochester area. The group includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc (a member of the invitation-only VIRTUOSO network), Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), Charlie Cheapseats, Whitaker & DePrez Travel Partners LLC, Wish Upon A Star Vacations, Inc., DePrez Certified Convention Management, Precision Planning and DePrez Corporate Services Division.
For More Information Call:
The DePrez Group of Travel Companies
145 Rue de Ville
Rochester, NY 14618
585-442-8900
LEADING TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS FORM AREAS FIRST PARTNERSHIP
Rochester, NY 2/07/08 - Under the leadership of Stephanie S. Whitaker, 10 of the areas premiere travel professionals have created a first of its kind, professional partnership. The organization, Whitaker and DePrez Travel Partners, LLC opened to the public in its new state of the art offices on December 15, 2007. Whitaker and DePrez Travel Partners, in a collective effort, brings the areas most experienced travel consultants under one roof, offering clients a level of customer care, service and counseling never before available. “Many of my colleagues, representing the very best and longest tenured travel professionals in the area, have long been looking for the absolute best way to serve our clients. We have all reached the same conclusion, that by joining forces in the framework of a professional partnership, we can bring an unprecedented level of expertise and customer service to our clients” says Whitaker. The organization will also combine two of the area's best known brands in retail leisure travel. Stephanie Whitaker, CTC, is the best known and respected Luxury travel advisor in the area and will serve as the managing director. Whitaker has over 40 years of service to the travel industry in the Rochester market. She holds a BA in English from Hollins College and has extensive travel experience. She has served as a regular industry panelist for Virtuoso (the leading luxury travel industry trade group) and has been a long time member of the Travel Institute. Stephanie specializes in foreign independent travel, is certified with Virtuoso, and is a 'LEXPERT” with Lindblad Expeditions. Operations for the new organization will be provided by The Deprez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929. The DePrez Group is the largest independently owned travel management firm in upstate NY and has been regularly recognized as the leader in this areas leisure travel trade. Whitaker & DePrez Travel Partners LLC. is a member of the most prestigious and established travel network in the world, Virtuoso. The invitation only group is North America's most respected network of travel agents. Through this affiliation Whitaker & DePrez offers increased value, the highest level of industry expertise, professional standards, and unparalleled choices that you won't find anywhere else. Stephanie Whitaker, CTC (Certified Travel Consultant) Maxine Krasnoff, CTA Cindy Marshall, CTA Diann J. Meek, CTC William Hall, CTA Valerie Case Daciw, CTA(Certified Travel Associate) Livia Ocwieja Also affiliated with Whitaker and DePrez as direct agents are: The Deprez Group of Travel Companies includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc, Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), Charlie Cheapseats, Whitaker & DePrez Travel Partners LLC, Wish Upon A Star Vacations, Inc., DePrez Certified Convention Management, Precision Planning, and DePrez Corporate Services Division. Whitaker & DePrez Travel Partners For more information, please contact Stephanie S. Whitaker @ 442-8901 or swhitaker@wdtravelpartners.com LOCAL CRUISE AGENCY RECOGNIZED AS THE BEST IN THE NATION
Rochester, NY (02/6/08) - Just Cruises, Inc. of Rochester, NY has been nationally recognized as an industry leading cruise agency and inducted into Carnival Cruise Lines' “Pinnacle Club.” The program was created by the cruise line to acknowledge those high-volume travel agencies that meet a certain sales criteria and exhibit excellence in promoting and selling the “Fun Ship” cruise experience. These select agencies represent the top Carnival retailers in the nation “Travel agencies are an important part of our distribution system, which is why we created the 'Pinnacle Club' to recognize those high-volume agencies like Just Cruises, Inc. who are truly experts in their field and exhibit the highest levels of professionalism,” said Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill. The program is limited to less than 70 of the nations estimated 25,000 travel and cruise agencies. To be eligible for the program, agencies must meet the company's sales criteria, and demonstrate exceptional professionalism, creativity in sales and marketing techniques, and outstanding support of the Carnival product. To celebrate their induction into this elite group, the staff of Just Cruises, Inc was presented with a highly detailed replica of a Carnival “Fun Ship” to display at their office.
Just Cruises, Inc. is a Rochester based cruise agency. The firm specializes in cruise sales and consulting. It was one of the first organizations of its kind worldwide when it opened in 1984. Just Cruises, Inc. has been recognized many times by Carnival as an industry leader. “This award, created in 2004, is meant to recognize the absolute best of the best. Our selection, for the 5th consecutive year, is a clear reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our staff” said Craig Curran, President of Just Cruises, Inc. “We are honored to be recognized by the largest cruise organization in the world.” Just Cruises, Inc. is a member of The DePrez Group Of Travel Companies. DEPREZ TRAVEL COORDINATES HOTEL RESERVATIONS THE DRUM CORPS ASSOSIATES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Rochester, NY (10/1/06) - The Drum Corps Associates World Championships came to Rochester on Labor Day Week-end. DePrez Travel was proud to provide the hotel reservations for this group of Drum and Bugle Corps from all over the world. To make this enormous event a reality, over 30 hotels and 7200 room nights in the Rochester area were used. There was a full year of planning and coordination of the event with an expected draw of about 15,000 people to the event in downtown Rochester. Attendance far exceeded these expectations. It is estimated that up to $15 million was spent in the local economy. The hosts of the event, our local Rochester corps, The Empire Statesmen, finished in second place, with a mere 2/10 of a point to the Reading Buccaneers. Reservations are already being accepted for the 2007 event, also to be held in Rochester. FRAN KRAMER FEATURED BY VIRTUOSO Fran is the featured Virtuoso Specialist on the Virtuoso website this month. Below is her article. Travel is more than gorgeous beaches, great shopping, and getting away; it is a life-long enrichment that teaches history and geography, cultures, nature and more. I have not seen the world from my armchair, but from my deck chair, my passenger seat, and my window seat. And when the opportunity to spend a year in New Zealand as a Fulbright exchange teacher was offered to my husband Herb, it gave us a front seat to a world of exploration. From the glaciers of the South Island to the Maori culture in the North Island, and on to Australia, Tahiti, and eventually, over the years, the entire South Pacific, we found the "spirit," the essence, of each destination. We have shared all of this information, insight and inspiration with our clients again and again, cutting through the hype on the internet, and, they tell us, "We are so glad we found you." Experience, experience, experience. That is the mantra, and boy do we have it! Hot air balloon rides over Africa, museums in Shanghai, London, and St. Petersburg, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, touring the temples of Thailand and Bali, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, over six continents and seven seas. Over the years, cruising has become a bigger and bigger part of my travel life. I have been on over 35 cruises on 10 different cruise lines. Why? Cruises today are not only worth the best value, they are the easiest way to see the most places. Plus, combining a pre- or post-cruise land experience with the cruise maximizes the value overall. My choice is small ship cruise lines like Seabourn, with the highest guest/staff ratio in the industry. They provide the utmost service without being stuffy. And, they can get into places where the big ships cannot, for example, Seabourn docks right on the Thames near the Tower of London. No major cruise line can boast that! Also, the all suite, all inclusive cruises on Seabourn feature extras like complimentary massage moments on deck; complimentary spa/baths in your own cabin; and a complimentary shore event on every cruise, yes, every cruise, like the “Caviar in the Surf” experience I will have next year on the Seabourn Spirit, (ranked the number one small cruise ship in the world by Conde Nast Traveler magazine), on a 14-day sailing, March 23 - April 6, from Hong Kong to Singapore, when my husband and I sail as hosts for Virtuoso Voyager Club. You'll get a second complimentary shore event in Saigon, just for booking with a Virtuoso agent. Won’t you please join us! If a specialist is defined as one with outstanding experience and knowledge, then you cannot find any better examples than the agents that make up the Virtuoso network. I am very proud to be a part of it. If you have not tried us, what are you waiting for? Fran Kramer is one of over 6,000 agents in the Virtuoso network, all specializing in different destinations, cruise lines, hotels, resorts and other travel opportunities. They have the knowledge and expertise to help you get the most out of your next getaway THE DEPREZ GROUP EXPANDS TRAVEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES Services offered by Precision Planning include:
The DePrez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929, and is now the largest independent travel management organization in the 5-county Rochester area. The group includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc (a member of the invitation-only VIRTUOSO network), Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), Charlie Cheapseats, Mainline @ DePrez, Wish Upon A Star Vacations, Inc., DePrez Certified Convention Management, and Precision Planning.
For More Information:
Catherine M. Root, CTC
Manager, Precision Planning
145 Rue de Ville
Rochester, NY 14618
585-442-8900 x212
LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY SUPPORTS KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS The funds were donated by the employees of the firm through an internal fund raising effort. "This is typical of the travel professionals in our organization," said Craig F. Curran, President. "For as long as I can remember this group has been very supportive of charitable causes. The staff initiated this effort on their own, and responded generously." The DePrez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929 and is now the largest independent travel management organization in the 5 county Rochester area. The group includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc (a member of the invitation-only VIRTUOSO network), Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), Charlie Cheapseats, Wish Upon A Star Vacations, DePrez Certified Management, and Precision Planning 6 New CTA's Added
The Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation is conferred by The Travel Institute upon travel professionals who complete a rigorous certification program, demonstrate essential industry knowledge and experience, and maintain high standards of professionalism. With the current class of graduates, DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc. now has twenty-four CTA's on staff, the most of any travel organization in Western and Central NY.
"Training is the cornerstone of our mission as an organization. Without training we cannot achieve the personal and professional success of our staff to which we aspire. The Travel Institute is a critical partner", said Craig F. Curran, President of the DePrez Group of Travel Companies. Sharon Hall, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer added, "Every member of our organization is required to have at least one professional designation. Among these are the CTA and CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) conferred by The Travel Institute, ACC (Associate Cruise Counselor) and MCC (Master Cruise Counselor) conferred by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) conferred by MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and a variety of destination specialist designations. Many of our staff hold multiple designations."
For 40 years, the industry leading Travel Institute has been serving as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative educational opportunities, professional certification programs, and customized learning solutions, the Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge, professionalism and excellence.
The Deprez Group of Travel Companies, founded in 1929 and is now the largest independent travel management organization in the 5 county area. The group includes DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc (a member of the invitation-only VIRTUOSO network), Just Cruises, Inc. (one of the top 50 cruise-only agencies in North America), Charlie Cheapseats, Wish Upon A Star Vacations DePrez Certified Management, and Precision Planning.
DePrez Manager Conference SpeakerLOCAL TRAVEL AGENGY MANAGER GUEST SPEAKER NATION'S LARGEST CRUISE AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
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