Mission Statement for WITS:
“Our vision to be innovative and educational while fostering professionalism is the WITS mission. WITS bridges travel advisors and suppliers with the opportunity to collaborate, receive valuable resources and in-depth knowledge of various global destinations. Connecting clients with our ability to bring world-class service and a positive experience to the adventure.“
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Our Officers
I am both honored and excited to announce that I am the new President of WITS Capital Region! WITS stands for Working in Travel Services which has been around for almost 50 years. We help support hundreds of travel agents and suppliers connect to further education and develop relationships.
With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, I have held various key positions, including Travel Agent, Director of Travel for a major brand, and currently, Franchise Owner with Cruise Planners. Throughout my career, I have developed a deep understanding of travel operations, customer service, and strategic business management.
On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, we are excited to embark on another successful year ahead. We look forward to continued growth, collaboration, and achieving new milestones together.
Email john.kusek@cruiseplanners.com Phone: 518-605-1249
Traveling is my passion from sailing on private yachts up and down the East Coast, backpacking hut to hut across Mont Blanc to being pampered by Butlers at 5-star resorts, I adore it all. I grew up on the East Coast with a yachting family allowing my first travels to be on private yachts from the coast of Maine to the Caribbean. The first trip to Europe was by a private yacht stopping in the Azores, Gibraltar, and Mallorca before spending the summer working along the coast of the Mediterranean from St Tropez to Italy. Our Honeymoon was backpacking through Europe, Birthdays hiking hut to hut on Mont Blanc and winters following our Ski Racing Sons all the way to the US Ski Team level around the world. I have enjoyed swimming with Whale Sharks off small expedition cruises as much as lounging in Sky pools in Grenada and being pampered by Butlers at 5- star resorts. I live with my passport and Amex in my wallet and can be packed in a moment’s notice.
Contact Me:
Laurie@enchantingescapes.net
518-339-6557
Laurie Beckmann, CTC, MCC
I have been in the travel business for over 15 years. I currently operate Unforgettable Travel out of my home in Halfmoon. I work under Noel 4 Travel, LLC out of Fairfield CT. I have 1 daughter, Ashley, also in the travel business.
I have been on the WITS board for a year. I will be taking on the Treasurer position this fall.
Contact: Unforgetabletravel@yahoo.com 518-275-7386
With over 15 years of experience in the travel industry, including my current position as Travel Agency Advisor & Office Manager for Cruise Planners – John Kusek & Associates, I have developed a deep understanding of travel agency operations. I worked closely with clients to curate personalized travel experiences, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and repeat business. My expertise extends across a range of travel services, from cruises to customized itineraries, providing me with a well-rounded perspective of the industry.
Email: johnna.eurich@cruiseplanners.com Phone 518-429-6127
Cyndi Miller- Aird is President of Miller + Aird Destination Marketing. Miller-Aird Destination Marketing is a leader in providing sales and marketing services for independently owned hotels and destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America. Cyndi’s portfolio includes the St. Maarten / St. Martin Tourist Office and resorts in Aruba, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Belize, St. Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Cartagena, Colombia and Panama City, Panama. She also represents a boutique African safari company called Salute Africa.
Prior to opening her company in 2000, Cyndi was the Director of Sales and Marketing for MeridienHotels and Resorts and was based in their headquarters office in NY City. Cyndi spent 12 years in various marketing roles with Meridien.
Cyndi is past President of the Caribbean Tourism Organization – NY City Chapter; Past President of Skal International – Connecticut chapter; Past President of the St. Maarten / St. Martin American Marketing Association, and has served on the board of a number of travel organizations.
cyndimilleraird@aol.com 860-964-0376
As a travel agent for Meissner Cruise & Travel in Troy for over twelve years, I am committed to the slogan, “your best travel bargain is a great travel agent!” I aim to find the perfect adventure for my clients, and have been successful so far!
My background as a not-for-profit executive gave me the skills to be organized, while finding the best deals for my clients.
My love for travel has emanated into my daughter, who now assists me with selling Disney and Sandals. As a team we are able to work together and travel together!
travelwithjackie@yahoo.com 518-795-4854
Having begun my travel career over 30 years ago, I enjoyed the benefit and distinct pleasure of working for Apple Vacations and Celtic Tours before opening Vacation Design Travel in 2009, where I work from my home office, providing me with the best of both worlds: the opportunity to work in a field I am passionate about, and to be home for my family when they need me.
One of my favorite travel memories is my family’s venture to Norway in search of the farm on which my grandfather’s family grew up. We found the farm, and met the current owners, distant cousins, who gave us a tour of the farm and its historic buildings. We enjoyed fresh-from-the-oven Rhubarb pie and topped off our visit exploring the 12th century church our ancestors attended, with our cousins and the pastor’s sweet son. Before and after this wonderful experience, we thoroughly enjoyed Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen and the extraordinary beauty of the Norwegian fjords.
It is my passion to help clients experience the transformational wonder of travel through exploration, discovery and immersion!
I am the owner of AJP Travel Partners , Inc. I am certified and a Clia agency.
I am a certified cruise counselor (CCC) and own a CLIA preferred Agency. I started as a travel advisor with Bytner Travel in 1998, then I joined Empress travel as an outside agent. In 2000, I started my own agency. Today I have a good following from friends, family and my Church. I specialize in Disney vacations, cruises, Hawaii and European travel.
Ajptravelpartners@yahoo.com 518-383-9845