 President and head of sales,
International Yacht Charter Group
Date interviewed: November 2007 Check out International Yacht Charter Group's sponsored page here on CharterWave.
How did you get started as a charter broker?
I started in the yachting industry as a strategic advisor to a yacht charter company, and since have moved into direct client contact roles helping clients plan the ideal yacht charter. What kinds of boats do you typically book?
We book only fully crewed yachts where the crew is permanent on each yacht. We have booked yachts in locations around the world.
What are some of the best charter destinations you’ve visited?
The best charter locations are ones that deliver the ideal experience as desired by each and every client. Each client’s ideals and needs are different, and hence what one person likes is unique to them. I’ve visited all major destinations and some more remote such as the Great Barrier Reef. What is the first thing you ask a new charter client?
The most important thing is to have a solid understanding of the client’s needs and what would make a perfect experience for the client. The details of yacht type, etc., are important, but knowing how the client “feels” about what they have in mind makes the difference. Beyond that, we have studied how other companies disappoint their clients and hence we help clients in ways that do not disappoint. Describe your ideal charter client.
A happy one who comes home from a vacation of a lifetime. Describe your nightmare charter client.
There are no nightmare clients, just occasionally ones where the ideal yacht is not available. It’s always disappointing when we just can’t find the ideal yacht for a client due to limited availability or fully booked timeframes. Describe a booking where you worked “above and beyond” for a client.
In short, we listen and go above and beyond for every client. For example, we helped a limited mobility client explore the wonders of Alaska both from the yacht and on land through our land partners. What are a few of your favorite charter yachts, and why?
There are many popular yachts; our favorite yachts are those that deliver perfect and highly personalized service to our clients. In some cases that means the crew changes service delivery and levels based on each client’s unique needs. What makes you different from other charter brokers?
We believe we deliver the highest service level possible to each client. How we do that is what our clients experience and why they choose us versus our competition.
What else should CharterWave readers know about you?
We have delivered on our promise to deliver a service, which truly means we are the one source clients can use. That’s a reality our clients experience. It’s not marketing hype.
How can CharterWave readers contact you?
Visit us at www.internationalyachtchartergroup.com or call anytime in the United States or Canada at (866) 492-4768, or in the United Kingdom at +0800 011 2492 |
Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
Sharon Bahmer is an expert at booking charters in the Americas, from Alaska to Brazil. She's also a member of FYBA and CYBA. E-mail Sharon
Nicole Caulfield is licensed, bonded, and a longtime member of FYBA and AYCA. She brings a unique perspective as a broker, having worked aboard yachts for nearly 10 years. Email Nicole
DJ Parker has been a leader in the charter industry since 1980. She is currently president of the American Yacht Charter Association. E-mail DJ
Beverly Parsons has been chartering since 1969. She is a licensed, bonded broker and a founding member of the professional groups AYCA and CYBA International. Contact Beverly.
