CHICAGO: One need not have the power of extra sensory perception to gauge the minds of 130 plus niche travel agents gathered last week at Holiday Inn hotel in Chicagoland to attend a mega travel presentation by Sky Bird Travel & Tours.The travel agents and their associates were not only impressed with the way Arvind Shah, the president and chairman of the company, talked about the giant strides that the company has taken in recent years but were also full of praise that the staff and the management of the company are determined to do one better for them and the traveling public at large in coming years by further improving their services through improved technology.

Shah in his address detailed his vision and plans for the market as also for the valued travel agents. Technological advances to further streamline accounting, a newly developed fare portal and updates to existing systems were announced.

He also introduced new products, like an Exclusive air-charter tie-up in India that will cater to the high-end clientele, the likes of COO, CEO CFO's to travel within India on their own personal schedule; Tour Programs & operations to India, Europe & Africa operated by Sky Vacations - a new division of the company.Air France & Delta Airlines were part of this presentation. Gil Lovitt, the Consolidator Sales Manager of Air France, and Jackson Prevatt, the National Account Manager of Delta air career, attended and addressed the gathering. Both carriers announced that they faced major hurdles in the coming year.

Delta announced that it was out of bankruptcy. Air France has re-organized and expanded their airport facilities in Paris. Together as Alliance Partners with Sky Team, they have expanded their combined network operations. In a talk to India Post, Lovitt said that Air France touches four major airports in India- Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad, and has plans for expanding services. It has connections from thirteen cities in this country besides link with other careers to 120 small interior cities for passengers traveling to India.

Its services in the economy class is excellent with free wine and champagne while traveling in its business and first class should be considered a rare treat.Sky Bird Travel as a sole Consolidator seeks to maintain its key focus as a wholesaler. Shah mentioned that Sky Bird primarily works with other retail agents in an effort to maximize their profitability, offering value additions to assist sell more effectively to their niche clientele.

The evening of "Infotainment" was a wonderful mix of business and entertainment. One of the event's main themes was how to work on changing ones' perception of power. The power of the human mind and its ability to achieve the impossible was showcased by the Entertainer -Deepak Rao who specially came from India to appear at all eight shows covering; New York, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Rao had the audience at the edge of their seats and bewildered by his "extra sensory perception".

The ability to read one's mind and project ideas to a group of people was indeed an extraordinary feat, which Rao achieved with absolute ease. But as said earlier, one need not have to have a power of extra sensory perception to gauge the minds of the agents present.

They were highly impressed with the presentation.Sky Bird Travels and its management prompted the audience to look at achieving the impossible on similar lines by combining strengths, partake in the company's newly launched travel ventures and increase business profitability for their agencies.Shah, along with Gil Lovitt, Consolidation Sales Manager - Air France and Jackson Prevatt, National Account Manager-Delta Airlines gave away four air tickets as a door prize for travel to any destination on their network.At the end, Umesh Patel, Sky Bird Travel - Manager, gave a vote of thanks