Dipert, Dresel to Claim Top NTA Awards

January 15, 2013

NTA tour operator members Ed Dresel and Dan Dipert are set to receive two of NTA’s highest honors during the Awards Dinner on Jan. 22 in Orlando, Fla. The association’s members will be gathered there for Travel Exchange, a convention and trade show held in conjunction with the United Motorcoach Association. The five-day event is expected to attract 3,500 travel professionals. 

Dresel, president of Destinations Unlimited in Southington, Conn., will receive the Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors individuals who have made outstanding, long-term personal and professional contributions to NTA.

Dipert, who 40 years ago founded Dan Dipert Tours in Arlington, Texas, will receive the NTA Pioneer Award. The award recognizes individuals whose accomplishments have resulted in a significant change in the travel industry that benefited NTA and its members.

"Ed and Dan are the embodiment of NTA’s commitment to advancing the travel industry and the travel experience," said Lisa Simon, NTA president. "They each have chaired the NTA board of directors and have taken on other leadership roles. Both Ed and Dan have a record of service and spirit of innovation that truly inspires the rest of us."

The Awards Reception and Dinner is slated for Tuesday evening, Jan. 22, when family and friends of Dresel and Dipert will be on hand for the special occasion. NTA will make two other awards—both to unsuspecting recipients—at Travel Exchange. The Shining Star Award, honoring an outstanding sponsoring member, will be awarded at a luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 23. And during the association’s Annual Business Luncheon, at noon on Thursday, Jan. 24, NTA will present its Volunteer of the Year Award.