August 2009 Board Meeting Update
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The NTA Board of Directors held its fourth meeting of the year August 22 and 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The majority of the meeting time was devoted to the board's review of the 2010 draft budget. Other action conducted by the board included:
NTA Event in Seville, Spain; April 14-17, 2010
The board approved plans to restructure the former NTA Tour Operator Spring Meet into an event that brings greater value to operators, suppliers and destinations. All members will be invited to attend the business/networking/education event, which will be held in Seville, Spain, and will showcase inbound, outbound and domestic product.
The conference will include a one-day marketplace where buyers (including NTA tour operators and international guest buyers) can shop and develop product from exhibiting suppliers and destinations. Sellers attending the event have the chance to purchase a display that allows them to participate in the marketplace. The conference also will include education and sightseeing in Seville, and buyers can participate in a pre-event Product Development Trip.
NTA will work with strategic partners such as the Africa Travel Association, International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, Indian Association of Tour Operators and the National Association of Career Travel Agents to bring a diverse group of buyers and sellers to the event.
2009 Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
The board also approved Ruth McKinney as the recipient of this year's Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award. McKinney, formerly of Good Will Tours, served on the NTA Board for three years and remained actively involved with NTA through volunteer committee service over the years. McKinney also was the president of the National Tour Foundation (now Tourism Cares). McKinney will be honored during Convention '09 at the Sunday, Nov. 15, business meeting luncheon.
Japan Travel Trade Barometer
The board committed to support the Japan Travel Trade Barometer, a study produced by the Travel Market Insights and the U.S. Department of Commerce/Office of Travel and Tourism Industries. This partnership will enable NTA to offer this invaluable research to its members on the Japanese market inbound to the United States.