NTA WORKING FOR YOU
Something old, new, borrowed and blue
Recently engaged Contact ’18 chair shares her passion for Charleston
EARLIER THIS YEAR, Jennifer Aiken, des-
tination services manager for Explore
Charleston, was appointed chair of
Contact ’18. But being named the face of
NTA’s buyer retreat in South Carolina this
April isn’t the only cool thing happening
for her—she recently became engaged.
Courier met with Aiken and asked her
to share insights on our 2018 host city using the traditional
advice for what a bride should wear on her wedding day:
something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
The Battery at Charleston Harbor
USS Yorktown
Something old: In Charleston, everything from the cobblestones
to the iron gates has a story to tell. We were one of the first
American colonies, founded in 1670. Be sure to tour Magnolia
Plantation, which is the oldest plantation site on the Ashley
River, and climb aboard the World War II aircraft carrier USS
Yorktown. You also can visit the Charleston Tea Plantation, a true
working tea farm that’s a living piece of American history.
Something new: At the South Carolina Aquarium, overlooking
the Charleston Harbor, you can connect with more than 5,000
amazing animals and learn how to play a part in protecting
them. And while there, come face-to-face with injured sea
turtles undergoing rehabilitation at the aquarium’s newest
addition, Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery. You can follow
the turtles’ journeys from rescue to rehab to release.
Something borrowed: In the tradition of the cities that have
played host to Contact, we’re looking forward to welcoming
everyone to the Charleston area with sincere hospitality. I’ve
been able to attend Contact as a sponsor, and I know the
level of planning that goes into hosting an event such as this.
We’ll do all we can to make Contact ’18 fun and memorable,
just like the gracious NTA destinations that came before us.
Something blue: Set sail aboard the Carolina Queen with
Charleston Harbor Tours on its Blues & BBQ harbor cruise.
You’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset, delicious food and fun music,
while taking in close-up views of Charleston’s most famous
and charming sights. Blues & BBQ runs through October.
South Carolina Aquarium
Magnolia Plantation
Contact
at a Glance
What: Contact ’18
When: April 18–21
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport
Hotel & Convention Center
5055 International Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418
Web: NTAonline.com/contact; #NTAcontact
Who: NTA tour operators and travel planners. Suppliers and
DMOs can attend through sponsorship. Reach Laura Scott at
[email protected] or +1.859.264.6577 to get your spot.
Why: Contact’s practical, hands-on education encompasses the
topics and issues you need to tackle to move your business
forward. Its intimate setting will make it easy to connect, create and
collaborate in one of America’s most charming, historical cities.
Registration: Opens Oct. 31 at NTAonline.com/contact
Early-bird rates available through Jan. 12
Make contact with NTA buyers
Contact is a buyer-exclusive retreat, but it’s also open to tour
suppliers and DMOs who sponsor at the event. To connect
with nearly 100 key decision-makers from April 18 to 21, join
us in Charleston for four days of casual networking, education
and good times. Suppliers, DMOs and associates, reach out to
your account executive at [email protected] and get
on board. Or you can contact Laura Scott at sponsor@
ntastaff.com or +1.859.264.6577. We’ll see y’all in Charleston!
NTAonline.com
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