Upcoming Deadline: Oct. 15 | NTA Representatives Meet with Government Officials on Travel Issues
October 5, 2010
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TODAY’S ARTICLES
Upcoming Deadline: Oct. 15
Gulf Coast, TRIP Act and China Discussed During Meeting with U.S. Secretary Locke
Volunteer at Convention ’10
Still Time to Register for Mexico’s Mundo Maya Fair
NTA Visit USA Center Opens Nov. 20 in Shanghai
How to Record a Podcast
NTA Operators Share Advice with Agents for Business Development
CTP Prep Webinars Coming Soon
Finish the Year Strong by Sponsoring at Convention
Tourism Rocks: A Convention Favorite
Thanks to Tour Operators Who Tracked
Industry News and Updates
The first (and most efficient) phase of requesting appointments at Convention closes Oct. 15. Well-matched appointments in the Tour & Travel Exchange and Destination Pavilion are the key to Convention success. To maximize your business opportunities in Montréal, submit your requests today … or at least before Oct. 15!
[Quick tip: You’ll get the best matches by submitting the maximum number of requests of the company representatives you want meet with.]
Questions about appointment scheduling? E-mail your Member Services team or call 800.682.8886, ext. 4444 or +1 859.226.4444.
Gulf Coast, TRIP Act and China Discussed During Meeting with U.S. Secretary Locke 
NTA Public Affairs Advocate Steve Richer, CTP, and former NTA Legislative Counsel Jim Santini participated in a meeting last week between industry officials and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Congressman Sam Farr (D-California). During the session, Locke referenced the importance of the U.S. inbound market from China, noting the visibility of the NTA Visit USA Center, which will open next month in Shanghai.
Other portions of the meeting were dedicated to a discussion of key travel legislation such as the redevelopment of the Gulf Coast tourism product after the oil spill and the Travel Regional Investment Partnership Act (H.R. 4676), which Farr will reintroduce in the next Congress. NTA actively supports the TRIP Act, which will provide significant funding to U.S. destinations for domestic travel needs. Another meeting highlight was the attendance of both Houma CVB President Sharon Alford and Alabama Gulf Coast CVB President Herb Malone, who were involved with the crisis media workshops that NTA presented in the Gulf Coast area in partnership with Edelman.
Whether you are a Convention veteran or this is your first time attending NTA’s premier Business Builder, volunteering is another way to enhance your experience this year in Montréal. As a volunteer, you will get a look at a different side of Convention and gain additional time to interact with other attendees. It’s a great benefit for both you and your organization.
There are numerous volunteer areas and times throughout the week when help is needed, many of which could fit your schedule. For DMOs and tour operators, one great way to help out is to mentor a Tourism Cares scholarship recipient or a local student studying tourism and hospitality during a portion of your appointments.
You can view volunteer opportunities and make your selections by opening the Volunteer Form with your NTA e-mail and password. Even though your appointment schedule isn’t final yet, go ahead and take a look at the many options and sign-up soon. You can always return to this volunteer form later to update and change your schedule if needed.
Questions on volunteering should be directed to NTA Member Relations Assistant Dana Deptola. Thanks in advance for your help!
Still Time to Register for Mexico’s Mundo Maya Fair 
Buyers who specialize in Mexico can receive free airfare to the upcoming Mundo Maya Tourist Fair, Oct. 17 and 18 in Mérida, Mexico. The first 10 NTA tour operators to respond will receive complimentary airfare from the U.S. or Canada. Even if you are not one of the first 10, you still will receive free registration, three night’s accommodations, Fam trips and more.
During the event, tour operators will be able to meet with hotels, ground operators, airlines, archaeological tourism experts and other suppliers specializing in nature, culture, incentives travel and more. The agenda also includes networking, social functions and seminars so you can make new contacts, get to know recent market trends and promote business development.
To take advantage of this free airfare opportunity, please send your request to newyork@visitmexico.com. For further information or to register for the Mundo Maya Tourist Fair, supported by the Mexico Tourism Board in conjunction with Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatán, click here.
NTA Visit USA Center Opens Nov. 20 in Shanghai 
Mark Nov. 20 on your calendar as the official opening of the NTA Visit USA Center in Shanghai. The opening celebration will be held in conjunction with the China International Travel Mart, where NTA and U.S. destinations, operators and suppliers are promoting travel to America.
China is recognized as a market with significant growth potential for the United States. Through the NTA Visit USA Center, which is supported in part through an International Trade Administration grant, NTA will educate the Chinese trade about the diversity of travel opportunities in the United States, provide marketing programs and services to the U.S. trade, and offer venues to connect the U.S. and Chinese trade for business development.
Special guests at the Nov. 20 event will include key representatives from Chinese travel agencies/operators and media, U.S. and Chinese government officials, as well as partners supporting the NTA Visit USA Center.
The opening will showcase the diversity of product available throughout the United States. Contact Ken Goode for information on highlighting your destination or company at this key event.
Get ready to take notes and record your first podcast. Catherine Heeg, social media expert and two-time NTA speaker, has recorded a two-part podcast series for NTA members. Consider it a warm up for her sessions in Montréal.
Part 1, "How to Record a Podcast," discusses podcasting and blogging, including which microphones to buy, what free online programs to use, which blog hosting Web site she recommends and more. Listen now to learn the basics of podcasting and blogging.
Part 2 focuses on the basics of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, giving listeners a great foundation to Catherine’s Nov. 13 educational session at Convention ’10. Watch for Part 2 in an upcoming Tuesday.
Click here for a list of all the education offered at Convention ’10.
NTA Operators Share Advice with Agents for Business Development
Tour operators and travel agents are a compelling business combination. The operator has a finger on the pulse of the traveler's needs and develops the product while the agent has the traveler on hand ready to make the purchase. In today's economic environment where all businesses are seeking growth opportunities, NTA presented a panel discussion at THETRADESHOW in Orlando where NTA operators discussed the tremendous opportunity that exists for agents and operators to collaborate for business development.
Travel Market Report covered the session, which featured Andrew Grieve, managing director of UK-based Discover Travel & Tours; Dan Sullivan, president and CEO of Collette Vacations; and Chris Babb president of The Group Tour Company. The group addressed several key marketplace trends and offered agents practical tips for selling tours.
To help operators and agents develop business connections, NTA has secured a strategic partnership with the National Association of Career Travel Agents. NTA operators can collaborate with NACTA agents at the 2011 MONTAGE in Aberdeen, Scotland, April 12-14.
Even to long-time industry professionals, NTA's Certified Tour Professional designation provides graduates with a better understanding of their day-to-day business. Earning your CTP also shows commitment to the industry and studies indicate having professional certifications can positively impact your salary potential.
To help you earn your CTP designation, NTA is providing three preparatory Webinars that cover the three core elements of the program. Each Webinar is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET):
>> Oct. 26: Strategic Packaged Travel Leadership, Management and Administration
>> Nov. 29: Strategic Packaged Travel Marketing and Sales
>> Dec. 3: Strategic Packaged Travel Financial Management
If you're currently enrolled in the CTP program, the Webinars are free. If you're not currently enrolled, each Webinar costs US$35. However, if you enroll in the program before Dec. 31, 2010, we'll refund the costs of these Webinars.
Click here to complete the registration form and return it at least two days prior to the date of the Webinar to confirm your participation. Contact Ken Goode at NTA Headquarters with any questions.
Finish the Year Strong by Sponsoring at Convention
With 2010 winding down, have you found savings in your budget? If so, NTA can help you put it to good use!
Sponsor at Convention '10 and we'll help you get your message out to those in the travel industry you're trying to reach. There is still time to sponsor and receive a booth on the exhibit floor, which offers you the perfect way to stand out in Montréal.
Sponsorship promotions are in full swing so contact NTA Vice President of Sales and Sponsorship Karla DiNardo at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 or +1.859.226.4232 today. Sponsorships are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and all levels qualify you for a great suite of benefits. Click here for additional details. Finish the year strong with NTA!
Tourism Rocks: A Convention Favorite 
While you're in Montreal for Convention an event you don't want to miss is the always-fun Tourism Rocks party and fundraiser. Newtown, a multi-level nightclub in Montreal's famous Crescent Street neighborhood, will set the scene for this year's rockin' affair.
There'll be fun on every floor! On the club level, you can dance the night away to the music of Newtown's DJ. And on the lounge level, guests will be entertained and sing along to popular pop, rock and blues music provided by Dave Bootle, a talented musician, entertainer and songwriter.
Tour suppliers and DMOs can save by purchasing tickets in advance for $40 (tickets will be sold at the door $50). And all tour operators attending Convention have been invited to attend the event as complimentary guests of the sponsors-Hard Rock International, the Nevada Commission on Tourism and the Las Vegas CVA. Tour operators can pick up complimentary tickets at any of the sponsor's booths on site in Montréal.
Proceeds from the event are used to help Tourism Cares to further its mission to preserve the travel experience for future generations.
Thanks to Tour Operators Who Tracked
Want to secure the future of your DMO partners (and earn a chance at a front-row seat for the Broadway luncheon)? Join this group of operators who used NTA's online Tracking System to share valuable information on their recent tours and itineraries. In September, tour operators sent nearly 200 e-mails to DMOs with tracking information. These operators now have the chance to win a front-row, reserved seat for the Broadway.com/groups Luncheon at Convention '10.
Thanks to the following operators for sharing this valuable tracking information:
>> Alyson Adventures Inc., Key West, Florida
>> Main Street Tours Inc., Torrance, California
>> Sports Leisure Vacations, Sacramento, California
>> Sports Travel and Tours, Hatfield, Massachusetts
>> Star Destinations Inc., Carroll, Iowa
>> Sunshine Express Inc., Pensacola, Florida
>> Wells Gray Tours Ltd., Kamloops, British Columbia
Earn your chance by tracking today.
- Community Marketing International has released its fourth gay and lesbian community survey, which polled more than 40,000 respondents from 100 countries on marketing and communications issues, travel preferences, purchasing habits and other trends.
- Late last week, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee postponed an eagerly awaited vote on a measure that would lift the ban on travel to Cuba.
- The International Civil Aviation Organization reports that the airline industry facing a shortage of pilots.
The links in this article are not monitored by NTA staff. Any bad links, expired pages, etc. are due to the constantly changing nature of Web sites.
Click here for the Tuesday archive.