ASTA Announces USA Today as Official Consumer Pub of THETRADESHOW

June 20, 2005

ASTA Announces USA Today as Official Consumer Pub of THETRADESHOW
June 20, 2005 – The American Society of Travel Agents announced that USA Today is the official consumer publication of the THETRADESHOW, the Travel Retailing and Destination Expo. The event will be in Orlando, Sept. 10-13, 2006.

THETRADESHOW will be a three-day event featuring travel suppliers from all over the world, including tour operators, which represent every segment of the travel industry.

"I can’t tell you how pleased I am that the country’s most-read paper has partnered with ASTA and THETRADESHOW," said ASTA President and CEO Kathryn W. Sudeikis, CTC. "USA TODAY has been a long-time partner of ASTA and in promoting travel agents to consumers. I’m extremely excited about the possibilities that working with this well-respected publication holds for ASTA and THETRADESHOW."

Earlier this month, NTA signed on as the first strategic partner with ASTA. As a strategic partner, NTA will be involved in all aspects of the show, from overall design to speakers to educational seminars. NTA members also will benefit by discounted exhibitor and registration fees.

"Our involvement with ASTA in THETRADESHOW is another exciting and major step forward in NTA’s effort to build member valued through alliances with other leaders in the travel industry," NTA Chairman and CEO Ann Thomas, CTP, said. "It also represents a new era in the longstanding relationship between our two associations, as travel agents and tour operators are natural partners. THETRADESHOW, with ASTA and NTA’s combined energy, provides a new and important venue for creating those partnerships between agents and NTA members."