NTA announces 2020 board officers and directors

December 17, 2019

Following an election that concluded at Travel Exchange last week in Fort Worth, Texas, the board of directors of the National Tour Association was introduced there to NTA members. The board is composed of newly elected directors plus those who continue to serve terms started in previous years.

Jim Warren, Anderson Vacations, ascends to the position of chair for 2020, and by a vote of NTA members, Chase Poffenberger, Academic Travel Abroad, will serve as vice chair, with Debra Asberry, Women Traveling Together, serving as secretary. Rounding out the executive committee are Paul Larsen, Ed-Ventures, immediate past chair; Kelly Dean, Ottawa Tourism, DMO director; and Cory Mace, North Central Group, tour supplier director.

Also serving on the 2020 board of directors are tour operators Jorge Cazenave, Cazenave Argentina; Fraser Neave, Wells Gray Tours; Nish Patel, Mayflower Cruises and Tours; Jerry Varner, Making Memories Tours; Monique von Dijk-Seppola, Scandinavia Tours; and Christina Werner, Custom Holidays. DMO directors are Ashley Kingman, Travel Portland; and Dawn Burns, Deadwood CVB (newly elected). Tour supplier directors are Angela Harness, Tanger Outlets; and Jara Haas, Major Marine Tours & Harbor 360 Hotel (newly elected).

Speaking to members during the closing event of Travel Exchange was Catherine Prather, who will become president of NTA on Jan. 1, following the five-year tenure of Pam Inman.

“NTA has always benefitted from the insight and experience of volunteer leaders, and I look forward to working with this talented board of directors,” Prather said. “With momentum from Pam and our team’s great work, I am optimistic about the future of NTA and its place as the most vital and vibrant global packaged travel association in the industry.”

Founded in 1951, NTA is the gathering place—in-person and online—for packaged-travel professionals: tour operators, travel agents, and representatives of the places and experiences that make memorable itineraries to, from, and within North America. Upcoming events include Contact, a tour operator retreat, in Anchorage, Alaska, March 18–21; and Travel Exchange, Nov. 15–19, in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada.

For more information, visit NTAonline.com.