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Tuesday Newsletter – May 27, 2008

May 27, 2008

Tuesday Newsletter May 27, 2008

 

This issue of Tuesday is sponsored by Elvis Presley’s Graceland. Discover the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll experience in Memphis at Elvis Presley’s Graceland. We offer three tour options to make sure your group’s experience at Graceland is all they imagined.
Interested in becoming a Tuesday sponsor? E-mail Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@NTAstaff.com.

Volume 28, Issue 21

Tuesday Archives

NTA EVENTS
Convention Rebate Program Offers Incentives for Tour Operators
NTA Convention: Destination Pavilion Back in 2008
Two NTA Road Shows Added to the 2008 Schedule

ASSOCIATION NEWS
Interested in Playing Host to an NTA Meeting in 2009?
Deadline to Run for 2009 NTA Board of Directors is Coming Up
Tour Operators: Sign Up for NTA-NPS Voluntourism Initiative by June 2

INDUSTRY NEWS
Canadian Tourism Week Kicks Off June 2

MEMBER BENEFITS
Save the Date for the 2008 Tourism Hall of Fame Gala Dinner
Sponsorship Can Mean Green for Your Business
Send Your Updated Photo CDs for Courier
June Courier Preview


 

NTA EVENTS

Convention Rebate Program Offers Incentives for Tour Operators

VisitPittsburgh is sweetening the pot for NTA tour operators to attend the 2008 Annual Convention. This year’s host has created the "Bargains in the ‘Burgh" rebate program, which pays up to $2,200 if tour operators bring groups back to Pittsburgh by the end of 2010.

This offer applies to any new tour that a Convention attendee brings to the city by Dec. 30, 2010, and the discounts are:

  • $600 if you book a minimum of 35 room nights
  • $1,300 if you book a minimum of 75 room nights
  • $2,200 if you book a minimum of 125 room nights

    More information on "Bargains in the ‘Burgh" rebate program is available if you click here.

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    NTA Convention: Destination Pavilion Back in 2008

    NTA members will see the return of the Destination Pavilion at the 2008 NTA Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Nov. 15-19. Last year in Kansas City, NTA reworked the DMO Workstations in order to introduce a more effective solution, and based on the fact that 91 percent of the tour operators at the event said they visited the Pavilion, it will be a focal point again in 2008.

    Located on the Convention Mall floor, the Destination Pavilion consists of larger pods that group destinations geographically. This format allows tour operators to easily gather information on specific destinations as well as the convenience of shopping regionally. The pavilion will be available throughout the entire week of Convention.

    Tour suppliers and DMOs have the opportunity to use the designated pods as their central meeting point. The space is complimentary to all state, provincial and country DMOs and the distribution of promotional materials from the individual pods is permitted. Time on Saturday afternoon, the first day of Convention, has been blocked off so tour operators can visit various regional destination pods, providing yet another opportunity to develop product.

    Registration for the 2008 NTA Annual Convention opened last week and is available at the event Web site. Contact your Member Services Team for more information at 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444.

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    Two NTA Road Shows Added to the 2008 Schedule

    The NTA Road Show stops in Pittsburgh, the host of the 2008 NTA Convention, and Washington, D.C., in the month of June. These two shows will mark the fifth and sixth Road Shows of 2008.

    The Pittsburgh Road Show will be held June 9 at the Omni William Penn hotel beginning with lunch at noon. Following the meal, current and prospective members will hear more about NTA events and programs and can ask questions of their association peers and leaders. The Washington, D.C., Road Show will take place June 26, beginning with a working breakfast at 8:30 a.m. followed by a meeting at 9 a.m., which will give members and nonmembers a great opportunity for networking.

    If you are interested in attending any of these events, contact Anita Webb at 800.682.8886, ext. 4298 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4298.

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    ASSOCIATION NEWS

    Interested in Playing Host to an NTA Meeting in 2009?

    Hosting an NTA meeting is a great way to showcase your destination or venue to your association’s leaders. The bid process is now open for destinations interested in playing host to 2009 NTA Board of Directors and Leadership Team meetings.

    Meetings available for bid include:

  • February Board and Leadership Meetings (Wednesday-Sunday, 75 attendees)
  • April Board Meeting (Thursday-Sunday, 28 attendees)
  • August Board Meeting (Thursday-Sunday, 28 attendees)

    Interested parties should fill out the bid specification form and return it to NTA Events Manager Christy Cleveland by June 30.

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    Deadline to Run for 2009 NTA Board of Directors is Coming Up

    June 6 is the deadline for you to submit information if you are interested in running for the 2009 NTA Board of Directors, including the Executive Committee. Serving in one of these leadership roles is a way you can make a real difference in your association and in the industry.

    The positions members will be voting on include:

  • Vice chairman (executive committee/officer position)
  • Secretary/treasurer (executive committee/officer position)
  • Three tour operator director seats
  • One tour supplier director seat
  • One DMO director seat

    Tour operators with prior NTA Board experience are eligible to run for either of the officer positions, and any association member is eligible for candidacy for a director seat if they have been employed by an NTA member company for a minimum of two years. The eligibility criteria have changed significantly for non-officer positions, as the committee and event attendance requirements have been eliminated in order to streamline the election process and in turn invite more candidates to participate in NTA’s governance.

    If you are interested in running for the NTA Board, please e-mail Nominating Committee Chairman Randy Julian, or contact committee liaison Matt Grayson at 800.682.8886, ext. 4250 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4250 for more information by June 6.

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    Tour Operators: Sign Up for NTA-NPS Voluntourism Initiative by June 2

    As part of a pilot voluntourism program NTA is developing with the National Park Service, U.S.-based tour operator members can incorporate a work project to enhance their clients’ experience at national parks. Nineteen NPS sites located across the United States have signed on to be part of the program for 2008-09, and the goal is to pair three tour operators with each of the 19 parks, so there are 57 total spots available.

    If you are interested in participating in the program or learning more, contact NTA Director of Industry and Government Affairs Matt Grayson at 800.682.8886, ext. 4250 by June 2.

    After all the responses are in, NTA will be assigning tour operators to work with specific park sites in combinations that appear to offer the best chance of success, as well as the widest variety of potential participants. You will be notified of your particular park assignment(s) and put in contact with the Volunteer Coordinator at the park(s) involved so that you can begin making plans for your specific work projects in early June.

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    INDUSTRY NEWS

    Canadian Tourism Week Kicks Off June 2

    This year’s edition of Canadian Tourism Week will be held from June 2 to 8. The annual celebration seeks to raise the level of awareness regarding the importance of tourism to all Canadians.

    Each year, travel professionals throughout Canada do their part to increase the profile of travel and tourism by promoting special events in their area, offering discounted or free admission to local attractions, launching advertising campaigns and conducting Fam tours for media members. Coordinated by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, the week also focuses on touting the economic and social impact of travel to media members and increasing the influence the industry professionals have with Canadian governmental officials.

    Many NTA-member companies participate each year by organizing or taking part in celebrations in their local communities. For more information, visit the TIAC Web site.

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    MEMBER BENEFITS

    Save the Date for the 2008 Tourism Hall of Fame Gala Dinner

    Tourism Cares is pleased to announce the upcoming induction of J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott International, into the Tourism Hall of Fame. The official induction ceremony will take place at a gala dinner and celebration benefiting Tourism Cares on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

    The Tourism Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who, among other business accomplishments, have made significant personal contributions to travel and tourism through philanthropic, volunteer and mentoring activities. Marriott will join the ranks of recent inductees that include Arthur Tauck, chairman of Tauck World Discovery; Gilbert Haroche, co-founder and chairman of Liberty Travel; Bob Dickinson, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines; William E. (Bill) La Macchia, chairman of The Mark Travel Corporation; and John Stachnik, founder and co-owner of Mayflower Tours.

    All proceeds from the Tourism Hall of Fame Gala Dinner benefit Tourism Cares and its mission of preserving and enhancing the experience of travel. Through charitable grants to tourism-related non-profit organizations, academic and service learning scholarships and volunteer restoration events, Tourism Cares unites the travel industry in education, conservation, preservation and restoration effort that support the travel experience for generations to come.

    Click here for additional information on the Tourism Hall of Fame Dinner.

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    Sponsorship Can Mean Green for Your Business

    NTA is proud to host its first green Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Nov. 15-19. This green initiative has created a wave of new sponsorship opportunities that can help garner exposure for your company and destination in an eco-friendly and creative way.

    The following sponsorships are now being offered on a first-come, first-served basis and each includes a booth on the floor for the entire event:

    • Recyclable pens with your company logo – $5,000
    • Recycling containers with your artwork – $5,000
    • Ride Share Program to meet up with fellow travelers and share transportation to your hotel – $2,500
    • Pedometers to measure the distance and many miles walked during Convention – $7,500
    • Eco-friendly Coffee and Tea Station (includes high-traffic booth placement) – $15,000
    • Reusable water bottle and water stations (includes logo and signage) – $15,000 SOLD

    To learn more about all of NTA’s great sponsorship opportunities and benefits, click here.

    Have a new idea for sponsorship? We’d love to hear it! Contact NTA Vice President of Sales & Sponsorship Karla DiNardo at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232.

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    Send Your Updated Photo CDs for Courier

    The Courier editorial staff is seeking the latest versions of photo CDs from members who haven’t sent updated images this year. Even though many DMOs and tour suppliers have photo galleries on their Web sites, some images are not high resolution/print quality due to Web site size restrictions, and it is better to burn the larger images to a CD and mail them.

    Tour operators also are encouraged to send print-quality photos of their clients on tour, especially images showing travelers taking part in hands-on activities, educational workshops, hard and soft adventure or touring an exhibit or attraction.

    Photo CDs should be mailed to:
    Doug Rentz, Managing Editor
    Courier magazine
    National Tour Association
    546 East Main Street
    Lexington, KY 40508

    Additionally, if you have an online photo gallery where high-resolution images can be downloaded that requires a username and password, please e-mail the login information to Courier Managing Editor Doug Rentz.

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    June Courier Preview

    The business section of the June issue of Courier is packed with articles presenting valuable information on a wide range of topics. Katherine Setness’ "Fams Offer More than Product Development" revisits the value of a well-organized Fam and Marian Deal Smith provides a look at the many services a receptive tour operator can provide. Courier Managing Editor Doug Rentz passes along information from VisitBritain on affordable ways to package the UK in spite of the devalued U.S. dollar and NTA’s first green Convention is covered in the "On the Convention Trail" section and by Tour Supplier Director Carl Prince in his column. The month’s feature stories delve into gardens and Native American/First Nations product, while the destination articles cover the U.S. Gulf Coast, the South Pacific, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

    UPCOMING DEADLINES:

    September Issue – Ad Space: June 30; Editorial: Past
    Museums; Rail Travel; Music Destinations; Southwest (Arizona, Mexico, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas); Alaska; Georgia; North Carolina; South Carolina.

    October Issue – Ad Space: July 28; Editorial: June 2
    Annual Convention Issue; Great Plains (Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming); Central and South America; Connecticut; Maine; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; Rhode Island; Vermont.

    November Issue – Ad Space: Aug. 25; Editorial: June 30
    Dining; Shopping; Green Attractions; Chicago; America’s Historic East (Colonial Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Pennsylvania); Delaware; New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island; Quebec; New Jersey; New York.

    INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
    Amish Country of Northern Indiana/Elkhart County CVBAutry National CenterThe Berkely Group (TPP)Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn/Universal CityGreater Birmingham CVBBoyds Bear CountryCapital One Merchant ServicesEmpire State Building ObservatoryFoxwoods Resort CasinoITS Design & PrintingJohn G. Shedd AquariumLaredo CVBMarian Koshland Science MuseumMontana Department of CommerceNorfolk CVBPala Casino Spa & ResortRapid City CVBVirginia Beach CVBYankee Candle Company Inc.

    More information on the 2008 NTA Editorial Calendar and the 2009 Editorial Calendar also is available.

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    To ensure that you’re doing business with an NTA member, go to the NTA Web site home page and click on either "Tour Operator Search" or "DMO/Tour Supplier Search" at the top of the page.
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