News from Andy's Desk A new year means fresh beginnings. However, I want to be sure to share how AMAZING 2024 was! In 2024 we saw the traveling public gain confidence in their ability to both visit some of their favorite spots as well as explore some destinations they had never visited before. It was Special Needs Group’s honor and pleasure to make those vacation dreams possible for both those who rented some equipment from us as well as the friends and family members who ventured with them. As the population ages, we see more people with both time and the means to take luxury trips while paying for up to 50 guests with them. That is where we come in. If we hadn’t provided the service that one particular customer needed, the entire trip would not have been booked for those 52 people. I am sure the travel advisor who booked the trip was both very happy and simultaneously grateful that they had become an SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate (CATA). That leads me to a BIG THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to our Power Partner of the Year, Avoya Travel Network. The last time we recognized a Power Partner was in 2019. So, I thought it was time we brought it back. Avoya has encouraged all of its members to become SNG Certified Accessible Advocates (CATA). Through that encouragement, they have certified more travel advisors in 2024 than any other agency. Through their efforts, they have made travel more accessible to anyone who wants to take a trip. Please see more information about the prestigious award below in the newsletter. I would also like to both thank and congratulate our big winner of the SNG Monthly Booking Promotion. JOB WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS to Lynette Borrel of CruiseOne/Dream Vacations. She won our $500 prize. So, if you know her, please congratulate her and hint at her taking you to lunch…LOL Lots more instore for 2025, but I can’t give away all of the information right away…LOL Until next month…
Thank you again for another successful year! Andrew Garnett, CATA President/CEO
$$$ SNG Monthly Booking Promo $$$
Winners
September Winner
Deborah Peters
October Winner
Joann Schmitt
November
Diane Lobosco
GRAND PRIZE!!!
Lynette Borrel
SNG December $500 AMEX Gift Card Winner
Lynette Borrel
CruiseOne/Dream Vacations
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SNG 2024 Power Partner of the Year Award
Avoya Travel Network
Andrew Garnett, President/CEO, Special Needs Group presents Avoya Travel Network's Steve Hirshan, Senior VP Sales, with SNG's Power Partner of the Year Award.
Picture taken by Alec Garnett.
Previous Power Partner Honorees
2019 - MSC
2018 - Celebrity
2017 - Travel Weekly & Jim Smith, CTIE
2016 - Debra Kerper
2015 - Roberta Schwartz & Bob Sharak
2014 - Mary Pat Sullivan
2013 - NACTA - ASTA Small Business Network
2012 - Cruise Planners & WMPH
SNG Featured in
Travel Agent Central
Special Needs Group was recently interviewed by Travel Agent Central Magazine’s Susan J. Young for a feature entitled, “Photo Tour: Disney Treasure’s Accessible Deluxe Family Veranda Stateroom”.
SNG's January Webinar will uncover hidden gems and pockets of opportunity that will surely enhance and expand selling opportunities, customer satisfaction, and client retention. Join Special Needs Group for this brief, but extremely powerful webinar presentation focusing on how to better service the mature, mobility-challenged, and special needs market segments. Q & A period following the PowerPoint presentation.
For those looking for a Hotel in close proximity to Fort Lauderdale International Airport and Port Everglades, please check out the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port property.
