Taste of Green

Name: Taste of Green
Start: 2026-12-08T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-12-08T20:00:00-05:00
Location: Cruise Planners

Virtual Franchise Discovery Day

December 8, 2026

Cruise Planners | Virtual Event

This event has ended.

Explore our upcoming events to discover the next opportunity to connect with Cruise Planners.

What is Virtual Taste of Green?

Virtual Taste of Green is an online franchise discovery event for people interested in entering the travel industry and exploring franchise ownership. Get an inside look at our home-based travel agency franchise model, meet the people behind the business, and see how an established franchise network can help new travel advisors get started.

Live Virtual Experience
Meet Leadership & Franchise Owners
Discover How to Get Started
No Travel Experience Required

Inside the Experience

See what it takes to go from exploring a new career or business opportunity to owning a travel business.

During his live virtual session, you’ll learn how the home-based model works, explore the resources available to new franchise owners, and hear directly from people who built a successful travel agency without beginning as travel industry experts.

Experience Highlights

Learn how to start a travel business even if you’ve never worked as a travel agent or travel advisor
Explore training programs and ongoing coaching designed to help new owners build industry knowledge and business skills
See technology for client management, trip planning, reservations, marketing, and business operations
Hear from franchise owners who started from different career paths and learn how they built their business over time
Get your questions answered live about franchise ownership, getting started, available support, and what comes next
Learn about opportunities across cruises, land vacations, groups, luxury travel, and other travel experiences
Hear Richard Stieff's perspective on building a multi-million-dollar travel business
Participate in a live Q&A with Cruise Planners executives, the Franchise Development Team, and Richard

Event Agenda

Thursday, December 8, 2026 | 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET

Welcome & Inside Look at Cruise Planners

Hear from our leadership team about Cruise Planners, our culture, franchise model, and approach to supporting franchise owners.

Starting a Travel Business with No Experience

Learn how people from other careers can enter the travel industry and begin building a business without previous travel agency experience.

Technology, Marketing & Business Resources

Explore the CRM, booking tools, digital marketing platforms, and business resources designed to help franchise owners manage clients and operate efficiently.

Training, Coaching & Ongoing Support

Learn about the training, professional development, business coaching, and Home Office resources available to new and experienced travel professionals.

Ask a Franchise Owner

Hear Richard Stieff discuss his transition from corporate CFO and Navy veteran to Cruise Planners franchise owner, including how relationships and community helped him build a multi-million-dollar travel business.

Live Q&A

Ask our executive team, Franchise Development Team, and Richard about the franchise opportunity, franchise investment, business ownership, and what it takes to get started.

Next Steps

Learn what happens if you decide you’d like to continue exploring the franchise opportunity.

Save My Space

Speakers

Michelle Fee

CEO and Founder, Cruise Planners
Scott Koepf

Chief Strategy Officer, Cruise Planners
Theresa Scalzitti

Chief Operations Officer, Cruise Planners
Brian Shultz

Chief Information Officer, Cruise Planners
TBD

Cruise Planners Franchise Owner

Who It's For

Career changers looking for a new business opportunity outside their current industry
Professionals considering a flexible business opportunity or career change
People researching how to become a travel agent
First-time travel entrepreneurs looking for training, tools, and support as they enter the travel industry
People exploring a home-based business that can be started without previous travel agency experience
Entrepreneurs comparing travel franchises and conducting franchise due diligence

What Is a Franchise Discovery Day?

A franchise discovery day gives prospective franchise owners an opportunity to learn more about a franchise before making a decision.

Taste of Green is Cruise Planners' in-person discovery experience, where attendees can visit our Home Office, meet company leadership and a current franchise owner, and learn more about the business model and franchise resources.

What Is Cruise Planners Taste of Green?

Taste of Green is Cruise Planners' in-person franchise discovery experience held at our Home Office in Coral Springs, Florida.

The event includes a Home Office tour, executive and franchise owner insights, technology and marketing resources, training information, complimentary lunch, and live Q&A.

When and Where Is the Next Taste of Green?

Taste of Green will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET at Cruise Planners Home Office, 3111 N University Dr, 8th Floor, Coral Springs, FL 33065.

Who Should Attend Taste of Green?

Taste of Green is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals considering business ownership, experienced travel advisors, independent agents, hosted advisors, and others evaluating a travel franchise opportunity.

Do I Need Travel Industry Experience?

No. Previous travel industry experience is not required.

Cruise Planners provides training, technology, marketing resources, and ongoing support designed to help franchise owners operate their travel businesses.

What Will I Learn at Taste of Green?

You'll learn about the Cruise Planners franchise model, technology, marketing, training, coaching, supplier relationships, and business resources available to franchise owners.

You'll also tour our Home Office and hear directly from Cruise Planners executives and franchise owner Richard Stieff.

Who Is Speaking at Taste of Green?

Taste of Green will feature CEO and Founder Michelle Fee, Chief Strategy Officer Scott Koepf, Chief Operations Officer Theresa Scalzitti, Chief Information Officer Brian Shultz, and Cruise Planners franchise owner Richard Stieff.

Who Is Richard Stieff?

Richard Stieff started his Cruise Planners franchise at age 50 after a career as a corporate CFO and service in the U.S. Navy.

More than 12 years later, he has built a multi-million-dollar travel business centered on relationships, community engagement, and long-term client connections.

Can I Run a Travel Agency From Home?

Yes. Cruise Planners uses a home-based travel agency franchise model, allowing franchise owners to operate without the overhead of a traditional storefront.

Franchise owners have access to technology, marketing, training, supplier relationships, and ongoing business support.

What Marketing and Technology Support Is Available?

Cruise Planners franchise owners have access to technology and marketing support for customer relationship management, reservations, trip planning, websites, email marketing, social media, digital marketing, and client communication.

Taste of Green gives attendees a closer look at how these resources support day-to-day business operations.

Can Cruise Planners Franchise Owners Sell More Than Cruises?

Yes. Cruise Planners franchise owners can help clients plan cruises, land vacations, resorts, groups, international trips, luxury travel, and other travel experiences.

Do I Have to Commit to a Franchise to Attend?

No. Taste of Green gives you an opportunity to learn about Cruise Planners and evaluate the franchise opportunity before deciding whether you want to take the next step.