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Texas Travel Industry Update - Life's Better in a State of Travel
December 5, 2016
In This Issue
TTIA Discount Park Tickets
TravelPAC - Donate Now!
Travel & Tourism College
Public Policy Forum
Unity Dinner & Converge
Advocacy Efforts Results
Membership Changes
Member News
New Members
TTIA Premier Members


 
TTIA Discount Park Tickets
Partners in The Park Holiday 2016
Start Planning Your Holiday Visits to Texas Parks & Attractions!

Get your discount tickets today!
  • SeaWorld San Antonio
  • Natural Bridge Caverns
  • Six Flags Over Texas
  • Six Flags Fiesta Texas
  • 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
December 7, 2016
 
February 15-16, 2017

April 10-11, 2017
Travel Fair - Amarillo

May 7-13, 2017
National Travel & Tourism Week

June 26-30, 2017
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.

Travel & Tourism College
Travel College
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). 


TTC 2015
It's not too late to join us! 
Policy Forum
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort
 
Join us for a must-attend half-day forum where you   will hear from legislators and political analysts about the upcoming session. Confirmed speakers include Representative Todd Hunter, Senator Donna Campbell, Representative Dan Huberty, Senator Kelly Hancock, Patricia Rojas-Ungár (U.S. Travel Association), Brian Sullivan  (Texas Hotel & Lodging Association), Richie Jackson (Texas Restaurant Association), Cathy DeWitt (Texas Association of Business), R.G. Ratcliffe, (Texas Monthly), Harvey Kronberg, (The Quorum Report),   Ross Ramsey, (The Texas Tribune), Mike Ward (Houston Chronicle),  and Lauren McGaughy (Dallas Morning News) . Topics will include business and commerce, urban affairs, Major Events Trust Fund, school start date, an overview of the 2017 legislative session, and more. 

$150 - 1st attendee from an organization
$105 - each additional attendee from same organization

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.: Registration
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Public Policy Forum ( Click here for the full schedule. Lunch will be served during a panel discussion)
 

Mark Your Calendar for TTIA's Premier Advocacy Events

Unity Dinner


Converge 2017
Join us February 15 & 16 

We look forward to you joining us as we share, celebrate and reinforce our unity as a decisive strength of our industry and with our state and local policy makers. We will share our successes as a critical economic driver and job-creating force in Texas. We will celebrate and honor our friends in the legislature for their tireless support of our industry. We will reinforce how together  we have made  Life Better in a State of Travel
to show your support for unity in Texas!

Support TTIA's advocacy and educational efforts by donating to the Unity Dinner Silent Auction Fundraiser.  

A room block is available at the  Hilton Austin Hotel 500 E. 4th St.  TTIA Rate:  $249/night plus taxes and parking (35% discount on self parking)
Cut-off Deadline:  January 23, 2017 (unless block is sold out prior to this date)


Here's a template of an invite letter to edit and send to your elected officials, board members, stakeholders and others.

TTIA Advocacy Efforts Make an Impact
Texas Travel Industry Association members say that advocacy is the highest value benefit they receive by being a part of this organization. Our staff is keenly focused on this as our most important responsibility. The recent injunction placed on the Department of Labor's Exempt Overtime changes are clear evidence of TTIA's advocacy efforts. TTIA's CEO, Sr. VP of Government Affairs and Contract Lobbyist worked closely with the Texas Governor's Office and the Texas Attorney General's office to file the lawsuit joining 21 other states that led to this ruling on November 22, 2016.
 
"This is a clear win for the members of our industry here in Texas and across the U.S.," said David Teel, CEO of TTIA. "The overall travel industry and small business sectors and their employees would have been hardest hit by this change in law as it would have required businesses to make significant changes to their employment and operating structures, ultimately reducing work hours and increasing prices to consumers to offset increased costs."
 
TTIA's mission is to unify and develop industry leadership that will support and influence the growth of Texas travel and tourism through Advocacy, Communication and Engagement. 

TTIA Membership Changes
At Summit, the  TTIA Board of Directors approved membership payment terms and pricing changes for 2017:
  • 2017 TTIA membership payments will be due by January 31, 2017. If you pay by January 31, your dues amount will stay the same.
  • A 3% annual price increase will take effect on February 1, 2017. If you pay after that date, we will send you a new invoice with a 3% adjustment.  
  • If you paid in October or November your dues have been prorated to reflect that payment. 
  • All members who become 60 days past due will be removed from TTIA's membership list and communications.
  • If you have not paid by April 1 your membership will be cancelled.
  • Premier and Prime Plus members will now be identified in three categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
  • Gold, Silver and Bronze members will be able to bundle their dues with other TTIA activities (event registrations, sponsorships, etc.) into one annual payment which will also allow you to lock in your membership rate for two years.
Please call Dan Decker or Jennifer Baker for more information: (512) 328-8842.
Member News
Russ Whitlock
Russ Whitlock
  • John "Russ" Whitlock, superintendent of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, is retiring after 37 years in federal service. Russ spoke at last year's Unity Dinner. Congratulations, Russ, and thank you for your service!
  • Congratulations to Susanne McDonald who has been named the new superintendent of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument in Texas. McDonald, a 21-year veteran of the Park Service, will assume her new duties on Jan. 8, 2017.
  • Congratulations to Martha Noell, retiring as chief executive officer for the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce after 17 years of service.   
  • Congratulations to the U.S. Travel Association, who recently celebrated 75 years! 
  • Congratulations to Space Center Houston for being named one of the best places to work in the Houston area by the Houston Chronicle.
If your organization has news to share  - awards, staff changes, hosting a big industry event, etc, send the information to TTIA Communications via janicel@ttia.org and we'll try to include it in an upcoming newsletter.
Welcome the new TTIA Members! 
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TTIA Premier Members

Chair's Circle Members
Board Circle Members
President's Circle  Members



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Texas Travel Industry Association                                              Connect with TTIA
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