Travel Vendor Fair Connects University Travelers with Sources, Prize Giveaways

Planning spring or summer season journey? The UNC-Chapel Hill Travel Services Travel Vendor Fair provides college, workers and college students an opportunity to fulfill face-to-face with airline representatives, lodge companions and journey service suppliers — all whereas coming into to win prizes starting from a $50 Uber voucher to 2 home airline tickets.

The honest takes place Tuesday, March 3, from 2 to five p.m. within the West Lounge of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union. This yr’s occasion options greater than 14 distributors, together with World Travel Inc., American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Enterprise Mobility.

“Travel is something which is very personal, and the ‘what’s in it for me?’ is the part which we are always trying to educate campus on,” stated Rebecca Spanos, director of Travel and Payment Card Services and interim director of Accounts Payable and Vendor Services. “The goal is to introduce travelers and travel arrangers to our contract partners so they can understand the benefits of our managed travel program.”

The vendor honest has taken place sporadically since round 2021, Spanos stated, with this yr’s occasion providing probably the most sturdy lineup but. The University represents important shopping for energy within the Research Triangle, she famous, permitting Carolina to affect market adjustments, resembling flight availability and routes at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to voice suggestions as well as any frustrations with the vendors,” Spanos stated. In-person conversations, for instance, may be particularly useful for resolving journey challenges that is likely to be tough to deal with via e mail or an internet site.

For these with restricted time, Spanos recommends specializing in the distributors most related to their journey wants. Travel arrangers who convey guests to campus ought to communicate with native lodge companions, whereas outbound vacationers ought to prioritize airline representatives and the University’s journey administration firm.

All attendees can enter drawings for giveaways from distributors, with prizes together with lodge nights, journey vouchers and airline tickets.

The Travel Vendor Fair is open to all University college, workers and college students. No registration is required.