Tuesday Newsletter
May 17, 2005
Tuesday Newsletter May 17, 2005
May 17, 2005: Volume 25; Issue 13
"Did You Knows" About Your 2005 Convention Host City
Detroit will play host to NTA members for the 2005 Annual Convention, Nov. 4-8. Besides its well-documented tie to the automobile industry, there is much more to know and experience in the Motor City.
For instance, did you know…
Register now by clicking here to join us in November as we experience Detroit’s rich history and vibrant heritage. If you prefer not to sign up online, call your Member Services Department at 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444, to register by phone.
Better Business. Better Be There.
Sacramento CVB Enjoying Residual Spring Meet Success
Good planning and a great incentive program have helped the Sacramento CVB reap some big rewards for serving as the host of the 2005 NTA Tour Operator Spring Meet. The group’s Discover Gold rebate, offered to tour operators who attended Spring Meet, has brought new business to the Sacramento area, according to the Sacramento CVB’s Tourism Sales Manager Dustin Teichman.
"We have experienced almost instant success," Teichman said of the Spring Meet rebate offer. "Not only have we gained new clients, but since the tour operators must contact the CVB to claim their rebate, we have an accurate way to track the groups coming to Sacramento. This allows us to clearly show that we’re having a positive economic impact on the area."
To qualify for the rebate, tour operators had to consult with the CVB on a group visit with a minimum of 35 room nights to arrive in Sacramento by January 2007. Upon a booked group’s arrival, tour operators receive the $1,000 rebate. Teichman said that the CVB has already secured tours with 25 different companies, and it’s in negotiations to book tours with an additional 10.
"I’ve also had four or five CVBs call me inquiring about the details of the rebate and the success of it because they are considering offering something like it," Teichman said. "It boils down to getting business booked and setting a precedent for future tours to the area. Our goal is to cultivate repeat customers."
Important ".travel" Update for DMOs
DMOs who wish to purchase their destination place name – like www.nevada.travel or www.lasvegas.travel – as their ".travel" domain name will be required to submit a letter from the highest elected body having authority over their destination (i.e. mayor’s office, office of the city council, etc.). Destinations will need this letter for the pre-authentication and must submit this document to NTA, along with any other supporting documents for names for which the destination wishes to apply.
An extensive list of place names will be put on the reserved list for six months in order to give destinations ample time to submit their supporting documentation. After that period, names will be removed from the reserved list and made available to other travel entities. The reserved list will be published on NTA Online as soon as it is accessible, as well as other information on the ".travel" naming policies. Click here for more detailed information, and to see a sample letter.
The Tourism-Caring for America clean-up event, held May 13 at Mount Vernon and sponsored by Tourism Cares for Tomorrow, was a smashing success. Nearly 400 members of the tourism industry, including more than 100 NTA members, joined together to help clean up the forest around George Washington’s historic home in Virginia after the grounds were ravaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003.
Attendees from around the U.S. got dirty and worked until they were tired for a good cause, but it was all worthwhile. Mount Vernon horticulturalist Dean Norton said, "I’ve never seen any group accomplish so much in just one day." Tourism Cares Executive Director Bruce Beckham echoed those sentiments and added that he appreciates the efforts of everyone involved.
Still Time to Run for an NTA Office
Don’t forget that the deadline to submit your interest form to be considered for a 2006 office is June 1, 2005. Nominations are being sought for the positions of NTA’s vice chair, treasurer and secretary, which are one-year terms, and for three tour operator seats, one tour supplier seat and one DMO seat (two-year terms).
If you would like to be considered, please contact Todd Hamilton via e-mail at todd.hamilton@ntastaff.com, or by calling him at 800-682-8886, ext. 4205 (U.S. or Canada) or 859.226.4205 to get an interest form.
Be Part of the 2005 NTA Tour Catalog
NTA and The Group Travel Leader will be working in conjunction for the 11th straight year to produce the NTA Tour Catalog. The special supplement will be published in September and distributed to more than 26,500 group leaders and 3,700 DMOs and tour suppliers.
There are affordable advertising opportunities available to NTA members who would like to participate. For advertising information, contact Kelly Tyner of The Group Travel Leader at 888.253.0455 or via e-mail at kelly@grouptravelleader.com.
Congratulations to ABA and UMA
As the association for tour operators and their suppliers and destinations representing travel across the world, NTA would like to congratulate both the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association on their recent vote to merge. The newly created alliance between these groups will help strengthen the voice of motorcoach operations within the industry.
Tourism Cares Hall of Fame Dinner Coming Up
Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino, American Airlines and Club Med have all joined in to become Platinum Sponsors for the June 14 Hall of Fame Dinner which will honor Gilbert Haroche, president of Liberty/GOGO, and John Stachnik, president of Mayflower Tours.
The event is being held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers and reservations are still being accepted. May 24 is the last day to book a discounted room at the Sheraton for the event, so visit http://www.tourismcaresfortomorrow.org/ or call event coordinator Sarah Mann at 508.540.1990 to reserve your room, or for more information.
Advertise in the Profile Form Notebook
With Convention registration open, now is the time to start planning the many ways you can have a presence in Detroit. The Profile Form Notebook is a valuable tool to ensure your company gets the attention you are seeking. Your double-sided, pre-printed profile form can be pre-inserted into the notebook, which is given to – and used by – every tour operator.
There also are a limited number of higher-visibility tab and cover positions available, so contact your account executive today to book your prime spot in the Profile Form Notebook. You can either call 800.682.8886, ext. 4238, or 859.226.4238, or send an e-mail to darby.schulman@hostcommunications.com.
To see exact profile form sizes and requirements, click here.