At ASTA’s 75th and final World Congress, the phrase most often
heard was joie de’ vivre. It was undoubtedly a side effect
of having the congress in Montreal, the second largest
French-speaking city in the world. ASTA members, travel suppliers
and industry leaders experienced that joy firsthand from Nov. 6-11
as they came together for the final time to talk travel. Beginning
next year, ASTA will premiere two new events designed to take the
place of the World Congress there will be the International
Destination Expo in the spring and THETRADESHOW presented in the
fall.
Most congress events, as well as the trade show, were held in
the city’s modern and centrally located Palais des Congres. Daily
events included the trade show with over 270 suppliers from all
over the world seminars for agents on a variety of issues, as well
as roundtable sessions and one-on-one “business appointments” with
suppliers.
Each day at the Congress saw an action-packed General Session
featuring speeches by industry leaders and guest speakers, as well
as a variety of awards. Of special note, agent Susan Tanzman, of
Martin’s Travel and Tours in Los Angeles, a member of TAW’s
Advisory Board, was named Travel Agent of the Year. Kenneth
Shapiro
Kristina Rundquist, ASTA’s V.P. of Communications, at one
of the many press conferences
Ken Shapiro, TravelAge West Executive Editor, and
Susan Tanzman, Travel Agent of the Year
Left to right: Deb Mangas, Congress Chair, Hon. Charles
Lapointe, President and CEO Tourisme Montreal, Kathy Sudeikis, ASTA
President and CEO
Guest speaker Ed McMahon with Deb Mangas
Santini Earns Lifetime Achievement Award
The National Tour Association announced Jim
Santini as the 2005 recipient of the Bob Everidge Lifetime
Achievement Award. The award recognizes those who have made
outstanding and ongoing contributions to the association, its
members, and the industry overall.
“Jim Santini has acted in the best interest of NTA and our
members for more than 20 years,” said Immediate Past Chairman and
CEO Ann Thomas, CTP. “His hard work, lobbying expertise and true
professionalism on Capitol Hill have positively affected the way
every one of us does business.”
Santini has served as NTA’s Legislative Counsel in Washington,
D.C., for the past 22 years. He previously served as a congressman
for the state of Nevada.
Devones
Simao
HAL Promotions
Holland America Line promoted Ken Devones, CTC,
to director, consumer programs, and Steve Simao to
director, sales Western Division, as of Nov. 1.
Devones has been with Holland America Line since 1986, and was
also with Society Expeditions Cruises for three years. Simao joined
the company in 1997 and most recently held the position of
marketing manager of Grand World Voyage and long voyages in the
Seattle headquarters.
