Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-nine GotoMeeting is now available for the Mac. Get a 30 day free trial at http://www.gotometting.com/podcasts. Today a computer is an essential tool for running your business. Nolan Burris of Future Proof Travel joins Barry and Lorene to talk about using an Apple MacIntosh for your business. Nolan talks about making the switch from the PC to the MacIntosh. Why should you switch? "Because they just work," says Nolan. This is not a dry technical discussion about PC versus Mac. Nolan is a motivational speaker and he will entertain you as he talks about making the switch. Nolan maintains the website, "FutureProofTravel" where you can find excellent training materials for travel agents. In addition, Nolan developed the website, www.macintravel.com where you can find more information about making the switch from the PC to the Mac. Plus the Chicago Tribune's report on the top ten U.S. and Canada cities for travel. Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com Inara George with Van Dyke Parks "Accidental" (mp3) from "An Invitation" (Everloving) Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-eight This show brings a surprise. We have a Disney segment provided by a Disney Travel Specialist, Gary Ebels. Gary will be an addition to the show with an occasional five minute (or thereabouts) segment about Disney. In the co-hosted segment of today's show, Lorene talks about shore excursions. Lorene explains how to make commission on shore excursions and how to qualify your clients for shore excursions. Shore Trips Port Promotions CNN reports the loss of a famous arch in Arch National Park, Utah. The Chicago Tribune reports on the Travel and Leisure Magazine poll to find the top ten best cities to visit. Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com Paquito D'Rivera Who's Smoking? (mp3) Buy at iTunes Music Store

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-seven Is the Iphone a tool or a toy? Lorene and Barry discuss using the Iphone for their travel business. And, yes the Iphone is a tool and a toy. You can compose, send and read email on the Iphone. Using the Mobile Me service your email, calendar and contacts are synchronized on all of your computers. We predict that access to GDS systems and Client Resource Management systems will come to the Iphone and other small mobile computing devices. Listen in to the show and hear more about Lorene and Barry's experience with the new Iphone. In the news: Iraq Tourism? Websites that Connect Travel Agents to Clients Northwest Airlines $80 Fuel Surcharge Retired Chemist Ready to go Into Space on Virgin Galactic Good Advice for Your Clients About Airlines Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com The Ryoko Trio "Bouches D'or" (mp3) from "Bonsai Bop" (Candid Productions Ltd.) Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-six Lorene and I talk with Nicola Iannone, Director of National Accounts for MSC Cruise Lines. Nicola describes the experience of cruising on their luxury ships. Plus you will learn how MSC supports travel agents by offering extra commission on shore excursions and pre and post stays. Satisfied clients are a building block for your business. The service and attention your clients receive on an MSC cruise will have them coming back to you for more. To learn more go to the MSC travel agent site at http://www.msccruisesagent.com/ If you haven't seen the "Last Lecture" then check it out on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com Aline de Lima "Renda Minha / Mulher Rendeira" (mp3) from "Açaí" (Naive) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-five Schools about to start and what better time to sign up for NCL University. NCL University is the most interactive informal travel training available today. At NCLU you will receive training, receive CLIA credits and qualify for discounted cruises aboard NCL. Listen to the show and learn more about the NCLU. I received an email from Monika looking for more information about becoming a space tourism specialist. She heard about this specialty in HBTA Show 100 and wanted more information. I did some research and discovered the only host agency working with Virgin Galactic, the space tour company, is Virtuoso. Watching the movie on Virtuoso's specialty page is fascinating and makes me want to sign up for the space journey. I've included a link to the page HERE. Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com Yomo Toro "Mambo Oriental" (mp3) from "Funky Jibaro" (Soundscape) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-four How valuable is your time? In this show we talk with David Pfeifer, V.P. for Operations and Sales for CLEAR. CLEAR works with the Transportation and Security Agency to clear you as a verified traveler. Once cleared, you will breeze through those long lines at the security check points in many major airports. Listen to the show and learn more about how you can save your valuable time when you travel. Barry talks about his efforts and frustrations while attempting to purchase the new Iphone. Being an early adopter does have its drawbacks. Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com Natacha Atlas, The Mazeeka Ensemble "Ya Laure Hobouki" (mp3) from "Ana Hina" (World Village UK) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-three Seattle is a great town and an exceptional spot for food and a growing reputtation for fine chocolate. Lorene and Barry interview Michel Brotman of Simply Seattle and the Chocolate Box. Michels' company conducts tours of chocolate factories in Seattle. The next time you are in Seattle, or your send clients to Seattle, do yourself or your clients a favor and book a tasty tour of Seattle's chocolate hotspots. In show number 117 back in August of 2007, we interviewed Susan Foster the author of "Smart Packing for Today's Travelers." With airlines charging for checked baggage it may be time to go back and review what Susan had to say. Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Stop by my travel business site Special Destinations where you can just browse or create your own account and blog. Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com Magic Slim "Crazy Woman" (mp3) from "The Essential Magic Slim" (Blind Pig Records) Buy at eMusic Buy at Pure Tracks Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-two Familiarization (Fam) trips are a great way to learn about your travel product. You gain direct experience on a Fam trip which helps you represent your product with enthusiasm and knowledge to your client. Lorene talks about her Fam trip with Holland America Line conducted at port in San Diego. Lorene shares her experience and offers some tips on how to bring more home from your next Fam trip. Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Stop by my travel business site Special Destinations where you can just browse or create your own account and blog. Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com US Air Force Band of Liberty "On Silver Wings" (mp3) from "On Silver Wings" (Altissimo!) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty-one Lorene and Barry, in the co-hosted segment of the show, focus on Seattle as a destination for clients. One of the great tour possibilities is a tour of choclolate factories. There are many tour opportunities and companies you can use to arrange great tours for your clients. Barry rants about the $15.00 fee American Airlines is charging for checked luggage. Barry also talks about the Transportation and Security Administration blog where you can find a lot of useful information to help your clients navigate airports. Links to websites discussed on the show: Pasta Freska on Westlake Taste Pike Place Market Simply Seattle Chocolate Box Savor Seattle Tour Seattle South Side Visitor Services Culinary Travels Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau: The Transportation Security Agency Blog Check out the new AGENT2AGENT forum at http://agent2agent.lefora.com/forum/ This podcast is sponsored by GoToMeeting Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Check out Blubrry. It's a great place to be a listener. You can comment on podcasts you listen to and you can sign up to be friends with the podcasters on the Blubrry Network. Go over to Blubrry, sign up and become my friend. I would like to get to know all of you! Stop by my travel business site Special Destinations where you can just browse or create your own account and blog. Would you like to get more information about the travel business, about life and about business in general? Check out my personal blog at http://www.hometravelagent.net/WordPress/ Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com Wayne Horvitz Gravitas Quartet "A Walk in the Rain" (mp3) from "One Dance Alone" (Songlines Recordings) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album

Podcast Number One-hundred-sixty Home based travel agents can become overwhelmed with user names and passwords to log into all of the travel supplier websites. Barry and Lorene offer solutions to help