Tourism directors attending this year’s NCSTD Spring Forum, February 27-29, will get a unique insight into TIA’s critical programs and policy agenda for 2008 as key staff discuss new public affairs and research initiatives, international strategy and the launch of DiscoverAmerica.com. In addition, participants will receive an in-depth analysis by the Research Task Force on the strengths and weaknesses of various collection tools for domestic and international visitor data.
Please make your reservation at the Grand Hyatt (1000 H Street, NW) by February 6, 2008, by calling 202-582-1234 or 800-233-1234 and referring to the NCSTD or Travel Industry Association meeting. The group room rate is $239 plus 14.5 % taxes.
For more information, please contact James Brown at 202-408-2184 or jbrown@tia.org.
Nominations Now Being Accepted for 2008 NCSTD Individual Achievement Awards
Nominations for the 2008 State Tourism Director of the Year and Trotter Special Service Award programs are now being accepted. These are two unique awards given by our council that recognize outstanding leadership in our segment of the travel industry. Nominations may be submitted by mail, fax or email and must be received by close of business March 7, 2008.
Details on the awards and the nominating process can be found at the following links:
These awards will be presented at ESTO 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida, in August.
Registration is Now Open for ESTO 2008
Make plans now to join your state tourism colleagues at ESTO 2008, August 23-26, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, FL. ESTO is the only national forum where professionals discuss fundamental and pressing issues affecting destination marketing. It employs a variety of knowledge transfer methods, such as, dynamic panel discussions, interactive breakouts and unmatched social networking. ESTO is a stimulant for loads of practical ideas that can enhance your career growth as well your organization’s effectiveness. Click here for more information.
60 Minutes Guest Joins TIA’s TravelCom Lineup
Forrester Research Vice President Charlene Li, a social computing expert and futurist who was recently interviewed on 60 Minutes, has joined Priceline President and CEO Jeffery Boyd; Michelle Peluso, President and CEO of Travelocity; Suzie Reider, Director of Advertising for YouTube and Henry Harteveldt, Vice President and Principal Analyst for Forrester in the speakers' lineup for TravelCom08 being held April 8 – 10, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. To register and reserve your spot to hear from these experts and many others go to www.TIA.org/TravelComreg. For general information, click here.
National Councils Add Two New Faces
Earlier this month, TIA announced the appointment of two new staff members to the National Councils Department. James Brown was named director of state relations, a position that had been vacant for a year due to budget constraints. For the past eight years, James served as director of business services for the Paperboard Packaging Council in Alexandria, Virginia. He will handle the day-to-day operations of the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) and the statewide travel industry associations. Patten Wood was named coordinator of council programs, replacing Kathleen Riley who recently became TIA’s manager of Web communications. Patten has worked for over a year as an intern in TIA’s research department and will complete his Masters in Tourism Administration from GW University in May. His primary focus will be with the National Council of Attractions (NCA) and National Council of Destination Organizations (NCDO). Both will report to Patty Hubbard, vice president of national councils.
First Policy Council Meeting Scheduled for March
The TIA Policy Council will hold its first meeting March 12-13 in Washington, DC. This group will define the public policy priorities, identify developing issues on which TIA will concentrate its efforts, and propose the position the travel community should take on complex public policies. The Policy Council is comprised of state tourism directors, convention and visitor bureau CEOs and government affairs representatives of corporations that serve on TIA’s Board of Directors. It will convene twice a year. In addition, monthly meetings with Washington-based representatives of Policy Council members will be held. The formation of the Council is a result of TIA’s increased commitment to public affairs.
Utilize NCSTD Listservs to Facilitate Peer-to-Peer Discussions
Knowledge transfer is a key component of the National Council of State Tourism Directors. NCSTD meetings do an excellent job of facilitating peer discussions and networking opportunities. However, an additional tool that can extend networking and communications beyond the meetings is the NCSTD listservs. Listservs have been established for the following function groups: state tourism directors, marketing/advertising, public relations, research, trade development, and information center managers.
These listservs are intended to provide a medium for rapid exchange of information, assistance, debate, and discussion within a peer group. Once a listserv thread has concluded, the information is summarized and place in the NCSTD Resource Center. This is a clearing house of our most-requested materials and your most needed resources. The NCSTD Resource Center contains summations of all listserv discussions, which have focused on such items as funding, ecotourism, surveys, reports, sample RFP’s, and budgets.
Please utilize your NCSTD Resource Center; it is a great source of information. We encourage you to participate in the listservs and please visit the NCSTD Resource Center often, as we are constantly adding materials. For more information visit TIA's National Councils or email ncstd@tia.org.
TIA/TBR Urge President Bush to Include Travel Promotion Act in Economic Stimulus Package
Travel industry leaders have called on President Bush to include the Travel Promotion Act (TPA) in an economic stimulus package. In a letter to the President, Jonathan M. Tisch, Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels and Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable, and Jay A. Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Chairman of the Travel Industry Association, highlighted the critical role that overseas travel to the United States can play in strengthening the American economy. Tisch and Rasulo also noted that the TPA would be funded by private industry and user fees on overseas visitors - requiring no taxpayer dollars. In addition to the significant economic benefits, a nationally coordinated program to communicate U.S. entry and security policies will have added public diplomacy benefits. For a copy of the letter, click here.
TIA/ GWU offer NCSTD Executive Development Courses
TIA, in an ongoing partnership with The George Washington University, continues to offer executive development courses and certifications. Your completed credits apply to one of four certificate programs in tourism.
On March 24 and 25, 2008, GWU offers a day and a half executive program titled, “Offline to Online Tourism Marketing.” Find out where you stand in the travel market space and learn how to attract more visitors and bookings to your site. This course will help to maximize opportunities with this cutting edge technology. Registrations can be completed at http://www.tia.org/MemberServices/education.html.
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 James Brown, Director of State Relations at ncstd@tia.org or 202.408.8422.
Please click here if you no longer want to receive Stateside.
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.
Please call 800-233-1234 and reference TIA or the National Council of State Tourism Directors Meeting to receive the group rate of $239 single/double, plus applicable local taxes (14.5%). Reserve by February 6, 2008, to receive the group rate.
International Pow Wow Las Vegas, Nevada
May 31 - June 4, 2008 - Celebrate the 40th Anniversary. For tips to maximize your PowWow, contact sdickson@tia.org.
ESTO 2008 Bonita Springs, Florida
August 23-26, 2008 - Celebrate 25 years of ESTO. Save the date!
Travel Leadership Summit
Washington, DC
September 24-25, 2008 -
Mark your calendars for the industry's highly effective event that demonstrates the power of travel.
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.
