How will this new company affect TPI service and staffing levels?
As Vacation Planners grows with new franchisees, so will TPI's service levels and support teams. This is no different than when TPI onboards a new set of advisors or agency owners. Over the years, we have utilized an internal formula that helps us gauge when to add to specific TPI Teams. In preparation for our growth, we are already boosting our staff with additional team members.
What department crossovers will there be?
Vacation Planners will only be utilizing TPI's Accounting and Agent Support Teams. All other support teams (marketing, events, training, etc.) will be employees of Vacation Planners.
What role will Jenn play with TPI moving forward? Will she attend events?
Jenn isn't going anywhere; she is still part of our TPI Family. However, 100% of her focus will be on growing and supporting Vacation Planners and the franchisees' needs. You should expect to see her pop up at industry events and other more significant TPI events, like TPI Rocks, sharing her wisdom and insight to benefit all!
Who will replace Jenn?
We don't like to look at it as replacing Jenn. Instead, we're excited to share that Dave Meihoefer will be assuming a new role with TPI, VP of Sales and Engagement. Our dedication, as is Dave's, is to continue and elevate the support you are used to with Jenn's position.
Will some of the technology, marketing, and support investment now be sent to Vacation Planners?
Vacation Planners is a separate company that is tapping into the technology, support, and industry power of TPI – just like you do as an advisor. No monies allocated to support TPI alone will be funneled to Vacation Planners. It is a stand-alone organization.
Does this new business have the potential to expose TPI to lawsuits, essentially putting TPI at risk somehow?
No, Vacation Planners is a separate company.
Will Vacation Planner franchisees have access to the same blocked cruise speculative space through TPI and Signature Travel Network?
Vacation Planners, just like you, will have the same access to blocked space under the TPI IATA number. However, as Vacation Planners grows, just like you can do, they will start blocking their space for their franchisees.
Will Vacation Planners Franchisees have travel partner exclusives that TPI Advisors would not have access to?
Yes, it's possible that as Vacation Planners grows, some partners may offer exclusives as they know that Vacation Planner franchisees will have a greater chance of mass consumer exposure through their websites, PR, email, and social marketing.
Will Associate Advisors be able to purchase a franchise?
TPI's policy is that no Associate Advisor can switch from one team to another without a year of separation from their current Main Advisor. This will be the policy for buying a franchise. The Associate Advisor must be a TPI Main Advisor for a period of one year (or not with TPI for one year) prior to being able to purchase a Vacation Planners franchise.
Can a Main TPI Advisor purchase a franchise and maintain their current TPI account?
Yes. We see that many of our TPI Advisors have strong brands that have a specific focus yet want to branch out without impacting their current brand name/focus. Purchasing a Vacation Planners franchise will give them that avenue. Purchasing a franchise is also an investment many may want to buy into as they grow their teams or prepare for succession.
Vacation Planners will be operating under the same IATA/CLIA/ARC, so why not just trade under a dedicated IATA?
Vacation Planners, although a separate company from TPI, will operate under the same IATA. This allows the franchisees to benefit right away from the robust impact TPI has established over the years, just like you!
Will Vacation Planners Franchisees be attending the TPI events? If yes, will this take away from a TPI advisor's ability to obtain a seat?
Nothing Vacation Planners does will "take away" from TPI Advisors just because they are a franchisee. We are looking at which TPI events make sense for franchisees to attend. Even though Vacation Planners will be considered agency owners within TPI, they will not obtain a "seat" at our invitation-only events.
MORE ABOUT VACATION PLANNERS
When will Vacation Planners launch?
Our goal is to launch and begin signing up new franchisees by the fourth quarter of 2024. We are currently taking an interest list of experienced advisors who are currently active in the industry, as we know our approach will be attractive to many.
What are the main differences between being hosted by TPI and purchasing a franchise through Vacation Planners - Pros/Cons?
When you are part of a Host, you set the rules of who you want to sell, how much you want to sell, what technology you use, etc. A con is that you are solely responsible for getting your phone to ring, maintaining your brand presence, and creating everything for your business. A pro with TPI is the freedom to do what you want. It's your brand, your business, your identity.
When you purchase a franchise, you are opting into a set of rules established by the Franchisor: what partners you can sell, set of standards when it comes to presenting the Vacation Planners brand, which technologies to utilize, etc. The con is the loss of some creative freedom.
What attracts people to purchase a franchise is that your business is attached to a consumer-facing brand that will be shown everywhere (public relations, national media, directories, etc.), creating an instant connection between what you do as an agency and the consumer. Franchisees also benefit from most of the marketing being done for them.
What are the costs associated with buying a Vacation Planners franchise?
Depending on who is purchasing (new to the industry, an experienced advisor, a current TPI advisor), the costs range from $2500 to $7500 for the signing fee and $600 per month with a 90/10 commission split.
How do I get on the interest list?
Visit https://vacationplannersfranchise.com/ and follow the instructions. We will be reaching out over the next few months, qualifying interested individuals and answering questions for this exciting opportunity.
