USTA Council Will Promote Incentives and Events

Following the recent passage of the Travel Promotion Act, the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) announced the creation of a new council that will build a proactive research, communications, government relations and promotion agenda for the meetings and incentives industry.

"The critical meetings, incentives, and trade show industries need a collective voice," says Roger Dow, USTA President and CEO. "We will strive to ensure that the negative media attacks of 2009 never again take place and that the value of this industry is finally understood." Council members include representatives from Maritz Travel, Hilton Worldwide, Carlson Marketing Worldwide, Marriott International, ITA Group, and other leading travel and incentive industry companies.

The Meetings, Incentives and Trade Show Council (MIT) held its first strategy session in March. Among its initial goals will be efforts to establish the value of meetings, incentives, and trade shows in the minds of opinion leaders, policymakers, and business leaders; and driving a proactive legislative agenda to increase domestic meetings, incentives, and trade show activity.

For additional information on the U.S, Travel Association and the newly formed Meetings, Incentives and Trade Show Council, visit the USTA website at www.ustravel.org.