NCSTD Strategic Plan for 2006-2008

The National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD), an industry council of the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), is comprised of the tourism directors of the 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia.

Strategic Goals

1.Develop and implement a program that identifies regional and national tourism issues and influence public policy accordingly

• Identify and prioritize issues on a regular basis
• Develop a position paper on selected issues
• Develop a legislative action plan and track progress
• Establish a system to communicate the Council's position, including through a program of effective alliances with affiliated groups: NGA and NCSL among others
• Benchmark the effectiveness of the public policy influence program

2.Provide learning opportunities that will increase the professionalism and effectiveness of STOs

• Establish ESTO as the premier educational forum for STDs
• Continue to develop the professional development sections
• Enhance Open Forum and have more interactive travel director discussion sessions for problem-solving
• Improve the orientation program (current Buddy System)
• Create a network of mentors by compiling a directory of experts and resources and scheduling as-needed "hot topic" conference calls on issues specific to the needs of STDs—management, among others
• Benchmark the effectiveness of the above efforts

3.Enhance external and internal information sharing

• Continue existing programs (listserv, resource center, etc.)
• Streamline the listserv response process:
1.Responses go only to inquirer and TIA staff
2.TIA staff compiles and sends email with link to results
3.Publish recaps of questions with links in Stateside