CLIA Masters Conference at Sea
The 2020 Masters Conference has not yet been announced. Please keep an eye on the CLIA Newsletter for details.
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Who is the trainer?
With more than 35 years in retail travel Scott Koepf became Vice President of Sales of Avoya Travel/America's Vacation Center, one of the largest and most awarded travel companies in North America and beyond. He previously served as President of the National Association of Career Travel Agents. Prior to his role with NACTA Scott was with Sabre Holdings as General Manager of the Jurni Consortium, TMA and the country's largest host travel agency, Nexion. Scott was also a full-time motivational speaker and sales trainer and a consultant for various retail organizations and travel industry suppliers.
Scott opened a cruise travel agency in 1985 and in 1989 became President of Cruise Holidays International. Scott was responsible for taking the franchise company from 12 franchises to over 120. In 1991 he returned to owning an agency which quickly became one of the top cruise selling agencies in the country.
Scott began his career in commercial real estate but Scott's passion for travel lead him over the next few years to jobs as Entertainment Director for Club Med at various locations throughout the world, a Physical Education Teacher in South Africa and as an entertainer on cruise ships with his wife.
Scott has two college degrees from the University of Nevada in Reno including a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He is still active in theatre when time permits, having won best actor awards in both Northern and Southern California . He now lives in the Fort Worth area of Texas with his wife Pam and their three daughters (who surprisingly all love travel and theatre!)
Masters Accreditation
Following the conference, participants are required to undertake a 'work-based assignment'. Upon successful completion the individual is endorsed as a Master Cruise Consultant by CLIA on behalf of the cruise industry. 100 points are added to the individual's profile and a new Cruise Masters Certificate is issued. An agency with a Master Cruise consultant employed then receives a higher ranking on the CLIA's website search.
Destination
Below is a list of historical venues and the supporting Cruise Line Member vessel.
| Year | Destination | Nights | Cruise Line member | Ship |
| 1999 | Port Arthur to Sydney | 4 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Star |
| 1999 | Darwin to Brisbane | 5 | Royal Caribbean Int. | Legend of the Seas |
| 2000 | Great Barrier Reef | 4 | Captain Cook Cruises | Reef Endeavour |
| 2001 | Asia | 7 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Superstar Virgo |
| 2002 | Mexican Baja | 4 | Carnival Cruise Lines | Carnival Ecstasy |
| 2003 | Hawaii | 7 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Star |
| 2004 | Eastern Mediterranean | 7 | Costa Cruises | Costa Mediterranea |
| 2005 | South Pacific | 8 | P&O Cruises | Pacific Sun |
| 2006 | Mexican Riviera | 7 | Royal Caribbean Int. | Vision of the Seas |
| 2007 | Caribbean | 7 | Carnival Cruise Lines | Carnival Valour |
| 2008 | Eastern Mediterranean | 7 | MSC Cruises | MSC Poesia |
| 2009 | Alaska | 7 | Holland America Line | Westerdam |
| 2010 | Yangtze River, China | 5 | Viking River Cruises | Viking Century Sun |
| 2011 | Darwin to Fremantle | 8 | Royal Caribbean Int | Radiance of the Seas |
| 2012 | Transatlantic Crossing | 7 | Cunard Line | Queen Mary 2 |
| 2013 | South Pacific | 8 | Carnival Cruise Lines | Carnival Spirit |
| 2014 | Mexican Riviera | 7 | Princess Cruises | Crown Princess |
| 2015 | Asia | 5 | Royal Caribbean Int | Quantum of the Seas |
| 2016 | Papua New Guinea | 7 | P&O Cruises | Pacific Eden |
| 2017 | Japan ex Hong Kong | 5 | Dream Cruises | Genting Dream |
| 2018 | South Pacific | 7 | P&O Cruises | Pacific Aria |
| 2019 | Australia | 5 | Princess Cruises | Ruby Princess |
The venue for the following year is generally announced with the intention of giving potential participants approximately 9 months notice.
Costs
As CLIA Australasia is a not-for-profit organisation, every effort is made to keep the cost of attendance to a minimum. With generous support from our Cruise Line Members and other 3rd parties, participants should budget on around AUD$1,800 per person twin share (plus airfares).
What's included / not included?
Inclusions vary each year depending on the destination but will generally cover A four to seven night cruise onboard an CLIA member cruise line; welcome cocktail function; attendance at all conference sessions conducted by CLIA Masters Trainer - Scott Koepf; Masters Conference Workbook; tea/coffee/iced water morning & afternoon tea during conference sessions; all meals on board ship; all entertainment on board ship and all port taxes and charges.
We DO NOT include return airfares (and taxes) to/from destination; arrival transfers (airport to hotel); departure transfers (pier to airport); gratuities; travel Insurance; beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic at any time other than where advised ie; Welcome Cocktail function) or any other items of a personal nature.
