FAM trips provide travel advisors with the opportunity to experience destinations, resorts, cruise ships, and attractions firsthand. They are designed to help advisors expand their knowledge, strengthen industry relationships, and ultimately better serve their clients.
While every FAM is different, the advisors who gain the most value often share similar habits. Approaching these opportunities with professionalism can help you maximize both the educational experience and the relationships you build along the way.
Here are five professional habits to practice on your next FAM trip.
1. Arrive Prepared
Before the trip begins, take time to research the destination, properties, and suppliers you will be visiting. Having a basic understanding of what you will see allows you to ask better questions and focus on gathering information that will be useful when working with future clients.
2. Stay Engaged Throughout the Experience
FAM itineraries are often packed with presentations, site inspections, tours, and networking opportunities. It can be tempting to treat parts of the trip as downtime, but staying engaged allows you to get the most from the experience. The more attention you pay, the more valuable insights you will bring home to your clients.
3. Build Relationships, Not Just Contacts
One of the greatest benefits of a FAM is the opportunity to connect with supplier partners, destination representatives, and fellow advisors. Focus on building genuine relationships rather than simply collecting business cards. Those connections often become valuable resources long after the trip is over. When you send clients to a destination or property, having established relationships can help you better advocate for your clients and navigate challenges when they arise.
4. View Everything Through Your Clients’ Eyes
As you tour properties and experience destinations, think beyond your own preferences. Consider which clients would be a good fit, what questions they might ask, and what details would matter most to them. Taking notes from a client’s perspective often makes the information much more useful once you return home.
5. Put What You Learned Into Action
The value of a FAM is not measured by the trip itself, but by what happens after you return home. Review your notes, organize your photos, update your marketing materials, and share your new knowledge with clients. The advisors who see the greatest return on these opportunities are the ones who actively use what they learned.
FAM trips represent a significant investment by the destinations, suppliers, and organizations that host them. Approaching each opportunity with curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to learn helps ensure you gain the greatest possible value while building a reputation as a trusted industry partner.
Professional growth comes in many forms, from firsthand destination experiences to continuing education. Throughout July, The Travel Institute is offering 50% scholarships for advisors pursuing their CTA®, CTC®, or CTIE® certification through the Promote Your Professionalism initiative. If certification has been on your professional goals list, now may be an excellent time to take the next step.
