Tuesday Newsletter
October 18, 2005
Tuesday Newsletter October 18, 2005
Oct. 18, 2005: Volume 25; Issue 35
Convention Turns the Spotlight on Education
Better business is the theme for the 2005 NTA Annual Convention, and this year’s line up of educational sessions is a great complement to the business conducted on the Exchange floor. Whether you are looking for future business trends or bottom-line savings, there is a strong schedule of sessions from which you can choose.
Click here to review the complete schedule of seminars that will be offered at the 2005 NTA Annual Convention in Detroit, Nov. 4-8.
Better Business. Better Be There.
Will Your Name be Drawn in Detroit?
Thanks to the generous support of the donors listed below, the following items will be awarded during daily drawings throughout Convention. All registered delegates are eligible for most prizes. Click here for a full description of prizes and eligibility.
Winners will be announced on site in the following day’s issue of Convention Daily.
KatrinaJobs.com Having an Impact
The Travel Industry Association of America reports that http://www.katrinajobs.org/ is off to an impressive start. Launched on Sept. 15, the free job bank was created to assist workers displaced by Hurricane Katrina in finding new employment.
So far, KatrinaJobs.com has helped post more than 5,000 jobs. The Web site has received support from major corporations including Expedia Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the Venetian Resort Casino and Chili’s as it seeks to help those from the affected areas get back on their feet.
The Web site includes a section for postings by both those seeking employment and companies with positions available. While the impetus is to help those in the travel industry, the job listings include information from all types of businesses, whether they are travel related or not. If you have a job listing to post, or want to view what’s already available, go to http://www.katrinajobs.org/.
AIM Program Leadership Team Announced
NTA has formed a three-member team to lead its Areas of Interest and Marketing program for the rest of 2005 and 2006. Bob Hofmann of Broadway Inbound (tour supplier), Theresa Main-Kyzer of the Little Rock CVB (DMO) and Clayton Whitehead of Sports Leisure Vacations (tour operator) will lend their expertise to the AIM program.
These volunteer leaders will oversee the program, which brings together like-minded people to share ideas, success stories and provide solutions within the context of six specific segments of the travel market. In addition to the formation of the team, there are now business-to-business enhancements integrated into the program, including:
One of the main ways you can get involved with the AIM program is by attending the Idea Exchange sessions at Annual Convention. Each of the six AIM categories – Active & Adventure, Affinity & Custom Group, Cultural & Life Enrichment, Receptive Services, Self-Guided & Independent and Student & Youth – will hold an Idea Exchange where members can get together and share information about packaging and marketing within that niche.
Even if you can’t make it to Convention, you’ll benefit by getting involved with the AIM program. To find out more, click here or contact Christy Stigall via e-mail at christy.stigall@ntastaff.com.
NTA Gets Clarification on National Park Fee Increase
NTA received clarification regarding the announcement made by the National Park Service late last month on admission cost increases. The statement said that 17 sites in the National Park Service’s eight-state Intermountain Region would raise entrance fees in 2006. There will be no change for motorcoach and group tours to entrances fees in 2006; the increase only applies to individual park visitors.
NTA currently has a long-standing agreement with NPS that requires at least 12-months notice to the commercial tourism industry for any fee increases. The 12-month notice is critical to factor in computing the basic costs for a tour package to any national park sites.
"Commercial tour rates have not changed since 1997," NTA Legislative Council Jim Santini said. "While there will likely be a fee increase in the future, this will not come until 2007 at the earliest. NTA has cooperated with the National Park Service for more than 20 years. We will continue to advocate for equitable and reasonable entrances fees to the national parks with appropriate notice."
New Technology STAR Available at NTA Online
NTA’s Strategic Development Council is proud to announce that the newest research report, a Strategic Travel Action Resource titled "The Ever-Changing Face of Technology" is available to all members at NTA Online.
Technology is something that is constantly in a state of flux. One of the goals of the SDC is to keep NTA members abreast of the latest trends and technological advances in the travel industry. To learn how your travel industry colleagues are using technology to their advantage, and read about new programs and ideas, click here to access NTA’s newest STAR.
Rock All Night in Detroit with Tourism Cares
Attention Convention newcomers – you don’t want to miss the Michigan Rocks for Tomorrow dance party.
Michigan Rocks for Tomorrow is the perfect place for first-timers to get acquainted with fellow delegates in an informal setting. Following the Icebreaker on Saturday night, you can keep the party going at the Hard Rock Cafe, where there will be dancing, refreshments and even a quieter area that’s perfect for conversation.
Advance tickets are $40 each and proceeds go to Tourism Cares for Tomorrow. To buy your ticket now and save, click here or call 888-821-5990. Tickets are going fast and there is a limited capacity, so act now. The chance to make new friends, support a good cause and have a lot of fun is waiting.
The NTA Sales and Publishing team would like to invite you to save a bundle in 2006. After Annual Convention, all bookings for 2006 will follow the 2006 rate card pricing. But, you can get locked in at the 2005 rates if you visit the Sales and Publishing booth (#307) on the Exchange floor at Convention and book your advertising plan for 2006.
And, while you’re at Convention speaking with your account executive about these rates, pick up a complimentary postcard featuring the Detroit city skyline. We’ll mail it to your family and friends for free.
For more information on these and other Convention-related opportunities, please call 800-682-8886, ext. 4238 (U.S. and Canada) or 859-226-4238 to talk to your account executive.
Tuesday Takes a Week Off During Convention
There will be no issue of Tuesday on Nov. 8, since that falls on the last day of Annual Convention. Tuesday will return to its regular weekly schedule Nov. 15 and maintain that until taking the last Tuesday of the year, Dec. 27, off.