Tuesday Newsletter

NTA would like to thank the Kansas City CVA and its partners at the Missouri Division of Tourism, Kansas Travel & Tourism Division and Tour Kansas for all the time and work they put into making this year’s event a success.

NTA also extends a special thanks to PhotoVision for taking pictures during Convention, which can be viewed by clicking here, and for compiling the Week in Review video that delegates saw at the Final Night Gala. Many thanks to the members who shared their photos for the video.

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A Big Convention for Tourism Cares

Tourism Cares would like to thank all Convention delegates for making the 2007 Convention so successful. Whether you bid on an auction item, came to dance at Nevada Rocks or mentored a student during the Tour & Travel Exchange, your support was appreciated.

"Tourism Cares greatly appreciates the support of NTA and all its members and is proud to be its official philanthropy," said the organization’s Executive Director Bruce Beckham, CTP. "The excitement at the Live Auction of the motorcoach and other high-end items at the Silent Auction just added to the buzz."

The Convention helped Tourism Cares raise more than $70,000 for scholarships and grants and programs through its live and silent auctions.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

NTA Strategic Direction Detailed at 2007 Convention

Several of NTA’s leaders outlined what’s ahead for your association during the Saturday Business Meeting Luncheon at Convention. Immediate Past Chairman and CEO Randy Julian discussed the new CTP program, the tracking issue and government relations initiatives such as NTA’s call for a U.S. Executive Office of Tourism.

"The NTA Leadership Team has also taken on other topics, and throughout the year, we’ve stepped back to look at the big picture … using your input to plan for a bright future," said Julian. "We’ve crafted a strategic plan, and while there is work to do to map out the way to our ultimate goal, NTA is setting its course."

NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP, shared information on the strategic plan, which is based on the association’s core purpose of existing to provide maximum value for its members by advancing packaged travel within the global business environment. The plan includes both short- and long-term goals in specific areas such as knowledge and information, community, organizational structure, legislation and connecting with the consumer.

Simon also discussed the membership resolution, before 2008 Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher, CTP, talked about what is ahead for members in the coming year. To applause, he announced a voluntourism project with 40 National Park Service sites. Tourism Cares Executive Director Bruce Beckham, CTP, also gave an update on NTA’s official philanthropy.

Members interested in seeing a copy of NTA’s Strategic Plan should contact Senior Vice President Cookie Callahan.

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2008 NTA Board of Directors Announced

NTA completed its elections at Convention, and the members of the 2008 NTA Board of Directors are:

Executive Committee:

Tour operator directors serving the second year of their term:

Newly elected tour operator directors:

Newly elected tour supplier director:

Newly elected DMO director:

Directors at large appointed by Chairman and CEO Hoelscher are:

NTA and UMA Form Alliance

NTA and UMA have established a partnership to draw on each others’ strengths to collaborate at their respective annual conventions. UMA will coordinate the Motorcoach Exhibit at the NTA Annual Convention, and the UMA Expo will feature the NTA Destination and Attractions Aisle. Both NTA and UMA recognize each other’s expertise and focus in the travel marketplace, and will support each other’s members from those positions.

"This strategic alliance between two leading industry organizations opens doors to new business opportunities and synergies," said NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP. "Members of both NTA and UMA will benefit from this progressive move."

The UMA Motorcoach Expo 2008, which will take place Jan. 16-20 in San Francisco, will feature the NTA Destination and Attractions Aisle. NTA members will have the opportunity to attend the convention and promote their destination or attraction to UMA professional bus and motorcoach companies. Additionally, the UMA Motorcoach Exhibit will debut at the 2008 NTA Convention, Nov. 15-19, in Pittsburgh.

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Redesigned CTP Program Introduced in Kansas City

NTA introduced the first certification in the packaged travel industry, the CTP, more than 20 years ago. Even though the new CTP program officially launches in January 2008, NTA introduced it last week at the 2007 Annual Convention, and allowed delegates to begin earning credit by attending four educational seminars.

The enhanced CTP program will be based on accumulation of points for education, experience and service in the industry as well as knowledge gained through the three certified courses – strategic management and leadership, marketing and sales, and financial management. CTPs will have the opportunity to earn points by attending seminars at NTA events, self-study and e-learning.

Members who currently are enrolled in the CTP program have these options:

• You can finalize all necessary steps to complete the CTP program as it currently stands and graduate in 2007. Current enrollees would have until Dec. 31, 2007, to complete the curriculum in its current form.

   

• If you would like to move into the new Temple program, you will receive the necessary information and study guides in January 2008 and will be invoiced a rollover fee of $75. There would be no other fees associated with the program and, upon payment, you will be enrolled in the new CTP program with Temple.

   

• Discontinue your efforts toward a certification.

For more information on either the new or existing CTP program, or if you would like an update on your CTP status, please contact NTA Marketing and Communications Administrative Assistant Andrea Richardson.

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NTA Presents Awards to Four at Convention

During Convention, your association presented awards to Earl Harmon, CTP (Pioneer Award); Pete Anderson and Jim Host (Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award) and Clayton Whitehead, CTP (Volunteer of the Year Award). Here is more information on the recipients:

• Earl Harmon, CTP, who revolutionized the way NTA approached its government relations, posthumously received the association’s Pioneer Award. Harmon served as the association president in 1979 and 1980. During those years, he traveled to and from Washington, D.C., nearly every week lobbying for Congress to recognize the importance of travel and tourism. To read more, click here.

   

• NTA honored Pete Anderson, formerly of Maupintour, and Jim Host, founder of Host Communications, as recipients the Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award. Anderson, who served as the association president in 1988, began working with Maupintour in 1964 and has been a mentor to NTA members and icon in the industry. Host, founder of NTA’s association management firm, worked for several decades to nurture the strong relationship between his company and NTA. To read more, click here.

   

• In recognition of the dedicated association volunteers, NTA created the NTA Volunteer of the Year Award and recognized Clayton Whitehead, CTP, vice president of Sports Leisure Vacations, as the first recipient. Whitehead is a longtime NTA member and volunteer who has assisted Convention delegates and first-timers by conducting tours of the Tour & Travel Exchange at Convention for the last decade. To read more, click here.

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Richer Joins NTA Government and Industry Relations Team

Making a greater commitment to its members and the industry, NTA has secured Steve Richer, CTP, to augment its government and industry relations efforts. Richer, who is retiring as the executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB, will serve NTA as a consultant and build on the base established by Congressman Jim Santini, longtime NTA legislative counsel.

In his role, Richer will work with Santini to continue executing government relations in Washington, D.C., with an eye toward the next administration, while continuing to build relations with the current administration. Also, Richer will establish stronger and more meaningful ties with other travel industry related organizations, including those involved in tourism sales, marketing and policy, and he will reach out through the media to involve more companies, tourism offices and tour packagers in the work of NTA.

"NTA long ago established itself as a leader in the government relations arena," said Richer. "From our work with the National Park Service to our latest quest for an Executive Department of Travel and Tourism, NTA continually recognizes the needs of its members and the industry and sets out to make a change. I’m extremely pleased to be asked to be a part of this significant work."

Richer has been active in NTA leadership for many years including service on the board of directors and through committee work. Before joining the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB in 1996, Richer was involved in leadership at the Greater Atlantic City CVB and the Nevada Commission on Tourism.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Stagehand Strike in New York City Darkens Many Theaters

Many Broadway stages have been dark since Sunday, as a result of a strike by stagehands. Members of Local One union authorized the first strike in the 120 years of the organization after failing to reach an agreement with the League of American Theaters and Producers.

Twenty-seven Broadway shows, including "Chicago," "Hairspray," "The Lion King," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Rent" and "Wicked," have suspended production until further notice. There are eight shows taking place in theaters with separate contracts – "Cymbeline," "Mary Poppins," "Mauritius," "Pygmalion," "The Ritz," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," "Xanadu" and "Young Frankenstein." Additionally, all off-Broadway shows are going on as scheduled, as are performances at venues that are part of NTA member Madison Square Garden.

Members seeking additional information on how the strike affects group sales can go to Web sites of the following NTA tour suppliers who are involved with Broadway show tickets:

MEMBER BENEFITS

NTA Announces Two 2008 Product Development Trips

Greece and British Columbia will be the featured destinations for NTA Product Development Trips in 2008.

As part of "Greece: Legends and Myths of Today and Yesterday," NTA tour operators will visit Athens and Crete. The Greece trip, hosted by CruiseClub Holidays, takes place April 13-20, and the cost from New York’s JFK Airport is $787 (includes fuel surcharges and taxes).

The British Columbia trip, hosted by Tourism Vancouver Island and Vancouver Coast & Mountains from Oct. 6 to 11, focuses on western British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. The cost is $100 and doesn’t include airfare to the starting point, Vancouver.

More information on these trips will be posted at NTA Online soon. Questions can be directed to NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson.

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December Courier to Include Convention Recap

A couple of weeks after you’ve settled in after being in Kansas City, you will be able to read all about the Annual Convention in the December issue of Courier. Usually the Convention recap appears in the January edition, but this year the materials were finalized immediately, so members will get a more timely update.

"It was very interesting meeting and talking with so many delegates," said Penny Whitman, Courier editor in chief. "People have been so positive about the Convention experience – from the special events to the business. We heard a lot about the quality of business interactions in and out of the appointment format. The Saturday Business Meeting Luncheon also yielded positive responses from delegates about NTA’s strategic direction."

The issue will be mailed to all members at the end of November.

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Reach 24,500 Student Travel Planners Through NTA

Tapping into the student travel market has never been so easy. Now you can reach 24,500 student travel planners through NTA’s only officially endorsed publication for the student market, The Trip Planner for student travel. This magazine will be sent in February 2008 to a large group of student travel planners, as well as distributed with the February issue of Courier magazine to 1,400 NTA tour operators.

Listings in The Trip Planner for student travel are available to tour operators for only $250, and suppliers and DMOs can take advantage of display advertising opportunities. The space deadline has been extended to Dec. 1 due to the popularity of this publication, so there is still time to book your advertisement or logo listing.

For more information on the only student publication endorsed by NTA, click here or call 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232.

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