Why Strong Supplier Relationships Matter—And How They Benefit You

May is officially Travel Agent Appreciation Month—but today, I’m making it Business Development Manager Appreciation Day.

I recently had the privilege of sitting down for a 3.5-hour working session with Mary Lynn Villeneuve, my Business Development Manager (BDM) from Emerald & Scenic Luxury Cruises. That’s not a typo—three and a half hours of meaningful conversation, planning, and strategizing, all focused on helping me to grow my business and to better serve my clients.

Mary Lynn and I talked through my goals for 2025 and 2026, looked at emerging opportunities with both Emerald and Scenic Cruises, and mapped out ways to offer even more value to my clients. We discussed marketing ideas, training opportunities, and how to navigate the ever-evolving world of cruising.

What stood out to me most? The fact that someone at her level, representing a world-class cruise line, was willing to invest that kind of time and expertise into supporting me—an advisor who’s only two years into the industry. Her belief in my potential and her commitment to partnership was humbling and energizing.

Here’s why this matters to you—my clients.

When you book with a professional travel advisor like me, you're not just getting someone to click "confirm" on your behalf. You're getting someone who has built real relationships with suppliers, who gets insider access to training, updates, and support that make your trip smoother, more enjoyable, and better tailored to your needs.

If there’s ever a question, a delay, or a special request, I know who to call. And they answer.

This level of support, access, and personalization simply isn’t available through online booking engines. It’s one of the hidden advantages of working with a travel advisor who invests in relationships—not just with clients, but with the suppliers who deliver the experience.

So today, I want to say thank you to Mary Lynn who gave me my first introduction to river cruising—and to the many other supplier partners I’ve worked with along the way. Your support makes a world of difference.  And to my clients: know that I have the trusted support, insight, and relationships in place to ensure your travel experience is smooth, supported, and thoughtfully planned—every step of the way.

Want to talk about your next cruise? Whether it’s Emerald, Scenic, or another destination on your dream list, I’m ready when you are.