Each year, TravelAge West honors individuals with the Excellence in Leadership Award. These exceptional industry leaders not only demonstrate outstanding leadership, insight and innovation, but also positively impact both their own organizations and the travel industry overall.
For 2021, TravelAge West is honored to present this award to Zane Kerby, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
After a career with the Global Business Travel Association, Kerby joined ASTA in 2013, where, as the head of the world’s largest association of travel professionals, he has consistently promoted and advocated for the travel advisor community. He played a pivotal role in growing ASTA to the point where its members now generate 80% of all travel sold through the travel agency distribution channel in the U.S.
In the most difficult year for our industry, Kerby and his team at ASTA stepped up to help travel advisors on a heroic level.
“In the most difficult year for our industry, Kerby and his team at ASTA stepped up to help travel advisors on a heroic level,” said Kenneth Shapiro, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West. “Not only did ASTA support the industry as a whole through its lobbying efforts, but it gave advisors hope and inspiration — and, sometimes, a shoulder to cry on. I can’t think of a more timely or appropriate way to honor Kerby’s steadfast leadership.”
In addition, as the chief steward and primary spokesman for ASTA, Kerby also voiced the association’s promise to promote social justice and equality in the industry, showing why he has become one of the most important leaders in travel today.
“It’s such an honor to accept the TravelAge West Excellence in Leadership Award,” Kerby said. “No one would have wished the pandemic on our world, and its impact has lasted far too long. Even so, actions taken by governments around the world have underscored the importance of linking arms and speaking with one voice. Everyone at ASTA — our dedicated board of directors and volunteer leaders, incomparably hard-working staff and more than 14,000 resilient travel advisor members around the world — is proud to be that voice, and it gives me great pleasure to accept this award on behalf of the entire ASTA network.”
