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Longtime NTA staff member to depart

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 28, 2018) — The National Tour Association is bidding farewell to a valued friend and versatile leader of the organization’s outreach efforts. Doug Rentz, senior director for communication and marketing, is leaving NTA after working at the association’s headquarters since 2004, first in a public relations role, then as Courier magazine’s managing editor before taking the helm of the communication and marketing department in 2013.

Rentz is moving from Lexington and returning to Ohio to be closer to his family. “I can’t thank NTA enough for the wonderful friendships and growth I’ve experienced over the past 14 years,” he said. “I’ll miss my NTA family and being a part of this great industry.”

After his move to Celina, Ohio, Rentz will work as director of marketing and communication for Garmann/Miller, an architectural and engineering firm with offices in Minster and Columbus.

“We’ll definitely miss Doug,” said NTA President Pam Inman. “His enthusiasm and passion for travel and for his NTA friends is surpassed only by his devotion to family. So we’re giving our blessing—reluctantly—to let him go home.”

During his tenure at NTA Headquarters, Rentz oversaw the redesign and upgrade of the association’s website, NTAonline.com, as well the creation of NTAtravelexchange.com, the newly launched microsite dedicated to the association’s annual convention.

“Doug must have written a million words to advance the members and mission of NTA,” Inman said, “but he’ll be most remembered for the four words of our tagline he championed: ‘Together. We go further.’ That phrase really defines Doug and his outlook.”

Since his decision to move, Rentz has been working with his colleagues to facilitate the transition, and his last day at NTA will be Sept. 4.

Doug with longtime NTA colleagues, Catherine Prather, CTP, and Pat Henderson, at a 2015 Tourism Cares event at the Grand Canyon.

O-H-I-O: In San Antonio at TREX17, Doug joins with Holly Becht (second left) and Lisa Buie (co-owners of Ohio-based Don’t Forget the List) and Tom Jaffa, CTP, to spell out their home state. Tom isn’t from Ohio but stepped in to complete the O.

  • NTA has provided us the research and atmosphere to brainstorm new ways of doing things and fresh additions to trips, which has led to successful business development. Rachel Ranck, WorldStrides, NTA member since 1985
  • What NTA does is provide the right buyers. They provide the right people who make decisions. This is what makes this organization one I can’t afford to take off my list. John Stachnik CTP, Mayflower Tours, NTA member since 1979
  • I came to NTA to build a business, and that’s exactly what it did for us, as sales came in. For me, it’s the only outlet for new ideas. Matthew Squire, Select Travel Service (UK), NTA member since 2002
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  • The No. 1 member benefit of NTA has to be all the great professional and personal connections we’ve made over the past decade. Taunya Wolfe Finn, CTP, Wolfe Adventures & Tours, NTA member since 2005
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