Tuesday Newsletter
June 8, 2004
June 8, 2004: Volume 24; Issue 11
Reserve Your Spot at This Year’s Ultimate Package Today!
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| With more business and networking opportunities than ever before, this year’s NTA Annual Convention is truly the best investment you can make. |
Go ahead, take advantage of the best investment in the packaged travel industry … NTA’s Annual Convention to be held in Toronto, Nov. 12-16.
NTA has been working to improve the Convention and further capitalize on the success of last year’s new, all-access Tour & Travel Exchange, a concept initiated by the association. Building on that momentum, this year’s event is focused on high-speed networking, education and business. What are some of the changes you can expect at the 2004 Convention? Here are a few of the highlights:
With all of this – and much more – in store, you won’t want to miss NTA’s 2004 Convention. Registration starts today (at noon Eastern time) and you can go online to sign up. Click here to directly access the registration page or just fill out and mail in the appropriate form that was included in a registration packet that was recently sent to you.
The sooner you act, the better. Registering by the early bird deadline of June 25 means that tour operators can knock $100 (U.S.) off their already low $310 registration fee, as well as be eligible for the full tour operator rebate of $650!
And for tour suppliers and DMOs, Convention registration is $1,050 (U.S.). Registering by June 25 means eligibility for pre-scheduled appointments in the all-inclusive Tour & Travel Exchange.
If you’ve yet to attend an NTA Annual Convention, you’re missing out on one of the single greatest business opportunities in the packaged travel industry. So make plans to join us in Toronto, Nov. 12-16, by going online to register now for NTA’s Annual Convention.
One Industry. One Association. One Marketplace.
Attend the NTA Convention for Less
Do you know of any tour operators who don’t belong to NTA, but would make a good addition to the family? Tell us about them and you’ll save $100 off your Convention registration for each one that becomes an NTA member. It’s that easy!
Visit http://www.ntaonline.com/ for more information about the Recruitment Rewards Club and some tips for talking to tour operators about NTA membership. Or, call us at 800-682-8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859-226-4444 and we’ll give you all the information you need to get started.
Don’t Forget to Buy Issues Luncheon Tickets
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| Political comedy troupe The Capitol Steps makes the Issues Luncheon a "can’t-miss" Convention highlight. |
When registering for Convention, don’t forget to purchase your Issues Luncheon tickets. Headlined by the Capitol Steps, the luncheon is the chief fundraiser for NTA’s advocacy efforts and supports TourPAC and the Government Issues Fund. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 onsite in Toronto. Invite your favorite clients for great food and great entertainment!
The Issues Luncheon is sponsored by the Alaska Travel Industry Association, and transportation for the Capitol Steps is provided by United Airlines.
Tour Operators – Update Your Company Profile Today
Each tour operator company participating in the Tour & Travel Exchange at the 2004 NTA Annual Convention is required to update their company profile by July 17 to be eligible for the Tour & Travel Exchange rebate. Please visit our Web site, http://www.ntaonline.com/, to review your information and make any necessary revisions. You must click on the "Destinations" and "Convention Information" links at the bottom of the online profile page to complete the process and to be eligible for the rebate. Be sure to have your user name and administrator password ready.
Not only will updating this information allow you to be eligible for the rebate, but it also will result in better qualified appointments for you at Convention, because tour supplier and DMO members base their appointment requests on this profile information.
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the NTA Online Team at 800-682-8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859-226-4444 or via e-mail at questions@ntastaff.com.
To go ahead and register today so you can experience the Ultimate Package, click here.
Share Your Knowledge with Practitioners in the Classroom
The National Tourism Foundation proudly announces the Practitioners in the Classroom program. This initiative will put travel and tourism students in contact with experienced professionals like you. There are two ways to volunteer:
Here’s how it works:
1. Complete the online questionnaire, which can be found by going to the Foundation’s Web site under Professionals. Please select one or both of the options above.
2. Students and educators use the online search to match their needs with your areas of expertise.
3. When a match is made, you receive an invitation to share your knowledge with tomorrow’s travel professionals.
Both educators and students value the type of information you can provide, so register today to share your expertise. To sign up or get additional details, click on Practitioners in the Classroom.
Coming Soon … NTA Tour Catalog
For the 11th year, NTA is working with The Group Travel Leader to bring a targeted marketing opportunity to NTA members. The vehicle is the NTA Tour Catalog, which will be published in September.
The catalog provides NTA members with an opportunity to reach target markets and promote their services, tours and destinations. The publication is designed to educate 24,000 qualified group travel planners about the association, about the convenience of working with NTA travel professionals and about the peace of mind using them provides.
Information on the project has been mailed to NTA members and the deadline for participation is August 1. Advertising information may be requested by e-mailing Kelly Tyner of The Group Travel Leader at kelly@grouptravelleader.com.
Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Put Your Museum on Display
The September issue of Courier will be featuring an editorial piece on museums. Promote your museum to NTA tour operators by advertising in this issue. We’d hate to see you miss your opportunity to be included on their next travel itinerary.
The September issue will also offer Travel Guides for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and the International Spotlight is on Scotland.
- Space Deadline: Monday, June 28
- Material Deadline: Monday, July 12
For more information, contact Taryn Lendrum at taryn.lendrum@hostcommunications.com or call 800-682-8886, ext. 3549 (U.S. or Canada) or 859-223-3549.
Looking for a cost-effective way to get the word out on your company’s offerings to more than 4,500 people from 180 countries?
For the first time, the U.S. Commercial Service at the American Embassy in London will be presenting a catalog show in conjunction with World Travel Market. United States-based NTA members can submit their brochures, travel catalogs and other printed materials to be displayed as part of the show, which will be held in London from Nov. 8-11, 2004.
The cost to participate in the catalog show is $400 so, even if NTA members cannot attend WTM, you still have an opportunity to reach those going to the UK’s most well-attended travel show. In addition to exposure to those at the show, your materials will also be distributed to other Showcase Europe representatives from U.S. Embassies across Europe.
NTA will have representatives attending the show to promote the association and its Receptive Services in North America directory.
For more information on the catalog show and participation opportunities, contact Stewart Gough at stewart.gough@mail.doc.gov.
Draft Legislation Prepared for Office of Traveler Impact Assessment
The NTA-led drive to create a travel impact assessment office within the Department of Homeland Security received a major boost as Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., authored draft legislation that would create an Undersecretary of Travel and Economic Security. The position would essentially fulfill the role of the Office of Traveler Impact Assessment that NTA has pressed for since late 2001.
At this time, the legislation is untitled and has yet to receive a bill number. When the bill is formally introduced, the Grassroots Action Network will be alerted.
Promote Your Business Through NTA Online…
The Opportunities Are Endless!
From banner ads to hotlinks to promoting special deals, http://www.ntaonline.com/ offers you these opportunities and more for a minimal charge. And, with Annual Convention approaching, you wouldn’t want to miss your opportunity to maximize your exposure to tour operators.
For examples, please visit us at http://www.ntaonline.com/.
For more information, contact Taryn Lendrum at taryn.lendrum@hostcommunications.com or call 800-682-8886, ext. 3549 (U.S. or Canada) or 859-223-3549.