July 2012 NTA News
NTA News is a compilation of stories from Tuesday newsletter, which NTA members receive each week.
Questions about NTA? Contact us today. We'd love to have you join us.
JULY 2012 Top Stories
Industry & Association News
We're Excited for You!
Blast Off! U.S. Astronaut to Open Travel Exchange
A $3-Million Week
Want to See Who's Registered for Travel Exchange?
Sightseeing Tours for Travel Exchange 2013 Are Here!
Snack with the Tour Operators in Orlando
Increase Business Profits and Reduce Expenses
Tourism Cares Intern to Serve NTA in D.C.
How Pinterest Can Pique Your Clients' Interest
Our members want to do business with you! And NTA provides those opportunities for members to connect, meet each other and work together:
- face-to-face at NTA's Business Builder events like Travel Exchange and Contact.
- online, with 24/7 access to the member directory (downloadable leads lists are free to members) and the Partner2Partner business community on NTA Online.
- through association publications, including NTA's monthly magazine, Courier; weekly e-newsletter, Tuesday; annual membership directory and specialty publications
- through strategic partnerships and programs with other associations from around the globe.
We're so excited about what NTA can do for your business, which makes us wonder ... Why aren't you a member of NTA? Is it because ...
You don't feel like you have money in the budget? If so, please check out our blog for member stories of how they've increased their business by thousands through their membership. Plus, NTA provides avenues—like our NTA Corporate Partner discounts—that can pay for your membership. Here's an overview of your ROI here.
You don't know who NTA is? Then, let us introduce ourselves! Simply put, if you are buying from or selling to any segment of the North American travel market, then you need to be a part of NTA. NTA (the National Tour Association) is people—1,500 tour operators, 600 destinations and 1,500 tour suppliers—just like you, who have all chosen NTA as their avenue for expanding their businesses. When people network, share expertise and form partnerships, their businesses can grow exponentially. And that's what NTA is all about. You can learn more about us here.
Hmmm... other than that, we can't think of any other reasons you wouldn't belong to NTA! So, come on, join now so you can come to Travel Exchange, meet your next industry partner and increase your business!
Blast Off! U.S. Astronaut to Open Travel Exchange
It's official! Former NASA Astronaut and U.S. Marine Robert Springer is the keynote speaker for the Opening Ceremony at this year's Travel Exchange 2013!
During Springer's nine-year term at NASA, he flew on two space-crafts, Discovery and Atlantis, both launched from the Kennedy Space Center near Orlando, Florida. Upon completing his second mission, he had logged more than 237 hours in space.
Now retired from air and space travel, Springer works as the Director of Quality Systems, Integrated Defense Systems at The Boeing Company.
Come to Travel Exchange and listen to Springer share his view on the world of travel, Monday Jan. 21, 2013! Read his bio here.
Two Shows. One Price. A World of Opportunities. Become an NTA member, then register for Travel Exchange today!
New on the Do Big Things blog is an extension of the August Courier's (NTA's monthly magazine) Business Builder Buzz, which features a Q&A with Aniseh Dalju of Destination America.
In the blog post, Aniseh explains what went into making "A $3-Million Week," and there are 11 tips on building better business relationships. Check out the blog post to learn why you should "be out there," and please be sure to add your own comments and tips!
Speaking of being out there, be sure to connect with us on Twitter and the NTA and Courier Facebook pages (all great ways to see what will be happening during Contact), and on Linkedin, where you'll find active discussions on family travel, serving Chinese tourists, and building business during challenging economic times.
Want to See Who's Registered for Travel Exchange?
Check out who has already signed up for Travel Exchange:
These are the people who have saved up to $200 by signing up during Early Bird registration. Smart, right? If you want to take advantage of the lower rates, there's still time! Early Bird registration runs through Aug. 24. But that's just a little more than three weeks for tour operators to save $110 and tour suppliers and DMOs to save $200 on registration (and get better appointments). You know you're coming ... why not join NTA now so you can come to Travel Exchange for less?
Join your colleagues for the biggest event of the year—Travel Exchange, Jan. 20-24, in Orlando, Florida.
Remember, you have to be an NTA member to register! To join NTA, call +1.859.264.6540 or 800.682.8886, e-mail us, or visit NTAonline.com.
Sightseeing Tours for Travel Exchange 2013 Are Here!
Travel Exchange sightseeing tours are now open for registration! There's something for everyone this January in Orlando. We've got tours lined up for nature enthusiasts, adrenaline seekers, "just for fun" fans, and last but not least, our cultural friends; we're sure you'll find something to fit your groove! Check out the full list of tours below and be sure to check out the Travel Exchange sightseeing page for an in-depth look at:
- "Putt" Yourself Into a Golfer's Dream
- We Shopped 'Til We Dropped!
- Beautiful Winter Park
- Paradise, Perennials and Playwrights
- Where Our Wild Things Are
- Get the Juicy Scoop about Orlando's Past
- You Fly? We Fly? iFLY?
- Test your Limits Orlando-Style!
- Hang On Then Hang Out
Space is limited, and you have to be an NTA member and registered for Travel Exchange to join in all the fun! To join NTA, call +1.859.264.6540 or 800.682.8886, e-mail us, or visit NTAonline.com.
Snack with the Tour Operators in Orlando
If you've ever attended an NTA convention, you know the refreshments area on the floor is one hoppin' place.
Want to get in on the buzz in this area? Sponsor a refreshment booth to ensure your company's premium visibility and exposure! For $7,500, you'll receive a 10' by 20' booth in the refreshments area to distribute tasty treats and goodies to Travel Exchange attendees. These goodies can be unique treats that represent your destination or travel product. A refreshment booth is a great way to showcase your company, plus you'll receive other great benefits and promotions!
Interested in learning more about sponsoring a refreshment in Orlando? Contact Karla DiNardo by e-mail or call 859.264.6556 today! Or, click here to learn more about additional sponsorship opportunities.
Increase Business Profits and Reduce Expenses
Capital One, NTA'S Corporate Partner, offers discounted rates on credit card processing services to NTA members. Capital One Bank helps NTA members increase their business profits and reduce expenses through payment acceptance.
"At Capital One Merchant services we want to make all of your processing needs hassle free. As an NTA corporate sponsor, we value your business and will make sure we give each customer the best service and products in the industry today."
—Matthew Landers, Capital One Merchant Services Senior Vice President
- No underwriting fees
- Transparent and competitive rates
- Gift and loyalty card programs to help increase your sales and repeat systems
- Ability to utilize your existing equipment and interface with major POS systems
- No annual or monthly minimum fees
- 24-hour customer support
- PCI Compliance program
Take advantage of this membership perk and increase your bottom line. Join NTA today!
Visit NTA Online to see all the Corporate Partner discounts!
Tourism Cares Intern to Serve NTA in D.C.
Tourism Cares—NTA's official philanthropic organization—has named Samantha Hogenson as recipient of the 2012 NTA Mayflower Tours Patrick Murphy Internship. A recent graduate of Missouri State University, Hogenson gained industry experience working at Walt Disney World Resort and the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. This fall, Hogenson will begin her internship at the NTA Public Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., where she will research issues and prospective policies that affect the travel and tourism industries.
If your office is interested in finding an unpaid or paid intern to help with any special project that needs fresh energy and perspective, Tourism Cares offers an intern matching service through the organization's Intern In Tourism job board. This board has more than 500 pre-qualified travel, tourism and hospitality students seeking internships nationwide. For more information on first steps for getting an intern this fall, contact Amanda D'Aiuto, student program manager at Tourism Cares.
How Pinterest Can Pique Your Clients' Interest
Pinterest, the social media site, is an effective avenue for promoting your company or destination to both consumers and to other businesses. This article in Social Media Examiner lists seven tips for promoting yourself; they include posting images of your product, guide books and examples of your business's community service. (And while we like the idea of Tip #5, showing "what happens behind the walls of your company," we advise caution with its implementation!)
The best piece of advice in the article is in Tip #3, Engage Your Fans: The primary focus needs to be making your fans feel special and getting them to share your pins, comment on them and like them. "Selling your products directly should only be your secondary focus."
Follow this link for all seven Pinterest tips.
For more business information and tips like these delivered to your inbox weekly, call +1.859.264.6540 or 800.692.8886, e-mail us, or visit NTAonline.com to join NTA.