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Texas Travel Industry Update - Life's Better in a State of Travel
January 26, 2017
In This Issue
TTIA Discount Park Tickets
TravelPAC - Donate Now!
Job Openings
Unity Dinner & Converge
President's Update
Travel & Tourism College


 
TTIA Discount Park Tickets
Get your discounted Texas attraction tickets today!
  • SeaWorld San Antonio
  • Natural Bridge Caverns
  • Space Center Houston
  • Buckhorn Saloon & Museum
  • Ripley's Combo Tickets
  • Mirror Maze & The Vault
AND, remember,  EVERYONE who is employed by your organization is eligible for these discounts!  
 
Click HERE to purchase tickets! 

Upcoming Events
February 15-16, 2017
National Travel & Tourism Week

June 26-30, 2017

October 2-4, 2017
Texas Travel Summit, Arlington, TX
TravelPAC - Donate Now!

Do your fair share to support our advocacy efforts that help protect our industry and your livelihood

Join us in our "$20 by 12" campaign. It's easy and makes a BIG difference.

Job Openings 
The Travel Industry Career Center is a great place to find potential candidates, post your openings, search openings and subscribe to new posting notifications. TTIA Members may post an unlimited number of job listings at no charge. 

Mark Your Calendar for TTIA's Premier Advocacy Events

Unity Dinner


Converge 2017
Join us February 15 & 16 

State of the Texas Travel Industry 
by Dr. Ray Perryman
Dr. Perryman Dr. Ray Perryman, Texas' foremost economist and President and CEO of The Perryman Group, will be a featured speaker at the Texas Travel Industry Unity Dinner, Feb. 15, in Austin. Dr. Perryman will share his expert perspective on the value of the travel and tourism industry on the Texas economy, the state of the Texas travel industry, as well as discuss findings of two studies recently conducted for TTIA on issues relevant to the current legislative session. This will be an important message for your state and local elected officials and stakeholders to hear. 

Stay for Converge on the Capitol (free) the next day and be among the hundreds of Texas travel industry representatives to send a powerful message to our legislators that the travel industry in Texas is important to the state's economy Your legislators want and need to hear from you, and the Converge is the perfect way to make your voice heard.

to show your support for unity in Texas!

Don't forget: Submit the names of your guests at your table by Noon February 7.
 
President's Update

On behalf of our members, TTIA continues to vigorously pursue our legislative priorities at the State Capitol. As part of that effort, earlier this week I met with Senator Lois Kolkhorst to discuss issues of importance to TTIA members, including SB 6 (Texas Privacy Act). The Senator and I discussed the unique challenges and perception problems SB 6 presents the travel and tourism industry and why TTIA is unable to support the bill, even though we appreciate that the bill includes exemptions that accommodate the travel and tourism industry. I also shared with Senator Kolkhorst findings of an economic impact study TTIA recently commissioned which quantifies potential and widespread economic losses Texas and our industry would expect to suffer.   
 
You may have seen media reports in the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News and other outlets in which Senator Kolkhorst clarified that, after listening to people from "all walks of life," she is working on potential changes to the bill that will clarify the intent of SB 6.  We hope such changes will alleviate some of the negative perceptions surrounding the bill which are cause for concern to our industry. 
 
Senator Kolkhorst, a past recipient of TTIA's Silver Spur Award, is a strong supporter of Texas travel and tourism. She is committed to continuing an ongoing dialogue with TTIA leadership as part of her broader effort to ensure SB 6 works for everyone. We are deeply appreciative of her record as a strong advocate for TTIA's legislative priorities, including full funding for state tourism promotion and maintaining the current uniform school start date law for Texas public schools. 
 
At this point, it is TTIA's perspective that regulating bathroom choices is problematic and presents potential severe consequences for the travel and tourism industry. However, we are appreciative that our ongoing efforts with Senate leadership, including Lt. Governor Patrick and Senator Kolkhorst, continue to be positive and productive. If the Texas Legislature deems this necessary public policy, we applaud Lt. Governor Patrick and Senator Kolkhorst for ensuring the bill does not directly affect private businesses and local government venues. 

- David Teel, TTIA President and CEO

Travel & Tourism College
TTC  
June 26-30, 2017
Registration now live!

Travel and tourism professionals from across the West and Southwest U.S. convene for one week each summer for an intensive curriculum of travel and tourism marketing, management and leadership courses. This is designed as a 3-year certification program. 

Upon successful completion of the 3-year program and a capstone project, graduates will receive the designation of  "CERTIFIED TOURISM EXECUTIVE" (CTE)


Member News
  • Congratulations to Jeffrey Hentz, named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau.
  • Congratulations to Melissa Henderson, named the new Director of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce.
If your organization has news to share  - awards, staff changes, hosting a big industry event, etc, send the information to TTIA Communications via info@ttia.org and we'll try to include it in an upcoming newsletter or post on social media.
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