This Issue:

• Beteta Begins Tenure as TIA National Chair
• Results of Listserv Inquiry on Boards/Commissions
• TLS Needs Your Leadership
• State Tourism Director of the Year Finalists Announced
• ESTO Update
• TIA Engaged on Domestic Air Travel Issues
• NCSTD Listserv Guidelines
• Inside the States

BETETA BEGINS TENURE AS TIA NATIONAL CHAIR
On April 9 at the TIA Board of Directors meeting in Chicago, Caroline Beteta, executive director of the California Travel and Tourism Commission, became the first state tourism director to serve as national chair of the Travel Industry Association.  She is only the third state director to hold this position in TIA and its predecessor organizations.  In the 1970s Frank Hildebrand of Texas and Joe Horan of New York served as national chairs of the Discover America Travel Organizations (DATO).  Caroline has outlined the following three priorities on which she will focus during her term:  expanding TIA's public affairs focus, ensuring the success of DiscoverAmerica.com, and becoming the champion of travel and the traveler.  She will also continue to position travel and tourism as an economic engine for local, state and national economies.  Commenting on her appointment, NCSTD chair Joe David Rice said, "The NCSTD is delighted with Caroline's selection as TIA's chair.  Not only has she demonstrated her extraordinary leadership skills in California, Caroline comes to the position with years of DC experience under her belt.  The membership will be well served."

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RESULTS OF LISTSERV INQUIRY ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
A recent inquiry on the state tourism directors' listserv sought information about the existence of, size and scope of tourism boards.  At press time, 12 states had responded to the inquiry.  All of the respondents reported the existence of such a body, whether it was called a board, commission, council or by some other name.  In 11 states, the body is appointed by the Governor.  In one, the Governor appoints half the members and the other half is equally appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.  The number of members sitting on these boards range from five to 35 with an average of just under 20.  Half of the respondents reported that the members served three-year terms while the others reported ranges from four to six years.  Seven states reported that the boards serve in an advisory capacity, three set policy and assist with strategy plans, and three have governance responsibilities in terms of hiring and approving the budget and marketing plan.  Louisiana reported having two bodies; one purely advisory and one with governance responsibilities.  For a more detailed summary of the results, please visit the NCSTD Resource Center  To add your state's information to help form a more complete picture of state tourism boards, please send your information to James Brown at jbrown@tia.org.

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TLS NEEDS YOUR LEADERSHIP
In a recent letter, NCSTD Chair Joe David Rice encouraged state tourism directors to lead their state delegations for this year's upcoming Travel Leadership Summit, planned for September 24-25.  He noted that TIA is planning an event that is mindful of the limited time and resources of state tourism directors. Briefings will take place in the morning of September 25 with optional dinners or receptions the night before. Additionally, there is the option of pulling together regional events. Joe David is asking that everyone make a commitment by May 16 by contacting Melissa Gong at (202) 408-2137. If you're not able to make a commitment, recommendations for alternate leaders for your state would be greatly appreciated.

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NCSTD STATE TOURISM DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS SELECTED
The 2008 NCSTD Nominating Committee has selected three tourism directors from among the candidates submitted whose names will be advanced for the 2008 State Tourism Director of the Year Award.  The finalists are:  Margie Emmermann (Arizona), Lynn Minges (North Carolina), and Chad Prosser (South Carolina).  The Nominating Committee wishes to thank those who submitted nominees.  "Although a challenge to select only three from many deserving candidates, the committee is honored to put forth the names of such proven and accomplished leaders as Margie, Lynn and Chad."  Background information on each candidate along with a ballot on which to cast a vote will be sent to all tourism directors shortly.  For more information on this award, click State Tourism Director of the Year Award. 

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ESTO 2008 UPDATE
This year's program is shaping up to be another blockbuster.  The General Sessions will inform, entertain and challenge your thinking; the Concurrent Sessions will provide new techniques and tactics that you can implement at home; and the peer-to-peer meetings will offer valuable one-to-one information exchange.  In addition, you will have an opportunity to experience the ambiance that makes southwestern Florida a unique destination.  And, you won't want to miss the closing awards gala whose theme this year is Margaritaville—It's Five O'Clock Somewhere.  For more information and to register, click ESTO 2008.

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TIA ENGAGED ON DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL ISSUES
In a recent press release, TIA called on the three remaining presidential candidates to issue detailed plans to improve the air travel process during their term in office.  On behalf of millions of frustrated travelers and an increasingly concerned private sector, TIA pledged to lead a broader discussion on the need for comprehensive reforms and detail the profound consequences of inaction. To read the full press release click here.

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NCSTD LISTSERV GUIDELINES
TIA and the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) host six electronic discussion listservs for state tourism office staff. The listservs is to provide a medium for rapid exchange of information, assistance, debate, and discussion of professional issues among state tourism office staff. The listservs overlaps with our NCSTD Professional Development Sections; the function areas that qualify for participation are State Tourism Directors, Marketing/Advertising, Public Relations, Research, Travel Information/Welcome Centers, and Travel Trade.  Each month listservs are summarized and posted on the NCSTD Resource Center.  NCSTD maintains a resource center for state tourism directors.  This is a clearing house of resources ranging from general information to RFP's to NCSTD sponsored research. Make sure that your eligible staff is signed up for the listserv.  Direct all inquiries to James Brown.

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Inside the States

District of Columbia - Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for Washington, D.C., has launched a new brand strategy to promote the city and bolster its largest private-sector industry--travel and tourism. The strategy is being launched with a $2 million integrated marketing campaign that includes television, online, print and outdoor advertising and guerilla marketing. The brand invites travelers to create their own power trips in D.C. Commercials will run in the Washington region and on cable for summer and weekend travel, including New York, Pittsburgh and Raleigh in May.  Print ads will run in major publications throughout the summer as well.

FLORIDA - A final state budget unveiled April 28 includes nearly $36 million for VISIT FLORIDA.  That translates into a nearly seven percent increase in a year when the Florida legislature will cut overall state spending by almost ten percent.  The roughly $2 million increase is substantially short of the $10 million boost Florida's tourism industry had been seeking at the start of the year – and which Governor Crist included in his recommended budget.  However, it is far more than some lawmakers proposed earlier in the session.

NEW JERSEY - The New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism this week debuted the state's new multifaceted spring advertising campaign. Two new television commercials take center stage in a media mix featuring radio, billboards and the Internet. The ads will be splashed across the Eastern seaboard--from Toronto to Roanoke, Va., and from Cincinnati to Long Island. Theme of the campaign is "Great Destinations in Any Direction."

SOUTH CAROLINA - South Carolina is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its state parks with activities encouraging visitors to "Come Out and Play."  The celebration runs for a year through next April. An estimated 7 million people visit South Carolina's 47 state parks each year. (Special to TA)

VIRGINIA -The Virginia Tourism Corporation has launched what it calls the "Passionality" travel Web site, which uses the latest technology to help travelers discover "their true inner personalities," defined by heir personal passions for wine, music, heritage, outdoor adventure and other travel experiences, which, of course, are available in Virginia. The Web site matches the best experiences in Virginia with the visitor's passionality.

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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 DEADLINES

Mercury Awards      Friday, May 9, 2008

DestinyAwards         Friday, May 16, 2008

Odyssey Awards
Monday, June 16, 2008

TIA EVENTS  

IPW 08
May 31 -  June 4    Las Vegas, Nevada

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

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 

EXPLORATORY MISSIONS

TRADE EVENTS