News from NTA- March 2010
Welcome to the March edition of NTA News—your source for information on NTA activities as well as travel industry news.
With the most diverse membership of any travel association and our proven ability to expand markets for our members, NTA is the place for travel professionals looking to increase business. Contact NTA's Lori Rempe to learn more about membership and the programs and services covered in this newsletter by calling 800.682.8886, ext. 3579 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.219.3579. And, if you'd prefer not to receive this update, please let us know. 
"I know for a fact that through the partnerships, the networking, the new ideas and knowledge-sharing, NTA has made a significant difference in the way I do business and, more importantly, in my bottom line."
-Catherine M. Greteman
NTA Chairman and CEO
Star Destinations Inc.
Carroll, Iowa
NTA Member Since 2000
ARTICLE HEADLINES
Join Cuban Officials, Colleagues at U.S.-Cuba Travel Summit
Mark Your Calendar for Convention 2010 (Nov. 13-17)
NTA's CTP Program Offers Convenient Professional Development
Expand Exposure in NTA-endorsed Group Leader Publication
Connect with Members 24/7 on NTA's P2P Web Site
A Word of Thanks From a Tourism Cares Scholarship Recipient
Reach 1,500 Tour Operators in NTA's Member Directory
Join Cuban Officials, Colleagues at U.S.-Cuba Travel Summit 
NTA is helping put you first in line to develop business when travel to Cuba is open to U.S. residents, make sure you are in Cancun, Mexico, March 24-26, for the U.S.-Cuba Travel Summit. Because of current U.S. travel restrictions preventing you from going to Cuba yourself, this will be your only chance for private one-on-one discussions with Cuban officials and travel experts. You will leave with the contacts and information you need to meet consumer desire to travel to Cuba when the travel ban is lifted. For NTA member and non-member rates or to register, click here.
Sponsor at the U.S.-Cuba Travel Summit and you can have direct access to Cuban travel officials, including a private dinner for sponsors and Cuban officials on the opening night of the Summit. Click here to see what sponsorships are available.
Mark Your Calendar for Convention 2010 (Nov. 13-17) 
Convention '10 is designed to bring NTA members together to create new buying and selling opportunities. In fact, 100 NTA tour operator buyers told us in a recent survey that NTA is the only trade show they attend each year!
Mark your calendars to take full advantage of Convention '10 in Montréal, Québec, Nov. 13-17 where you'll find:
- diverse suppliers and destinations
- a global network of partners
- qualified buyers
- enhanced ROI
Registration opens on April 6 and space fills up fast. Join before April to make sure your company is among those doing business in Montréal. Click here to see what is already planned for Convention '10 or explore the successes of Convention '09. See you in Montréal!
NTA's CTP Program Offers Convenient Professional Development 
As a busy professional, you need a certification program that provides quality and convenience at a cost that won't break the bank. NTA's Certified Tour Professional program does all of that by bringing the classroom to you.
With all the content you need posted online, the CTP program allows you to work through the different sections at your own pace and around your busy schedule. The three courses in the tour and packaged travel-focused certification cover management and leadership, sales and marketing as well as financial management.
NTA's CTP program, designed by a collection of your travel industry peers with the help of Temple University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, can make a difference in your career and credibility in the industry. To learn more about obtaining your CTP designation, contact NTA Communications and Marketing Administrative Assistant Andrea Richardson. NTA members receive discounted rates on their CTP registration, so ask about joining when you call and check out the money you'll save!
Expand Exposure in NTA-endorsed Group Leader Publication 
One of the many benefits of membership in NTA is the number of advertising and sponsorship opportunities you have to increase your company's exposure across many market segments. NTA's 2010 Edition of the Trip Planner for group leaders (publishing in August 2010) is one example. This unique publication offers a great opportunity to have your product/destination/service in front of 20,000 actively planning group leaders and NTA tour operators.
Suppliers and DMOs are encouraged to promote themselves in the Trip Planner through display advertising. NTA operators rank group leaders as the #1 distribution channel that they would like to continue to grow in the future. Tour operator members have the opportunity to purchase a listing in the Tour Operator Directory portion of the publication, which includes your company's contact information, 75 words of text and a 4-color logo.
Contact an NTA advertising coordinator at 800.682.8886, ext. 4241 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4241 advertising@NTAstaff.com for more information and to reserve your space.
Connect with Members 24/7 on NTA's P2P Web Site 
The NTA Partner2Partner program is an online business community that connects NTA members year-round. Business doesn't stop and neither should NTA member's access to their business partners!
The Partner2Partner Web site facilitates member-to-member collaboration in a way that is easy, flexible and most importantly, free. Whether it's promoting a last-minute deal, or seeking a partner for an upcoming tour, NTA's P2P connects members and keeps the business moving!
The beauty of this online business community is that:
- No business transactions take place on the P2P Web site. NTA simply facilitates the partnership. How and when business happens is completely up to each member.
- P2P is a member benefit. Each member, regardless of category, receives three complimentary postings. We hope to be able to add an option for members who want to purchase additional postings in the future.
Want to keep your business going 24/7? Contact NTA about becoming a member so you can put this business tool to work for you.
A Word of Thanks From a Tourism Cares Scholarship Recipient 
NTA's official philanthropy is Tourism Cares, an organization dedicated to giving back through restoration and education. Each year, NTA members through various donations and fundraising efforts help provide scholarship money to young tourism professionals in the making. Here's a thank you from a recent Tourism Cares scholarship recipient who participated in the student mentoring program at NTA's 2009 Convention in Reno:
"I am truly thankful and honored to have received the Tourism Cares, ASTA Princess Cruise Line scholarship. These funds are helping me tremendously as I work to put myself through college in order to become a hospitality professional. I was given the amazing opportunity to travel to Reno for the NTA national conference," said Pamela Johnson of Purdue University.
"While I was there, I participated in every activity and opportunity that I possibly could. From bowling to receptions to summits with mentors to welcoming guests to the Tourism Rocks dance party, I took advantage of every opportunity available and enjoyed each moment. My favorite part was meeting so many people with such a strong passion for the hospitality and tourism industry, especially my mentors from Anaheim, California CVB; Cape Cod Chambers of Commerce; Mayflower Tours; and Celtic Dream Tours. Everyone welcomed us as students and tried to make a special effort to take us under their wings and tell us as much as they could about tourism.
"Since my return to the Purdue campus, I have had countless professors ask me to speak about my experiences. I have highly recommended future NTA conferences and the tourism industry to many of my fellow colleagues. Thank you again to everyone who made this event possible and for giving me this great opportunity."
In 2009, thanks to the generous donors who contributed to establish the American Society of Travel Agents and NTA scholarship funds, Tourism Cares awarded a total of 66 scholarships totaling more than $76,800 to undergraduate students, 18 to graduate level students, and six to professional development students. The impact of these scholarships has had a wide reach as these students, who are primarily studying travel and tourism, or hospitality, represent 46 different schools across the United States and Canada.
CAPTION: Tourism Cares Scholarship recipient Pamela Johnson talks to Ted Bravos, CEO of ITMI, at NTA's Convention '09.
Reach 1,500 Tour Operators in NTA's Member Directory
NTA's Membership Directory is an annual resource used by NTA tour operators for itinerary planning and researching company contact information. Your company can place a display advertisement in your geographic area/state.
Additionally, if your company chooses to become a member by March 22nd, then you would receive a FREE listing which you can upgrade for a minimal cost with logo and highlighted text. Listings/advertisements will appear in both the printed and online versions.
87percent of NTA Tour Operators state they use the Membership Directory in their day-to-day job.
Book your space by March 17, 2010 and save 10 percent. Material Deadline is March 26, 2010
Please contact Kelley Burchell at +1.859.226.4241 for sizing and pricing options.