Melissa Varela Selected to Participate in Elite Travel Event

San Ramon, CA, July 10, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Travel Weekly is proud to announce that Melissa Varela was selected from among hundreds of applicants to attend the third-annual Global Travel Marketplace (GTM), which took place at the Diplomat Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 28-30, 2015. GTM is a three-day appointment-only event for top-producing travel agents in North America and leading cruise, hotel, tour and destination suppliers seeking to conduct business face-to-face.

Out of the nearly 850 applications received, 110 North American travel agents were selected to participate. One hundred and seventy suppliers engaged with travel agents though a variety of one-on-one pre-scheduled meetings, exclusive boardrooms and networking events.

"It was an honor to be selected to attend GTM. This event is one of the most professional, educational and organized events in the travel industry. It facilitated travel agent and supplier connections in a way that honors the travel professional. GTM provided a platform to expand my network, and build strategic partnerships to move my business forward," said Varela, owner of Modern Romance Travel of San Ramon.

GTM agents are uniquely connected to new and existing products, destinations and services, providing them unparalleled support in the marketplace and distinct pricing advantages—both of which help them to best serve their valuable clients.

“The agents who attended this event are the cream of the crop. The expertise and experience they offer their clients is second to none, and is undoubtedly enhanced as a result of attending the event,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, Senior Vice President of Events, Travel Group, Northstar Travel Media. “GTM provided the platform for these key travel industry professionals to network with and be part of a collaborative and like-minded community of agents and global suppliers who all have the same goal: To build and grow their business.”

“At Travel Weekly, we support the travel agent community 100% and we understand the value that a travel agent provides,” said Bob Sullivan, President, Travel Group, Northstar Travel Media. “To show our commitment we provide a variety of different programs and events throughout the year like GTM which allow agents to enhance their careers and businesses.”

About Modern Romance Travel:
Modern Romance Travel plans once in a lifetime vacations including destination weddings, honeymoons, cruises and tours for families, singles, couples, friends and groups. Modern Romance Travel holds specialist certifications for many international destinations, resorts and cruise lines.

About Travel Weekly:
Travel Weekly, the national newspaper of the travel industry, is the most influential provider of news, research, opinion and analysis to the North American travel trade marketplace. In addition to a weekly print publication, TravelWeekly.com, updated several times daily, is the most-visited industry website. Travel Weekly is a division of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Northstar Travel Media, the largest travel business-to-business travel publisher in the world.