WorldClass Travel Network

Our company provides independent agents with an affiliation program that supplies Network partners with a distinct advantage in the highly competitive travel industry. Built by travel agents for travel agents, the WorldClass Travel Network has become the best agency affiliation program in the business.

WorldClass Travel Network offers marketing solutions, operational support, ticketing, training and fulfillment services to our network members.

The company has developed a comprehensive marketing solution featuring a customizable proprietary website and integrated database, incorporating website presence and marketing services. WorldClass Travel Network is committed to utilizing the latest technology in the travel industry for our network partners.

Julie Buchanan is the President & CEO and Robert Buchanan is the Vice-President of WorldClass Travel Network.

Our Mission Statement:
We partner with our Network Members by providing them with the tools, resources and training in a supportive, hands-on environment so our Members may succeed in a highly competitive and changing travel industry.

WorldClass Travel Team Members

	Julie A. Buchanan \| President & CEO Julie Buchanan is the founder of WorldClass Travel Network. Julie’s travel background and experience as a corporate and leisure agent helped Julie to open her own business in 1991. WorldClass Travel Network has grown into an industry leader. As the President, Julie provides leadership and direction for the entire organization. She is accessible to the top leaders in the travel industry, which insures that the company programs and compensation plans are the vanguard of the industry WorldClass Travel Network prides itself on ensuring that the Independent Contractors are well informed and positioned. Julie’s creativity and quest to seek new ideas and sales opportunities has launched unique and niche marketing tools for the independent contractors.
	Robert Buchanan \| Vice President Bob Buchanan graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a Bachelors Degree in Education and entered the mainframe computer industry. Bob has worked for a variety of companies including Bell Atlantic Business Services, Data Hardware and Main Tech Resources in multiplicity of capabilities. After 14 years in the computer industry, Bob moved his focus to WorldClass Travel Network. His computer background and experience is an excellent fit for the Company in managing the office computer systems and software. Bob sets up the new independent agents with Worldspan and provides on going technical support.
	Julie Marie Vinkemeier \| Office Manager Julie Marie Vinkemeier graduated from the Dakota County Technical College, Travel School in 1993. She began her travel career at AAA Travel, as a customer service representative in the Trip Department. Julie Marie gained experience working for a number of local travel agencies, as a corporate and leisure agent and is certified as a Hawaii, Alaska and Disney Destination Specialist. At Jet America, Julie Marie handled leisure transactions. Her responsibilities expanded there to include assisting independent agents and processing the ARC report. Julie Marie joined WorldClass Travel Network in 2004. She is the Office Manager and oversees the daily staff and office operation.
	Margaret Carreras \| Communications Director Margaret Carreras began her career in the travel industry in 1981 with the Walt Disney Travel Company in California. She has held many positions with Walt Disney Travel; Group Travel Coordinator, Retail & Corporate agent, Senior Sales Manager of Wholesale Packages, Commercial Account Manager and Group Travel Manager. Margaret joined Traveler’s Choice, an HMI company as the Marketing Director, assisting independent contractors with marketing services. Margaret joined WorldClass Travel Network in 2004. She maintains the Company websites, agent websites, creates the emails, e-newsletters, agent newsletters, coordinates meetings and works with the preferred suppliers.
	Mikkel Mikkelsen \| Travel Specialist Mikkel’s travel career began in 1990, she first worked as a domestic leisure agent for a local travel agency in Minnesota. She accepted a transfer to the Corporate Department and became an international/domestic corporate agent booking all aspects of travel. Mikkel went on to other local agencies and worked as a leisure and corporate agent Mikkel attended and graduated from the S. Eastern Travel Academy in Kissimmee, Florida. Mikkel is a native of Minnesota and has traveled to Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii and cruised several times. Mikkel joined WorldClass Travel Network in 2008, serving corporate and leisure travel clients. Mikkel also works with the independent contractors assisting them with their questions and helps them with Worldspan.
	Phil Oleisky \| Travel Specialist Phil began his travel career in 1997 working as a leisure agent with local travel agencies in Minnesota. He is a native of Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in history. Phil has worked for other local agencies before joining WorldClass Travel Leaders in 2003. He has traveled to Central and South America and to Mexico. His travel specialties are Europe, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and S.E. Asia, Africa, safaris and world cruises. Phil is a World Class Travel Leaders Travel Specialist serving leisure travel clients.
	Gary Benson \| Travel Specialist Gary, a native Minnesotan, has been in the travel business since 1999, booking all aspects of retail travel. He graduated from the Travel Academy in Bloomington, Minnesota. Gary is an accredited cruise counselor, a Norwegian Cruise Line Specialist and Royal Caribbean International, Cruise Expert. His specialties are cruises, warm weather destinations and honeymoon and wedding destinations. In 2008, Gary joined WorldClass Travel Leaders, as a Travel Specialist serving leisure travel clients.