TORONTO — Travel industry veteran Dianne Jackson has embarked on a new venture that allows time-strapped and short-staffed travel companies and agencies to rent independent sales representatives on an as-need basis.
Called Reps4Rent, the new start up provides short-term or project-based representation, consultation and other services geared towards tour operators, tourist boards, hoteliers, cruise lines, airlines and retail travel agencies. The company has four areas of service: trade and consumer shows; training and keynote speaking; general sales activities; and consulting and special project work.
Reps4Rent is currently recruiting independent sales representatives across Canada.
“As we come out of the pandemic, it has become so clear that our industry can no longer sustain the larger sales teams of yesterday,” says Jackson, who boasts over 35 years in senior management roles in the Canadian travel industry, most recently serving as VP, Client Success at e-Travel Technologies. “And yet those sales activities are still important in order to maintain a brand in the eyes of both the distribution networks and consumers. There is a lot of noise out there, and having Reps4Rent brand ambassadors is an affordable, professional and flexible solution.”
Jackson adds: “Travel is rebounding in a huge way and suppliers are often finding themselves stretch to participate in all of the sales functions they want and need to do. Our goal is to ease the pressure to be everywhere, all the time.”
For example, says Jackson, with Reps4Rent, a company’s permanent sales department can focus on key projects such as quarterly reviews and specific client opportunities, while Reps4Rent ambassadors can concentrate on general sales activities and backfill where additional staff or talent is required.
Another option, she adds, is for companies located outside Canada to ramp up their presence at Canadian events with Reps4Rent ambassadors, without signing a long-term commitment.
“And the best part, because we offer a menu of services, is that you pay for only what you need. Our brand ambassadors will be trained to the client’s standards to deliver key messages and handle typical queries and concerns raised at industry events,” says Jackson.
At the same time, Jackson notes that Reps4Rent provides an opportunity for industry personnel to work as independent sales professionals as a way to stay involved in the industry they love, or to grow their current business by leveraging Reps4Rent.
“Reps4Rent is really an ideal marriage of needs and fulfillment,” she adds.
Some of the Reps4Rent brand ambassadors to date include such well-known industry figures as Sal Buccellato, Jackie Coulson, Nick Roberti and Joseph ‘JD’ Dubois.
For more information contact Jackson at djackson@reps4rent.com or call (249) 503-8484 or toll-free at 1-877-724-8085.
