Group business opportunities are everywhere, and marketing to these potential customers is the best way to increase your business. From family reunions and destination weddings to corporate meetings and conferences, groups fill staterooms fast. Let potential group clients know how easy it can be to plan a group cruise with the assistance of a travel agent. Take time to answer their questions and show them the potential for an amazing group experience onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Here are the most common types of groups: Affinity - An affinity group is composed of people who share a common link or affinity with each other. This affinity can be anything from a family reunion to an affiliation with an association, organization or church. Promotional - A promotional group is one where a travel agent identifies an opportunity and holds group inventory in order to lock in pricing. They then market the sailing to their clients, enticing them to take advantage of the special pricing and amenities. Meetings & Incentives - These types of groups are composed of businesses and associations. These clients may choose to host conferences or regional sales meetings onboard a ship. They may also choose to reward their top employees with a cruise for an outstanding achievement. In order to prepare you for your group opportunity, we have put together a step-by-step plan to help you target and market to your group. Take advantage of our many resources and you will be sure to capitalize on your next group opportunity. Choose your target Are you interested in booking a multi-generational group or do you have a specific demographic in mind? When choosing your target, you must consider your client base. If a majority of your clients book family vacations then you may want to consider a family reunion as your group opportunity. Does your client base reflect an older demographic? Consider marketing to a local business or association. Search for the group opportunity in each client interaction. Potential Group Opportunities: •   Alumni Groups •   Professional Organizations •   Religious and Church Groups •   Health Clubs •   Hobby Groups •   Social Clubs Market to your target Now that you’ve identified your target, you must decide your marketing approach. Royal Caribbean offers several resources to help you capitalize on your group opportunity. Find out the needs and interests of your group. Our ships feature amenities onboard for your group, many of which can be customized to serve their specific needs. •   Specialty Dining & Entertainment Options- Reserve a show or a specialty dining venue for your group. •   Spa Activities- Offer your group the opportunity to be pampered while onboard. •   Shore Excursions- Take your group on land to experience the many wonders of our exciting destinations. •   Charity Fundraisers- Support your group by allowing them to feature a cruise vacation for their next fundraiser. •   Convenient Meeting Spaces- Provide your group with meeting spaces that meet their needs. •   Business Centers & Internet Access- Keep your group connected. •   State of the Art Audio/Visual Equipment- Offer your group the proper tools to present while onboard. •   Dedicated Outdoor Coordinator- Provide your group with support onboard to manage all of their outdoor activities. GROUP AMENITY PROGRAM Treat your group to valuable extras before or during their cruise. Our Group Amenities Plus (GAP) Program enables you to customize your group by offering a variety of amenities most valued by you and your customers. •   Choose the amenity according to the terms offered by referring to the ship and sailing date you wish to book. •   Each amenity has a point value. Match these points to those offered on the departure you choose to create your valued customized amenity program. •   GAP points can be used to recognize your clients or access Travel Partner benefits. •   A minimum of 8 staterooms is required for a group booking. •   GAP can be assigned at any point until the final payment date. Assignment changes can also take place at any point until the final payment date. •   Set up an appointment with your Business Development Manager and Business Development Support Specialist. •   Create personalized collateral on Cruising Power using My Marketing Center (www.CruisingPower.com > Selling Tools > My Marketing Center). •   Visit the Groups Your Way web portal. •   Visit the Meetings & Incentive Sales Kit (www.CruisingPower.com > Selling Tools > Sales & Marketing Kit > Royal Caribbean > Meetings & Incentive Sales Kit).         ©2011 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships registered in the Bahamas. *Brilliance of the Seas® is operated by RCL (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.