NTA Announces Departure of President

November 26, 2013

NTA announced today that Lisa Simon, CTP, is stepping away from her role as the association’s president.

Simon, who has been with NTA for 28 years, seven in the position of president, said she reached this decision in the spirit of mutual benefit. “I have been with NTA for most of my professional career, and during that time, we have seen an incredible amount of growth and change. I believe this is the right time for me to find new challenges and the right time for new leadership to take the association into its next phase of growth.”

During Simon’s tenure with NTA, she led the association in its first co-located annual convention with the United Motorcoach Association at Travel Exchange, guided the association in developing a strategic business focus on growth travel markets including China inbound travel and faith-based travel, led the initiative to expand NTA’s international presence, and helped with the organization’s move from a management firm to a self-managed association.

“I have worked with NTA for nearly half of its 62-year existence and have loved every minute of it,” said Simon. “But I have always believed that change brings growth and excitement, and I know this change will bring that to me and to NTA.”

“The NTA Board and I want to thank Lisa for her tireless dedication to NTA and especially for her leadership as president over the past seven years,” said Mark Hoffmann, CTP, NTA chairman and CEO. “She has formed a very strong bond with the members over the past 28 years, and we will sorely miss her experience, her steady leadership and her strong advocacy for our membership.”

Simon will complete her contract and remain with NTA through the end of the calendar year. The NTA Board of Directors will take steps immediately to conduct a national executive search. Beginning in the new year, Catherine Prather, NTA senior vice president, will serve the association as its interim president.

About the National Tour Association: Founded in 1951, NTA is the leading business-building association for travel professionals interested in the North American market-inbound, outbound and within the continent. For more information, visit NTAonline.com.