Tuesday Newsletter
January 31, 2006
Tuesday Newsletter January 31, 2006
Volume 26: Issue 5
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Don’t miss the Britain 2006 Trade Fair and Fam Trip, March 1-7, 2006. The trip consists of the British Travel Trade Fair and U.S. buyers workshop followed by a three-day Fam trip to one of four regions of Britain. Click here to book now. |
| Interested in becoming a sponsor for Tuesday? Contact Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@ntastaff.com. | |
Hurricane Update: Mississippi – Five Months Later
Tuesday is running a series of articles on hurricane recovery in the U.S. Gulf Coast area. The stories are aimed at giving you a firsthand perspective from NTA members on how things are going at their destination. Today’s installment, along with next week’s, focuses on Mississippi.
There is optimism amidst the destruction, according to Steve Richer, executive director at the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB. While he said more than 65,000 buildings were lost the day Hurricane Katrina hit, the plan for rebuilding is taking shape. He says there is a stark contrast between the current state of things and what he knows will be a revitalized Mississippi Gulf Coast.
"Although there are a significant number of people facing the difficult issues of loss of homes, jobs and other basic necessities as a result, our overall community is addressing those issues while planning for the future," Richer said. "We still need the short-term assistance to get back on our feet, but three years from now – more hurricanes not withstanding – we’ll be in a great position. With all the projects that have been announced, as well as the ones in planning stages, we’re very optimistic."
To read what else Richer has to say in the first segment of this two-part interview, click here.
Benefit Basics: Stand Out Through Sponsorship
Business is the reason members join NTA. Whether you are looking for new clients, expanding into new segments or working to maintain your share of the market, getting attention is essential. A little extra investment goes a long way toward getting noticed, and sponsorship is a sure way to stand out from your competition and provides an array of unique benefits.
Jan Hiebert, CTC, destination group sales manager for Greater Wichita CVB, co-sponsored with her state for the first time at the 2005 Annual Convention. "The booth replaced our annual Monday night Kansas dinner and facilitated us getting to talk to many tour operators with whom we did not have formal appointments," Hiebert said. "The Kansas representatives who staffed the booth all felt it was as productive as our appointments. We’re already making plans for next year’s Convention."
Sponsorships are available for the Tour Operator Spring Meet, Annual Convention and Tuesday newsletter. Many different packages at various price points are available, and NTA will work with you to create a customized sponsorship that is indicative of your product.
For more information, contact Karla DiNardo, vice president of sales and publishing, at 800.682.8886 ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232 or via e-mail at karla.dinardo@ntastaff.com.
NTA Leadership Team, Board Meet in Banff
The 58-member NTA Leadership Team, which includes the Board of Directors, gathered Jan. 20-22 in Banff, Alberta, for its first meeting of the year.
During the two-day Leadership Team meeting, the full group broke out into individual committees for focused discussion on improvements to NTA’s Annual Convention, the need for cultural diversity within the association, government relations priority issues, technology needs for members and more. Also, the Leadership Team participated in full-group discussions on topics ranging from the NTA Annual Convention Exchange appointments and tour operator profiles to recruitment of new members. Click here to see a complete list of NTA’s Leadership Team and the breakout of individual committees.
Enabling the Board of Directors to consider input and ideas from this member base for its decision-making, a board meeting followed the Leadership Team and committee discussions. Click here for an update on the board’s meeting.
The NTA Leadership Team expresses its sincere appreciation to all the generous sponsors who made the meetings in Banff possible.
Bring a Guest Tour Operator to Spring Meet
Attention tour operators … if you have a tour operator colleague who is not currently a member of NTA, now is your chance to show them what they’re missing. Invite them to the 2006 Tour Operator Spring Meet, coming up March 22-25 in Louisville, Ky., and introduce them to all of the networking, education, partnering and fun that is NTA.
The idea is simply to give them a chance to experience the best tour operator association in the industry firsthand by inviting them to join you, their friends and colleagues. If you are interested in asking a tour operator to come with you to Spring Meet, or just want more information on this opportunity, contact Chris Horsley for a registration form. Guest operators will pay the NTA member rate for registration and hotel fees.
To find out more about the 2006 Spring Meet click here.
Spring Meet – it’s all about you!
Tourism-Caring for America Heading to Mississippi
Registrations are rolling in for the NTA co-sponsored Tourism-Caring for America cleanup event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast from March 16-19. Volunteers will spend three nights at a tent city on cots, and get to help with two full days of cleaning up tourism-related sites in Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach and D’Iberville.
Space is limited, so act now to make sure you won’t miss your chance to be part of this important event. Visit http://www.tourismcares.org/, for up-to-the-minute details on the project or, if you’re ready to register now, click here.
In addition to signing up to help, there are still sponsorship opportunities available. To learn more about how you can show that your company cares for the Gulf Coast and supports those who will take the time and effort to give back to this tourist region in critical need, click here.
Leadership Team Collects Almost $5,000 for NTA Advocacy Efforts
At the recent NTA Leadership Meeting in Banff, Alberta, members of the leadership team pledged nearly $5,000 in support of NTA’s advocacy funds, GIF and TourPAC. Thanks to this generous contribution, the 2006 government relations fundraising efforts are off to a great start.
To learn more about NTA’s advocacy funds, and how you can support them through the upcoming Silent Auction at the Tour Operator Spring Meet, contact NTA’s Government Relations Department at 800.682.8886, ext. 4205 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4205.
Discover the Treasures of Rhode Island
See where America’s Gilded Age began when you visit one of Newport’s numerous historic mansions, learn how oysters are harvested, go sailing, take a nature walk on the bucolic Block Island and sample the pasta in Providence’s Little Italy district. NTA tour operators can do all of these things, in addition to having the chance to meet with Rhode Island suppliers, as part of "Rhode Island: Big Things Come in Small Packages," NTA’s first domestic Product Development Trip, to be held April 23-27.
Space is limited, and you must register by March 1. The cost to tour operators is $150 per person and that includes lodging, sightseeing and most meals. In compliance with NTA guidelines, only one full-time employee per company may attend and guests/spouses are not permitted.
For more information on the trip, click here, or contact Katrina White by calling 401.222.2601, ext. 150, or e-mailing her at kwhite@riedc.com.
WTM Dates Conflict With NTA Annual Convention
So that NTA members can plan in advance, please be aware that the NTA Annual Convention and World Travel Market will overlap this year. NTA recognizes that both shows are important to its members and has communicated with WTM organizers in hopes of not having a conflict of dates. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2006 dates of World Travel Market had to be moved causing the two events to conflict. The NTA Convention will be held Nov. 3-7 in Salt Lake City and World Travel Market will take place Nov. 6-9 in London.
Your February issue of Courier has just arrived, sporting an exciting gaming feature as well as a tribute to African-American heritage. Once you’ve enjoyed those stories, check out the business section, showcasing articles by members Cory Marshall, CTP, of Anderson Vacations in Calgary, Alberta, and Katherine Setness, of Setness Tours in Stockton, Calif. Going Green, a new department fashioned by the editor to educate you about sustainable tourism, examines the importance of responsible travel to the consumer. And, if you’ve always wondered what the AIM program is all about but were afraid to ask, this issue’s Take AIM article makes it all crystal clear.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
May Issue – Ad Space: Feb. 24; Editorial: Past
Annual Convention Preview Issue; Beaches; Las Vegas; Asia; Iowa; Kansas; Missouri; Nebraska; Northwest Territories; Nunavut; Yukon.
June Issue – Ad Space: March 31; Editorial: Feb. 1
Native American, First Nations and Western Heritage; Active Adventure Travel; Canadian Maritimes & Quebec (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island & Quebec); Gulf Coast (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi & Texas); Maryland/D.C.; Pennsylvania; Virginia.
July Issue – Ad Space: May 1; Editorial: March 1
Music Destinations; Zoos & Aquariums; Coastal California & Baja; Classic New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island & Vermont); Kentucky; Ohio; Tennessee; West Virginia.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Algoma Central Railway Inc. – Autry Museum of Western Heritage – Foxwoods Resort Casino – Gold Strike Casino Resort – Hopewell Office of Tourism – Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel – Greater Louisville CVB – Maid of the Mist – Mohegan Sun – MotorCity Casino – Norfolk CVB – North Dakota Tourism Division – Outer Banks Resort & Conference/Ramada Plaza – Pechanga Resort & Casino – Pennsylvania Dutch CVB – Shreveport Bossier CVB – South Carolina Aquarium – Treasure Island Resort & Casino – Williamsburg Hotel Associates
Please click here to view the 2006 editorial calendar online.