Change at the top for NTA

March 29, 2019

During an emotional luncheon in Tucson on Thursday, 150 NTA members learned they are losing one leader and gaining another. The Arizona city is the site of Contact, NTA’s tour operator retreat.

Pam Inman, CTP, announced she will step down from her role as NTA president at the end of the year.

“Beginning in January 2020, I am moving to something I’ve wanted to do for a long time: something entrepreneurial in this hospitality and tourism space where I’ve been working in since the early ’80s.”

Inman went on to say she also wants to spend time with her family, “not to mention lots more golfing and traveling.”

After the crowd gave Inman a long standing ovation, Board Chair Paul Larsen announced that Inman’s successor has been chosen. “The process of transitioning NTA’s leadership will begin today, “Larsen said. “I’m more than pleased to announce that Executive Vice President Catherine Prather will take the reins in 2020.”

Larsen detailed the timeline of events that led to his announcement. “Pam informed the board of her plans in November, and we established a transition task force to conduct the search for her replacement,” he said.

When the NTA board met in Tucson prior to Contact, the task force recommended Prather for the job, and the board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation. At Thursday’s luncheon, Larsen announced the appointment of Prather, who was in the audience, and the crowd rose to its feet again, this time to applaud the new president.

Inman, who became NTA president in 2014, listed several priorities that were realized during her tenure, including raising the association’s visibility and strengthening its key events and online presence. She also expressed deep appreciation for the NTA staff and its leaders—past and present.

Larsen voiced the same for Inman. “I’m grateful to Pam and delighted for her,” he said. “She has mentored all of us within NTA and made our whole industry better.”

Larsen added that Prather, too, has the skill and experience to be a transformative leader. She has been with NTA for 25 years, serving as interim president in 2014.