Tuesday Newsletter
August 1, 2006
Tuesday Newsletter August 1, 2006
Volume 26: Issue 31
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Hank Phillips Resigns as NTA President
Hank Phillips, CTP, announced his resignation as NTA president and from the association’s management firm, Host Communications Inc. His resignation will be effective Sept. 30. NTA Chairman and CEO Judith Thomas, CTP, shared this news with all members in an e-mail last Friday when Phillips made his announcement. During his 21-year tenure with Host and NTA, Phillips served as director of education, director of government and industry relations, senior vice president and in 1998, he was selected as NTA’s president.
"I’ve had a fantastic time working for NTA and Host," said Phillips. "Now is a good time to make a career move for my family and me, and I think it is also a good time for NTA to move forward with new leadership."
Of Phillips’ departure, NTA Chairman and CEO Judith Thomas said, "We owe a debt of gratitude to Hank for all he has done for NTA over the years. We also appreciate the leadership of Host Communications, not only for our long-standing work with the organization, but also for our shared vision for the future. There are many opportunities on the horizon, and we look forward to expanding our leadership position in the travel industry and to continue growing as an organization. At this time, I also wish to give a big ‘thank you’ to Hank and wish him the very best in his new endeavors."
According to Host Communications CEO Tom Stultz, "Hank has contributed to the success of this partnership, and we wish him the very best in the future. We are also excited about our continuing partnership with NTA. NTA and Host have been partners for more than 32 years, and we all believe the best days are still ahead of us."
Stultz added that he is pleased to announce that Lisa Simon, a long-time NTA staff executive and the current executive director of the International Coach Federation, has accepted the additional responsibilities as interim executive director of the National Tour Association effective immediately. In this capacity, Simon will work with the NTA Board and staff to manage the association through the transition and search process.
"Host will be adding resources to help support Lisa in the interim role and will encourage her to borrow resources and talent from the four other associations managed by Host to make sure NTA continues to be the best association in its industry," Stultz said.
NTA Convention: Live Today … Appointment Request System
It is time to begin researching and preparing your list of appointment requests for the 2006 NTA Tour & Travel Exchange®, coming up Nov. 3-7 in Salt Lake City. Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding appointment scheduling:
For more information, contact your NTA Member Services Team at 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444.
Better Business. Better Be There.
New Opportunity for Tour Operators with GE Consumer Finance
NTA has teamed with GE Consumer Finance to offer its tour operators a very exciting new product – promotional credit. This product allows tour operators the opportunity to offer their consumers deferred interest credit options, along with some additional options, in order to purchase the trip of their dreams.
The program is a one-year pilot to test this product in the packaged travel market. While this type of credit product is fairly commonplace in other retail markets, namely furniture and large appliances, it is very new to travel. Therefore, GE is seeking five to seven operators who would like to test this product with their consumers. After a year of testing, GE and NTA will look at the success of the product, which would determine the viability of a longer-term program.
Key Benefits:
Provided through:
- "Deferred interest"
- "Fixed Pay, Low interest APR – 12.99%"
There is a great deal of information about promotional credit and the pilot available at NTA.travel, and operators will need their password and ID to access it. Interested operators can read more in a Frequently Asked Questions document or they can contact Lisa Nelson at lisa.nelson@NTA.travel with questions or to request a GE Money Form to express interest in participating.
NTA has been notified that Andy Uhlig, director of tour and leisure travel for the Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is taking a new job and will be withdrawing his candidacy for the DMO seat on the 2007 NTA Board of Directors.
Also, if you are considering running for an NTA officer or board of directors position from the floor, the deadline for entering the election is Aug. 18.
It is NTA’s policy under certain guidelines to permit individuals’ names to be placed into nomination in addition to those nominated by the Nominating Committee. A nominee from the floor must be nominated by an eligible voter and shall be made in writing to the chair of the Nominating Committee.
To nominate a candidate from the floor, contact Ann Thomas, CTP, chair of the Nominating Committee (ann@westerndiscovery.com) and copy Matt Grayson, staff liaison to the committee (matt.grayson@NTA.travel). For questions regarding the floor nomination process, please call Matt Grayson at 800.682.8886, ext. 4250 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4250.
Glacier National Park Weathering Montana’s Fire Season
Despite the Red Eagle fire forcing a few closures at Glacier National Park, 98 percent of the Montana park remains unaffected by the fire. As of July 31, the fire, located on the east side of Glacier just south of the town of St. Mary, has prompted the temporary closure of the park’s St. Mary entrance, the lodge at St. Mary, a few campgrounds in that area and a six-mile stretch on the east end of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Glacier Country’s Executive Director Linda Anderson-Haines said popular attractions like the drive from West Glacier over Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun Road, boat excursions on Lake MacDonald, hikes along the Highline Trail, the Rising Sun Motor Inn and historic Many Glacier Hotel – which can be accessed via Duck Lake Road on the park’s east side – are fully operational.
"It’s important to stay current on conditions," said Anderson-Haines, "but Montana is a big state with so much to see and do that fires don’t have to alter a visitor’s plans much."
To get the latest information on the Red Eagle fire at Glacier National Park, call 800.338.5072 or 406.837.6211 or go to http://glacier.visitmt.com/.
Beware of Fraudulent Letter from U.S. Department of Transportation
NTA has learned that a letter appearing to come from the United States Department of Transportation is circulating, potentially via fax, regarding procurements. NTA has contacted the DOT and they have informed us that the letter signed by Dan Jacobs, senior procurement officer, is fraudulent. Do not respond to this request for financial information.
NTA Convention: Be a Buddy to a First-time Attendee
If you are a veteran delegate with a wealth of knowledge, consider volunteering to be a Convention Buddy. You’ll be a valuable resource for a first-time delegate as he or she prepares to attend their first NTA Convention. You don’t need to be an expert – just be willing to answer some questions and share the experience you’ve gained over your years at NTA.
Click here to sign up to be a Convention Buddy or learn about the other volunteer opportunities that are available during the NTA Convention. For questions related to the Buddy Program, contact Christy Stigall at christy.stigall@NTA.travel.
The 2006 Annual Convention will take place in Salt Lake City, Nov. 3-7.
Better Business. Better Be There.
Check Out the Tourism Cares Online Auction Catalog
Tourism Cares is quickly building the auction catalog for our exciting auctions at NTA Convention this year. Individual catalog pages will display the item description, donor logos and pictures of the item, as well as a link to the donor’s Web site. To take a look at the new system and preview auction items, click here.
Once the auction goes live at Convention, the online catalog, as well as a printed catalog, will be available for bidders to use as a reference guide. Tourism Cares sends a warm thank you to NTA members who have made donations to the auction so far.
Also, if you are looking for extra exposure for your company or destination, check into putting your company’s logo and link on the auction home page by contacting Natalie King at 781.821.5990 or via e-mail at nataliek@tourismcares.org.
Bob Everidge Award Nomination Deadline is Aug. 25
The fourth Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the 2006 NTA Convention in Salt Lake City, and nominations are due Aug. 25. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding, ongoing contributions to NTA and its members, and can be made by any person employed by an NTA member company.
Nominations should be made for members who display active dedication to the mission of NTA and seek the best for its members; make extensive volunteer contributions to NTA and its members; consistently conduct himself/herself in a manner in keeping with the ethics, quality and sense of community espoused by NTA; and are involved in the travel industry beyond NTA to further the interests of NTA and its members.
Nominations should be submitted to NTA Executive Assistant Celeste Moore via e-mail at celeste.moore@NTA.travel.
NTA Family News – Remembering Donald Daly
Donald Daly, a long-time vice president of worldwide travel industry relations for The American Express Co., died suddenly last week of a heart attack. The 72-year-old had been with American Express his entire 42-year career and was the first inductee into the company’s hall of fame in 1985.
Daly was a tireless leader in all aspects of the travel industry who reached out to many, including disadvantaged kids through the Academy of Travel and Tourism program and disabled travelers through his association with Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality. He is known to many NTA members through his service on the board of trustees of the National Tourism Foundation.
The wake and funeral were held last week.
Only One Week Remains To Advertise in Convention Issue of Courier
The space and materials deadline for advertisements in the October double issue of Courier magazine is Aug. 8. This issue is one of the most popular and features bonus circulation at NTA’s Annual Convention. Highlights in this issue include:
Contact us today to book your advertisement in this widely read annual issue by calling 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232 or via e-mail at courier@NTA.travel. For information on rates and specifications, click here.