about

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

My career in travel unofficially started more than 20 years ago. At the time I was working as a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist at my own practice in Samaritan Hospital. I always had a love and passion for travel. I would spend my down time researching destinations and travel deals. When I would discuss travel with my massage clients, it would often turn into me booking their vacations. At the time, I was unaware that it could be a career! One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was an Independent Contractor for a local Travel Agency, I opened my own travel agency in 2011, Pack Your Bags Travel, and am still loving it!
Contact: Connie@PackYourBags-Travel.com              518-833-6543
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
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
Elaine Ciulik – Imperial Travel Service
I have been in the travel business for 30 years plus, traveling extensively throughout  the world, finding Hawaii my favorite place of all to visit. I work from my home office and am equipped to do all travel, flights, trains, tours, cruises, all-inclusives and so forth!
elaine.imperialtravel@gmail.com              518-229-3207
 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
 
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
I grew up working in my family’s restaurant business & I had hoped to open my own restaurant
one day. But that all changed when I knew that I wanted to be a Travel Agent after our
Honeymoon in May 1984. My in-laws gave us a Honeymoon cruise on The Rhapsody, but it was
stuck in a sandbar. Their TA had rebooked us on another ship. It is the morning after our
wedding, we are sitting on the bus from MIA, looking at all the beautiful “Love Boats”.
I wondered which “ Love Boat” was ours? Then I noticed a much smaller, older looking ship…
I said to my new husband Mark, that it had better not be our ship!!!! Well it was and it was
awful! It was a very old ship, our cabin had 2 twin beds bolted to the walls, the carpeting was
very worn & didn’t look very clean. Well I cried and refused to stay on that ship! Somehow, Mark
spoke to the right people & got us off with our luggage. We went to the Marriott Biscayne Bay
and the next day, we were booked in a suite on a beautiful ship. We were treated like royalty, we
were invited to The Captain’s Cocktail Party. The Captain looked at my maiden name and asked
if I was Greek? He of course was Greek! I am half Greek & half Italian. He invited us to dine at
the Captain’s table. He requested that I sit next to him, while Mark was seated at the other end
of the very large table. So what started out as a nightmare honeymoon, was turned around by
some very wonderful people. That is when I knew I wanted to help people have wonderful
Vacations and Honeymoons!

I went to travel school in the 1980’s and worked as a Travel Agent for 6+ years before taking a
much needed break. At that time, my husband was starting his own business, a Wine & Liquor
Store. I focused on our family & home so he could grow his business into the success it is today.

Then around 13+ years ago, I decided to get back into Travel, and thanks to dear friends of
ours, Rita, Hal & Tina Goldstein with East Greenbush Travel, I dipped my toes back into Travel
and I remembered how much I loved & missed it!!
For the last 5+ years, I have been with my current host agency, Outside Agents.
My favorite place to travel is yet to be found!

We are parents to 2 adult children…
Our Daughter & Son in law and our twin 5.5 yr old Granddaughters live in Scottsdale,AZ.
Our Son & Daughter in law and 1.5 yr old Grandson live in Clifton Park, NY.
Michelle Fluster
Vacation Dreams by Michelle
Michelle.vacationdreams@gmail.com
#518-221-3677
 
 
I’ve been in the travel industryover 24 years of travel experience – top travel advisor for a leading agency (10 years), travel operations manager for a trusted brand (14 years) and now franchise owner
Contact: john.kusek@cruiseplanners.com                                         518-605-1249
After graduating from Siena College in 1981 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Social Work I spent 32 years working in New York State Government with a focus on children and families. During those 32 years, my passion for travel played a major role in my life. History, Arts & Culture, led me to some of the great cultural centers of the US & Europe. After an early retirement in 2014, my zest for travel led me to exploring and starting a new career in the travel industry.
As an Independent Contractor – Travel Advisor & Group Specialist, my mission is to create and deliver travel experiences that redefine luxury.  I specialize in European river cruises, luxury groups and customized flexible independent travel (FIT) experiences geared to small to medium sized groups, as well as providing TV-themed immersive itineraries like Game of Thrones to Ireland or Outlander to Scotland.  Additionally, I previously served for 3 terms on the Capital Region WITS Board from 2018-2020
Patrick@blueskiestravel.com                      518-786-8620
As a child, I was introduced to travel while visiting the beautiful town on Lake Balaton called Tihany, in Hungary, where my parents immigrated from in 1956. While earning my college degree in International Business, I quickly realized my passion for travel, and immediately after graduation I started Blue Skies Travel in 1993 with my sister Suzanne. The passion for my personal travel turned into a passion for creating Amazing Vacation Experiences for friends and clients and using my contacts and relationships in the industry to add the finishing touches onto unique experiences.
Blue Skies Travel recently celebrated our 28th anniversary. I look forward every day to creating unique experiences, and listening in order to ensure your trip is perfect. I recently told a group of friends “I love my job! & can’t imagine doing anything else!”.
George@blueskiestravel.com                     518-477-4700