Industry pros to connect with D.C. legislative leaders during National Tourism Week

May 6, 2011

 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Bob Rouse, +1.859.226.4275
Contact: Neville Bhada, +1.404.364.9847

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2011)-The Southeast Tourism Society and NTA (formerly National Tour Association) are celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week by hosting the Grassroots Congressional Summit for Travel here on May 11 and 12. The convocation combines two established tourism sector events: NTA’s Grassroots Symposium and STS’s Congressional Summit. Other organizations joining the event as sponsors are the American Society of Travel Agents, United Motorcoach Association, United States Tour Operators Association, American Bus Association, Receptive Services Association, U.S. Travel Association, Western States Tourism Policy Council, and Interactive Travel Services Association.

The two-day event presents a unique opportunity for members of the travel sector-associations, government agencies, and cultural organizations-according to Lisa Simon, NTA president.

"People dealing with travel and tourism every day will get to meet with the federal legislators who hold the keys to vital industry issues in Congress," said Simon. "This really puts some meat in the middle of National Travel & Tourism Week."

Participants can capitalize on the four major components of the summit:

• Congressional tourism leadership luncheon, highlighted by remarks from Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus, and Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), sponsor of the Travel Regional Investment Partnership Act
• Information exhibition in Dirksen Senate Office Building
• Evening reception for attendees and members of Congress 
• A day of visits on Capitol Hill to speak with legislative leaders on tourism issues

NTA and STS are keeping costs for the event low to encourage participation, said Bill Hardman, president of STS. "With a minimal participation fee, this is a low-cost, low-key event with a high potential for return," he said. "There will be some great conversations flying around during those two days."

Registration is still available. For more information visit the Summit page on NTA Online or at Southeast Tourism Society.

About the Southeast Tourism Society: Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society (www.southeasttourism.org) is dedicated to promoting and developing tourism to and within its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

About NTA: Now celebrating its 60th year, NTA (www.NTAonline.com) is the leading business-building association for travel professionals interested in the North American market-inbound, outbound and within the continent. Formerly the National Tour Association, the organization became NTA when its global membership (more than 40 countries) and focus exceeded its name.

###