In May, Dan Rowe stepped down as deputy commissioner of the Georgia Tourism Division. Charlie Gatlin has subsequently been named deputy commissioner for tourism and marketing and will oversee the activities of the tourism division. Gatlin is also responsible for the Department of Economic Development's marketing and communications division.
After three years as deputy director of the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, David Bahlman has accepted a position in the private sector out of the tourism and hospitality industry. His last day of employment with the State of Maryland was May 28.
The Empire State Development Corporation has appointed Thomas Ranese as Chief Marketing Officer. He is responsible for all marketing activities for the State of New York including tourism.
Amir Eylon has been appointed director of the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism effective June 27th. Eylon leaves his position as executive vice president of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association to return to the tourism office where he served for five and a half years as assistant tourism director. Jim Greenhalge, who had been serving as interim director, left the tourism office at the end of May.
The NCSTD Professional Development Sections are finalizing their programming for the concurrent breakouts at ESTO. The NCSTD Public Relations Professional Development Section (PR PDS) confirmed Veronica Stoddart, USA TODAY's Deputy Managing Editor for Travel, for the Thursday afternoon session at 1:45 p.m. She will address the future of working with new travel media. The PR PDS is also fiinalizing additional programming for Friday and Saturday afternoon. The online program will be updated with more details as they become available.
The 2nd Annual Travel Leadership Summit will be held September 26-27 in Washington, D.C. While the inaugural event in 2006 was a great success and was pivotal in moving Congress to roll back the deadline for new passport requirements outlined in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, this year's event will be even more critical. This year's increased advocacy focus has resulted in the introduction of several pieces of legislation that, if adopted, would reform the visa process, improve our entry systems for international visitors, and create a sustainable program to fund a U.S. promotion campaign aimed at international travelers.
It will be critical for the industry to take a vocal, united stand in Washington to urge Congress to pass this legislation this year. State tourism offices are asked to support this effort by organizing concurrent receptions and dinners for their respective Congressional delegates on the evening of September 26 at the Travel Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Details outlining how to participate have been sent to all tourism directors and are also available at www.tia.org/TLS. Additional information will be forthcoming. Any questions should be directed to Patty Hubbard at phubbard@tia.org or 202-408-2147.
The NCSTD Nominating Committee has announced that the 2007 nominees for State Tourism Director of the Year are: Margie Emmermann, Arizona; Lynn Minges, North Carolina; and Bud Nocera, Florida. According to Nancy Landess (Iowa), chair of the Nominating Committee, "While there are many deserving candidates, three stood out this year. Each of this year's nominees has remarkable accomplishments, and the committee is honored to put their names forward as this year's nominees." Tourism directors have been sent via email supporting statements for each candidate along with a ballot for casting a vote. Ballots must be returned to TIA's National Councils Department by cob EDST on July 10. Don't forget to make plans to attend ESTO in Phoenix, Arizona, where the 2007 State Tourism Director of the Year will be announced and honored. Contact Kathleen at kriley@tia.org with any questions.
TIA has entered into a two-year, $3.9 million cooperative agreement with the Department of Commerce to research, design, develop, implement and market multi-language destination marketing Web sites for the U.S. in five (5) chosen markets: UK, Japan, Canada, Germany and Mexico. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 5 U.S. territories will be included on the site and each will have its own page including an in-depth overview, photos, videos, travel articles, state brochure and top 10 things to do and see. Links will also be provided to destinations and attractions located within the state/territory.
A request was sent last week to state tourism directors via email to provide the following for use on the Web site: state overview; travel articles; tops 10 things to do and see; contact information and link; state brochure; video; and royalty free photos. Please send the content via email to statecontent@tia.org (each email limited to 50MB - please ZIP attached files) or put the content on CDs and mail it to: Rebecca Pearson - TIA, 1100 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC, 20005. Please direct any questions to Rebecca at rpearson@tia.org or 202.408.2145.
According to Forrester Research, about a third of American travelers who research trips via the Web read reviews written by fellow travelers. Of those who book hotels online, a third has changed plans based on other travelers' comments. A new survey by online market researchers Compete, Inc., shows that 56% of respondents consider consumer generated content to be credible, versus 36% who trust descriptions created by travel suppliers.
Despite rising gasoline prices, recreational vehicle owners say they plan to use their RVs more this spring and summer than they did last year, according to the latest biannual Campfire Canvas survey of RV owners conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. The survey indicates that 76% of RV owners intend to use their RVs more this spring and summer than last year, and 20% plan to use theirs about the same. Only 4% said they will use their RVs less. Nearly half (48%) said fuel costs will not affect their RV travel plans.
TIA's membership department is launching a mid-year membership drive with the Member-Get-A-Member Campaign. Current members who refer potential members are entered into a drawing for two round trip tickets on United, United Air or Ted (some restrictions apply). Any employee of a member in good standing can make a referral and multiple referrals are entered in the drawing multiple times. For more information on this campaign, please visit http://www.tia.org/MemberServices/MbrGetMbr.html. The program runs through August.
For a comprehensive listing of upcoming state and regional tourism conferences, industry meetings, conventions, and trade shows, check out TIA's online Meetings Calendar.
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 free service of TIA, produced by its National Councils Department under the direction of Patty Hubbard, Vice President, National Councils. You receive this communication as a benefit of your NCSTD membership within TIA. Please direct comments or suggestions to Kathleen Riley, Manager, Council Programs at 202.408.8422.
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The National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD), an industry council of the Travel Industry Association (TIA), is comprised of the tourism directors of the 50 states, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The mission of the NCSTD is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and leadership on travel industry issues impacting states and territories. For more information on NCSTD programs and activities, visit http://www.tia.org/councils/ncstd/index.html.
The Travel Industry Association (TIA), in existence since 1941, is:
The Washington DC based, non-profit association that represents and speaks for the common interests and concerns of all components of the U.S. travel industry;
The recognized leader in promoting and facilitating increased travel to and within the United States in order to make America the world's number one tourism destination; and
The authoritative and recognized source of research, analysis and forecasting for the entire industry and its primary spokesperson to the domestic and international media.
For information on TIA programs and activities, visit www.tia.org. For additional consumer destination information, visit www.seeamerica.org.
Visit TIA's TravelMarketingSearch.com for immediate access to a broad array of products and services listings that will aid TIA members in their purchasing decisions.
TIA members get one year of free, unlimited job postings and resume access on the only comprehensive online job board in the travel industry, GetATravelJob.com. Follow the link to learn more.
For more information about TIA, go to www.tia.org.
