Courier December Courier | Page 12

BUSINESS InBrief NEWS AND NOTES ABOUT YOUR ASSOCIATION AND THE INDUSTRY COMPILED BY PAT HENDERSON ’Tis the season to renew your NTA membership Fresh off successful fall work projects in Providence, Rhode Island, in September and Toronto in October, Tourism Cares has announced the sites for its 2018 volunteer events. NTA’s official philanthropic organization will provide the tourism community with a very tangible way to help out with disaster assistance next year, as its North American projects will include continuing efforts months—and years—later. As we take time this month to gather with friends and family, remember to keep the NTA community with you year- round by renewing your membership. You should’ve received your invoice in the mail last month, and dues payments must be returned by Jan. 31. Your membership includes a range of benefits, including: Tourism Cares for South Florida (May 10–11) Hurricane Irma devastated Florida this fall, and volunteers will be able to help keep the recovery going in this popular region. Tourism Cares for New Orleans (Sept. 20–21) Thirteen years after Hurricane Katrina struck the city, and 15 years after the first Tourism Cares volunteer program, industry profes- sionals will head back to the Crescent City. Tourism Cares’ first event of the year will take industry professionals to Jordan from February 23 to 28. In addition to the volunteer project, the event will include other social impact experiences, as well as educational programs and networking opportunities with local tourism professionals. To learn more about any of the projects or to register, go to tourismcares.org. During Travel Exchange, visit the Tourism Cares booth Thursday–Sunday to give back to San Antonio. Through Tourism Cares’ partnership with Clean the World, TREX attendees can help assemble personal hygiene kits that will be given to area homeless shelters and food pantries. The donation of 1,000 kits will provide more than $15,000 in charitable time and value to our host city. GROUP Tourism Cares projects for 2018 revealed • Online access to a database of trusted partners • Travel Exchange, Contact, product development trips and Meet-ups Todd Probus, NTA Member Solutions Manager • Education and market insights to keep you on top of your game • Courier, Trip Planner and Tuesday e-newsletter • Discounts on Corporate Partner products and services • Inclusion in printed and online member directories • Options to serve on a leadership advisory group “There are many ways to make your membership work for you, and I’m here to help you do it,” said Todd Probus, NTA’s mem- ber solutions manager. “It’s more than just attending convention; your NTA membership really is a valuable, yearlong resource.” To learn more about how to use your membership to its full- est, flip to page 15. If you have any questions and would like to hear from Todd about your member benefits, email him at todd. [email protected] or call +1.859.264.6578. How do I submit my dues? Online NTAonline.com Mail NTA, 101 Prosperous Place, Suite 350, Lexington, KY 40509 USA Email [email protected] Phone 800.682.8886 (U.S. & Canada) or +1.859.264.6540 Fax +1.859.264.6570 Destination Capitol Hill registration opening Dec. 1 Join your NTA cohorts, as well as other travel colleagues, in Washington, D.C., March 21–22 for the 2018 edition of Destination Capitol Hill. Registration for the industry’s premier legislative fly-in opens Dec. 1. At the event, you can: • Learn about upcoming legislation affecting travel. • Meet with your members of Congress and communicate to them the importance of travel as an economic driver. • Hear from engaging keynote speakers. Visit ustravel.org/dch to learn more and get signed up. 8 December 2017 “All of us are committed to making sure that the issues that affect travel are addressed on a national level.” —Martha Sheridan, president & CEO, Providence Warwick CVB