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Become an Advocate for
Travel,
by Timothy Schneider,
Publisher, Association News
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 Los
Angeles, CA – May 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Association
meetings create 59 million overnight stays in hotel rooms annually. Travel
to association meetings and conventions helps fuel the airline and rental
car industries. Destination marketing organizations rely on the association
sector to drive visitation and deliver economic impact in cities large
and small. For these reasons, associations representing a wide variety
of industries and professions should join with their destination and travel
industry partners to support National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7–13.
Indeed, advocating for the travel industry is a way to help ensure the
health and vitality of your association’s meetings and conventions.
The
U.S. Travel Association suggests the following ways to get involved with
National Travel and Tourism Week:
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Rally
for travel. Many cities around the country will host Travel Rally Day
events on May 9. Seek one out and share your association’s story as it
relates to travel with local lawmakers, travel workers and industry supporters.
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Get
social. Social media is an effective way to spread the word as well
as be part of the many conversations that are taking place during the week.
Include #NTTW17 in your social media posts in support of the travel industry.
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Get
the travel angle into the news. Write about how travel affects the
health of your association in a guest column for your local newspaper or
for your organization’s website or publication. Would your association
meet its annual revenue targets if members did not travel to your meetings
and trade show? Such information provides compelling arguments on the importance
of travel.
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Honor
travel workers. Front-line travel-industry employees should be recognized
for their dedication and achievements. Consider including an appreciation
for the role they play in creating successes for your association as part
of your involvement with National Travel and Tourism Week.
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Contact
your Congressional representatives. Fostering a relationship with the
elected representatives from wherever your association is headquartered
helps set the stage for conversations about the importance of your association
and the role travel plays in your organization’s health. Meet with them
and their staffs regularly and be sure to ask them to support pro-travel
policies. And always remember to thank them for their support.
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Support
the Power of Travel Coalition. This coalition is the grassroots army
working to defend and strengthen travel in the United States. The Power
of Travel Coalition works with everyone whose livelihood depends on
a healthy travel industry to champion, protect and improve travel. Learn
how you can support the coalition by visiting TravelCoalition.org.
We hope
your upcoming travel plans will include Atlantic City, New Jersey, June
28–29 for Meetings Quest, the
nation’s longest-running series of educational and networking events for
meeting planners. For more information, please
see the ad on page 25, call 877-577-3700 or visit MeetingsQuest.com.
|
 Timothy
Schneider is the publisher of Association
News and SportsTravel
magazines, which serve group travel planners responsible for generating
156 million hotel room nights annually. Schneider
Publishing also organizes Meetings
Quest, America's longest-running series of trade shows for meeting
planners, and the TEAMS Conference
& Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers.
TEAMS ’17 will be held October 30–November 2, 2017, in Orlando, Florida.
For further information on advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please
call toll-free 877-577-3700 or 310-577-3700 if calling from outside the
United States.
The
current issue of Association
News can be viewed in digital format online by clicking
here.
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Media
Contact:
Timothy
Schneider
310-577-3700
Schneider
Publishing Company, Inc. |
