This Issue:

• People on the Move
• NCSTD Launches Web Practices Survey
• ESTO 2008:  Right Around the Corner
• NCSTD Resource Center Gets a Makeover
• NCSTD Announces Spring Forum Dates
• Alabama Changes State Office Name
• DiscoverAmerica.Com Launched Internationally
• It's Not Too Late to Organize for Travel Leadership Summit
• Participation in Travel Counselor Training Program Encouraged

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Tim Morgan resigned as director of tourism with the Delaware Tourism Office this month.  He has accepted a position with Clackamas County, Oregon in the tourism development area.  A successor has not been named.  In the interim, Ross Tyler, director of market development, is the primary contact for tourism-related business with Delaware. 

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NCSTD Launches Web Practices Survey
The 2008 version of the Survey of U.S. State & Territory Tourism Office Web Site Practices was launched on July 24^th.  This survey is conducted in partnership with the National Laboratory for Tourism & eCommerce at Temple University and the NCSTD. It was last conducted in 2004.  The survey will measure how tourism offices are using current technology in their marketing and promotion efforts.  The final report is scheduled to be released this fall, and we need your help to ensure its success.

Please check your email in-boxes for the message from the NCSTD.  We ask that you take a few minutes to complete and return the survey or send it to the appropriate person on your staff to complete.  Your information will contribute to a more comprehensive, valuable report for all.  If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact James Brown at TIA (202-408-2184) or Dr. Wes Roehl at Temple University (215-204-5861).

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ESTO 2008 - the Most Important Destination Event of the Year
Although the economy is putting a strain on budgets, registrations for this year's ESTO suggest that state offices recognize that ESTO is well worth the investment.  It's clear that in tough times, it is more important than ever to have a knowledgeable sounding board from which to share and exchange ideas and from which to measure your own progress.  From experts sharing valuable tips on core business functions - marketing trends, branding, service, social media and new technology applications - to colleagues sharing best practices, the ROI for ESTO is many-fold, and the relationship building and experience is priceless.  You can't afford to miss the most important destination event of the year!  To register, click here.

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NCSTD Resource Center Gets a Makeover
The  NCSTD Resource Center has undergone a reorganization.  The contents of the Resource Center have been categorized into new headings:  Calendar of Events, State Resources and Research, StateSide, List Serve Summations.  Current information includes summations from listserv activity, RFP's, state tourism office organizational charts, research and past issues of StateSide.  Diane Shober, Director of Wyoming Tourism and appointed mentor to the redesign process states, "I am very excited about the new Resource Center. It is a valuable knowledge-sharing vehicle for all state tourism offices. The changes allow users to navigate the site better and easily access a multitude of resources that will assist every state tourism office in their daily activities."

Three areas are still under development:  Meeting Presentations, Sustainable Tourism, and a miscellaneous grouping of Additional Resources.  NCSTD encourages you to visit the NCSTD Resource Center.  The Center is a password protected clearinghouse of specific and relevant information to state tourism offices.  If you have forgotten your password, please contact James Brown.   Contributions, comments and suggestions can be sent to TIA's National Councils department.

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NCSTD Announces Spring Forum Dates
The NCSTD Spring Forum dates have been set for February 25-27, 2009 at the Grand Hyatt located across the street from TIA's headquarters, in Washington, DC. The forum not only serves as an important opportunity for tourism directors to address current issues and refine NCSTD's strategies and goals, but it is also timely for directors to gain valuable insight into TIA's critical programs and policy agenda for 2009. The forum also allows state directors to interact with senior TIA staff on key programs, such as, DiscoverAmerica.com, international strategy, public affairs initiatives, new research projects, and other TIA programs. Please mark your calendars for this important event. For more information, please contact James Brown at 202-408-2184 or jbrown@tia.org.

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ALABAMA Changes Name
Alabama's tourism promotion agency has changed its name to the Alabama Tourism Department, dropping the word "bureau" that had been a part of its name since 1951. Director Lee Sentell says it had been known since 1983 as the Bureau of Tourism & Travel.  "We are phasing in the name change as we update publications. We aren't making a big deal of it locally. People have referred to us as 'Alabama Tourism' for quite a while, so we are reflecting that reality." Sentell said the state's tourism industry has grown from $6.5 billion to approximately $10 billion since Bob Riley became governor in 2003.

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DiscoverAmerica.com Launches Internationally
DiscoverAmerica.com, the United States' first-ever official travel and tourism website, has been successfully launched with language-specific sites in the leading international travel markets.  The websites, powered by TIA, target consumers in the five countries that account for 75 percent of all inbound travel to the United States: Canada (English- and French-speaking), Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany.  Interactive content for all 50 states, the five territories, dozens of cities and attractions, and official entry information from U.S. government sources is presented in the native languages of each market. To learn more about DiscoverAmerica.com, contact 202-408-8422.

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State Participation Strong for Travel Leadership Summit - 26 States and Counting
Registrations are starting to roll in for this year's Travel Leadership Summit (TLS), September 24-25, and state delegation leaders are encouraged to send out invitations now to ensure that their delegates take advantage of the early registration fee of $95, good through August 25.  To date, 26 states will have representation at TLS.  To make sure that your state and interests are represented, or for more information, visit www.tia.org/tls.  To form a delegation or obtain invitations and other materials, contact Melissa Gong at mgong@tia.org. To register as a participant click here.

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Participation in Travel Counselor Training Program Encouraged
Does your state participate in the Travel Counselor Training Program?  The program is designed specifically for Travel Information/Welcome Centers to promote high quality travel information services nationwide.  The program encourages individual states to develop a certification program to enhance the personal efforts, skills and achievement of frontline travel counselors who are charged with advising travelers seeking assistance at travel information centers.  Endorsement of individual state travel counselor training programs is available exclusively to NCSTD members and/or the officially designated state entity responsible for the state travel/welcome information center program.  Click here to view enrollment guidelines and additional information on the endorsement program.  For more information contact James Brown at 202-408-2184 or jbrown@tia.org. 

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For a comprehensive listing of upcoming state and regional tourism conferences, industry meetings, conventions, and trade shows, check out TIA's online Meetings Calendar.

© 2008 Travel Industry Association.  All rights reserved.

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StateSide is the official e-newsletter of the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD), an industry council of the Travel Industry Association (TIA).  StateSide is a benefit of your NCSTD membership within TIA, produced by its National Councils Department.

The NCSTD is comprised of the tourism directors of the 50 states, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. For more information on NCSTD programs and activities, visit http://www.tia.org/councils/ncstd/index.html. Please direct comments or suggestions to James Brown, Director of State Relations at ncstd@tia.org  or 202.408.8422.

For information on TIA programs and activities, visit www.tia.org. 

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TIA EVENTS  

ESTO 2008
August 23 - 26
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Bonita Springs, Florida

TRAVEL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
September 24-25
Washington, DC

WORLD TOURISM DAY
September 27

MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM
October 27-30 Portland, OR

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 

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