John Shaffer of Luray Caverns Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

November 4, 2006

John Shaffer of Luray Caverns Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Nov. 4, 2006 – The National Tour Association is pleased to announce John Shaffer of Virginia’s Luray Caverns as the 2006 recipient of the Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding, ongoing contributions to the association, its members and the industry overall.

"To be recognized by your peers from within an association that comprises the leaders of our industry is the highest honor I could ever hope to achieve," said Shaffer. "To me, my years of involvement have seemed to be only the natural thing to do and I truly believe I received more than I gave. It is still difficult to realize my name will now be included as a recipient of this revered award."

The NTA Board of Directors established the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 to honor Everidge, owner and president of Shenandoah Tours Inc., in Staunton, Virginia, for his commitment to the association and the industry. Everidge served as president of the association in 1996 and was an NTA member for 27 years.

Shaffer has served in numerous capacities at the local, state and national levels for the tourism industry for nearly three decades. He previously served as director-at-large on the NTA Board of Directors and is a past president of the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association. He also has served on the Travel Industry Association Government Relations Committee and testified for the industry on Capitol Hill. Additionally, he is a current member of the board for the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association and the Luray Page County Chamber of Commerce.

"John has been an active and dedicated NTA member for many years," said NTA Chairman and CEO Judith Thomas, CTP. "His work is from the heart and often behind-the-scenes, and he has greatly contributed the association. He truly deserves this special award."

The National Tour Association has a global membership of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. Its membership includes more than 600 tour operator companies – group, independent, inbound and outbound – and the destinations and suppliers that partner with them. The association is committed to providing business results and information to its members, while offering a collaborative, caring environment in which to build relationships. For more information, please visit http://www.nta.travel/.

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