Pittsburgh Was the Place to Be

November 26, 2008

It was an exciting week in Pittsburgh as NTA members, association partners and industry guests gathered for the 2008 NTA Annual Convention. The event included many ways to meet with partners and strike deals during the Tour & Travel Exchange (sponsored by American Express OPEN), the Buyer-to-Buyer Exchange and at the Destination Pavilion. The sponsored events offered plenty of informal networking options, and Jeff Corwin, Marvin Hamlisch, Craig Morgan, The Capitol Steps, Kevin Pollak and Harry Beckwith kept delegates entertained and enlightened.

A diverse lineup of educational seminars covered topics ranging from the economy, online marketing and multiculturalism to working with specific markets such as China and Cuba. Speakers from two of NTA’s strategic partners – the World Religious Travel Association and Sustainable Travel International – also led sessions.

WRTA and STI were two of seven NTA strategic partners that had representatives at the Convention, and NTA also welcomed colleagues from 11 sister associations. The event was attended by members from 25 nations and representatives from seven other countries took part in the national tourist office guest program.

NTA also recognized the first CTP class to graduate using the new curriculum that was developed through NTA’s partnership with Temple University in 2007. Members who received their CTP certification in Pittsburgh were Tracy Gruber of Western Discovery LLC, Margaret Holmberg of the Spokane Regional CVB, Melissa Hutcheson of AAA Sojourns, Michelle Jennings of Longwood Gardens and Mary Ann Steen of Explore Minnesota Tourism.

NTA would like to thank VisitPittsburgh and 2008 Convention Chair John Shaffer for all their efforts to make the event run so smoothly. Also a tip of the cap goes to the delegates who pitched in to ensure that NTA was able to successfully conduct its first green Convention.