Monthly Newsletter

4/26/2024

After the longest first quarter ever, many of your clients (and you!) are probably longing for some sunshine. At least I hope your clients are clamoring for you to send them somewhere warm and sunny.

Can you get away too? Even when we are busy, we all need the travel experiences that we can then share and repeat for our people. So, how do you find these experiences for yourself? And what experiences do I mean? They come to us in several forms and with different names: FAMs (familiarization trips), TA rate offers (cruise lines, hotels and resorts, tour companies), self-funded travels sometimes too. They can all give us a good depth of insights into a destination, or a cruise line or resort.

How do you accelerate that learning? And make the sorts of connections that are more likely to turn into FAM invitations? ATTEND ASTA, CLIA, Consortium and Host Agency TRADE SHOWS!!!

I cannot quantify exactly how much my experience at the ASTA Destination Expo in Croatia is helping me with my group of 55 this September, with customized excursions, pre and post tours, connections with multiple DMCs. And wineries, of course! Or how great it is to be able to walk a client or a potential group’s pied piper through the ins and outs of various river cruise lines, thanks to attending the ASTA River Cruise Expo. Those are an investment, for sure.

If you are not ready to venture that far afield, or just don’t have the time, then the next best thing is meeting your local BDMs (Business Development Managers)at our Greater Portland ASTA Chapter events. For those who attended that stellar Trade Show in December, you know what I mean.

So for this year, we are bringing you more opportunities. The ASTA national convention is going to be more focused on helping you grow your business than ever before, and in Portland we will be hosting THREE trade shows this year!!

1- We just hosted the April 23rd Spring Fling, small and focused and an absolute success.

2- Then there’s the Mexico Focus event in August - there’s some sunshine to be found for all of your clients when you chat with all of the reps at that event! And yes, TA rates also.

3- Then of course the BIG TRADE SHOW in December. The energy just keeps growing.

Our amazing events team are working on some other sessions both live and virtual with suppliers who might be new to you, or with whom you can re-engage to mutually discover new ideas about how to do great things for your clients.

So we here at ASTA PDX hope to see you in Portland and ELSEWHERE!!! Because what’s up with ASTA is your business-

                             connections,

                                                          learning,

                                                                                      experiences

                                                                                                                                 and income!!!

-A Heartfelt Thank You-

As we announced at the SUPER SUCCESSFUL Spring Fling, I will be stepping back from my role as Chapter President, but not down from our Board.

When I agreed to pick up the reins in. . .I just looked this up . . . February of 2020, we had no idea what craziness our industry would be entering or for how long. It took the whole team to hang together and support each other through the 2years of constant cancellations, and no in-person gatherings.

I have so very much appreciation for everyone who has stepped forward to contribute to our now being recognized as one of the most active Chapters in ASTA! Little-old Portland!

But 4 years is enough, and it’s time for someone else’s energy and vision as President. I will be focusing on events and hopefully also tours and FAMs for our members, as one more way our Chapter can bring value to our members.

For the past 4 years, through all of the BOD meetings, trade show prep, and zoom sessions whose main purpose was always professional growth, there was a lot of room for friendships to grow too. All of that will continue. Maybe you will be part of it too - there’s room for everyone!
~Anne McGee

Get In The Know…

American Airlines
American Airlines is wielding its considerable market power to condition the way mile sand loyalty points are awarded and, in the process, disenfranchising customers who prefer to — or have to — book through a travel agency.

Starting July 1, the burden is now on the traveler to make sure their agency is preferred, and jump through even more hoops, just to obtain their loyalty points.

American’s behavior is monopolistic and should be concerning to lawmakers who value consumer choice. Please take a moment to contact your Members of Congress and express your concern with American’s practices.

To stay current this and other ongoing topics, please follow the link below.

asta.org

The American Society of Travel Advisors is Disappointed by DOT’s Lack of Understanding of Travel Agencies and the Role They Play in Selling Airline Tickets.

Alexandria, VA, April 25, 2024 – The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) expresses its deep disappointment over the Department of Transportation’s final rule relating to airline ticket refunds. As it reads, merchant of record ticket agents will be responsible to provide consumer refunds regardless of whether they are in possession of the funds from the airline. Despite ASTA’s years’ long effort to educate Congress and the DOT, this final rule indicates a complete lack of understanding for how our predominantly small business community sells airline tickets.

Click Here To Read More!

Suppliers’ Corner

Photo Collage -All New Sandals St Vincent

From Sandals Resorts

~Additional booking bonuses and commissions have been extended!
https://taportal.sandals.com/bonus-commission

~Flight credits up to $1500 for Sandals St Vincent!
https://www.sandals.com/sandals-saint-vincent/

~FAM/B2B Opportunity
Jamaica - All Resorts
May 28 - June 2nd

Spots are limited and first come, first serve!

Please reach out to
Brenna Summers, BDM
[email protected]
541-704-8212

**Attention Suppliers, if you have news and promos you’d like to share in the newsletter, please email [email protected]**

Upcoming Events

ASTA Travel Advisor Conference 2024 (Sold Out)
May 29–31, 2024
Hilton Anatole, Dallas TX
**Important** If you are registered for this event, please reach out to
Lynda Phillippi at 503-560-7425 or [email protected]

Mexico Showcase Tradeshow and Dinner
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Monarch Hotel and C conference center Clackamas , OR
5-8 pm
$25. per person
Tickets and more info to come.

Holiday Showcase
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Venue: Monarch Hotel and Conference Center, Clackamas OR
5-8 pm
$25. per person
Tickets and more info to come.

Keep an eye out for additional events and updates!

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