Babb ’ s best : NTA chair shares Contact , Charleston favs
NTA WORKING FOR YOU
Run to the Hill
NTA members will join hundreds of their tourism colleagues from across the United States when the industry makes its voice heard in Washington , D . C ., at Destination Capitol Hill , March 21 – 22 . NTA annually unites with U . S . Travel Association and Destinations International on the event , and we ’ re pleased to welcome the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB as a new partner in 2018 .
DCH educates attendees on upcoming legislation that impacts travel , and there also is time to network with peers and meet with members of Congress to stress the
importance of travel as an economic driver . This year ’ s keynote speaker is Bret Baier , FOX News Channel ’ s chief political anchor and host of “ Special Report with Bret Baier .”
Registration is filling up quickly , so go to ustravel . org / events / DCH to check availability , view training webinars and see the schedule .
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
BRET BAIER
FOX News Channel ’ s chief political anchor , and anchor of “ Special Report with Bret Baier ”
“ As a tour operator specializing in U . S . national park tours , it ’ s very important to let them know how concerned I am about new rules they want to implement that would affect my groups . The possible reservation system at some of the parks , along with doubling entrance fees — and taking a piece of my profit on top of that — are some of the issues I plan on discussing . I encourage everyone to attend .”
— Michele Michalewicz , CTP , Western Leisure , NTA Advocacy Advisory Group member , DCH attendee
“ Just to walk down the hall of a congressional building and into the office of your elected official ; to sit down with a staff person assigned to your topic or possibly the actual member and speak to the priorities of our association and the industry as a whole ; then to also have the opportunity to discuss how these issues affect your own business and your livelihood , it ’ s just an awesome experience !”
— John Shaffer , Luray Caverns , NTA Advocacy Advisory Group member , DCH attendee
Babb ’ s best : NTA chair shares Contact , Charleston favs
NTA Chair Chris Babb is a regular Contact attendee and has family in Charleston , site of next month ’ s buyer retreat , so The Group Tour Company president is an ideal choice to share why he ’ s gearing up for the April 18 – 21 event . Read on for his take on how the event benefits sellers , too , and what he ’ s most looking forward to having on his plate in South Carolina ’ s Lowcountry . To register for Contact and learn more visit NTAonline . com / contact .
Courier : Why is Contact valuable to you as a tour operator ? Babb : Contact allows me , as the decision maker for my company , to network with colleagues to discuss best practices and to share solutions to business challenges while exploring a destination .
C : Why does it make sense to sponsor and attend Contact ? B : It ’ s a chance for our DMO and tour supplier partners to spend extended face time with the individuals who are making the decision on the product they offer their clients ; it allows us to really get to know one another in a casual , laidback environment . Some of my company ’ s strongest relationships grew from meetings at Contact .
C : How is Contact different than Travel Exchange for you ? B : Contact is a chance for me , as the owner , to focus on my continued education and to learn in depth about travel product . Travel Exchange is for my staff to meet our vendors , continue their education and develop the product that we ’ ll be offering our clients .
C : Have you been to Charleston ? B : Yes , I have family there , and it ’ s one of my favorite places to visit . Seriously there is nothing like the Lowcountry ; you have to simply be there to experience it .
C : What food or drink will you indulge in while in the Lowcountry ? B : What will I not ? There ’ s shrimp and grits , oysters , barbecue ! Charleston has one of the most unique food cultures in America — and don ’ t get me started on the craft beverage scene . Deciding which of my favorite haunts I will hit first when I get into town always is a challenge .
14 March 2018