One night in MSP Oct 2011 by Judy Takemoto

Ernie goes to Salt Lake for the day, I outdid him.  I flew to Minneapolis for one night.

On Saturday morning I got up at 3:00 am to fly nonstop on Delta Airlines from SMF to MSP at 6:55 am.

It normally takes 45 minutes from my house but with the road construction on I-5, it took about an hour

even with hardly any traffic (be forewarned, it can be worse and take longer).  The Delta flight was full, every seat

taken.  I was in Zone 4 (aisle seat) – the last zone to board.  I voluntarily checked my bag at the gate as they

ran out of space in the overhead bins (they waived the check-in baggage fee).  I grabbed a cab from the airport

to the Saint Paul Hotel (rate 4-Daimond by AAA).  I believe it is the “best hotel” in Minneapolis.  I was greeted

with smiling faces, politeness everywhere.  I was given a room on the 12^th floor (top floor) with a view overlooking

the Mississippi River.  Top-notch.  Great room.

I took the local bus #54 to the Mall of America; it cost $1.75 each way, it took over 30 minutes (it makes a ton

of stops, one stop being the airport).  Got right in there with the locals.

The Mall of America is overwhelming (my second visit).  MLT had an “Open House” on the 4^th Level in a suite

from 3:00 pm-7:00 pm.  Crashed for the evening.

On Sunday, I had a wake-up call at 6:00 am, checked out, stored my luggage and had the concierge

print my boarding pass.  I walked literally one block, passing by the park in front of the hotel and I was

at the River Centre-where MLT University was being held (like a convention center).  Continental buffet

breakfast at 8:00 am.  MLT’s CEO and President are both “characters” with fun personalities-I can see

how Janet Yacoub was drawn to them and MLT.

I have to say I was impressed with MLT University!

EVERYTHING was so organized-from having an area to check your luggage, to having the

ability to print your airline boarding pass.  I attended four 40-minute classes before lunch.

In that short period of time, I learned and gained insight to the destinations of my choice:

the Magic of Disney (Aulani, of course), Italy, France, England & Scotland combined.

All so informative.  My last class was a review of World Agent Direct, the booking engine

for MLT.  Wealth of information found there---hotel descriptions, maps.

The highlight had to be the motivational speaker during lunch – Walter Bond, former NBA

player from the Dallas Mavericks.  He was outstanding!

Keys to success:

~ Be confident, not arrogant.

~ “Clients need to KNOW ME.”

~ “Clients need to LIKE ME.”

~ “Clients need to TRUST ME.”

~ You can COMMUNICATE all you want but you need to make a CONNECTION.

I somewhat regret that I did not sign-up for the full 3 days at MLT University in order

to attend other classes.  I missed the Trade Show completely so I could make my flight home

on Sunday-another full flight!  People are traveling.  The Mall of America was buzzing and active.

What recession?!

Reporting on one night in Minneapolis-

Judy T.