BUSINESS
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS FROM NTA MEMBERS
The net worth of
networks
BY BOB ROUSE
During his recent term as NTA chair, Jay Smith often said, “The Owners
Network is NTA’s best-kept secret.”
Eighteen of the 20-member group met during Travel Exchange in
San Antonio, but the secret is definitely out. Also convening during the
convention were 55 members who attended the inaugural meeting of the
Tour Supplier Network and 70 members who gathered for the second
session of the DMO Network.
analysis gives us financial benchmarks
we can each compare our company to.
Courier: And you meet in person, right?
Hoffmann: Yes. We usually meet twice
a year, and it’s always on a Friday so we
can steal a portion of the weekend and
not miss as much time in the office.
Everybody invests real currency and time
to travel to meetings, but the payoff is
unbelievable. I’ve been an NTA member
for 28 years, and this is by far the single-
best benefit that’s come along.
Morgan Maravich, NTA’s manager of industry and member engagement. Sally Berry, CTP,
Corning Museum
of Glass
“After the Tour Supplier Network session, even the most experienced Tour Supplier Network
“The involvement and the high level of conversations were fantastic,” said
members said they were taking away new pieces of information. And when
the DMO Network session ended, the group broke out in spontaneous
applause. They were just so grateful this initiative is getting off the ground.”
Courier talked with three NTA members who hold a leadership role with
their respective networks.
Mark Hoffmann, CTP,
Sports Leisure
Vacations
Owners Network
Courier: The Owners
Network was formed a
decade ago to give tour operator CEOs a
way to share information and discuss busi-
ness ideas. What makes it work so well?
Hoffmann: Our meetings are an oppor-
tunity to sit down with people who
do business in the same industry and
discuss things you wouldn’t normal